ASUS Responds to Misaligned Power Port on $4,000 RTX 5090 Graphics Card
The owner of an ASUS GeForce RTX 5090 ROG Matrix Platinum flagship graphics card recently encountered a major problem where the 12V-2x6 power connector was misaligned with the cutout in the cooling shroud, preventing the power cable from being fully and securely locked. It seems that this response from the company only added to the unfolding drama.
Company States Crooked Port is an Intentional Design
After the user contacted ASUS support, the company conducted its investigation. Instead of admitting a manufacturing defect, ASUS felt vindicated in saying that the off-center position of the connector was a deliberate engineering design.
After review by our engineering team, it was determined that the off-center position of the power connector is part of the original product design, determined based on overall design and electrical considerations.
Safety and Practicality Concerns
The 12V-2x6 connector standard does not permit any sort of imprecision in connection; that becomes especially critical when we consider a high-end graphics card drawing up to 800W. The shroud would interfere with a proper fit of the connector, thus introducing a range of hazards:
- Failure to present the necessary high-power modes that the card was designed to operate in.
- Unstable operation when subjected to load.
- Overheating of the power connector to melt.
Moreover, there was no guidance from ASUS about what cables or moderately acceptable PC cases would consider this "original design" compatible, leaving the users on their own in checking compatibility.
Customer to Return the Product
As the purchase was made within 30 days, ASUS has agreed to return the full payment for the graphics card. The owner has confirmed their intention to return the $4,000 graphics card, stating that they were unwilling to accept what they viewed as a potential defect on such a high-end product.
Source: reddit
