ASRock Taichi PSU 16-Pin Connector Reportedly Melts Despite Built-In Temperature Protection
A new user report has raised fresh concerns about the reliability of modern 16-pin GPU power connectors, even when additional safety features are in place. According to a Reddit user, the 16-pin connector on an ASRock Taichi TC-1650T power supply melted while powering NVIDIA’s high-end RTX 6000 PRO workstation graphics card, despite the use of a cable equipped with a temperature-monitoring NTC sensor.
The incident is notable because the ASRock Taichi TC-1650T is not a low-end power supply. It is a premium 1650W PSU designed for demanding PC builds and professional workstation hardware. The unit supports ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards and includes dual 16-pin connectors, making it suitable for modern power-hungry GPUs. ASRock also equipped its L-Type 16-pin connector cable with an NTC sensor, which is intended to monitor heat and help prevent connector damage.
However, in this case, that protection did not appear to stop the connector from overheating.
The user, posting under the name u/ScientiEtRatio91, described the failure after discovering that the connector had melted on the PSU side. The system was reportedly running an NVIDIA RTX 6000 PRO, a flagship Blackwell-based workstation GPU with a very high price tag. Fortunately, the user claims the graphics card itself survived the incident, but the damage to the connector and cable has sparked questions about how dependable these safety solutions really are.
ASRock previously introduced its 12V-2×6 L-Type connector as a protective measure for powerful NVIDIA graphics cards. The idea behind the design was to reduce the risk of overheating by using a built-in NTC sensor. This sensor is supposed to trigger a system shutdown if the connector temperature exceeds 105°C, helping prevent burning, melting, or further damage.
In theory, that sounds like a useful safeguard. In practice, this reported failure suggests that temperature monitoring alone may not be enough if the sensor is not positioned effectively or if heat builds up in an area the sensor cannot accurately detect.
According to the user, the cable was fully inserted on both the PSU and GPU ends, which would rule out one of the most common causes of 16-pin connector failures: improper seating. Poorly inserted connectors can create resistance, generate heat, and eventually cause melting. But if the user’s claim is accurate, this case may point to a different issue.
The user suggested that the NTC sensor may be located on the wrong side of the 16-pin cable, reportedly touching the ground side. If true, this could explain why the sensor did not detect the dangerous temperature rise in time. A sensor can only respond to the heat it measures, so placement is critical. If the hottest point is elsewhere in the connector, the shutdown protection may fail to activate before damage occurs.
The broader concern is that multiple companies have introduced different solutions to address 16-pin connector overheating, yet reports of connector damage continue to appear. While the revised 12V-2×6 connector was designed to improve reliability over earlier 12VHPWR designs, high-power GPUs still place significant stress on cables, connectors, and power supplies.
For PC builders, gamers, and workstation users, this incident is a reminder to treat 16-pin GPU power connections with extra care. Users should ensure the connector is fully seated, avoid sharp cable bends near the plug, check that the cable is not under tension, and inspect connectors periodically for discoloration, smell, or signs of heat damage. Using native PSU cables instead of adapters is also generally preferred when possible.
Still, this report is worrying because it involves a premium PSU, a native 16-pin cable, and a built-in thermal safety mechanism. If protective designs can fail under real-world conditions, manufacturers may need to revisit sensor placement, cable construction, connector materials, and shutdown behavior to better protect expensive hardware.
The good news is that the RTX 6000 PRO involved in the report was said to be unharmed. The bad news is that a melted power connector on a high-end workstation setup is exactly the kind of failure users expect these advanced safety features to prevent.
As GPUs continue to demand more power, the reliability of 16-pin power connectors remains a major topic for enthusiasts, professionals, and PC hardware manufacturers alike. This latest case adds more pressure on the industry to deliver safer, more consistent solutions for next-generation graphics cards.
