ZOTAC RTX 5070 GPU Melts Power Cable Due to Factory Defect
A user has reported a rare but serious incident involving a factory-defective ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, which resulted in a power cable melting immediately upon system boot. This incident is notably different from previously documented melting issues associated with NVIDIA's higher-end RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 models, and it appears to stem from a manufacturing flaw rather than the widely scrutinized power draw behavior of NVIDIA’s 12VHPWR connectors.
The affected user, who shared photos and video of the damage on social media, powered the RTX 5070 using a Seasonic Focus GX-750W power supply. Upon turning on the PC, the power cable began to burn within seconds, with one of the wires visibly melted. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the 12-pin connector on the RTX 5070 was missing an entire pin, not merely bent or misaligned. This missing pin appears to have been the catalyst for the incident, which led to an incomplete or unstable electrical connection.
While the power connector on the GPU and the PSU side remained physically intact, the cable suffered substantial damage. The RTX 5070, which has a relatively modest 250W power requirement compared to its high-end counterparts, could have been adequately powered by a pair of 8-pin PCIe connectors. Yet, NVIDIA's implementation of the 12V-2x6 connector—designed for better power delivery in smaller form factors—continues to raise concerns, particularly as cases of connector-related failures persist into the RTX 50 series.
What makes this case especially troubling is that the RTX 5070 is not considered a high-power GPU in the lineup, which means the melting issue was not a result of thermal overload but more likely a result of faulty hardware. Despite theoretical tolerances built into the 12V-2x6 connector that should allow operation even with one or more non-functional pins, the immediate failure illustrates the continued fragility and questionable reliability of the design. Fortunately, the user has not reported further component damage, and an RMA request is presumably underway.
The incident reignites broader concerns about the 12-pin connector design first introduced with the RTX 30 series and updated with the 12V-2x6 standard in the RTX 50 generation. Even with NVIDIA's efforts to improve safety and reduce the risk of misconnection, these design flaws—compounded by production inconsistencies—may require more substantial redesigns in future GPU generations to avoid further hardware risks.
As the GPU industry trends toward even higher power demands, reinforced by increasingly complex and thermally demanding silicon, connector integrity must become a greater focus for manufacturers and standards bodies alike. Cases like this demonstrate that even mid-range consumers are not immune to power delivery risks associated with next-generation GPUs.
What do you think about NVIDIA’s continued reliance on the 12V-2x6 connector standard despite its persistent controversies? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
