Controversy surrounding the GeForce RTX 5090, a $1,999 GPU based on NVIDIA’s “Blackwell” architecture that some early adopters say is so powerful that it can burn houses down, is totally overblown, according to a tweet that Falcon Northwest published to its official X account today, one where the PC integrator says it hasn’t seen anything similar to what overclocker Roman Hartung (der8auer) had described as being “extremely concerning” in a video that he published to his YouTube channel yesterday (i.e., a GeForce RTX 5090 power cable overheating beyond 150 degrees Celsius).
“HUGE respect for @der8auer’s testing, but we’re not seeing anything like his setup’s results,” Falcon Northwest stated before sharing a set of thermal images, which can be seen below. “We tested many 5090 Founder’s builds with multiple PSU & cable types undergoing days of closed chassis burn-in. Temps (images in F) & amperages on all 12 wires are nominal.”
“No issues found on any setup. Multiple PSU types, multiple cable types, huge variety of system builds, and far too much imaging data to post here,” the company went on to tweet, noting that the figures in the image above are “all normal.”
News of NVIDIA’s latest flagship GPU for gamers, creators, and developers potentially not melting down comes a day after Hartung revealed that he had gotten his hands on that damaged GeForce RTX 5090 that had been making the rounds on reddit, including the PSU and power cable that was used, which the overclocker learned was severely damaged.
MODDIY, the company behind the cable, has published a new support page that warns GeForce RTX 50 Series owners against using its 12VHPWR cables (i.e., cables made before 2025) and to pair their Blackwell GPUs with its newer ones instead, which are “manufactured in accordance with the new 12V-2X6 specifications and standards.”
Here’s the full word from MODDIY, a company that describes itself as one that has specialized in manufacturing premium and custom computer cables and accessories for large corporations, computer enthusiasts, and gamers worldwide for over 13 years:
Upgrade to the Latest 12V-2X6 Cables for RTX50 Series GPUs
We are pleased to announce the release of our new 12V-2X6 cables, designed specifically for the recently launched RTX50 series GPUs. As of 2025, the industry standard has transitioned to 12V-2X6, replacing the previous 12VHPWR standard. Our new cables incorporate significant advancements, including enhanced terminal and connector housing materials, along with thicker wires, to provide an additional safety buffer for the latest GPUs.
At MODDIY, all 12VHPWR / 12V-2X6 cables purchased from 2025 onward are manufactured in accordance with the new 12V-2X6 specifications and standards, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance with the RTX50 series GPUs.
Prior to 2024, the RTX50 series GPUs had not yet been introduced, and the prevailing standard was 12VHPWR. All cables produced before this period were designed and tested for use with the RTX40 series GPUs.
We recommend that all users upgrade to the new 12V-2X6 cables to take full advantage of the enhanced safety and performance features offered by this new standard.
You can buy the new 12V-2X6 cable at ATX 3.1 PCIe 5.1 H++ 12V-2X6 675W 12VHPWR 16 Pin Power Cable.
How can I identify if my cable is 12VHPWR or 12V-2X6?
To determine the type of cable you have, consider the purchase date:
- If the cable was purchased on or before 2024, it is a 12VHPWR.
- If the cable was purchased in 2025 or later, it is a 12V-2X6.
Are there no changes in specifications between 12VHPWR and 12V-2X6?
Yes, 12VHPWR and 12V-2X6 are fully compatible, and there is no change in cable specifications. However, this does not imply that the cable cannot be improved or enhanced.
It is a misconception that a product cannot be enhanced, or a new product cannot be released unless there is a change in specifications. This is clearly not the case.
In the PC industry, every product is continually improving and evolving. New products are introduced regularly, offering better features, superior performance, enhanced durability, improved materials, and more attractive designs, regardless of specification changes.