Does the 12VHPWR Connector Really Wear Out After 30 Mating Cycles?
1 min read
Summary
After several controversy-filled years, the 12V-2×6 connector used by graphics cards might finally be on its way out.
Created as a replacement for 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe connectors, these new power inputs for GPUs have proven to be a liability.
Some reviewers have reported that simply plugging in these connectors can lead to melting cables, graphics cards, and even power supplies in some cases, leading to a slew of (often hilarious) videos and many frustrated users.
In true Mythbusters style, YouTube creator JayzTwoCents decided to test these connectors scientifically to see if they lived up to their supposed 30 mating cycles.
After performing the test on both an older triple-dimple connector and a new single-split leaf spring variety, the results were somewhat inconclusive, with the latter variety improving over time despite looking terrible initially.
While there were no observable changes in contact resistance even after 100 mating cycles, it should be noted that this experiment was only performed on the GPU side of the connector.
