Reddit user repaints RTX 5090 Founders Edition in matte white, but forgets to reconnect the LED

Why are we not seeing many customized RTX 50 cards? There is already a wide selection of models, so most users can find something that fits their needs. Some are also worried about voiding the warranty. However, not all mods require disassembling the card. You can change the look with stickers or removable coatings such as Plasti Dip. As long as the fans are not modified, this should not affect operation.

One Reddit user was inspired by an older post about repainting an RTX 4090 Founders Edition. That thread is now over a year old, but the idea clearly stayed. The user applied a white matte Duracoat finish, a paint originally developed for firearms, he adds.

Source: comradelochenko/Reddit

Despite working as a data center engineer and being comfortable with airbrushing miniatures, the user did make one mistake: the RTX logo LED was not reconnected. Yesterday we posted a story based on a video from GPU repair center noting that if someone plans to modify a card, the Founders Edition is not the best candidate. Its three-PCB structure is harder to work with, and there are limited spare parts available. In this case, the card still works after the mod.

Source: comradelochenko/Reddit

The visual update did not stop at the paint. The card also received thermal putty and PTM7950 phase-change pads on the die. It is worth noting that the RTX 5090 Founders Edition uses liquid metal, which makes such work more difficult. The RTX 5080 Founders Edition uses standard thermal paste instead.

Oh, and by the way, this is the RTX 4090 FE that Reddit mentioned:

Source: Westangfield/Reddit

It’s great to see that some users still mod their cards to match their liking, and it’s very unfortunate that they become so expensive that it’s become a solution only for the bravest and most experienced users.

Source: Reddit/NVIDIA