Once again, another scam unfolds where the GPU doesn't even have the entire GPU package and VRAM chips on the RTX 5090.
Technician Removes the Cooler from a ZOTAC RTX 5090 but Finds Ripped Off GPU Chip and VRAM Modules
The high-end NVIDIA GPU scams keep repeating. Last month, we saw ZOTAC RTX 5090 GPUs boxes being filled with backpacks and, in some cases, even with stuff like rice and pasta. However, this time, at least the GPU was present in the box, but it didn't work since it lacked the core components.
YouTuber Northwestrepair showcased a GeForce RTX 5090 GPU (ZOTAC again, not surprisingly) and, after going through a difficult process of removing the bad screw from the PCB, he was finally able to show what was underneath the giant heatsink. Shockingly, this wasn't another case where the GPU had a different substrate or a different GPU chip as we recently saw with some GeForce RTX 4090s, but this ZOTAC RTX 5090 had the entire substrate absent.
It had its GPU substrate and the GPU chip completely ripped off from the PCB. The RTX 5090 is equipped with a GB202 die, and is the most expensive part of the GPU. Surprisingly, there was no memory module present on the PCB as well. All the GDDR7 memory chips were ripped off as well. As per some reports, the GPU chip and memory modules together cost 80% of the total cost, which leaves the rest of the PCB not only useless but also worthless.
The user who sent the RTX 5090 to the technician is said to have bought the GPU from a Chinese vendor and paid $2,000, which is, of course, a dealbreaker these days. Since it's impossible to find an RTX 5090 for MSRP (except if you are a US Navy serviceman, then you have the NEX store), the customer thought it would be great to buy the GPU for $2K, as most RTX 5090 GPUs cost way over $2500.
The RTX 5090 has a lot of demand, not just for gaming but for AI workloads as well. Since the US government has banned the RTX 5090 and the RTX 5090D from the Chinese market, it's rare to see a full-fledged RTX 5090 on the market. Nonetheless, these scams are quite common for flagship NVIDIA GPUs, and, as per the YouTuber, if you see a "cheap" RTX 5090, then you are probably not getting a real one.
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.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
