RTX 5090 & 5090D Bricked Issues: What’s Really Going On?

If you’re someone who shelled out a small fortune to grab the powerhouse RTX 5090 or the ultra-rare 5090D, the last thing you’d expect is to end up with a bricked GPU. Yet, in early 2025, that’s exactly what some users are facing—a GPU that simply won’t boot, won’t display, and in some cases, won’t even be detected by the system. And this isn’t just user error or driver mishaps—these are serious hardware-level failures, and they’re causing quite a stir in the PC building community.

In this deep dive, we’ll break down the RTX 5090 and 5090D bricked issues with the most up-to-date insights, user reports, potential causes, and what you can actually do if you’re affected. Whether you’re a gamer, a creator, or a hardware enthusiast, this guide will walk you through everything in plain, human terms.

What Is the RTX 5090 & 5090D? Why Are They So Hyped?

The RTX 5090 is Nvidia’s flagship GPU from the Blackwell architecture lineup, released in Q1 of 2025. Built on the 3nm process and boasting nearly double the performance of the RTX 4090, it features 24GB of GDDR7 memory, AI-accelerated rendering pipelines, and up to 2.8GHz boost clocks. It’s a monster, no question.

The 5090D, on the other hand, is a more discreet version rumored to be a data center or OEM-specific variant with slightly altered thermals and voltage configurations. It’s not widely available but has made its way into niche builds and high-end AI workstations.

These GPUs are aimed at the ultra-performance market—think 8K gaming, AI development, 3D rendering, and complex simulation environments. That’s why when users started reporting bricked units, the shockwaves were immediate and loud.

Bricked? What Does That Even Mean?

If you’re not familiar with the term, “bricked” refers to a device that is effectively dead—like a brick. It doesn’t boot, it doesn’t function, and you can’t recover it through normal means. In the case of the RTX 5090 and 5090D, “bricked” usually means:

No signal to monitor
Not recognized in BIOS or Windows
No fan spin or power indicators
GPU shows as “Unknown device” or not at all

Now, that doesn’t always mean the card is physically damaged. Sometimes firmware or BIOS issues are to blame. But in these 5090 cases, the story seems a bit more complex.

What’s Causing RTX 5090 & 5090D Bricked Issues?

There isn’t one single answer, but based on aggregated reports from Reddit, Nvidia forums, and Discord tech groups, a few key suspects have emerged.

1. BIOS Updates Gone Wrong

Several users report that the card bricked immediately after flashing a new VBIOS. Whether done manually or pushed via Nvidia’s Experience software, these updates seem to have conflicts with certain motherboard chipsets—especially newer X890 and Z890 boards.

What makes this tricky is that the updates were official, not third-party mods. That means even cautious users following Nvidia’s steps to the letter got burned.

2. Overclocking Profiles & Curve Optimizers

Nvidia’s 5090 cards introduced a more aggressive dynamic overclocking model using AI-driven curve optimizers. While this offers better performance out of the box, it also leaves less thermal and voltage headroom for manual tweaking.

Some users who applied custom undervolts or overclocks through tools like Afterburner noticed crashes that escalated into full-on bricking. It seems the margin of error is far slimmer than with previous generations.

3. Power Supply Incompatibility

Despite meeting the wattage requirements (1000W+), some PSUs—especially older ATX 2.0 units—appear to have ripple noise or unstable transient responses that don’t play nicely with the RTX 5090’s high spike demands.

Nvidia recommends ATX 3.1-certified PSUs with 600W 12VHPWR connectors. Those ignoring this advice might be unknowingly putting their card at risk.

Patterns in the Bricked Reports: Who’s Affected?

Based on over 200 community posts and a few early investigative YouTube breakdowns, we’ve spotted some recurring trends in who’s most likely to be affected:

Condition	Likelihood of Bricking	Notes
Manual VBIOS flashing	High	Most common trigger
Older PSU without 12VHPWR	Medium	Ripple noise is a serious concern
Custom OC profiles applied	High	Especially with curve optimizers
Running on beta drivers	Medium	Some rollback fixes confirmed
5090D model in consumer rigs	Very High	Possibly not designed for end users

From this, it’s pretty clear that the issue isn’t always due to defective cards, but rather a mix of software, firmware, and power-related instability.

