PCI-SIG has sent out a statement warning members that manufacture, market, or sell products with the new 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector that they should take all appropriate and prudent measures to ensure end user safety:
PCI-SIG wishes to impress upon all Members that manufacture, market or sell PCI-SIG technologies (including 12VHPWR connections) of the need to take all appropriate and prudent measures to ensure end user safety, including testing for the reported problem cases involving consumers […].
Members are reminded that PCI-SIG specifications provide necessary technical information for interoperability and do not attempt to address proper design, manufacturing methods, materials, safety testing, safety tolerances or workmanship. When implementing a PCI-SIG specification, Members are responsible for the design, manufacturing, and testing, including safety testing, of their products.
The statement was prompted by Genova v. Nvidia Corporation, a new class action lawsuit led by a GeForce RTX 40 Series user who has accused NVIDIA of marketing and selling its latest flagship graphics card for gamers with a “defective and dangerous” power cable plug and socket, rendering consumers’ cards inoperable and creating a “serious electrical and fire hazard” for each and every purchaser.
The statement was forwarded to the press by the group’s PR department, an uncommon practice that would suggest the organization is keen on absolving itself from blame and trying to prevent further trouble, according to some publications.
NVIDIA hasn’t addressed the controversy on its GeForce portal yet, but it did suggest to Gamers Nexus last month that the issue can likely be blamed on user error, with GeForce RTX 40 Series owners failing to plug in their connectors correctly (i.e., fully).
On top of ensuring an expedited RMA process, NVIDIA mentioned that it is investigating ways of ensuring that the new connector is secure.
AMD continues to note that its Radeon RX 7000 Series graphics cards do not feature the new 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector.