The RTX 4090 graphics cards encountered serious problems due to incidents involving melting 12VHPWR power connectors. These issues were largely caused by user errors and a flaw in the connector's design, which made it hard to ensure a secure cable connection. In response, manufacturers of both GPUs and PSUs have created better connectors and cables that can deliver high power only when they are properly connected. Additionally, Thermal Grizzly has launched the WireView Pro, a device aimed at protecting your graphics card from these types of problems.
Future-Proofing with WireView Pro
With the anticipated RTX 5090 expected to consume even more power than the RTX 4090, using the WireView Pro can help avoid or lessen potential issues, safeguarding not just the graphics card but also the user. Unlike its predecessor, the WireView, the new WireView Pro has an alarm feature and a buzzer that notifies users if the connector is not securely plugged in.
Important Features of the WireView Pro
Thermal Grizzly notes that the WireView Pro can become hot during its operation, regardless of the cooling method for the GPU. For cards cooled by air, the device will cool down as the card itself cools, but it can still reach temperatures up to 60°C. In contrast, for water-cooled cards, the limited airflow near the connector might lead the device to heat up to 100°C. It is recommended to avoid touching the device unless absolutely necessary, such as when adjusting display settings. Thermal Grizzly has not specified whether these temperature readings were taken with cards that have a TDP of 450W or higher, meaning that temperatures could be even greater with the RTX 5090.
Buying Considerations
Potential buyers should also be mindful of the orientation of the power connector on their graphics cards. Some models feature reversed connectors, which would require the "Reverse (R)" version of the WireView Pro instead of the standard option.
The WireView Pro is available for purchase through Thermal Grizzly's official website, with a price tag of €70 or $76. It is designed to work well with standard horizontally mounted GPUs but may not perform optimally for vertical setups, as visibility could be an issue. There are hopes that Thermal Grizzly will introduce a version specifically for vertically mounted GPUs in the future.
