Surely before problems with graphics cards Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series you did not know about the existence of Shunt resistance. Well, since all this controversy has uncovered them, it is time to learn more about them and learn about what these electronic components are.
What are Shunt resistors?
A Shunt resistance It is a very low (and very precise and well -known) resistance that is placed in parallel with circuit to divert a part of the electric current. It can be seen in many electronic devices, as in some amperimeters to measure currents through OHM's law, that is, i = v/r, since knowing the voltage and knowing the shunt resistance, you can know precisely the intensity .
Keep in mind that being A very low value resistance, the voltage drop that occurs through it is minimalwhich allows most of the current to flow through the main circuit. However, this small voltage drop is proportional to the total current that circulates, which allows its measurement precise without significantly affecting the operation of the circuit.
This type of resistances can be encapsulated in very different ways, although in this case we are more interested in the SMD type, since they are those found on the PCBs of the graphics cards. Anyway, you have to take into account The position of the shunts in the circuitsince it is crucial. Normally it is placed on the side connected to the ground line to remove a common mode voltage, although this position has its disadvantages. On the other hand, if it is placed disconnected from land, it can also generate problems for intensity measurements. Was that the problem of Nvidia? Well now we will see later …
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Shunt resistance applications
The Shunt resistances They are used in a wide variety of applications, such as:
- Current measurement in power systems: They allow monitoring high currents in large consumption systems, such as modern graphics cards with a high TB or TDP.
- Circuit protection: When detecting excessive currents, they can activate protection mechanisms to avoid component damage.
- Calibration: They are used in the calibration of current intensities, among others. For example, it can be used in food to help monitor and control the current supplied to the card.
The problem of Shunt resistances in graphics cards Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series
Modern graphics cards, such as NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 50 seriesthey demand a precise management of energy due to its high consumption and performance. The SHunt resistance play a crucial role in allowing the monitoring and control of the current which flows to the GPU and other critical components of the graphic PCB.
In this case, Nvidia in your designs uses them to Balance the current load between the different power connectors. They are essential to guarantee a uniform distribution of the current and prevent problems such as overheating or overload of certain graphic components in this new generation.
However, a bad design or location can generate more problems Of which it can solve, it is more the green company has not only improved the problems seen in the RTX 40 series, but it seems that it has worsened in the RTX 50 series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb5yzmovqyw
For example:
- Current imbalance: If Shunt resistances are not properly sized or distributed, an imbalance in the current flowing through the power connectors may occur, which could cause overheating and possible damage to the graphics card.
- Molten feed connectors: There have been reports of food connectors that melt in the RTX 5090, which is attributed to an inappropriate design of the SHunt resistances and the lack of load monitoring. This problem highlights the importance of a careful design and the implementation of effective monitoring mechanisms.
- Mechanical and wiring problems: A poor design in the distribution of Shunt resistances can lead to mechanical and wiring problems, affecting the integrity and performance of the graphics card.
We recommend reading the best graphics cards.
As with the 40 series, Nvidia will have to solve these youth problems of your new graphics cards and give solutions to affected users. However, it is not something that has no solution.
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