Nvidia's fabled PCIe finger sells for under $25 in China, should you happen to break it — resuscitate your $10,000 GPU for less than a pair of fuzzy socks

In contrast to recent reports, Nvidia's modular PCIe connector on the GeForce RTX 5090, one of the best graphics cards, and the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell may not be difficult to procure if you know where to look. The connector is readily available on Chinese second-hand e-commerce marketplaces, such as Goofish, for less than $25. This information is helpful in case you accidentally damage the connector and need a replacement.

If you have not been keeping up with the latest Nvidia gossip, there have been two incidents of damage to the modular PCIe connector in the past few weeks, with both incidents involving snapped connectors. One incident resulted from a failed liquid-cooling attempt on the expensive GeForce RTX 5090, while the other was caused by improper packaging during transportation, affecting an even more eye-watering $10,000 RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell. Although both damages were attributed to user error, the outcome was favorable, as Nvidia unexpectedly agreed to replace the entire GPU in both cases.

It was good that Nvidia agreed to replace those cards, though, as GPU repair technicians have complained loudly that the replacement PCIe edge connector is simply unattainable through normal channels. That's incredibly unfortunate, given that it appears to be a fairly simple part.

However, now Uniko's Hardware (click the tweet below to expand it) has identified that numerous Chinese vendors are selling the Nvidia PCIe connector on Xianyu, the domestic platform counterpart of Goofish. The connectors are priced at approximately $19 to $23, with some sellers offering free shipping. That's the price before tariffs, though. It is important to note that these are salvaged components; therefore, they are unlikely to include warranties. Nonetheless, a $23 gamble may be justified, given that one has spent over $1,999 on a graphics card.

Nvidia was generous in resolving both situations, despite the apparent cause being user error. The chipmaker could have easily declined to provide replacements, as user error is outside the scope of standard warranty coverage. One cannot help but ponder whether there exists an ulterior motive behind Nvidia's actions.

NorthridgeFix, a renowned electronics repair establishment with a subscriber base exceeding 400,000, showcased both cases on its YouTube platform. The RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell, featuring a damaged PCIe connector, was allegedly the property of a high-profile tech YouTuber boasting over 40 million subscribers. One might contend that Nvidia just wanted to avoid negative publicity. It also makes you wonder whether an average Joe would receive the same level of treatment.

Nvidia is the world's first company to reach a valuation of $5 trillion; therefore, replacing a graphics card costing $1,999 or even $10,000 will not even dent its financials. Moreover, the graphics card merely requires a replacement of the PCIe connector, which Nvidia can easily replace and subsequently sell. The issue is that Nvidia doesn't sell individual replacement parts, so you or a third party can't do the replacement. Nonetheless, if you find yourself in a predicament involving a damaged PCIe connector and Nvidia does not provide a favorable resolution, now you (and repair technicians) know where to look.

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