Maybe it's not a good idea to unplug the connector every few months, as it can damage the pins, which is why we are seeing a burnt connector.
Redditor Finds Melted 16-pin Connector on His RTX 5090 on His Routine Check; Says He Pushes the Connector Every Month to Ensure Proper Connection
It can be a disaster if one is unplugging and plugging a 16-pin power connector frequently. The connector is already highly prone to melting due to its inherent flaw, and due to its weak design, it's also prone to damage. We have been reporting cases of the 16-pin connector melting for a long time, and while it's a common phenomenon, particularly in setups where the RTX 5090 is deployed, we haven't heard anyone unplugging too many times.
However, the Reddit user u/KusKundale was surprised to find that his RTX 5090 connector and the connector on the cable got burned as he was doing a routine checkup on his system. According to the user, he always "unplugs" and plugs back the 16-pin connector every three months. Moreover, he blows out the dust inside the chassis and manually pushes the connector every month to ensure it's fully seated.
The result was that he kept the FPS capped at 120. Having played the game for a few weeks, he discovered a burnt 12VHPWR cable, and the GPU's power connector had also blackened. He says he has enough clearance for the cable, as the GPU was vertically mounted and he used the official Corsair Type 4 12VHPWR cable. So, he wasn't even using the latest 12V-2x6 connector cable, and his power supply wasn't likely ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1-compliant.
We can see a lot of problems in the setup from the start that must have led to the connector burning. While it's true that even without all the precautions, there are still possibilities of the connector melting, it's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to mitigate these possibilities. That said, if you are running an RTX 50 series GPU with a 16-pin connector, it's discouraged to unplug the connector so many times, as it can damage the terminals. It's fine to do a routine check every few months, but if the connector is fully secured, there is no need to push it repeatedly.
News Sources: Reddit, @unikoshardware
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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