A Costful MSI RTX 5090 Failure and a Frightening Smell
The troubling trend of melting power connectors on high-end graphics cards has claimed another victim. In a detailed online post, a user shared the devastating experience of their $3,000 MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid GPU failing catastrophically after five months of use.
The incident occurred while the user was working in Unreal Engine. Without warning, the screen went black, though sound continued to play. Upon rebooting, the PC failed to recognize the MSI RTX 5090 GPU, and a distinct “stench of burnt plastics” filled the air. The user feared the worst, a fear that was confirmed upon inspection.
“The Cable Was Welded In”: Ruling Out User Error
The user described a harrowing scene when attempting to disconnect the power cable. The connector was so damaged that it had to be forced out, as the plastic had essentially welded itself to the GPU’s port. This was not a case of a loosely connected cable; the user explicitly stated, “The cable was definitely fitted all the way in,” and ruled out any user error, noting their PC case was large, well-ventilated, and put no strain on the cable.
The result was a destroyed connector, with “all six (+) power cables smoked.” The user expressed feeling “devastated” at the loss of such an expensive component and directed frustration at what they called NVIDIA’s “terribly designed connector,” which all manufacturers are required to use.
A Serious Safety Concern and a Warranty Hurdle
Beyond the financial loss, the user highlighted a grave safety concern. They noted that they often leave their PC unattended for overnight rendering tasks. The fact that this failure produced a burning smell and visible damage suggests a genuine fire risk. “This is a huge health and safety risk and could easily lead to fires,” the user stated, questioning why the “largest company in the world” cannot design a safe power connector.
The frustration continued when dealing with the warranty. The user’s initial attempt to return the MSI RTX 5090 card to the retailer, Scan, was met with a request that they pay for shipping and insurance for the damaged card themselves—a costly proposition. However, after the user’s post gained traction online and they mentioned it in correspondence, Scan reversed its stance and arranged a pre-paid courier.
Also, Read
- Intel’s Next-Gen Laptop Panther Lake GPU Leaks, Showing Massive Performance Leap
- MSI Denies Selling RTX 5090 GPUs in China After Photos of Pallets Surface
- New Wave of Melted Power Connectors Hits NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 Graphics Cards
A Lesson in Cable Choice
The incident also sheds light on a confusing debate within the PC building community. The user revealed that they had chosen to use the power cable included with the MSI GPU based on a reviewer’s recommendation, which praised its quality over a competing cable from their Corsair power supply.
In the wake of the failure, many commenters pointed out that the current consensus has shifted, now favoring the use of the native 12V-2×6 cable provided directly by the power supply manufacturer. This story serves as a stark warning to other high-end GPU owners about the potential risks and the critical importance of power cable selection.