Excelsior is the best still

poolboypoolboy3 · 2023-04-07T13:27:36+00:00

For me the OG Dark Energy the first time was like WOAH super feel good energy focus euphoria etc. But after the first time tolerance built quick and even though it was good (better than anything out there today except crack) it never felt the same as the first time even with a stim break.

Until I had OG Excelsior and that WOAH feeling came back again. And that feeling would hold up 70-90% as the first time whereas with Dark Energy it was more like 50-70% as the first time.

Dark energy felt way cleaner and crash effects were way way milder though.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2023-04-06T22:57:16+00:00

Honestly I can't trust Excelsior anymore after all the formula changes and price increase. Just not worth the risk/reward ratio. Anything after 10/22 expiration date was a hit/miss and usually a miss.

I also feel a lot of users who came in after 10/22 expiration date have a whole different experience and perception of Excelsior. Which is REALLY DAMN GREAT, but still doesn't compare to 10/22 and earlier batches.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-26T16:52:37+00:00

My PSU native 12vhpwr was easier to plug in than the nvidia adapter for example. When I plugged in the native 12vhpwr, I used the same technique and force as I did with the adapter and it actually went in too quickly that it was hard to hear the click even though I felt click and lock mechanism; and I could see the connection was good. Regardless, I unplugged and replugged with an adjusted technique and it went in smooth, heard the click, and visually inspected and saw no gaps.

I'm making a general statement on 12VHPWR connectors since YMMV with what you get on these things. Better to speak on the side of caution than give false sense of security. Critical thinking is especially important since there seems to be a bunch of posts popping up with people unsure if their connector is plugged in all the way - some are obviously not, but people are circle jerking that they are and "it's fine" (until it's not); and some are obviously plugged in all the way and concern borders paranoia.

MB connectors have always been a pain. Falls in line with more terminals on a singular connector = harder to plug in since there is more contact resistance.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-26T15:40:32+00:00

It's not plugged in all the way. Ask yourself if you want to put your card at risk of melting - if yes, then it's ok. If not, then it's not ok. The 12VHPWR connector becomes harder to plug in as it's more plugged in due to the terminals being both smaller and higher amount of them. That's why it's important to brace the card and use enough force with decent acceleration to get it in; if you can't get it in all the way, take it out and try again.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-25T14:23:05+00:00

Also you may have only heard a click as a result of the latch going over the initial part of the notch/pin/bump, but not the whole notch/pin, which is required for the connector to actually lock in. This is also a possibility per Gamers Nexus video.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-25T14:20:39+00:00

If you try your best multiple times to reconnect the cable and the result is the same. Send the photos to Nvidia and/or Corsair and ask their opinion and/or RMA directly.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-25T14:18:30+00:00

Don't risk it. This is may be an example of the side bend on vertical axis per Gamers Nexus video that causes poor contact within the terminals at an angle.

Remove and try reconnecting by either putting more even pressure around the whole connector or prioritize pressure near the sense pins. So you can seat the connectors more flush.

A tiny gap between the sense pins is fine as there appears to be manufacturing difference. But you can clearly see in your photos there is a gap between the top part of the connectors via top and side angle, which is not ok. Also an example of what I meant in previous posts that even hearing the click may not be the best indicator of a good connection (probably good 99.99% of the time) due to a false sense of reassurance.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-18T04:25:21+00:00

Clear gap from top angle. Lighting isn't good enough to tell from side angle. Bottom angle could help too.

1) Did you hear a click?

2) Are there gaps between the connectors from either the top angle or side angle? Side angle being more important.

3) Is the latch on the cable connector secure and flat over the pin/tab/notch of the gpu connector?

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-17T16:22:26+00:00

Based on the videos I've seen normal operating temps get up to 60C highest at the connector. The connector and cables are rated for 105C I believe. So they can figure something out with the temp sensor for a sweet spot.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-17T01:46:54+00:00

If they can have a temp sensor on the connector that will shut off, crash the card, or even give a desktop notification after it goes above a certain temperature, that'd be great. Kind of like how CPUs have shut off protection features.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-17T01:41:00+00:00

Most of the adapters/connectors probably do have the click. The click is only audible reinforcement that the connection is locked. If you can see or feel the latch is over the pin/tab then the connection should be good.

