A new way to kill your GeForce RTX 5090 has arrived. Since 800W and 1000W limits weren't enough, a user just uploaded the 2500W BIOS file as well.
Someone Leaked 2500W XOC BIOS for MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z; Users Start Flashing it on Non-MSI RTX 5090 GPUs
Most NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPUs are rated at no more than 600W. This huge amount of power goes through a single 16-pin power connector, which has killed numerous GPUs due to an inherent design flaw that causes the connector to melt pretty easily. If you remove the 600W power limit using a non-OEM BIOS to unlock additional GPU power, or resort to shunt modding, the risk of connector melting increases significantly.
Looks like some users would go to any extent to unlock some extra performance at the cost of their GPUs' lives. The MSI RTX 5090 32G Lightning Z, which officially brings a max TDP limit of 1000W through the Extreme profile, is the only card that pushes the flagship Blackwell GPU to its limits. A few days ago, someone leaked its 800W and 1000W BIOS files, allowing users to flash them on their non-MSI cards. The difference here is that while the MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z is designed to pull so much power through dual 12V-2x6 connectors, most RTX 5090s carry a single 12V-2x6 connector.
Now the same user has leaked the 2500W XOC BIOS file of this GPU for others to flash on their RTX 5090 GPUs. Some users are looking quite happy to be able to flash it on their non-MSI models, but keep in mind that even though this BIOS may work on non-MSI editions, not only will it introduce bugs, it will also increase the chances of physical damage. The connector melting isn't likely to be the only issue expected with this BIOS.
That said, we have to wait for users who have flashed this BIOS on their GPUs for the actual results. It's going to be interesting seeing how successfully this BIOS gets flashed on non-MSI Lightning Z GPUs and how much benefit there will be when compared to the 800W and 1000W BIOSes.
News Sources: Overclock, TechPowerUp
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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