A new computer with a 5090 is usually a reason to celebrate. However, a Chinese gamer had an unpleasant experience. In seconds, his gaming rig turned into a fire hazard.
What happened? UNIKO’s hardware reports in an X post dated 11.02.2026, that the Chinese user allegedly filmed his PC catching fire. The original video was uploaded to the Chinese video platform Bilibili, but it has since been removed and is no longer available.
According to UNIKO, the user completed his new PC build with an RTX MSI 5090 Gaming Trio and wanted to record the first startup via video. When pressing the power button, several flames reportedly ignited on the graphics card and additional smoke was produced.
Surprisingly, it was said that the notorious 12vhpwr power connector of the graphics card was not responsible for the incident, as many gamers are already worried that the connector will cause their gaming rig to catch fire. The X post speculates that the unusual fire was triggered by memory chips on the GPU itself.
User had access to an unacquirable GPU
Why can’t the PC builder exchange the card? China is subject to an import restriction from the USA, and Chinese gamers cannot legally acquire an RTX 5090 domestically (via Slashgear).
Here, the same model is available for about 3,359 euros as of 12.03.2026 (via Geizhals).
How the gamer obtained the graphics card is unknown. However, due to the import ban, he has no way to send the GPU back to the manufacturer and claim a warranty. (via Guru3D).
His only option is repair shops, which can quickly become expensive. There have already been cases where another user had to pay more for the repair of his GPU than it originally cost.
To comply with the import ban restrictions, NVIDIA released the RTX 5090D for the Chinese market, which is primarily reduced in its AI performance. The gaming performance of this GPU variant is nearly identical. (via Trendforce).
By mid-last year, all shipments of the new 5090D variant to China were also halted, and all outstanding orders were canceled. (via TechPowerUp). Thus, it will be very difficult for the user to find a comparable replacement.
Small fires can quickly become dangerous
What can I do if my electrical device catches fire? Even a minor fire can quickly become dangerous, and there are some tips on how to proceed in case of a computer fire (via ergo.de):
- Immediately remove the power plug if possible, so the fire does not spread further with the flowing electricity. If you cannot reach the plug without putting yourself in danger, turn off the fuse to interrupt the power supply.
- Do not extinguish the fire immediately with water, as there is a risk of receiving a life-threatening electric shock. It is best to use a C-class fire extinguisher, which discharges a powder suitable for such fires. If the power is turned off, a class A fire extinguisher that uses water or foam can also be used.
- Remove all combustible materials from the vicinity of the fire to prevent it from spreading more easily, and alert emergency services by dialing 112.
Additionally, it is advisable to always keep an eye on your computer and to clean it occasionally to prevent dust buildup. These can easily catch fire and, in the worst case, lead to a house fire. A gamer in the Philippines had to experience a fire once: Gamer lets his fan run for 5 days straight, burns down his gaming room – Hopes that his gaming PC survived
