ASUS pauses shipments of $4,000 RTX 5090 due to unspecified 'quality issue'

ASUS Halts Flagship RTX 5090 Shipments Due to Unspecified Quality Concerns

Enthusiasts eagerly awaiting ASUS's most premium graphics card, the RTX 5090 32GB ROG Matrix Platinum 30th Anniversary Edition, are facing a significant disappointment. Reports have emerged from Sweden, where the retailer Inet has informed at least three customers that ASUS has identified a critical "quality issue" with the highly anticipated GPU, forcing a complete suspension of shipments.

The news, initially shared on forums like SweClockers and ROG, paints a picture of a product launch marred by unforeseen circumstances. Customers received communications detailing ASUS's acknowledgement of the problem and their subsequent efforts to develop a revised version of the model. However, the crucial detail is the absence of any estimated delivery timeline for this improved iteration, leaving buyers in limbo.

An Unprecedented Stumble for a Limited Edition Powerhouse

This situation is particularly awkward given the RTX 5090 Matrix Platinum's positioning. As a limited-edition, 30th-anniversary ROG product, it was designed to be the pinnacle of ASUS's graphics card offerings, targeting the most discerning enthusiasts, collectors, and extreme system builders. With a global production run estimated at a mere 1000 units and a staggering price tag starting around $4000, this card represents the absolute zenith of graphical horsepower on the forthcoming Blackwell architecture.

Inet's communication to affected customers reads, "I am contacting you regarding your order for the ASUS GeForce RTX 5090 32GB ROG Matrix Platinum 30th Anniversary Edition. Unfortunately, we have received information from ASUS that they have discovered a quality issue with this specific model. Due to this, we are unable to deliver the graphics card as planned. ASUS is currently working on a version without these issues, but there is no estimated date yet as to when a new instance will be available. We fully understand that this is an unfortunate situation, but unfortunately, it is completely out of our control." This sentiment highlights the retailer's own frustration and lack of concrete information.

Mystery Surrounds the Quality Flaw

Adding to the intrigue, no pre-release reviews or hands-on tests have surfaced that pinpoint a definitive hardware defect that could explain such a drastic measure. In fact, some early testing by intrepid enthusiasts has suggested the card possesses a robust build. One notable instance involved an individual pushing the ROG Matrix RTX 5090 well beyond its rated power limits, feeding it a staggering 750W through the 12V-2x6 connector, which is typically capped at 600W. Astonishingly, the card continued to function, hinting at a considerable engineering margin.

Further complicating matters, there are no official advisories or recall notices posted on ASUS's product pages. While many retailers have already sold out their initial allocations, the exact number of units that have reached customers and whether any issues have been reported on public forums remain unclear. The vagueness of Inet's "quality issue" statement leaves room for speculation. It could encompass anything from minor cosmetic blemishes or incorrect labeling to more profound concerns regarding power delivery, cooling efficiency, or the overall assembly integrity.

A Precedent of Quality Control

It's worth recalling that ASUS has addressed cosmetic imperfections in previous limited-edition ROG products. A notable example involved an inscription error on the EVA-02 motherboard, which ASUS rectified through a replacement program and an extended warranty. This precedent suggests that the current issue, whatever its nature, might not necessarily be a catastrophic hardware failure but could be a matter of exacting standards that ASUS, especially for a flagship anniversary product, is unwilling to compromise on.

The implications for collectors and early adopters are significant. For those who managed to secure one of these coveted GPUs, the wait for a potentially flawless product now extends indefinitely, with the promise of a refined iteration hanging in the balance. The situation underscores the complexities and risks inherent in launching ultra-premium, limited-run hardware, where even the slightest deviation from perfection can have substantial repercussions.