This is a rare incident that was successfully captured on a camera, but the user cannot apply for RMA this time.
MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Trio Catches Fire Instantly Upon Switching on the System; User Captures the Incident on his Camera
Things can sometimes turn out wild if you own a GeForce RTX 5090, but you won't always be that lucky. The 16-pin connector melting issue is quite common, and users are able to get a replacement, assuming they have followed the manufacturer's guidelines. That said, this user saw something more terrible than just a regular connector melting.
A video on Bilibili shows how a user ended up recording his system catching fire as soon as he turned it on. The user reportedly installed a new 1300W power supply and installed an MSI GeForce RTX 5090 for the first time. As a habit, he recorded the turning on of the system just in case something bad happened. We can see that as soon as he turns on his PC, the GPU starts producing open flames from various places.
He quickly turns it off, but it was too late. His GPU obviously died, but surprisingly, his system is still running normally after the incident. Of course, there are burn marks on his components, and he is now reportedly using the GeForce RTX 5060. That said, the flames in multiple locations is bizzare, and as per @unikoshardware, the short circuit might have involved the VRM circuit for the VRAM.
Unfortunately, the user cannot apply for RMA since the GeForce RTX 5090 is officially banned in China, and users can only apply for RMA if they own the GeForce RTX 5090 D or RTX 5090 D V2. The RTX 5090 is quite an expensive piece of hardware, particularly these days, when it's selling for $4000 or above in most places. Thankfully, this user still has the rest of his rig safe and working, or he would have been in a much bigger loss.
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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