User reports melted GeForce RTX 5090 power connector after testing DLSS 5 in NBA 2K27

A hardware enthusiast has reported a critical failure of the power connector on a GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card. According to reports from Tom's Hardware and TweakTown, the incident occurred while the user was testing the new DLSS 5 technology within the game NBA 2K27. The physical result of this session was a melted 16-pin power connector, which suggests a failure of the hardware to handle the electrical load generated during the specific testing scenario involving neural rendering. Coverage from Tom's Hardware emphasizes the specific power metrics associated with this failure. The outlet reports that the enthusiast observed the RTX 5090 being pushed past 600W of power consumption.

Furthermore, the report notes that Nvidia's neural rendering technology, specifically DLSS 5, added up to 50% more power draw during the testing phase. TweakTown also covered the event, focusing on the direct link between the application of DLSS 5 in NBA 2K27 and the subsequent melting of the 16-pin connector. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the power demands of high-end GPU hardware and the stability of specialized connectors. The context provided by the reports indicates that the integration of neural rendering via DLSS 5 significantly increases the electrical requirements of the card. Because the power draw reached levels exceeding 600W, the 16-pin connector became a point of failure.

This trend of increasing power consumption in flagship GPUs makes the physical integrity of power delivery systems a primary concern for enthusiasts. Observers will be watching for official responses or technical guidance regarding the 16-pin connector's capacity to handle these power spikes. The coverage focuses on the correlation between DLSS 5 and the reported 50% increase in power draw, meaning future monitoring will likely center on whether this is an isolated user report or a broader hardware limitation. Further data on how NBA 2K27 interacts with Nvidia's neural rendering tech may emerge as more users test the hardware.