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Comment by marcinzm | Hacker News Reader

Sounds like the issue can happen due to high bend in the cable or too many cycles. Given the size of these video cards, placement of the connector and the size of computer cases I don't see why they didn't opt for right angle connectors so there is no bend needed.

edit: Looks like the nvidia designed version has the connector angled front at 45 degrees while the non-nvidia versions in the article don't.

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Nvidia has historically used the power cable orientation as a form of market segmentation. Their high end product that goes into server cases have the power connections on one end of the card and they are parallel with the card. Consumer GPUs have the power connectors sticking out on the top of the card, and even in 4U server cases that can cause the power connectors to rub up against the top of the case or be blocked entirely.

I hadn’t even noticed that. And you’re completely right. My A5000 has pin holes on the board for a top mount but it’s power connector is on the side facing towards the front panel of the case.

Maybe so, but the connectors are rated for like 16 cycles, which is insane in a consumer product like this.

Under the typical use case (ie. you install it and leave it there for a few years), 16 cycles is more than enough. Now, if you're an enthusiast running benchmarks or whatever it might cause issues, but isn't really "insane" under the typical use case. Also, I'm not sure where the "16 cycles" number is from, but other commenters linked to an article that says it's rated for 40 cycles.

[1] https://en.overclocking.com/12vhpwr-adaptator-is-a-consumabl...

30–40 cycles is still very low for it to start failing. For comparison TE's popular Deutsch connectors are tested to 100 cycles without electrical or mechanical failure

It really is fine. Benchmarkers have done hundreds of cycles without issue. Finally, replacing a power connector is a basic solder job.

This 'fact' gets batted around so often and its incredibly misunderstood. That is saying that in the worst case, where everything goes wrong, the cable can last no less than X cycles, ever. Also, it's not 16.

Also, these new connectors have the exact same rating as the prior 8-pin connectors.

Both of those are definitely a design flaw if they are the root cause.

Right angle connections pointing in which direction? Some PSUs are on the bottom and some are on the top. It would be worse having to connect a right angle and then routing over or around the card to get to the PSU.

You never see a PSU on the top nowadays in personal rigs

If you have a new computer case which isn't a requirement.

I just bought an extremely popular case, the Fractal Torrent. The PSU sits on top.

That’s a new one for me, I thought top mounted PSUs were a relic of the past. I stand corrected

I've been planning to use that case for my next build for months now, but I'm not sure anymore. These hot new components make it look like liquid cooling is mandatory if you value your ears, and the Torrent isn't the best choice for that.

If it's angled to the front of the case it'd cover both cases. Interestingly enough the founder's edition (ie: nvidia designed cards) seems to have the connector angled front at 45 degrees. However the non-founders cards in the article have it sticking horizontally to the side like previous cards. Seems something nvidia should have communicated to it's partners.

That could be standardized as well, similar to how form factors for cards are.

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