- Reddit user’s RTX 5090 partially melted PCIe riser cable
- Some of the riser cable material is stuck on the backplate of the RTX 5090
- This isn’t as serious an issue as connector melting issues, but it’s now worth being careful about mounting cables and GPU spacing.
Building a new gaming PC in 2026 and beyond is a difficult task for any gamer amid the RAM crisis, and that’s why this caution regarding hardware components is vital.
As reported by TweakTown, a Reddit user reported a partially melted Lian Li PCIe riser cable due to heat from direct contact with the backplate of the Asus TUF GeForce RTX 5090. Chipped material from the riser cable is evident on the GPU backplate, but fortunately it is not a substantial amount.
Riser cables are an ideal solution for any PC builder wanting a small case that can accommodate larger GPUs by placing them in a vertical position. In this case, the user specifically notes that the riser cable was stuck against the GPU backplate during a routine PC cleaning, suggesting that heat from the GPU melted the riser cable’s insulation.
It should come as no surprise that the RTX 5090 is involved in a case of component fusion (even if it is very minimal). In case you missed them, there have been several cases of GPU power cables melting with RTX 5090 GPUs, due to the high power consumption (575W).
It’s important to note, however, that this can happen with other GPUs on AMD’s Radeon and Nvidia’s RTX cards, particularly those that can get quite hot under heavy load. However, Team Green’s flagship is probably more prone to casting complications, made worse by the use of cheap riser cables or GPU power connectors.
Fused Rtx 5090 riser cable from r/pcmasterrace
Other writers say it’s not a cast iron issue, as it appears the riser cable was chipped. Whatever the exact cause, it’s best to use this as an example to proceed with caution when assembling a new GPU.
If the use of a riser cable is necessary due to space limitations, users should allow sufficient space for the GPU and the riser cable to avoid direct contact. It’s a good thing this user realized the problem before a real problem arose.
We reached out to Nvidia to see if they had any comment on this particular case, but have yet to receive a response – but I’m sure the same warning of caution will be shared.
We’ve seen rare but much worse cases of GPU meltdowns, and given the cost of purchasing new PC hardware, I’d go so far as to suggest users be overly cautious.
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