An MSI GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card has been modified by a Reddit user named DallasGrave to include two additional 8-pin PCIe power inputs, running alongside the card’s original 16-pin connector to reduce thermal load on the primary header.
How the Custom Pickup PCB Divides Current on the RTX 5090
The modification involves a small pickup printed circuit board soldered directly to the contacts of the 16-pin header on the MSI GeForce RTX 5090. That initial board feeds a second printed circuit board carrying two conventional 8-pin PCIe power sockets. According to details shared on r/pcmasterrace, the GPU operates on three separate cables simultaneously. DallasGrave stated that individual conductors now carry roughly 3 A, and temperature measurements at the joint never crossed 40°C under a 550 W load over a 48-hour period. VideoCardz.com noted that the creator is currently developing a similar version tailored for PNY 5090 cards.
Continuing Melting Power Connector Issues Across RTX 50-Series Hardware
The modification emerges amid persistent reports of melting 16-pin power connectors on high-end hardware despite NVIDIA’s early 2025 assertions that the 12V-2×6 revision resolved the issue. Shortly after those statements, the first melted RTX 5090 Founders Edition appeared using a third-party cable. Additional failures followed, including an RTX 5090 unit running with an undervolt and a -100 W power limit. Last month, Hardware Unboxed recorded an RTX 5090 power cable reaching 175°C while a single wire pulled approximately 22 A. Off-the-shelf mitigation attempts have encountered setbacks, as illustrated when a photo of a burned ASUS ROG Equalizer cable surfaced online, and ASRock’s TempGuard reportedly failed to stop a PSU-side meltdown on an RTX PRO 6000 workstation.
Hardware Modifications Versus Factory Protective Accessories
User-built hardware adjustments represent a more invasive approach than commercial accessories designed to spread electrical current. ASUS released the ROG Equalizer cable to distribute loads more evenly, while ASRock introduced TempGuard monitoring. Meanwhile, Brazilian repair channel TecLab pursued a more extreme path by soldering power wires directly straight to the printed circuit board before running an RTX 5090 on three separate 8-pin connectors. In contrast, DallasGrave’s design keeps the original 16-pin connector intact so it carries a reduced portion of the total load. VideoCardz.com pointed out that soldering components directly to the graphics card voids the manufacturer warranty, and noted that the cheapest RTX 5090 listed on PCPartPicker highlights the financial risk involved in modifying such expensive hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dual 8-Pin RTX 5090 Modification
Does the modification completely remove the 16-pin connector?
No, the original 16-pin connector stays in place and remains in active use, sharing the electrical load with the two newly added 8-pin inputs.
What temperature did the wires reach during testing?
According to DallasGrave’s test data, the wires never crossed 40°C during a 48-hour run at 550 W.
Does this modification affect the manufacturer warranty?
Soldering a custom pickup printed circuit board directly to the contacts of the original header voids the graphics card warranty.
Are similar modifications available for other brand models?
DallasGrave stated that a version specifically designed for PNY 5090 cards is currently being developed.