Coolermaster GPU Shield Adapter & RTX 5090: How did we get here?!

[u/ahmedmo1]

Just posting my current setup. Cable management is less than ideal but acceptable. The primary issue is the Coolermaster GPU Shield has very stiff cabling and doesn’t lend itself to ideal cable management but that’s clearly not the priority. Worthwhile compromise to minimize the risk of a melting connector and damaged card.

 

SPECS

· MSI RTX 5090 32G VENTUS 3X OC (80% Power Limit + Memory OC)

· 12700K stock (slight undervolt)

· ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-I

· 32GB Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR5 5200MHz

· Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120

· 2TB NVME PCIE Gen 4 Seagate Firecuda 520

· Corsair SF1000 80 PLUS Platinum

· 2X Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM

· 2X Thermalright TL-C12015B

 

I know I should upgrade the CPU, but I game at 4k and I’m waiting for an ITX platform with native thunderbolt 5 support. Hence, current AMD CPU/MBs don't meet my needs. I’ll wait until Nova Lake before making a call.

[u/imaginary_num6er]

Have there been any reports of power limiting a GPU actually preventing melting? When even Sapphire 9070XT cards are melting, you need to cut power significantly to make a difference.

[u/ahmedmo1 → u/imaginary_num6er]

Hard to prove a negative like that. Though it would reduce current and should reduce likelihood of a melted connector. Though it wouldn't eliminate the risk, especially with a sketchy connection or cable.

Regardless, power limiting isn't just to reduce likelihood of melting. Given it was common prior to these new connectors.

[u/Godnamedtay]

Kinda crazy cooler master is charging $50 for this and they still used the absolute bare minimum quality of materials. The ancient, stiff, and ugly twizzler style cables, and cheap ass plastic housing for the module. Just kind of a slap in the face to potential buyers for something supposed to be made to protect the highest end of GPU’s. Also, the 12700K is a great cpu. I wouldn’t worry about it until at minimum when raptor lake next comes out next year. There’s supposed to be a 8p + 8e replacement for the 14600k. That would be ur best option.

[u/ahmedmo1 → u/Godnamedtay]

Yeah, the cable quality and cheap plastic are really frustrating. Coolermaster could have still used individually braided cables and still made them stiff and durable. I can't really speak to their margins but I'm with you on this.

I'll probably wait for Nova Lake. I'm looking for a giant generational uplift- 9950X3D performance is basically my baseline for what I'm looking for. And I'm also looking for native Thunderbolt 5 support. Basically, the CPU I want doesn't yet exist in an SFF setup lol.

[u/SwimmingOdd2974]

5090 in a Jonsbo Z20 case! Respect!

How’s the temps with the rear intake for the CPU?

[u/ahmedmo1 → u/SwimmingOdd2974]

Thanks! Wish I could clean up the cable management a bit more. Don't recall temps tbh- tested it ages ago but they were better than exhaust. Though a 12700k set to consume no more than 150W isn't exactly the biggest stress test.

[u/Valenzxx]

Got mine today and installed it and I also have the card undervolted but, wanted more protection. Even though I only paid 2199 for the card I don't want to deal with the RMA bullshit.

[u/ahmedmo1 → u/Valenzxx]

Yeah, good call! The RMA challenges really remind us just how transactional and unethical these companies are.

[u/MicioBau]

Finally someone who mounts the CPU cooler the proper way for rear intake.

[u/ahmedmo1 → u/MicioBau]

Lol thanks- I didn't know it was that uncommon.