A Redditor in Western Australia, known as MagicManPie, reported that their GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 5090 XTREME WATERFORCE GPU waterblock developed cracks after just three weeks of use. The owner noted that no overpressure was applied and specified coolant was used.
GIGABYTE provided a replacement unit for the damaged waterblock, a process that took approximately two weeks to complete. This contrast in service follows PNY's recent refusal to replace an RTX 5090 after the user failed to use an approved 12VHPWR adapter.
Hardware reliability remains a concern for high-end buyers, as seen with the $11,000 ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 bundle. That unit featured a recessed USB-C AMOLED connector that was unusable, leading Newegg to offer a replacement based on current stock levels.