A Reddit user known as DallasGrave modified a GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card to address heating issues at the power connector. The enthusiast soldered additional power wires directly to the PCB, connecting them to a custom board featuring two standard 8-pin PCIe power connectors.
The modification allows the GPU to draw power through both the original 16-pin 12VHPWR connector and the two newly added 8-pin ports. This design aims to distribute the high electrical load across more conductors, reducing the current passing through individual pins of the stock connector.
During testing at a power consumption level of approximately 550 W, the user reported that the current per conductor was about 3 A. The temperature of the cables and connection points remained below 40 °C after several hours of operation, according to the author.
The modification does not increase the maximum power limit of the RTX 5090, as it does not involve changing the firmware or the power controller. The creator noted that while this method is simpler than other hardware tweaks, it requires soldering directly to the PCB.
Performing this modification carries significant risks, including potential damage to the graphics card due to errors in handling power circuits. Additionally, such hardware intervention on the printed circuit board will almost certainly void the manufacturer's warranty.
