ASUS GPU Tweak software can now shut down your PC to stop high-end Nvidia cards from melting connectors
ASUS has added a new safety feature to GPU Tweak III that could help protect high-end Nvidia graphics cards from dangerous power conditions. The latest version of the software can now automatically shut down a PC when it detects persistently high current going through the GPU’s power connection.
The feature arrives with GPU Tweak III version 2.1.8.0, released on August 17. It is designed specifically for ASUS graphics cards equipped with Power Detector+, meaning it is not available across all GPUs that use a 12V-2×6 or 12VHPWR power connector, just a handful from ASUS. These include flagship RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 cards with Astral and Matrix branding.
Power Detector+ supported GPUs get a new feature in GPU Tweak III
- ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090
- ROG Astral RTX 5090 BTF OC
- ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090
- ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080
- ROG Matrix GeForce RTX 4090 Platinum
Power Detector+ allows GPU Tweak III to monitor the current passing through individual pins on a compatible graphics card (see above, as per ASUS). Previously, the system could warn users when power levels went beyond safe limits. The latest update takes things further by allowing the software to shut down the computer if the problem persists.
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The automatic shutdown feature can be triggered when the current exceeds 12.5 amps. Users can also adjust how long the condition needs to remain active before the PC shuts down. A countdown can reportedly appear before the system turns itself off. However, the feature is disabled by default, so users will need to enable it in GPU Tweak III for protection.
The update is another attempt to address concerns surrounding the 12V-2×6 (and the last-gen 12VHPWR) connector, particularly after reports of power connectors and cables overheating/melting under heavy GPU loads. ASUS has previously introduced its ROG Equalizer cable, designed to balance power delivery and keep cable temperatures under control.
If GPU Tweak III triggers an automatic shutdown, users should not simply turn the PC back on and continue gaming. The GPU’s power connection should be inspected and reseated first, especially if the warning happens repeatedly.
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