In another twist of tech scams, a misleading GPU sale has emerged involving the high-end RTX 5090, where crucial elements like the GPU chip and VRAM are missing. An intriguing video by YouTuber Northwestrepair reveals the shocking truth behind a ZOTAC RTX 5090 once its cooler is removed.
These NVIDIA GPU scams seem to be part of a recurring saga. Last month, antics included ZOTAC RTX 5090 boxes filled with bizarre substitutes like backpacks, rice, and pasta. This time, while the GPU appeared in the box, it was missing its essential components, rendering it non-functional.
After painstakingly removing a problematic screw, Northwestrepair uncovered that this wasn’t simply a case of mismatched hardware. The entire GPU substrate and the vital GB202 die were absent from the PCB. Moreover, no memory modules were present—highlighting that the costly GDDR7 chips had been removed. Reports suggest that the missing GPU chip and memory account for a staggering 80% of the total cost, leaving the PCB essentially worthless.
The unfortunate owner paid $2,000 to a Chinese vendor, hoping for a deal below the typical $2500 price tag for an RTX 5090. However, it’s nearly impossible to snag one at MSRP unless you’re purchasing from specific outlets like the US Navy’s NEX store. With the RTX 5090’s immense demand for both gaming and AI applications, and its restricted availability in China due to government bans, authentic ones are scarce.
This saga serves as a cautionary tale: be wary of deals that seem too good to be true regarding flagship NVIDIA GPUs. As highlighted by Northwestrepair, an unusually cheap RTX 5090 should raise red flags about its authenticity.
