iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Vince “KINGPIN” Lucido says NVIDIA tried to get EVGA to use one power connector on its RTX 3090 Ti KINGPIN shortly before launch, disrupting the card’s production timeline and leaving output “severely limited.” That is Lucido’s account, not an independently verified NVIDIA policy: the available reporting does not include NVIDIA’s response, internal EVGA records, or figures for the delay or production volume.
What Lucido says happened
Lucido, the overclocker whose KINGPIN name was attached to EVGA’s enthusiast graphics cards, described a disagreement with NVIDIA over the RTX 3090 Ti KINGPIN’s 12-volt high-power connector. VideoCardz reproduced his remarks from a video, quoting him as saying NVIDIA tried to force EVGA to use one connector “right before the 3090 Ti KP launched.” He said the back-and-forth disrupted his card’s production timeline and left it severely limited.
That establishes what Lucido alleged, not why NVIDIA wanted a single connector, whether it framed the request as a requirement, or how EVGA responded internally. The reporting does not provide an NVIDIA statement or independently verify the production effect. Lucido’s “severely limited” description is qualitative; no delay duration or production-unit count was reported.
Recommended Free Tools
How the card ultimately shipped
Contemporaneous launch coverage by TechSpot reported that the EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti KINGPIN shipped with two 16-pin power connectors. TechSpot also reported that EVGA developed a PowerLink 52U adapter for the card. Those details describe the final KINGPIN configuration, not a general NVIDIA rule or the configuration of every EVGA RTX 3090 Ti.
#1 Best Overall
The KINGPIN was an enthusiast card built for extreme overclocking. TechSpot’s July 2022 launch report described a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler, an additional VRM fan, a 24-phase VRM, voltage monitoring, and a BIOS switch with Normal, OC, and LN2 settings. Its report placed the card’s launch at roughly three months after NVIDIA announced the RTX 3090 Ti family.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the connector dispute is not a general RTX 3090 Ti specification
NVIDIA announced the RTX 3090 Ti family on March 29, 2022, listing 10,752 CUDA cores and 24GB of 21Gbps GDDR6X memory. Those are NVIDIA’s published specifications for the GPU family; they do not establish the KINGPIN’s specific connector arrangement or confirm Lucido’s account of discussions with NVIDIA.
Rank #2
- 900-1G136-2505-000
EVGA’s separate RTX 3090 Ti FTW3 installation guide specifies one 16-pin connector, a 16-pin-to-three-8-pin adapter, three PCIe 8-pin PSU cables, and an 850W minimum power supply. Those instructions apply to the FTW3, not the KINGPIN. Combining the two models’ connector details would give a misleading picture of EVGA’s lineup.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Item Package Dimension - 15.0L x 12.25W x 4.25H inches
- Item Package Weight - 6.0 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - VIDEO CARD
Rank #3
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - VIDEO CARD
- This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors.
- Accessories may not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic box.
What is known—and what remains unconfirmed
- Reported allegation: Lucido said NVIDIA tried to get EVGA to use one connector on the KINGPIN shortly before launch.
- Reported final configuration: TechSpot’s 2022 launch coverage says the KINGPIN shipped with two 16-pin connectors.
- Unquantified impact: Lucido said the dispute disrupted production and severely limited output, but no delay or unit count was reported.
- No established NVIDIA position: The cited reporting does not include NVIDIA’s response or explain its rationale.
- Possible future card: October 2026 reporting describes a potential ASUS KINGPIN card as conditional, not announced or confirmed.
Sources
- VideoCardz, October 2026 report on Lucido’s remarks and possible ASUS work
- NVIDIA, March 29, 2022 RTX 3090 Ti announcement
- TechSpot, July 3, 2022 EVGA RTX 3090 Ti KINGPIN launch coverage
- EVGA RTX 3090 Ti FTW3 installation guide
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
