High-end NVIDIA graphics cards are renowned for their exceptional performance, particularly with Ray Tracing, where AMD cards cannot compete. However, NVIDIA faces a challenge that AMD doesn’t: its 12-pin connector carries a risk of melting due to high temperatures. Numerous cable alternatives have emerged, including versions from GPU and power supply manufacturers. Now, CORSAIR enters the arena with its ThermalProtect cable, and we’ll examine whether it can effectively prevent dangerous temperatures.
The RTX 4090 marked a significant generational leap in NVIDIA’s graphics card performance, boasting approximately 80% more power than the RTX 3090. Its primary drawback wasn’t its high price but a design flaw: NVIDIA’s decision to implement a single 12VHPWR connector capable of delivering 600W. This proved to be an excessive load, leading to instances of GPUs burning out. The problem persisted with the RTX 5090, which, despite using the newer 12V-2×6 connectors, still consumed 575W.
CORSAIR ThermalProtect Tested: The Connector That Promises to Shut Down the GPU at High Temperatures
We’ve previously seen graphics cards burn out, even with cables claiming to prevent such issues. This has even occurred with NVIDIA’s official cables for Founders Edition cards. Recently, the ASUS ROG Equalizer cable, while not revolutionary and lacking intelligent features or load balancing, demonstrated its ability to reduce temperatures and keep GPUs safe. The new CORSAIR ThermalProtect cable aims to protect against overheating in power supplies, but through a different mechanism. It utilizes OTP (Over Temperature Protection) and would shut down the GPU before irreversible damage occurs.
To achieve this, the cable incorporates a thermal sensor that cuts power if dangerous temperatures are detected. In a test by Tech Overwrite, an extreme approach was taken to verify its functionality. The reviewer proceeded to cut each of the power cables within the CORSAIR 12VHPWR connector, which is divided into 6 power and 6 ground wires. The theory is that cutting a wire would force the remaining ones to carry a greater load. The GPU functioned perfectly without any cuts, and even when one, two, or up to three cables were severed. By using half of the cables, the 300W GPU, put under load in FurMark, was able to maintain a balanced load.
The Connector Works and Activates Protection, but It’s Inconsistent and Doesn’t Always Engage
Subsequently, four cables were cut, leaving only two functional. In this scenario, the GPU continued to operate initially, but upon repeating the test, the system’s protection mechanism was triggered, cutting the power. In the most extreme case, with five cables cut and only one active, one might expect it to fail immediately or shut down. However, in the first test under these conditions, it continued to function despite 25A flowing through a single cable and reaching high temperatures. In the second test with five cables cut, the protection finally activated after a minute and a half. The cable’s specifications state that the protection triggers if temperatures exceed 65 degrees Celsius.
The cable does possess the promised protection system from CORSAIR, but it’s not flawless. The video creator repeatedly highlighted how its inconsistent behavior can be problematic. While it functions perfectly when it works as intended, several of their tests allowed the cable to handle significant amperage and high temperatures without shutting down the GPU. Consequently, the reviewer concludes that they cannot recommend this cable yet and plans to perform an internal analysis and share the results with CORSAIR.
