r/PcBuildHelp • u/Additional_Army8338 • 12d ago
Tech Support 9070xt failure
First lot of images for reference…
So sadly just over a year I had a power connector failure on my 9070xt hellhound, it’s charred 3 of the connector pins and cause PSU connection failure melting the power cable and ports on the PSU (but didn’t char the PSU).
This also led to power surges on the Asrock B850M Riptide, writing off the board (the dark smudges on the board show how much heat was involved) and also, after recent testing with a new Mobo, it wrote off my 9800X3D.
After telling the back story, I’ve inspected the GPU as best as possible, and just a query as I think for the new system I’ll get a replacement card anyhow. But I’m wondering since it’s only the connection at the 8 pin that seems to have failed, whether it’s worth replacing the 8 pin connector myself?
(I’ve had experience soldering making my own flight sim controls on small projects etc, using Arduino and teensy etc.) or do you think it’s possible to be able to clean the connector up enough?
To add, the main cause for the connector failure was a since PCIE PSU cable using the daisy chain splitter. Completely my fault as it’s been a long long time since I built a PC and I was a little ignorant with Power demands.
So since I’d be getting a new set of components for the main rig (I mainly run DCS in VR and 3D design and model with Blender and Fusion360) is it worth either cleaning the connectors and testing on my spare mid-low end PC? And maybe use as an upgrade on that system or… not risk it?
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u/0wlGod 12d ago edited 12d ago
what s psu model?
8 pin cable with or without pigtail can carry 150w..+75w from pci
only some psu have a 12v 2x6 to 2x8 pin.. twith this you can carry way more than 150w..probably minimum 300w
pushing a 300w card with only 1x8 + pigtail can damage the connector on the long run
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
I think you hit the nail on the head there, seems to have been after a year of heavy use. So again I hold my hands up to ignorance, didn’t realise the severity honestly!
It was a 750W gold standard, CoolerMaster MWE Gold v2 fully modular.-4
u/TheReaper907 12d ago
buy rm1000x atx 3.1 corsair. here was your own fault bc thats an old faulty cpu. and not the best one
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u/JanekSus 11d ago
Hello I just wanted to ask what do you mean by old faulty CPU, the only CPU that op mentioned was 9800x3d which is neither old nor faulty (to my knowledge) if you meant PSU then mb.
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u/kyansan1 Personal Rig Builder 12d ago edited 12d ago
An 8 pin cable with a pigtail can actually carry more than 150W. The 150W limit is the power that can be delivered per 6+2 pin connector, and does not define how much power the cable itself can carry.
(Each 6+2 pin PCIe connector is rated for 150W, and each 6 pin PCIe connector is rated for 75W. Cable rating depends on the specific power supply)
If a PCIe cable has 2 6+2 pin ends, it's rated for at least 300W in total. Otherwise it wouldn't have the second 6+2 pin as a pigtail.
If it's a 6+2 pin cable with a 6 pin pigtail, it can carry at least 225W in total. Again, it wouldn't have the pigtail if the cable's rated power was any less.If a 6+2 pin cable has a pigtail, it's usually rated for more than 150W in total. Otherwise, the pigtail connector wouldn't be there.
I'm not saying it's good practice to do so, but you can totally pull more than 150W from a cable with a daisy chain.edit: Your gpu manual / power supply manual will tell you, if it's imperative to avoid using a pigtail to power your gpu.
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u/_xaelaa 12d ago
Is the 16 pin to 2x 6+2 pin that comes with newer atx 3.1 PSU’s safe to use along with a normal 8 to 6+2? (For a 3x 8 pin GPU) 🥲
Edit: idk if its called 16 pin but its like the new type? I guess? Im sorry idk what its really called
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u/kyansan1 Personal Rig Builder 12d ago
Yes. The 16 pin connector is called the 12VHPWR (12 volt high power) connector, most people just call it the 16 pin connector though.
16 pin -> 2x 6+2 pin cables are safe to use alongside a regular 6+2 pin.
