MSI has tweaked the notorious 16

Jun 12, 2023

File it under "Hey, now that's a good idea."

With one simple change to its 12VHPWR connector, MSI has made it very obvious when the connector isn't plugged in all the way into a graphics card or PSU. The bit that's meant to be on the inside of the connector is entirely yellow.

If you see yellow, you need to keep pushing.

The compact micro-fit connector is traditionally all-black, as most are, but MSI has shown off new PSUs over at Computex 2023—including the MEG power supply pictured—that change the inner connection plastic to a bright yellow. Thus, in theory, reducing the risk of a dodgy connection unbeknownst to you that could kill your card.

It's a surprisingly simple way to help mitigate what has been suggested to be one reason for melting power connectors on graphics cards. The 12VHPWR connector can deliver up to 600W through a single cable, but it got off to a rough start with the RTX 40-series graphics cards as user reports rolled in showing clear signs of damage to the connector during use.

A dodgy connection is only part of the parcel for the 12VHPWR connector, however. Early investigations suggested that one specific type of 12VHPWR connector, the so-called 3 Dimple, was more prone to making an improper connection, resulting in temperatures rising and in some cases the connector failing. The alternative, 4 Spring, is supposedly more robust.

That's since been backed up since by Intel, who is the publisher of the ATX 3.0 PSU specification, who recommended that manufacturers only use the 4 Spring design henceforth.

But a loose-fitting connection is one sure way to make matters worse. Something as painfully simple as a two-tone connector might well do some good for fiddly builds where you can't access the cables easily to check they're securely fastened. And there's the added bonus that for anyone who hasn't been kept abreast of the recent melting graphics card incidents would be more likely to secure the 12VHPWR connector all the way with such a visual cue in evidence.

Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD Best gaming motherboard: The right boards Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first

Sign up to get the best content of the week, and great gaming deals, as picked by the editors.

Jacob earned his first byline writing for his own tech blog from his hometown in Wales in 2017. From there, he graduated to professionally breaking things as hardware writer at PCGamesN, where he would later win command of the kit cupboard as hardware editor. Nowadays, as senior hardware editor at PC Gamer, he spends his days reporting on the latest developments in the technology and gaming industry. When he's not writing about GPUs and CPUs, however, you'll find him trying to get as far away from the modern world as possible by wild camping.

Jurassic Park management game marks the film's 30th anniversary by adding nostalgic set dressing and literal poop

Today's Wordle hint and answer #717: Tuesday, June 6

Dead Cells sells over 10 million

By Rich StantonJune 05, 2023

By Tyler WildeJune 05, 2023

By Wes FenlonJune 05, 2023

By Jorge JimenezJune 05, 2023

By Andy ChalkJune 05, 2023

By Katie WickensJune 05, 2023

By Robin ValentineJune 05, 2023

By Katie WickensJune 05, 2023

By Rich StantonJune 05, 2023

By Rich StantonJune 05, 2023

By Jody MacgregorJune 05, 2023