NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series graphics cards have taken flak for its usage of the new ATX 12VHPWR 16-pin connector for its graphics card. But as they’ve tried to address older PSU issues via adapter dongle, the main issue rose from the actual connectors catching fire.
This has been documented by media outlets like GamerNexus who have performed testing to which they concluded design change could help to address improper or bad contact when plugging in the ATX 12VHPWR connectors.
Intel recommend 4 Spring instead of 3 Dimple in 12VHPWR connector pic.twitter.com/AUVRpIojDw
— ํฌ์ํฌ์ (@harukaze5719) March 13, 2023
Intel is addressing this in a revision to the connector standard. Pointed out by industry leaker harukaze55719, the draft revision now recommends a 4-spring design rather than 3 dimple indents to mate the female pins on the connector with the male pins on the GPU.
This design appears to be meant to improve contact as well as resist potential weakining caused by forces on the cable such as leaning against the side panel or tempered glass which causes the cable to bend thus loosening over time.