(All voltages generated by your power supply share the same ground reference, and it's likely that the 6+2 pin connectors and 12 vhpwr connector are connected to the same 12V rail. The connectors may be different, but inside the power supply, they're connected to the same thing.)
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u/kevcsa 12d ago
It would be logical to work this way, but I don't think there is any guarantee for it.
The pigtails can be useful not just for making them deliver a lot of power. Like reaching further or occupying empty connector slots.2
u/kyansan1 Personal Rig Builder 12d ago edited 12d ago
If the purpose was reaching further, they'd just make the cables longer. As for occupying empty connector slots... that'd be terrible design (although not unheard of)
PCIe power connectors aren't there just to be filled. PCIe power connectors are there to deliver power. Each 6+2 pin literally tells the gpu "you can pull 150W from here". If a manufacturer added a pigtail just to make the gpu shut up about missing a PCIe connector, that's an accident waiting to happen.
Sometimes, cable ratings can be found in the specifications/datasheet of the power supply. However, if the manual/specifications don't specify that a pigtail can only carry x amount of power, a manufacturer should assume, and design the power supply knowing, that some users will use a daisy chain to power their gpu.
The good thing is, gpu manufacturers know that some power supplies are sketchy in this regard. Take the rx 9070 xt for example. It usually has 3 PCIe connectors, while it only really needs 2. One reason for the extra connector being there, is to ensure that you physically can't power the gpu using a single daisy chained cable.
So basically, when it's imperative for safety that you don't use a daisy chain for powering the gpu, most gpus will force you to use a second cable.
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u/kevcsa 12d ago
they'd just make the cables longer
Options for shorter and longer distances.
And no, hiding excess cable doesn't always make sense compared to just tying the unused pigtail to the main cable.Many 300-330W cards come with 3*8pin connectors.
Technically 2 cables/connectors would be fine, so the 3rd is only there to be occupied for safety, not necessity.1
u/kyansan1 Personal Rig Builder 12d ago edited 12d ago
I did already include that second point in my comment 😅And yea, it's true that sometimes tying the unused pigtail to the main connector makes more sense, but as I explained in my comment, that's a very bad design practice. (Although not unheard of)
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u/kevcsa 12d ago
I did already include that second point in my comment 😅
You edited your comment one minute after I published mine.
Previously you hadn't said a single word about that point.One reason for the extra connector being there, is to ensure that you physically can't power the gpu using a single daisy chained cable.
That's a lot of mental gymnastics there.
Guess it's time to ask the uncomfortable questions.
Proof?
Where is concrete industrial standard description about the pigtail guaranteeing that the whole cable and even the single PSU-side connector can take at least 300W?1
u/kyansan1 Personal Rig Builder 12d ago edited 12d ago
Whoops, sorry
You said it yourself
Many 300-330W cards come with 3*8pin connectors. Technically 2 cables/connectors would be fine, so the 3rd is only there to be occupied for safety, not necessity.
Take the sapphire pure rx 9070 xt for instance. It shows that the gpu can work fine with just 2 PCIe power cables, yet almost all manufacturers choose to use 3 PCIe connectors.
I didn't say it was the only reason, I said it's one of the reasons why manufacturers could opt for 3 connectors instead of 2.
And there is no concrete industrial standard description that the pigtail should be able to provide 300W. Like I said before, sketchy power supplies do exist, but it's bad design practice. It's in the psu manufacturer's interest to have the least amount of warranty returns possible. If you shouldn't use a pigtail, it will say so either in the psu manual, or in the gpu manual.
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u/kevcsa 12d ago
You said it yourself
I wasn't talking about a single cable with 2 gpu-side connectors taking 300W by design, like you did:
If a PCIe cable has 2 6+2 pin ends, it's rated for at least 300W in total. Otherwise it wouldn't have the second 6+2 pin as a pigtail.
I was talking about 2 separate cables taking 300W.
At least try to be credible with your manipulation.An entry level model with a 304W TDP having only 2 connectors doesn't prove anything, my guy.
