Users of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition report warranty claim rejections due to faded serial numbers on the metal bracket. One owner from the UK experienced black-screen crashes and waited 30 days for a response, only to have their RMA request denied by Nvidia support citing the illegibility of the printed serial number.
The issue appears linked to the printing method used on the RTX 5090 bracket, where ink is susceptible to fading from heat or oxidation. In contrast, the previous generation RTX 4090 featured laser-etched serial numbers. Users note that the serial number remains accessible via the Nvidia SMI command prompt or on the original packaging and internal stickers.
Nvidia's handling of these cases appears inconsistent. While some owners face outright rejection, others report that support teams accepted RMAs after receiving photographic evidence of the original packaging. The company has not yet clarified its official policy regarding faded serial numbers on hardware components.
The situation is compounded by the current market conditions for the Blackwell flagship. With limited stock available in the US, prices for the RTX 5090 have reached $6 500, which is over three times the original MSRP. Owners are also expressing concerns regarding potential issues with the 16-pin power connector.
