You often have to bend anyway
The problem with the 12VHPWR power connector is known to often be due to a bad connection. However, Seasonic recommends not only taking care of the correct connection, but also using a hairdryer.
A hairdryer is needed not for the connection itself, but in order to bend the power cable more correctly. Yes, the company advises heating the cable with a hairdryer to make the bend more “reliable.” In this case, this must be done before connecting the connector.
Of course, this is an optional procedure, and Seasonic notes that it is necessary in order to properly route the cables inside the case. But on most video cards the 12VHPWR connector is located in such a way that you will have to bend the cable in any case. And if this is done in the usual way, there is a risk that due to the tension at the bend, the contact in the connector will deteriorate over time. If the cable is bent by pre-heating it, this bend will remain.
Seasonic itself describes the sequence of actions as follows:
- Disconnect the 12VHPWR/12V-2×6 cable from the power supply and video card.
- Gently use a gentle heat source (such as a hair dryer) to thoroughly heat the section of cable where you want to bend it.
- Carefully insert the connectors into the power supply and GPU.
- Ensure that the connectors are installed correctly and that the latch on the connectors clicks into place.
- It is very important that once the connectors are installed correctly, do not bend the cables or apply unnecessary force to the connectors on either the power supply or GPU side.
The company also indicates that the cable must be bent at a distance of at least 35 mm from the connector.