PNY denies RTX 5090 warranty claim over melted power connector, citing use of third-party cable

In a post on the PCMasterRace subreddit, user /u/Melodic_Initial_1767 said they found their RTX 5090 non-functional after the 12V-2x6 connectors on both ends of the modular cable melted. The card was paired with a 1600-watt ASRock PG-1600G power supply and was reportedly running the stock BIOS with no overclocking and a manually reduced power limit. The user stated the card was idle when it failed.

The next day, the user said they received a written denial from PNY support stating that only the power cable or adapter included in the GPU box is covered under warranty. The response, as shared by the Redditor, reads: "If a third-party power cable, adapter, or PSU cable is used and damage occurs — including melting, burning, overheating, or deformation of the connector — PNY cannot accept the product under warranty." The company directed the user to the cable or PSU manufacturer.

However, the Redditor argues that PNY's written warranty terms do not mention 12VHPWR or 12V-2x6 cables, stating only that the card must be "installed in accordance with the installation guide provided herewith." That guide reportedly says nothing more than to locate an unused power connector and plug it in. The card did not include a 16-pin cable in the box, making it impossible for the user to have used a PNY-approved cable, and PNY does not appear to publish a list of approved cables on its website or in product documentation.

The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of the 12VHPWR/12V-2x6 connector standard, which has been linked to melting failures on high-end graphics cards. The case also raises questions about warranty transparency when manufacturers require use of an "approved" cable but do not clearly define what is approved.

Why This Matters

High-end GPU buyers paying thousands of dollars face potential out-of-pocket costs for failures if manufacturers deny warranty claims based on ambiguous cable policies.
The case highlights a gap between what warranty terms technically say and what support teams enforce, leaving consumers uncertain about coverage.
If denial becomes standard, it could push more buyers toward PSU vendors with explicit cable compatibility lists, or trigger legal action over warranty disclosure.

Background

Reports of melting power connectors on Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and prior-generation cards have emerged since the 12VHPWR standard was introduced. The 12V-2x6 revision aimed to improve safety, but failures still occur. Manufacturers like PNY include adapters in the box but not native 16-pin cables, forcing users to rely on PSU-provided cables. Warranty language often references "approved" cables without publishing a definitive list, creating grey areas.

Key Perspectives

/u/Melodic_Initial_1767 (the affected consumer): Wants the card replaced or repaired under warranty, arguing they followed the installation guide and used a high-quality PSU. Contends the denial is based on an unwritten policy not disclosed in the actual warranty terms. PNY (as stated in alleged support response): Holds that use of any cable not supplied or explicitly approved by PNY voids warranty coverage for connector-related damage. Directs responsibility to the PSU manufacturer. Consumer advocates and PC hardware enthusiasts: Likely to view the denial as unreasonable in the absence of a clear, accessible list of approved cables, and as a tactic to shift liability away from GPU makers.

What to Watch

PNY's official response or clarification — whether the alleged denial is company policy or a single support agent's error.
Potential update to PNY's warranty terms or published cable compatibility list.
Any follow-up from the Redditor, including escalation to PNY management or a chargeback attempt.
Similar cases from other brands that could indicate a broader industry pattern.

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