A Costly Flaw in a Collector’s Item
A ROG Matrix RTX 5090 graphics card marketed as the pinnacle of performance and exclusivity has reportedly been delivered with a fundamental manufacturing defect. An owner of ASUS’s limited-edition ROG Matrix Platinum GeForce RTX 5090—a card with a reported $4,000 price tag and a production run of just 1,000 units—says they received a unit with a misaligned power connector, rendering it unusable.
The issue was shared by a Reddit user, who posted that the 12V-2×6 power port on their new card was “offset to the right of the cooler frame,” leaving insufficient clearance to insert the power cable. For a product positioned at the absolute zenith of the GPU market, such a basic quality control failure is particularly shocking and frustrating for early adopters.
The Specifics of the Problem
The 12V-2×6 power connector requires a full, firm, and straight insertion to function safely. Even a minor obstruction can prevent a proper connection, which can lead to instability or, in worst-case scenarios, overheating and melting. The defect described suggests the internal PCB may have been mounted incorrectly within the massive cooler assembly.
The ROG Matrix model also features a dual-power design, allowing it to draw up to 800W when connected to both a compatible ASUS BTF motherboard and a traditional 12V-2×6 cable. This misalignment directly blocks one of those critical power pathways, negating a key advertised feature of the premium product.
Broader Context and Resolution
This single reported case follows earlier rumors from a Swedish retailer that ASUS had paused shipments of the Matrix RTX 5090 due to an unspecified “quality control issue.” While ASUS has not officially linked the two events, the timing is notable.
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The good news for the affected owner is that ASUS has reportedly stepped in to arrange a replacement card. For other buyers who manage to acquire one of these limited units, this incident serves as a critical reminder to visually inspect and test-fit the power cable before fully installing the card into their system. At any price, but especially at $4,000, verifying basic functionality is an essential first step.
Source: Reddit