GeForce RTX 5090 capacitor explodes with heatsink-bending force

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 user reports capacitor explosion

A Reddit user called RoboDogRush has reported an RTX 5090 explosion. The graphics card, a PNY GeForce RTX 5090 ARGB OC, had a capacitor explode while the user was editing video. Sparks and smoke reportedly billowed out of the user’s system, filling their room with “the smell of electrical fire.”

When inspecting their PC, the user found that their exploded capacitor had moved with enough force to bend their GPU’s heatsink. The GPU was running cool with sub-70 degrees Celsius temperatures and was connected to a Super Flower Leadex III 1300W 80+ Gold power supply.

Below is what RoboDogRush had to say about their experience. They are currently awaiting an RMA for their graphics card, which PNY has approved.

I was working on a video edit at 2AM when a firecracker went off next to me. I jumped out of my chair it was so loud. The screen went black, sparks and smoke poured out of the case, and the smell of electrical fire filled the room.

When the chaos died down, I pulled my PNY ARGB OC 5090 out to find a blown capacitor. It blew with such force that it bent the heatsink it was positioned over.

The card wasn’t running that hot, I always monitor temps, and it was under 70C. Airflow is good. PSU is a Super Flower Leadex III 1300W 80+ Gold, using the included 12VHPWR cable.

– Reddit user RoboDogRush

(RTX 5090 Blown Capacitor – via Reddit user RoboDogRush)

Capacitor explosions are rare, but they happen. This GPU RMA cannot be blamed on Nvidia, as they do not manufacture this component. This hardware failure is likely a one-off occurrence, likely due to a faulty capacitor. We hope that the user of this GPU can get their graphics card replaced soon.

You can join the discussion on this exploding RTX 5090 graphics card on the OC3D Forums.