How to Check If Your RTX 5090 Is at Risk

Here are a few smart steps to take to avoid ending up with a $2000 paperweight:

1. Skip Manual VBIOS Updates (Unless Absolutely Needed)

Unless Nvidia or your OEM explicitly tells you to update, don’t. The risks currently outweigh the gains.

2. Use Only Certified ATX 3.1 PSUs

Brands like Corsair, Seasonic, and be quiet! have solid 1000W+ models designed for RTX 50-series spikes. Stick with those.

3. Be Conservative With Overclocking

Wait for more firmware updates before trying to push the limits. The default performance is already stunning—you’re not missing out.

Nvidia’s Official Response (So Far)

As of July 2025, Nvidia has acknowledged the issue but framed it as “isolated firmware conflicts.” They’ve rolled out a diagnostic tool called NVScan5090 that can detect bricking risks based on logs and voltage behavior. It’s available through their developer portal.

Nvidia has also issued silent VBIOS rollbacks for certain batches, although they haven’t made much noise about it. If your card is still under warranty, their RMA process is smooth—but be prepared for delays due to backlogs.

Real User Stories: When a GPU Becomes a Brick

One Reddit user, u/PlasmaForge, shared how his $2,400 RTX 5090D bricked after installing the “recommended” firmware from EVGA. Within seconds, his screen went black. He tried reflashing using a backup ROM with NVFlash, but the GPU wouldn’t initialize. The card had to be RMA’d—took nearly six weeks.

Another case involved a streamer whose PSU caused transient spikes during gameplay in Cyberpunk 2077. The result? Instant GPU death. No visual artifacts—just complete silence. He later discovered his PSU was on Nvidia’s “not recommended” list due to unstable rails.

What to Do If Your RTX 5090 or 5090D Gets Bricked

Here’s a practical recovery roadmap:

Check for Signs of Life
Does the card still show up in Device Manager or BIOS? If yes, there’s hope.
Try a VBIOS Recovery
Tools like NVFlash64 (in admin mode) can help reflash the original firmware. Only do this if you’re confident.
Swap PSU and Cables
Try another certified PSU to rule out power inconsistencies.
Contact Support Immediately
Nvidia and board partners like ASUS and Gigabyte have extended support specifically for this issue.

Conclusion: Is It Still Worth Getting the RTX 5090 or 5090D?

Despite these bricking problems, the RTX 5090 is still the most powerful consumer GPU on the planet. But that power comes with complexity. You can’t just plug and play like you could with older generations. Between firmware updates, strict power requirements, and volatile overclocking headroom, you have to be more informed than ever.

If you’re a power user who’s cautious and technically literate, the RTX 5090 is still worth it. But if you’re uncomfortable with BIOS flashing or don’t want to think about PSU ripple charts, it might be smart to wait for the RTX 5080 or a more stable 5090 revision later this year.

FAQs: Let’s Clear Up the Confusion

Q: Why is the RTX 5090D bricking more often than the standard 5090?
A: It seems the 5090D wasn’t originally meant for consumer systems. Thermals, voltage, and firmware all appear slightly mismatched when used outside OEM setups.

Q: Can I recover a bricked RTX 5090 myself?
A: Sometimes, yes—if it’s a firmware issue. But hardware-level bricks usually require professional RMA.

Q: Are all 5090s affected or just early batches?
A: Most reports come from launch-day or Q1 2025 units. Nvidia is quietly revising newer batches with better firmware and fuse protection.

Q: Is undervolting still safe with the RTX 5090?
A: Only slightly, and only using Nvidia’s built-in AI profile adjusters. Manual tweaks are risky without logs.

If you’re planning a new build or already own a 5090/5090D, it’s more important than ever to stay informed. Updates, patches, and safer overclocking guides are evolving fast—so keep tabs on reputable tech forums and official Nvidia channels. This GPU isn’t just a beast; it’s a delicate one.

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