PNY has refused a warranty claim on an RTX 5090 after its 16-pin power connector melted. The reason: the card was powered by the power supply's own 12V-2x6 cable rather than the adapter from PNY's box. PNY's published warranty contains no such condition.
What happened
The story was posted on Reddit by a user called Melodic_Initial_1767 and picked up by Tom's Hardware, TechSpot and The FPS Review. His PNY RTX 5090 died at idle: stock firmware, no overclock, and a power limit set even below default. Power came from an ASRock PG-1600G, a 1600 W ATX 3.1 unit, through that PSU's own 12V-2x6 cable. Both ends of the cable melted, on the card side and on the PSU side, and the system no longer detects the graphics card.
PNY's answer was short. Every PNY card with a 16-pin input ships with a PNY-approved cable or adapter, and only that configuration is covered by the warranty. If a third-party cable, adapter or PSU cable was used, the damage is not covered. According to Tom's Hardware, after the owner pushed back, a senior technician called the decision final and closed the ticket.
What PNY's warranty does not say
The FPS Review went through PNY's warranty document, revision dated February 28, 2025. There is no restriction on cable type in it, only a general requirement to install the card according to the included instructions and a clause letting the company decide what counts as misuse. The RTX 5090 installation guide itself mentions only 6-pin and 8-pin connectors, with not a word about 16-pin.
Worse still, according to HotHardware, when asked earlier whether a new native PSU cable could be used without voiding the warranty, PNY support replied: you can use it if you wish. PNY has not commented publicly so far. For an RTX 5090, which in September passed 5,000 euros in Germany, that is a very expensive loophole.
What RTX 5090 owners should do
- Keep the adapter from the box. If your card is a PNY, use it until the company explains the rules publicly. Judging by this case, the alternative may cost you the warranty.
- Ask your manufacturer in writing. Save the support reply, although, as this case shows, even that does not always help.
- Push the connector all the way in. The plug should sit fully with no gap, and the cable should not bend sharply right at the connector.
- Take a photo of the connection. A picture of what the card was plugged in with, and how, will help if you ever have to argue.
September has been a rough month for this connector in general: according to The FPS Review, Hardware Unboxed looked at another melted RTX 5090 connector earlier in the month.
Sources
The owner's story, PNY's reply and the closed ticket: Tom's Hardware and TechSpot, citing the Reddit post. PNY's warranty text, revision 02.28.2025, the RTX 5090 installation guide and the Hardware Unboxed case: The FPS Review, September 24, 2026. The earlier support reply about the native cable: HotHardware.
Images: official PNY renders.