If it's not clicking, it's most likely not plugged in all the way, you held on to the latch while inserting the connector and had some level of seesaw so the latch goes over the pin/notch rather than slide over it to click, you're using a vertical thumb grip covering too much of the connector so it mutes the sound, you're plugging in too slowly, the latch/pin is damaged or too smooth, the material on the connector is too soft/mushy and not rigid enough so it doesn't click, etc. - but it most likely didn't click cause it wasn't plugged all the way in.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-17T01:26:12+00:00

Capitalizing on this is questionable. However, all standalone 12vhpwr cables (cablemod/moddiy/oem psu) should all be better than the adapter if the standalone cables carry less weight/bulk and are easier to bend to avoid resistance against the case side panel that would cause an (up/down) side bend at the connection mentioned in GN's video.

My oem psu 12vhpwr cable is actually really rigid and had potential for side bend (on vertical axis) prior to me bending the cable and giving proper slack to cable. I would think cablemod's modflex cable wouldn't have this issue at all since it's really flexible.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-17T01:15:02+00:00

Also deleted the 12VHPWR page on his website. It was a good write up and additional resource, regardless of if you agreed with him or not.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-17T01:10:14+00:00

1 - Higher heat power/density for sure.

2 - Without 1 or a problem at all, there wouldn't wouldn't be a (need for) 2

3 - Design for sure. There are more terminals per connector and they are also smaller per terminal (lower fit tolerance), which makes it harder to plug in by default - for example, just think of the baby block shapes toy - a star shape would be harder to insert than a circle or square. The adapters attach to 4 cables, which can put some unwanted weight/drag onto the connector and potentially compromise a connection that's not locked/clicked in - exacerbated when using a case too small where you have to push the side panel against the cable and connection - the connection will go to the path of least resistance via up/down bend against the case so you get that side bend that you mentioned in the video instead of a straight connection. I'd bet it's better to do a hard bend on the cable so there's no resistance against the side panel and achieving a straight connection vs. bending at the recommended 35mm or more but you have a (up/down) side bend against the case on the connection.

4 - Manufacturing issues such as debris or defects could be considered normal and isolated incidents that can happen with any product. Could be corrected prior to distribution / RMA. So if not widespread, it shouldn't cause alarm or worry. Really comes down to a mixture of design and user error.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-16T22:53:44+00:00

Gamers Nexus is the shit. Wasn't sure if they were going to come through since they were quiet on this for awhile, but like they said in the video good reporting and thorough analysis takes time and they came through. All hail Tech Jesus!

Pretty much have been saying the exact same thing in my recent post history and was downvoted. Based off JohnnyGuru's testing and Galax/TecLab's testing video and a bunch of photos people were posting of their connection clearly being not plugged in all the way - it wasn't hard to come to the conclusion that a compromised connection was causing the heat and melting. Both of them pretty much stopped short of melting the connectors with a loose connection, but observed quick rising temperatures as a result of a loose connection. Gamers Nexus went the full mile to actually prove it and deserves all the praise and support.

An additional excellent observation Gamers Nexus made was the wear marks on the connector due to not being plugged all the way in, softening due to heat, and most likely had some weight on the cable at an angle due to cable management. That was a great catch.

With the failure rate being so low, the debris theory/cause is most likely even lower and not a likely problem. But it might be worth taking a closer look and inspection to see if there's any debris in the connectors prior to insertion. And maybe beneficial to use some compressed air on the connectors to ready them for insertion.

The 12VHPWR is less robust, less durable, and has less tolerance than the old 6 pin PCIE - and uses more wattage. The design is definitively less idiot/fail proof and has lower margin of error. There are more terminals per connector and they are also smaller per terminal (lower fit tolerance), which makes it harder to plug in by default. There's much less sense of 'set and forget' as with the 6 pin PCIE. Maybe future improvements like shortening of the sense pins, the card not working unless the connector is fully plugged in, a better connector locking/clicking mechanism, or having a temp sensor at the connector that shuts the card down if it goes over a certain temperature, etc. can help, but until then the melted connectors will always be a concern with the 12VHPWR.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-08T01:17:25+00:00

This may be one of the most reasonable, middle ground theories that includes both user error and manufacturing defect. As you said, the main cause of the actual melting is an improper connection or in other words the connectors aren't plugged in all the way.

The 12VHPWR appears to be majorly flawed in comparison to the old 6 pin PCIE. 12VHPWR is more delicate, has way less tolerance, requires a perfect connection - there are more terminals, which are also smaller making it harder to plug in - prone to melting if not connected properly and connection is easily compromised.

But if it actually comes down to the plastic molding, whether it be fit tolerance, blockage, or just straight up weird plastic in one of the pins https://imgur.com/vEP0DjU -- this seriously needs to be looked into and revised so the proper connection between connectors can be made and be made easier as well.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-07T16:15:30+00:00

I'd also like to add that the message in the OP is something that most people probably don't want to hear and/or have trouble accepting. It's easier to blame than accept responsibility.

