The gaming community was stunned when reports surfaced of a ZOTAC RTX 5090 literally bursting into flames during a Battlefield 6 session, leaving behind a scorched PCB and visible burn marks on the motherboard. While GPU connector melting incidents are not unheard of, an actual open flame is exceptionally rare-and dangerous.
According to forum user york4517 on Gamer TW, the blaze lasted around 10 seconds, originating where the graphics card’s PCB is closest to the motherboard. 
Initial inspections suggest the fire erupted near the MSVDD rail, the part responsible for powering the memory subsystem. The user recalls the game freezing moments before flames erupted from his PC, an event that could have caused severe damage to his entire setup and surroundings.
International safety standards dictate that faulty electronics may overheat, produce smoke, or char, but should self-extinguish to prevent hazards. Open flames, however, point to a far more serious issue. Hardware analyst @unikoshardware speculates that MOSFET failure could be involved, while @Madness727’s teardown revealed a troubling lack of active cooling for the memory VRM-a flaw that may have contributed to excessive heat buildup.
The card is now with ZOTAC for investigation, but it remains unclear whether the manufacturer will accept responsibility or issue an RMA. If proven that the fire occurred without tampering, this could become a significant liability for the company. For now, the incident serves as a stark reminder that even flagship GPUs can fail catastrophically-and that active cooling on all critical components isn’t just a feature, it’s a necessity.