Ways to safely own a 5090 are being discussed, along with information about support brackets.
Ways to safely own a 5090 are being discussed, along with information about support brackets.
Hello. Im planning to upgrade my system
Current Specs
Mobo: ROG STRIX X670E-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 2007
CPU: Ryzen 7800X3D
GPU: RTX 4080 MSI Gaming Trio X
RAM: 64GB (4 x 16GB) Vengeance at 5200MHz C40
Cooler: Noctua NH-D15S
PSU: XPG Cybercore Platinum 1300w
CASE: NZXT H710i
I want to go to a 9800X3D or 9950X3D and 5090, but I'm worried about the 5090 melting or having cracks due to sag.
Is there a safe 5090 from melting? I saw the Astral lets you know if there is an error. My psu doesnt have a 12vhp direct cable, so I would be using the adapter,
if this psu is still good for a 5090, that is. Is it?
Would I likely be able to use it without issue or am I very likely to encounter headaches?
Is derbauers cable tool a proper fix, or just another warning? I avoided the 4090 and stayed on 4080 because of this and now. Is there any truly safe way to run this card and not have to worry about melting? Otherwise I might be better off waiting for a 5080 Super.
Incidentally, I'd also like to ask about my current setup. My Gaming Trio 4080 GPU is using the support bracket that came with it and nothing else, is that enough? This is how it looks:
https://imgur.com/a/pUXIln1
I can add another support like a coolermaster atlas if thats not enough,
Thanks!
Is there a safe 5090 from melting? They all use the same connector, but why does the connector melt is unclear—it could be due to several factors. Your PSU doesn’t have a direct 12vhp cable, so you’re likely using an adapter. How old is your PSU? This looks like it needs more images without the side panel. You might also consider adding another support, such as a Coolmaster Atlas, if needed.
There isn’t a "safe" version of the 5090. If it’s going to melt, it will. It’s crucial to remember that the Astral doesn’t offer any extra safeguards to stop the card from melting. In cases of immediate danger, the Asus software will display a warning on your screen about the risk. The user must then take action themselves. There are no additional protections beyond this alert. It simply means you’ll see a message on your screen, and that’s it—no further assistance.
Board partners and PSU manufacturers have attempted to add their own safety features, but all have failed. The issue stems from a design flaw in the connectors, which will persist until PCI-SIG updates its specifications or NVidia allows board partners to use their 8-pin connectors. I don’t expect either solution to succeed, so essentially... you should buy a 5090 at your own risk. It could melt, or it might not. Only you can find out for sure.
I own a 4080S and won’t upgrade unless there’s a clear resolution to this problem. If someone gave me a 5090 for free, I wouldn’t take it. For me, the risk is too high. Unfortunately, the decision rests with you as the buyer—whether it’s worth taking that chance depends entirely on your judgment. Personally, I don’t believe it’s worth it. That’s just my perspective, and it’s purely an opinion. You need to decide for yourself if you’re comfortable with the risk.
Most importantly, please be aware: if the GPU is going to melt, it will. The Astral’s warning is at least a signal, but if you run a large rendering job on your PC using an Astral, let it continue uninterrupted for 8 hours—if something dangerous occurs while you’re asleep, the alert will appear. You won’t see it because you’re asleep, the card will keep working, and the connector will melt just like any other 5090. The Astral only provides a warning; that’s all.
It looks like some special support is required. A simple wooden block or similar material can be placed under the front corner of the video card. Perhaps frequent movement calls for a more stable setup. Using a case or mounting the GPU vertically can help prevent bending of both boards and avoid bending power cables.
Could restricting power in the afterburner ensure safety, or might it still cause damage?
Could it be improved by limiting power usage? Would you consider the 5080+ overclocking a superior upgrade given that the base 5080 is quite underwhelming? I’m planning to wait for the 5080 super, but I’m concerned they might push too much power consumption, possibly pushing it into dangerous territory.
The problem lies within the card itself. Nvidia only installed a single 12v power checker, rather than several. This means it only verifies that the card receives full power, ignoring the distribution across wires. It doesn’t account for how power is split among the six wires, as long as the card gets its required voltage. Der8auer’s WireView might not address line load issues. There’s also the Asus ROG Astral with visible card lights or the GPU Tweak 3 software, which can alert you if any pins exceed the 9.2 amp limit.
It's not the overclocking issue; it's the load balance and current draw that need attention. Power limiting can help prevent overheating. The 4080S is rated at 320W, and melting is rare on that card, so you might be able to undervolt your 5090 to 320W without major problems. This will reduce performance slightly. The exact impact is uncertain, but it's definitely something worth considering.