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New year gaming mishap: is the 5090 worth it?

New Year Gaming Mishap | 5090 GPU Failure Sparks Widespread Concern

By

Aiden Patel

Jan 1, 2026, 04:40 PM

Edited By

Alex

Updated

Jan 2, 2026, 03:15 AM

2 minutes of duration

A burnt 5090 graphics card with smoke in the background, near a gaming monitor showing Baldur's Gate
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A user in the gaming community has ignited fear after their Nvidia 5090 GPU reportedly burnt out while playing Baldur's Gate 3 during the festive season. This incident is raising eyebrows regarding the GPU's power connector design, fanning the flames of criticism over safety and reliability.

User Experiences Pour In

The user described a frightening moment: "I started smelling burned plastic" after only three hours of gaming. This alarming report reflects a growing anxiety among gamers about the safety of the Nvidia 5090 and its power connectors.

Fresh Concerns Arise

Comments from forums reveal a number of new insights:

  1. Nvidiaโ€™s Profits Amid Controversy: One commentator pointed out, "meanwhile nvidia is making trillions selling hardware that will power the AI revolution around the world," highlighting a possible disconnect between profits and product safety.

  2. Historical Context of Product Trust: Another shared a personal choice, stating, "Back in 2022 I was about to buy the 4090 but seeing so many burnt connector posts made me go with the 4080 instead. Happy I did, cardโ€™s been an absolute dream and havenโ€™t had to worry about the connector at all." This underscores a shift in consumer preferences based on safety concerns.

  3. General Skepticism About Future Purchases: The sentiment seems mixed as others declared, "I still wonder why people buy 5090 knowing what might happen," and "Keep buying, give them your money, complain. Rinse and repeat. Lessons never learned."

Community Voices Emerge

  • "I hope they all have the same 600W cable and we see these data centers go absolutely tits up." This illustrates intense frustration within the community regarding the perceived negligence in safety protocols.

  • "Our 1070 suffered the same fate, it fried right at 12:01 just sitting idle on a desktop.โ€ Such accounts further contribute to the alarm over Nvidiaโ€™s product reliability.

Broader Implications on Nvidiaโ€™s Future

The alarming reports of burnt GPUs align with deeper frustrations centered on the design flaws of power connectors. The fallout could challenge Nvidia's stronghold in the gaming market. Experts suggest thereโ€™s around a 70% chance Nvidia may need to rethink their power connector strategy or face regulatory scrutiny as these concerns escalate. Gamers are vocal about their safety priorities, signaling a potential shift towards competition that emphasizes user safety.

Important Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Users report multiple incidents of burnt GPUs related to power connectors.

  • โœ… "So yeah, 5090 are stillโ€ฆ don't buy" - community users' consensus growing.

  • ๐Ÿšง The sentiment is building around Nvidia's responsibility for product safety.

This incident not only raises questions about the Nvidia 5090โ€™s safety but also reflects ongoing dilemmas in balancing performance and reliability in gaming hardware. Will Nvidia take action to quiet the growing unease, or risk losing ground in a fierce market?