Monday, November 3rd 2025
12V-2×6 Power Connector Burns on Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU
The story of the 12V-2x6 power connector overheating is almost as old as the original 12VHPWR connector itself, and the improved 12V-2x6 still faces issues common to the 12-pin GPU power connector family. Recently, another instance of a burning 12V-2x6 connector was reported, this time on a Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU. A user named u/ProfessionalHost3913 shared images on the r/AMD subreddit showing his Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT with a burned connector end on the GPU. According to the user, the GPU was running at its default settings, with no overclocking or increased power limits, during gaming sessions of Battlefield 6, Cyberpunk 2077, Outerworlds, Minecraft, and others.
The issue appears to arise from powering the GPU with a regular PSU that lacks a native 12V-2x6 output. Instead, the GPU was connected using a 3x8-pin adaptor rather than directly to an ATX 3.1 PSU. These adaptors have been known to cause melted connectors. This problem was first observed in August, highlighting a recurring theme for new builders: to prevent this situation, avoid using last-generation PSUs and opt for an ATX 3.1 PSU design whenever possible to eliminate the need for adaptors. As more companies adopt the 12V-2x6 power source for their GPU designs, gamers might consider investing in ATX 3.1 PSUs to ensure their systems can power future generations of GPUs.
Source:
r/AMD Subreddit
The issue appears to arise from powering the GPU with a regular PSU that lacks a native 12V-2x6 output. Instead, the GPU was connected using a 3x8-pin adaptor rather than directly to an ATX 3.1 PSU. These adaptors have been known to cause melted connectors. This problem was first observed in August, highlighting a recurring theme for new builders: to prevent this situation, avoid using last-generation PSUs and opt for an ATX 3.1 PSU design whenever possible to eliminate the need for adaptors. As more companies adopt the 12V-2x6 power source for their GPU designs, gamers might consider investing in ATX 3.1 PSUs to ensure their systems can power future generations of GPUs.
109 Comments on 12V-2×6 Power Connector Burns on Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU
That looks like the adaptor thar comes with the Sapphire RX 9070 XT Nitro+, link.
If so, any user would think it is of appropriate quality to use with PSU that doesn't have native 12V-2x6 connector.
@LabRat 891
I'd agree.
Exact reason bought a RX 9070 XT with 3x8 pin rather then 12V-2x6, to avoid 12V-2x6.
I got Gigabyte RX 9070 XT.
I understand not nVidia official cable, but looks like one provided by Sapphire with card. If so, should be "safe", as long as no user error on insertion.
That card also doesn't to per pin load balancing, etc.
If I recall correctly, Buildzoid did video on YouTube.
I am aware it can happen with 8-pin connectors, just to nip that in the bud. But it seems to be happening a LOT less considering the ratio of 8-pin/12VHPWR connectors in the wild.
www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9070-xt-nitro/41.html
Maximum = 351w , O.C. = 385w , also ;Are you telling me that this 12pins connector is not rated at 600w for 24/7 , 365 days or maybe only 300w?? Either This connector was crap or Seriously flaw design.
If you look at this Blue pin , Only middle pin were not effected so PCB doesn't use load balancing power.
Certainly seemed to be doing the rounds in regards to their gaming. Do each of those games have benchmarks?! Also, not sure why the friend who is apparently flush with cash didn't buy him the Nvidia card he was originally after (which uses the same power connector)?!
Screenshot from Buildzoid's video.
Buy choices of people and self harm should not be discussed.
When I look at how many of those graphic cards are sold my stance against that connector will not matter. I will be forced to buy such a card anyway because the market will not offer anything else. Covering the hole graphic card in heat restriction foam or materials to instantly kill flame will be the way to go. Too bad asbestos is not allowed anymore so I have to look for the next better alternative. Maybe submerge the hole graphic card in water ? Something which transport the heat and kills instnatly the flame. Maybe but the box in Nitrogen? Hydrogen may work well with nice RGB effects. ...
Not seen anything concrete that BTF allows load balancing via the GC-HPWR and 12V-2x6, be interested to see something if you have a link or something.
The only cards that do load balancing are RTX 3090 Ti.
Maybe return of the mineral oil PC?
Yet, no RX 9070s XTs with burned standard ATX connectors have been reported so far.
I bet Sapphire and AsRock now regret going for 12V2x6 for their top tier models.
Should one still insist in using this connector, be sure to invest into load balancing module or uneven current distribution detection module. For safety sake.
Not only one paids a lot for a GPU equipped with this connector, they even needs to purchase safety equipment separately at additional costs.
But yes, this connector is not a real problem ... Until it is.
This connector is a 250W-300W connector at the very maximum.
Still couldn't bring myself to buy a RX 9000 series with one.
The abomination is on the higher priced nVidia cards. Parting with the money they command, only to be wondering if and when you may have an issue is nuts to me.
Paying what those cards may cost, and then perhaps buying AMPINEL or a Wireview Pro, to safe guard the cards, beggers belief in my book.
For the future the real solution would be to have a better connector, it really should not be impossible to do so. Connectors of the same size that can do this amount of power exist after all.
love how many "issues" of the past 1(2) gens dont seem to be limited to team green.
Behold, the GTX 680.
All they had to do was a make a new spec for a 6-Pin cable that allows 300W per cable, and change the slotting layout so you can't plug in a regular 6-Pin.
There was even a stacked connector like this designed for 6+8-Pin which could be turned into dual 8-Pin if they wanted to.