Faded serial number on RTX 5090 leads to warranty rejections, users report
A UK Reddit user claims Nvidia refused to honor a warranty claim for a GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition because the serial number on the metal bracket had faded. The user experienced black-screen crashes and sent the card for RMA, but after 30 days received a rejection without explanation. Other owners have reported similar fading issues, suggesting it's not an isolated case.
The serial number on the RTX 5090 Founders Edition is ink-printed onto the metal bracket, a departure from the RTX 4090's laser-etched marking. The card's cooling design directs hot exhaust air across this bracket, which may accelerate ink wear over time, potentially explaining why multiple owners report the same legibility problem.
Nvidia's rejection is notable because the identical serial number appears on a sticker attached to the modular PCIe connector, accessible during technician disassembly. The card's serial can also be retrieved through the Nvidia SMI command-line tool, and the affected user retained original packaging and purchase invoice, providing multiple avenues for verification that were apparently not pursued.
This situation could affect RTX 5090 owners facing hardware failures after extended use, potentially leaving them with a $6,500 non-functional card if serial numbers degrade. It may also erode consumer confidence in Nvidia's warranty handling, particularly since alternative verification methods exist. Other GPU manufacturers could face similar scrutiny over how physical component wear factors into warranty decisions, prompting broader industry questions about fair RMA practices.