PNY Denies RTX 5090 Warranty Claim Over Native PSU Cable
A new report from Reddit has shed light on a troubling inconsistency in how graphics card warranties are handled. A user claims that PNY rejected their warranty claim for a melted RTX 5090, even though they used a native 12V-2×6 cable that came with their power supply.
According to the post, the user’s PNY GeForce RTX 5090 suffered a melted 12V-2×6 power connection. Both ends of the cable were damaged—the connector at the graphics card and the PSU side—and the GPU is no longer detected by the system. The card was connected to an ASRock PG-1600G ATX 3.1 power supply using the native 12V-2×6 cable included with the PSU. The owner says no adapter or splitter was used, the VBIOS remained stock, and the card was not overclocked. They even reduced the power limit below stock settings.
Despite these precautions, PNY reportedly rejected the claim on the same day it was submitted. In the response shared by the owner, PNY said that graphics cards requiring a 16-pin connector include a PNY-approved cable or adapter, and that this is the only configuration covered under warranty. PNY further stated that if a third-party cable, adapter, or PSU cable is used and damage occurs—including melting, burning, overheating, or connector deformation—the product cannot be accepted under warranty. The company said such damage would instead fall under the responsibility of the cable or power supply manufacturer.
The user noted that no warranty document explicitly states this restriction, calling the rejection unjustified. This has led to frustration among consumers who believed that using a native PSU cable—often considered the safest option—would be covered.
A Contradictory PNY Response
Adding to the confusion, another PNY support response is being shared in the same discussion. Another customer reportedly asked whether a native PSU 12V-2×6 cable could be used instead of the adapter supplied with the graphics card. PNY support said that it could. That answer was given about a year ago, so it’s possible the policy has changed, but the inconsistency is striking.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen conflicting guidance. NVIDIA has never clearly explained which cables are recommended and which should be avoided for the RTX 5090. Board partners appear to give different answers, and most reported connector failures continue to involve the ultra-expensive RTX 5090. The result is a confusing landscape for consumers who just want to know how to safely power their GPU.
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What This Means for RTX 5090 Owners
The incident raises serious questions. If a native PSU cable is not covered under warranty, what is? The bundled adapter is often the part that fails in many reported cases. Some manufacturers even suggest that native cables are preferable. Yet PNY’s response suggests the opposite.
For now, the safest advice is to document everything: keep receipts, take photos of your installation, and if you must use a particular cable, confirm with the manufacturer beforehand. But the larger issue is that NVIDIA should step in and clarify a standard policy across all board partners. Until then, buyers should be aware that warranty coverage may be inconsistent.
Based on this case, we strongly advise consumers to consider alternatives to PNY graphics cards until the company clarifies its warranty policy. If native PSU cables are not covered, there is either a serious flaw in the RTX 5090 power design or a problematic warranty policy. Either way, it’s a risk that consumers shouldn’t have to take.