MSI 16-Pin Adapter Issues: GPU Connector Turns Yellow, More GPUs Affected

Gamers should steer clear of the problematic 16-pin yellow-tipped connector adapter, which has been linked to multiple GPU failures.

MSI Gaming Trio OC Struggles with the 16-Pin Adapter; Reports of GPU Death During Idle State

The number of incidents involving melting 16-pin connectors continues to grow, with a notable concentration of complaints arising over the past week. A significant issue has been reported among users utilizing MSI’s yellow-tipped 16-pin connector adapter that ships with the MSI GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards. One such case involved a Reddit user who encountered a melted connector on his MSI RTX 5090 Gaming Trio, echoing similar reports from the community.

MSI power connector on graphics card. — Image Credit: Reddit.com

The user shared an image that reveals a severely burnt top row on the MSI yellow-tipped connector, alongside the GPU connector displaying signs of scorching, indicating a significant damage level. Surprising to many, this incident occurred while the GPU was in an “idle”state, despite the fact that the user had initially operated the card for a span of seven months without issues. It raises concerns since the melting could have transpired well before the user observed the GPU failure.

According to Redditor u/Complex-Brief6519, he utilized the MSI 16-pin adapter included with the GPU, connecting it to an EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G+ power supply. An important detail is that his GPU lacks a direct 16-pin power connector, mandating the usage of this adapter. Many enthusiasts are aware of the risks associated with using multiple 8-pin PCIe connectors in place of a 16-pin connector, often leading to fatal load balancing problems for GPUs.

Corsair PCIe 5.0 12+4 pin cable with black and yellow connectors on a white background.

This incident highlights a range of factors contributing to these catastrophic failures, with the MSI connector adapter emerging as a primary suspect. The notorious “yellow-tip”design does little to mitigate the risk. Industry experts strongly recommend that users employ a dedicated 16-pin to 16-pin power cable that comes directly with their power supply unit (PSU).Additionally, obtaining a power supply that supports a native 12V-2×6 connector is a prudent choice, particularly for high-performance GPUs such as the GeForce RTX 5090, which can demand up to 600W. Without proper precautions, there’s immense potential for connector failures due to excessive load.

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