This RTX PRO 6000 is a ‘paperweight’ due to user damage (no warranty) and no replacement parts
We return to the topic of NVIDIA RTX graphics card servicing, more specifically an issue that should not be a problem in the first place. NorthridgeFix, known for various videos related to power connector replacements on RTX 40/50 series, has recently started sharing a different problem: the lack of spare parts for NVIDIA’s own Founders Edition models.
The previous video was about an RTX 5090 FE card from a customer who replaced the cooler and broke the PCIe connector in the process. This was no doubt an error from the user, who probably should have picked one of many already liquid-cooled variants. However, sometimes a Founders Edition is the only way to buy a Blackwell flagship GPU at MSRP.
The Founders Edition cards from NVIDIA use a three-part PCB : the mainboard with GPU, memory, power sections and all logic, the display connector board, and the PCIe connector board, all connected using tiny strips. The idea sounds great, on paper. It enables a dual flow-through design to support 600W heat dissipation without obstruction from the PCB, but it adds complexity to the design.
NorthridgeFix points out that such a design could be a major advantage if NVIDIA allowed everyone to purchase spare parts. If any of these boards were broken, it would be an easy fix. However, they are not available, so such cards are essentially paperweight once they are physically damaged , because no GPU repair service will take this on due to the complexity.
Source: Northridgefix
The new card that arrived at their repair center is the $10,000 RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPU , the most expensive GB202-based model with 96GB of memory. This is a professional workstation card which also has its own Founders Edition (no custom variants), so whoever wants this spec has no choice but NVIDIA’s own card.
Although both cases have similarities, such as a broken PCIe connector, in this case the cable and connector for the daughterboard were untouched. It is the PCIe board itself that broke , literally snapped, which means it cannot be fixed. The PCB has many layers (often up to 14), which means that each trace would have to be fixed by small wires. We have seen such attempts with Gigabyte RTX 30/40 cards , but this seems a lot more complex because the part that broke actually carries the power.
Apparently, the card broke while in transport. An unnamed high-profile YouTuber who is not tech savvy transported the card without protection. It is worth remembering that GPUs should never be transported inside the case unless they are screwed in and there is special foam or support that keeps them in place. Given the weight of modern GPUs, even slight movement over a prolonged period will eventually lead to PCB cracking issues, so if possible just do not transport GPUs inside the case.
Source: Northridgefix
The actual problem is not that people may not know how to handle expensive GPUs. The issue is that they have no way to fix the card, while in theory it should be a simple board replacement that does not even affect the mainboard.
In the previous case, NVIDIA agreed to replace the entire card for a customer who broke it unintentionally. NVIDIA may once again do the same for this user, but we would rather see the company open a parts store so such servicing can be done quickly, without cases like this forcing NVIDIA to step in.
The typical way would be to ask NVIDIA customer service for a post-warranty repair quote. If the card is from a board partner, the obvious choice is to contact that company’s service center. However, after reading many worrying stories where such service often fails to find the issue or even returns a different card, it is easy to see why many people prefer brick-and-mortar stores, where they can talk to staff directly and understand what is being fixed and how much it will cost.