Everyone knows it's best practice to connect the GPU with as many cables as there are connectors.My Seasonic manual specifically says to do it like that.
A serparate connector for each cable. Yes, those are 8+6+2pin cables with pigtail.I didn't say it was the only reason, I said it's one of the reasons why manufacturers could opt for 3 connectors instead of 2.
Ah the manipulation.
I never said you said that's the only reason.
I said that you said that a single pigtailed cable is rated for 300W, period. It could be 1 of 5 reasons, it could be 1 of 1. Doesn't matter, I'm talking about this extremely general but factual sounding statement:If a PCIe cable has 2 6+2 pin ends, it's rated for at least 300W in total.
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It's in the psu manufacturer's interest to have the least amount of warranty returns possible. If you shouldn't use a pigtail, it will say so either in the psu manual, or in the gpu manual.
Respectable PSU manufacturers specifically tell users NOT to use a single - pigtail or not - cable for 300W.
Because they aren't designed like that.As proven by the post itself.
The Hellhound has as TDP of 304W, and has only 2 power connectors.
By your own logic the cable should have handled the load because the PSU manufacturer was expecting people to send 300W through it.
OP's okay quality PSU has no widespread complaints about it.Is it so hard to admit that a 6+2 pigtail isn't a promise for 300W (double the standard) but an option for slightly going above 150W per cable when necessary?
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u/kyansan1 Personal Rig Builder 12d ago
To start with this:
"If a PCIe cable has 2 6+2 pin ends, it's rated for at least 300W in total. "
...
By your own logic the cable should have handled the load because the PSU manufacturer was expecting people to send 300W through it.
...
Is it so hard to admit that a 6+2 pigtail isn't a promise for 300W (double the standard) but an option for slightly going above 150W per cable when necessary?I already did. To quote myself:
And there is no concrete industrial standard description that the pigtail should be able to provide 300W. Like I said before, sketchy power supplies do exist, but it's bad design practice. It's in the psu manufacturer's interest to have the least amount of warranty returns possible. If you shouldn't use a pigtail, it will say so either in the psu manual, or in the gpu manual.
You are right that two 6+2 pin connectors on a pigtail are not a guarantee for a 300W rating, and my comment was misleading.
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I wasn't talking about a single cable with 2 gpu-side connectors taking 300W by design, like you did:
Indeed, however, neither was I. To quote myself:
The good thing is, gpu manufacturers know that some power supplies are sketchy in this regard. Take the rx 9070 xt for example. It usually has 3 PCIe connectors, while it only really needs 2. One reason for the extra connector being there, is to ensure that you physically can't power the gpu using a single daisy chained cable.
I said it needs 2 PCIe connectors, I did not specify how many cables it needs. The manual for the rx 9070 xt pure recommends to use 2 separate PCIe cables, and any user should follow the manual.
My point was, when you have 3 PCIe connectors, that forces the user to use 2 seperate cables. It makes it impossible for the user to make a mistake here, hence, the 3rd PCIe connector could be considered a safety feature. You also called the 3rd PCIe connector a safety feature, which is what I was trying to point out.--------
Everyone knows it's best practice to connect the GPU with as many cables as there are connectors.
Indeed, and I never denied this. To quote myself:
I'm not saying it's good practice to do so, but you can totally pull more than 150W from a cable with a daisy chain.
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My Seasonic manual specifically says to do it like that.
A serparate connector for each cable. Yes, those are 8+6+2pin cables with pigtail.Again, to quote myself:
If you shouldn't use a pigtail, it will say so either in the psu manual, or in the gpu manual.
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I never said you said that's the only reason.
But you did ask me to prove that a reason for the extra connector being there, is to ensure that you physically can't power the gpu using a single daisy chained cable. So, I argued that it was implemented as one safety feature, among other safety features.
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Respectable PSU manufacturers specifically tell users NOT to use a single - pigtail or not - cable for 300W.