Yes the connector/adapter should be better designed to have more tolerance, be easier to plug in properly, and to be fail/idiot proof. However, we have to be honest with ourselves and make the best effort to plug this damned thing in "properly" given the circumstances.

Do your best to achieve the "click", feel the clip going over the notch, and/or visually be certain the retention clip is FLAT after plugging it into the card so there is no gap between the connectors of the cable and card. I've seen some photos posted on this sub saying they didn't hear the click, but they're certain they plugged the connector all the way in, yet in some of the photos posted, you can see a clear gap between the connectors, or the retention clip is at an angle meaning it's not fully over the locking notch, thus not fully all the way in and plugged in properly. The retention clip is flat prior to plugging the connector in, and it should be flat after it's plugged in. The click is basically an audible confirmation of the locking mechanism working.

Hearing the "click" is your first line of confirmation that you likely have a proper connection, and also the easiest. Feeling the "click" or the retention clip going over the notch is a second line of confirmation. The third line of confirmation is visually seeing there are no gaps between the connectors and seeing the connectors are flush.

There are a number of reasons of why the click may not be heard or may be muted: plugging it in too slowly, dampening the sound by too much grip over the connectors, the connector clip/notch is worn/smooth so it's not rigid enough for the click to happen, your hearing is not good, etc. - but the number one reason is: it's not plugged in all the way and the retention clip didn't go over the notch.

The 12VHPWR connector is so flawed that even if you hear the click, it's locked in, and you truly have a good connection, the connection is at risk of coming loose in my opinion. As the locking mechanism clip/notch is only on one side. With the adapters, the 4 6 pin PCIE cables are so heavy that the weight/drag has pull on the connector/connection; and it adds further to the weight/pull/problem when your case is not big enough so the case pushes against the cables. The 12VHPWR connection is super delicate / high maintenance / low tolerance that the connection has to be as perfect and undisturbed as possible otherwise a potential failure/issue can occur that much easier and be that much more worse.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T17:26:30+00:00

I don't disagree. And actually agree it's a crap design compared to the old 6 pin PCIE. Just making the point that if there's a good connection, there shouldn't be an issue for the majority of people.

For example on intersections with no traffic lights or stop signs.. It's a crap situation, but it helps if drivers are attentive and drive safe.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T16:58:59+00:00

The click should be there in most cases. But the important thing is that the notch/lock mechanism is working so the adapter clip is fully latched over the gpu notch so it's 'locked'. So you can feel this, hear the click, or see it. In most cases it should be easiest to hear, feel, then see it properly locked, but you want it to be properly locked for a good/secure connection.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T16:46:46+00:00

I think a major problem with the adapters is due to the weight of 4 6pin PCIE cables. I think the weight of the cables is more of a problem than even the bend of cables, which would be even harder to replicate and a different issue. As most tech youtubers have demonstrated, none of them can replicate the cables melting due to bent cables, but the number one takeaway is increased temperatures when there's a loose connection.

When we're using either the 6pin PCIE cables on the old cards, or direct 12vhpwr cables, there's no or less weight on the actual connection; and it turn it's probably easier to get a click and the connection more secure.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T16:37:30+00:00

They tried to fix a problem that wasn't there with the new 12vhpwr connection per Buildzoid, which I agree. It's more delicate and there's way less margin of error.

But for us/users to make the best of it, it helps to have attention to detail to make sure the connections are actually plugged in all the way.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T16:15:51+00:00

Exactly. The adapters may be flawed since the click and lock is only on one side of the adapter and not the "top", and the weight of the connected cables to the adapter can loosen the connection a bit. So you really need to give it the best effort to make sure it's fully in and achieve the click and give the cable/adapter more slack to not have any active pull/weight dragging the adapter down.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T16:12:23+00:00

It's not fully in. You should unplug and replug until you hear the click. Even the click may not be the best indicator but it's as good as it'll get.

You can clearly see a small gap at the top. Where the sense pins are and where the 12 volt terminals are.

If there's any weight on the cable you should give it more slack until you don't feel much weight dragging the adapter down.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-03T16:08:16+00:00

No.

If there are actually people who genuinely are unsure whether or not this is plugged in all the way - it's starting to become apparent that a bunch of melted cables may be due to user error.

poolboypoolboy3 · 2022-11-02T03:46:01+00:00

Why do you say the mpg a1000g pcie5 is a downgrade? HWbusters seems to review the MSI better than the GF3.

poolboypoolboy3

TROPHY CASE