Leaked Video Shows RTX 5090 Cards Rebuilt as AI Server GPUs
Chinese workshops reportedly desolder GB202 dies and GDDR7 memory from new RTX 5090 cards and transplant them onto dual-slot blower boards for AI clusters.
A leaked video shows workshops in China dismantling new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards at industrial scale and rebuilding them as blower-style GPUs for server racks and AI compute clusters, according to Tom's Hardware.
The salvaged GB202 GPU dies and GDDR7 memory chips are desoldered from the cards and transplanted onto dual-slot blower-style boards. Both custom board partner cards and Nvidia Founders Edition models are being converted, the report said.
After testing and validation, the modified cards are repackaged and shipped to clients such as data centers or AI labs. The workshops are said to process probably thousands of GeForce RTX 5090 cards per day.
In the U.S., custom GeForce RTX 5090 cards now start at around $8,500. Prebuilt gaming systems with an RTX 5090 can cost less than a standalone card and include a manufacturer's warranty.
Supply pressure
Nvidia has reportedly halted production of the GeForce RTX 5090 and is likely redirecting the silicon to higher-margin professional GPUs such as the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell. The GeForce RTX 5090 is not officially available in China, and grey-market recycling and redirected supply have nearly wiped out its stock at U.S. retailers.
Quick answers
What is happening to GeForce RTX 5090 cards in China?
A leaked video shows workshops desoldering the GB202 GPU die and GDDR7 memory chips and transplanting them onto dual-slot blower-style boards for server racks and AI clusters.
How much does a custom GeForce RTX 5090 cost in the U.S.?
Custom GeForce RTX 5090 cards now start at around $8,500 in the U.S., according to Tom's Hardware.
Is the GeForce RTX 5090 available in China?
The GeForce RTX 5090 is not officially available in China.