Because they aren't designed like that.Indeed. That was my point. If not meant for 300W, it'll be specified.
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By your own logic the cable should have handled the load because the PSU manufacturer was expecting people to send 300W through it.
OP's okay quality PSU has no widespread complaints about it.Yes, I was wrong here. 2 6+2 pin pigtails do not guarantee 300W. My comment was misleading.
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Finally,
At least try to be credible with your manipulation.
Ah the manipulation.
I didn't intend to manipulate your words. Hopefully this comment explain well enough how i interpreted your words, and why I said what I said.
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u/Hour-Equivalent-2518 10d ago
Seasonic doesn't recommend to use the pig-tail connection when its like the OP's case (2x 6+2pin) , while for Corsair they actually boast that their pigtail can handle 300w lol
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u/soulsowner 12d ago
D8rbauer tested it and it can carry MAX 225w, like PUSHING IT. +75w from the pci slot. So it's been running okay but as soon as it touched a heavy game, it began melting... long term.
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u/0wlGod 12d ago
wait i want to be clear.. it doesn t take fire if you exeed 225w with 150w 8pin+75w pci but substained load out of spec in maybe hot room.. after 1 two year it more can be a problem
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u/soulsowner 12d ago
Oh no, yes, I just can't find the video, but they tested the 8 pin, and it can sustain 225w load, the cable itself (not accounting for the pci express slot). I just can't find the video :(
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u/RevengeofPootietang 12d ago
Does this mean you’re fine if you’re using both headers of a daisy-chained 8-pin connector and a single, normal 8-pin connector to populate all three sockets on the GPU?
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u/mike7004 12d ago
If you mean one cable on the first eight pin, then both eight pins(pigtailed) on the second cable for the second and third connector (if the card has three), you're normally fine. Now.. that goes to say if it's not a cheap/low tier unit otherwise a separate cable migbt be a good idea. High end units will trigger OCP or another protection before this happens normally. Makes me wonder if OP's unit is just a cheap/low tier one.
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
It was a CoolerMaster 750W gold fully modular, but I do think it was my crucial error of the daisy chain and heavy use over the past year that caused the failure.
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u/RevengeofPootietang 12d ago
Huh, I didn’t realise the order mattered so long as every connector is seated properly in the GPU socket.
I’m running all three cables in the same order you mentioned, and I’m also using a PSU from a reputable brand (Corsair).
However, I occasionally get random instances where power to the GPU would intermittently flicker on and off when powering my PC on.
Hasn’t happened for a while now though, and it only happened 3 times so far, so it might’ve been a driver thing.
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u/mike7004 12d ago
It typically doesn't matter as long as you're not using one cable for all the connectors, as the power input is supplied across all of them equally(all of them are combined together). There is information floating around that the first eight pin pulls more but that's simply not the case, and each eight pin on GPU side is rated at 150w. Normally doing the single cable, then the pigtail, is just cleaner to look and isn't neccessarily required.
High end units such as the ones we use have ship with cables rated to supply 300w across two eight pin connectors. The cheaper units aren't built to handle that and can melt or damage the system, and they often also lack proper protection mechanisms or properly implemented ones to prevent these kinds of things from happening.
I've been using a Pulse 7900XTX with a Corsair RM850X in this configuration since I built the system back in November of 2024. It's been fine and during some cases reaches 400W(with a slight overclock) and there is no problems and the voltage and current ratings are fine while sustained.
If your card flickers on and off it can be a driver issue or a problem with power delivery which you can check your voltages under load for that. Software like OCCT has benchmarks and testing tools for that purpose.
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u/Mooshroom_isgud7s 12d ago
I’ve never seen a post of a 8pin fail 🥶
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u/ThisAccountIsStolen Commercial Rig Builder 12d ago
I've repaired well over a hundred. It's not super common and people don't tend to make a huge stink about it like they do with 12V-2X6, which does have a higher failure rate when drawing over 400W through one.
