Gigabyte’s Geforce RTX 3000 card is pulled with substandard power connectors

In the weeks that followed Nvidia’s launch of the first graphics cards in the Geforce RTX 3000 series, it was clear that the company’s partner manufacturers did not have much time to complete cards in time for the launch – something which together with a very high demand has led to extreme supply shortages worldwide. In addition to difficulties in delivering cards, there are also cases where some manufacturers have not had enough time to quality control their models properly before leaving the factories.

One of these manufacturers is Gigabyte, whose graphics card in the Geforce RTX 3000 series has been shown to have problems with the company’s implementation of the dual 8-pin connectors that are mounted on the card. The installation of these power connectors differs significantly from most of the competitors as these are not soldered directly to the circuit board. Instead, Gigabyte uses extension cables that go from two terminals on the circuit board to a junction box in the back edge of the board that houses the power connectors.

The problems are based on the contact pins that are housed inside each connector being too loose, which means that these can sometimes lie at an angle when the user presses the power connector from the power supply. The result is that the contact cannot be pushed down at all or that the user needs to jerk the contact back and forth to get the pins to end up in the right position to get proper contact.

As the pins are already loose, there is also another problem that can arise, namely that the pins can come loose and be pushed down through the contact. The image above comes from the editors’ test copy of the Geforce RTX 3080 Gaming OC, where one of the contact pins in the rear PCI Express connector has come loose completely after the card has been moved from one computer to another.

At the time of writing, the trickling power contacts have been reported from end customers in most posts on the discussion forum Reddit. On top of this, a multi-faceted discussion is underway at the British retailer Overclockers UK, where additional users have encountered patrols with sluggish contacts and loose contact pins. In the latter thread, Gigabyte’s British representative has also confirmed that the company is aware of the problems.

We have investigated the issues that have been reported and have a solution to fix any cards that have developed lose or faulty power pins. Any customers that have experienced the same power connector problem as reported on this thread, please contact me directly and I will arrange to have the card fixed with a new connector as quickly as possible.

According to Gigabyte’s representative, the company has developed a new and improved contact solution, which is also used on later batches of cards shipped from the factory. Users who have problems with their current contact, however, need to send the card to Gigabyte to have it replaced. It is worth mentioning that this exchange program directly via Gigabyte currently only applies to the USA and the UK.

The cards that have been confirmed to be affected by the incorrect contacts are Eagle OC and Gaming OC in both Geforce RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 versions. The relatively newly launched Vision OC card also uses a similar power connector, but it is possible that it is not affected as the model may well be new enough to have been equipped with the upgraded connector. The Aorus Master and Aorus Extreme cards are not affected, as these have soldered power connectors on the circuit board.

SweClocker’s editorial staff is in contact with Gigabyte about our test copies of Geforce RTX 3080 Gaming OC and RTX 3090 Gaming OC, both of which have had problems with the power connectors. These will now be shipped to the company’s German return center for replacement of junction box. When the cards are returned, an update will follow if the issues are resolved. We are also waiting to be notified if there will be an opportunity for customers in Sweden to send cards directly to Gigabyte or if they have to go through the place of purchase.

For current users of Gigabyte’s RTX 3000 cards in the Eagle and Gaming series who have experienced problems with sluggish power connectors, we recommend that you examine the contact pins carefully and see that they have not been depressed. In view of the cards’ high power outlets, unwanted effects can occur if all the contact pins do not get a proper connection with the cable from the power supply.

Have you had contact problems with your Geforce RTX 3000 card in the Eagle or Gaming family? Feel free to share your experiences in the comment thread.