During video editing, a PNY GeForce RTX 5090 blew a capacitor by the 16-pin connector, raising quality-control concerns and debate over PNY reliability.
© A. Krivonosov
A PNY GeForce RTX 5090 suffered an exceptionally rare failure: a capacitor exploded while the card was in use. A Reddit user said they were editing a video when a loud pop cut through the room; the display went dark, smoke seeped from the case, and the acrid smell of burnt electronics followed.
A closer look pinpointed the blast to a capacitor next to the 16-pin power connector. The detonation was strong enough to bend the heatsink. Even so, the connector itself remained intact, and the 1,300-watt Super Flower Leadex III power supply kept functioning normally. That combination suggests a board-level defect—either a bad capacitor or a soldering error.
With PNY’s RTX 5090 cards retailing for more than $2,000, an event like this inevitably raises questions about component quality control. Some users also floated another possibility: direct contact between the heatsink and the capacitor that could have led to overheating.
The owner has been approved for a warranty replacement, but the incident has stirred a wider debate about PNY’s reliability. The company has yet to comment, and experts say an investigation is warranted, as other RTX 5090 models share a similar layout. For a flagship at this price, even a single faulty part can sideline the whole experience—and silence seldom calms the community.