RTX 5090 overclocking with dual power connectors explained

An extreme overclocker known as sugi0lover has demonstrated what the GeForce RTX 5090 can achieve when manufacturers hold back. The enthusiast modified a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090 AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE WB by adding a second 16-pin 12V-2×6 power connector and conducted a series of high-load measurements.

Gigabyte officially uses a single 16-pin connector and recommends a 1000W power supply. However, it turns out that some RTX 5090 printed circuit boards already have contact pads for a second connector. The overclocker took advantage of this, carefully soldering an additional connector to distribute the load between two power lines.

At a total consumption of 600W, measurements showed the main connector delivered about 369W, while the added one handled 231W. This means the load was split roughly 61.5% to 38.5%, with neither connector exceeding 400W. This already reduces thermal and electrical stress on each individual connector.

Of course, the experiment included extreme tests. During a check at 1521W, one connector delivered 936W and the second 585W, nearly hitting four digits on a single connector. Sugi0lover emphasizes that such experiments aim for brief record measurements, not sustained operation at these levels.

Dual-connector RTX 5090s already exist in extreme overclocking niches, like GALAX's HOF series, which uses two 16-pin connectors and special firmware with higher power limits. At CES 2026, Gigabyte showed an enthusiast AORUS 5090 version without a second connector, focusing instead on cooling and proprietary design. Sugi0lover's modification clearly shows the RTX 5090's potential far exceeds factory limits—but only the boldest enthusiasts are willing to unlock it.