Key Takeaways
1. RTX 50 series GPUs, including the RTX 5090, have been reported to catch fire, often due to power cable or GPU issues.
2. A user from China captured footage of their RTX 5090 igniting during its first startup, resulting in visible flames and sparks.
3. The faulty GPU caused burn damage to the motherboard, while other components in the system remained functional.
4. The lack of official support for the RTX 5090 means the user must seek third-party repair services for potential fixes.
5. Damage to the VRM circuit and VRAM is suspected, complicating repair efforts, and similar fire incidents have occurred with lower-end models like the RTX 4060 TI.
At this stage, it’s not shocking to see an RTX 50 series GPU catching fire or experiencing a short circuit. Many users have faced the loss of pricey GPUs due to issues with either the power cables or the GPU itself. Moreover, these burnouts aren’t exclusive to Nvidia. In a recent incident, a user from China managed to capture footage of the high-end RTX 5090 GPU igniting, and sadly, it happened right after they assembled a brand new system.
Video Evidence of Disaster
The footage was uploaded on BiliBili, which is a Chinese platform for video sharing, by the user known as “Staying up late is equivalent to dying early” (translated by machines). The video depicts the unfortunate owner of a new MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Trio recording its first startup, only to see the GPU instantly burst into flames. Sparks can be seen around the heatsink and the PCIe connector area, with visible flames erupting as the user powers down the system.
Aftermath and Troubleshooting
The account that shared the video provided updates on what occurred afterward, indicating that the GPU was indeed faulty. The wiring from the PSU remained intact, and everything else in the system functioned properly. Unsurprisingly, there was a noticeable burn mark on the motherboard chipset. The user reverted back to using an RTX 5060, which operates smoothly in the same setup. What’s particularly unfortunate is that since it was an RTX 5090 and not the RTX 5090D model, there is no official support or possibility for RMA. The user will now need to visit a third-party repair service and hope for a successful fix.
Potential Repair Issues
UNIKO’s Hardware, the account that shared the video on X, suggests that the multiple fire locations indicate damage to the VRM circuit and the VRAM. If this assessment is accurate, repairing the card might not be practical. While this isn’t the first reported case of an RTX GPU catching fire, it’s usually the power cables that suffer burning damage. Additionally, not only the high-end models have been affected; there have also been reports of RTX 4060 TI GPUs melting in similar circumstances.
Source:
Link