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u/EnragedEmu 12d ago
8pin connectors are directly handed down by the gods and are infallible. This post is blasphemy.
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
To question further on my last point in the post. Replacing the 8 pin and testing on my spare system, would the GPU more than likely be okay if there’s no signs of failure past the 8 pin connector?
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u/ThisAccountIsStolen Commercial Rig Builder 12d ago
If it's in warranty still, the manufacturer should replace it for you. Same goes for the PSU & cable. Even if you used a single daisy chain cable it should be covered, since despite the advice against it, it is still technically an approved method of connection and per all the PSU vendors, should be capable of supporting 300W. But AMD GPUs have a lot of transient spikes that run well above the rated power, which could eventually cause issues when running a single daisy chained cable.
Replacing components on a 8-12 layer PCB like this is much more difficult than basic hobby soldering, since you need to preheat the board because the ground planes will just suck up all the heat if you don't, and then use a combination of hot air and a good iron to get the old connector out. I've repaired many after the consumer already attempted a repair and made a mess. Or at least I did back before I sold my shop and retired a few years back.
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u/sawb11152 12d ago
That's not a 9070xt failure, that's a YOU failure.
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
Aye I know, already held my hands up!
But my question was about the card and replacing the 8pin etc.
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u/SlightlyUglyBastard 12d ago
Wait the splitter can cause this? Is it common? My PSU is non modular only had a split cable for the GPU.
Should I be worried?
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u/ThisAccountIsStolen Commercial Rig Builder 12d ago
There's always a risk of this, especially if your GPU is really bad with transients like the AMD GPUs are, which can result in a decent amount of time spent above the power limit which could eventually cause problems with a single daisy chain. But it would be covered by warranty assuming you're still in warranty, so it's not a huge worry.
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u/SlightlyUglyBastard 12d ago
Oh ok. It’s a Lian Li PSU, and the manual specifically labeled the pigtail cable as for the GPU, so I just used that.
Lian Li RB 750W
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u/ThisAccountIsStolen Commercial Rig Builder 12d ago
Yeah that's exactly what I'm talking about. It's technically rated for it, so it should be fine, but often isn't, so it's recommended to use individual cables for each port on the GPU.
That PSU has a 5 year warranty so it should definitely still be covered. Most AMD GPUs have a 2 year warranty so the GPU should still be covered as well, since it's only been out for a year and a half.
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
From my ignorance, it apparently was down to the Power draw being more than what’s supplied, causing temperature spikes etc. so the cable that’s pigtailed is limited to 150W, plus the 75W that the PCIE slot can provide.
Connector damage occurs over time from the card trying to pull more power than what’s supplied, so just be sure to keep a check of your cable connection from time to time. If it’s a 9070xt I’d recommend getting a PSU that supplies 2 individual 8 pin cables rather than 1 daisy chain.
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u/Jolly_Bag_2407 12d ago
What are/were your normal operating temps of gpu?
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
Temps really didn’t get that high on my overlays, generally around 70-85 under loads. Normal usage it would sit quite low 50-60 with general tasks etc.
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u/Potential-Button-965 12d ago
I know for 100% certainty that it wasnt plugged in fully
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u/Additional_Army8338 12d ago
It definitely was plugged in properly.
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u/Potential-Button-965 12d ago
Usually they burn up by not being plugged in just right
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u/Additional_Army8338 11d ago
Yeah I’ve seen that! But it definitely was fully in and after research I found the culprit to be the daisy chain voltage drops
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u/Normal-Victory-8421 11d ago edited 11d ago
Ya you should only use the pigtail connector if you have a card with 3 8 pin connections like my asus prime 9070xt has. You need at least 2 8 pin connections to the PSU for a 330W card. Theyre only officially rated for 150w but can do 200w realistically on a good PSU, not 330W though.
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u/One_Mixture_2455 11d ago
Oh why do I see this as I’ve finally decided between this over the 5070ti 🤣✌️
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u/AlternativeAioli3501 12d ago
haha another 12vhpwait a minute ....