Asrock is going "green" to try and prevent melting GPU cables

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Fry No More: The problem of melting power cables is a rare but persistent concern for modern GPUs. Many gamers fear losing expensive, energy-consuming graphics cards to cables that overheat or even catch fire in some cases. Asrock is leaning into that anxiety with a new solution aimed at easing the stress of PC builders.

Taiwanese manufacturer Asrock recently introduced the CB-12V2X6L600W cable, an L-type connector designed to reduce – and ideally prevent – temperature issues in modern, power-hungry GPUs. The cable fully complies with ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards, supports up to 600W of power delivery like other 12VHPWR cables, and includes its own temperature sensor.

Asrock follows MSI's lead with a dual-color design, though the Asus-owned brand uses green instead of yellow to indicate an improperly connected cable. According to the product page, a correctly seated cable shows no green plastic outside the GPU's power connector, letting gamers quickly spot any issues with a new PC build.

Asrock offers clear instructions for plugging the cable into a high-end gaming GPU. All connectors must be fully inserted, click-locked, and seated properly, and the cable should not be bent once in place – a simple task thanks to the L-Type design used by the manufacturer.

The cable's built-in sensor helps protect hardware from overheating, though it requires an Asrock PSU from the Taichi or Phantom Gaming series to function. These NTC (negative temperature coefficient) sensors detect temperature increases by measuring drops in resistance and are already common in many PC components.

The 700mm cable launches August 29 for 5,980 yen (around $40). The official user manual – because even cables apparently need manuals now – lists all specifications and "special features" in multiple languages. The minimum PSU requirement is 750W, which is common among gaming PCs.

The CB-12V2X6L600W cable specifically addresses the risks associated with the latest generation of high-wattage gaming graphics cards. Initially reported primarily by Nvidia GPU owners, the issue has recently started appearing with some of AMD's most powerful graphics cards as well. Even though the melting cable phenomenon remains a highly debated topic, Asrock assures its cables are safe and easy to use.

Permalink to story:

Asrock is going "green" to try and prevent melting GPU cables

 

[Megalomaniac]

#1 I'm disgusted that the manufacturers themselves having addressed this issue with special cables - especially considering what these cards cost now.

#2 They might as well have the card plug directly into the wall.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

The problem isnt the cable.....its the lack of load balancing on the card themselves. Assrock would be better off fixing their GPUs by having proper load balancing resistors onboard.

 

[Thatsdisgusting]

So everyone who dumped their 1kW plati unit for 750W gold atx3.1 are now owners of the dumpster-old-fashioned block that doesn't even have those sweet 2pin sensor.

I wonder where are the owners of ampere 12pin PSUs...

 

[Megalomaniac]

I should add...this is one of the reasons I didn't mind buying a prebuilt system with the 5090. If anything goes wrong: full warranty. It's not a good feeling having to worry about whether or not a computer in your house decides to burn itself and its surroundings down.

 

[toooooot]

We still assume that the main issue is still people not plugging it far enough? I know for a fact, defective cables can burn. It is a cable, looks like a normal one, but might range from a little bit hot to fiery hot.

 

[TechSavy101]

If the cable is not fully plugged in it wont start or burn up quickly. However, the main unavoidable issue with the 2x6pin connector is the 600W limit. 5090 easily pushes above that, my MSI 5090 Supreme liquid at 100% power level, recorded 667Kwh board usage and 647Kwh through 16pin connector. Its above the max limit. Ofc it didnt take long before the pins on the cable melted(GPU safe).
Another factor is using 8pin to 16pin converters, they dont have same resistance and melt faster than full 16pin. connector.
Solution: use full 16pin connector with Atx 3.1 power supply and limit 5090 to 90-95% power. Performance hit is about 1-2%. That will leave it roughly at 600W through 16pin. I have 0 issues for 3 months now. They do need a new sturdier cable with 700W power delivery or have option of 8pin or 16pin.

 

[Axeia]

#1 I'm disgusted that the manufacturers themselves having addressed this issue with special cables - especially considering what these cards cost now.

#2 They might as well have the card plug directly into the wall.

Be careful what you wish for.
Plugging straight into the wall would mean a lot of what you currently find on the PSU on the card instead.
Even more expensive and larger cards.

On the flip side it would be pretty awesome for cable management. How about almost directly in the wall, a power brick instead - could even be USB-C for lower end cards.
Cards themselves get to stay small, no ugly cables visible in aquarium style PCs.
Makes eGPU solutions a lot simpler as well (perhaps they'd start making sense cost wise then), all you'd need is an exposed PCI-E slot.

 

[candle86]

Be careful what you wish for.
Plugging straight into the wall would mean a lot of what you currently find on the PSU on the card instead.
Even more expensive and larger cards.

On the flip side it would be pretty awesome for cable management. How about almost directly in the wall, a power brick instead - could even be USB-C for lower end cards.
Cards themselves get to stay small, no ugly cables visible in aquarium style PCs.
Makes eGPU solutions a lot simpler as well (perhaps they'd start making sense cost wise then), all you'd need is an exposed PCI-E slot.

Only if they call it the Nvidia GeForce Voodoo 6000

 

[bviktor]

We've been delivering electricity to homes for 150 years. It's not rocket surgery to power devices. And yet, somehow, these clowns can't figure out how to deliver power to a device without the connector melting down.

 

[Starfals]

I should add...this is one of the reasons I didn't mind buying a prebuilt system with the 5090. If anything goes wrong: full warranty. It's not a good feeling having to worry about whether or not a computer in your house decides to burn itself and its surroundings down.

Sure but prebuilds cost more... 5090 in a prebuild? U gotta be rich or something lolol. Might cost more than my car.

 

[ZedRM]

The fact that companies like AsRock even have to make things like this is pathetic. It is clear evidence that the design of this flimsy connector itself is deeply flawed and needs to be abandoned in swift order. They need COMPETENT electrical engineers to design a connector that can handle ANY load a card might require.
The mere fact that situation like this exist is proof that the designers are lacking the concepts of responsible safely and ethical accountability.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Sure but prebuilds cost more... 5090 in a prebuild? U gotta be rich or something lolol. Might cost more than my car.

#1 Prebuilds are the one way to get the 5090 card without the tremendous markups or scalper drama.

#2 I paid $2000 for my 5090, but it was FE - I really wanted the Astral OC Liquid but the price jumped immediately to $3700 which is obscene.

#3 Here in NYC, we don't even buy cars lower than $50,000 unless they're used.

 

[ThomasTECH]

I am so happy the spotlight is moving to keeping the GPU alive and functioning. Splitting to APU, GPU combo was not optimal. We need a GPU that works without overheating and breaking instantly once it's pushed to far. A simple GPU limiter software might be effective but then their goes the performance, how about a better daisy chain heatsink to upward fan channel that goes all the way outside the case so I can use other exterior cooling methods on the exterior sink? Or tap the heat for something else?

 

[Athlonite69]

It matters not how good the cables are made if you don't have good load balancing across the conductors it will turn to burnt garbage

 

[ZedRM]

It matters not how good the cables are made if you don't have good load balancing across the conductors it will turn to burnt garbage

Making a connector that isn't designed by incompetent monkeys would help too!

 

[Athlonite69]

Making a connector that isn't designed by incompetent monkeys would help too!

They already did it's the 8Pin PCIe power connector x4 for 600W

 

[ZedRM]

They already did it's the 8Pin PCIe power connector x4 for 600W

I was referring to a connector that has larger, stronger gauge connectors with a requirement for large gauge wires. Because electrical engineering.