Hardware issues reported in PC builds and GPU replacements

Two separate hardware incidents have been reported involving PC components.

A user on Reddit experienced a motherboard failure after attempting to plug a CPU fan into the wrong header while the computer was powered on. The attempt to hot-swap the connector caused sparks and a short circuit, likely damaging the motherboard's power delivery system or control chips. The user faces a replacement cost of approximately $150, with potential secondary damage to the CPU, RAM, or GPU still being assessed.

In a separate case, a user receiving an RMA replacement for an RTX 5090 discovered a defect in the new unit. While the card appeared functional, a high-end power supply equipped with SafeGuard+ technology detected that pin 2 of the 12V-2x6 connector was not carrying any current during workloads. Physical inspection revealed the connector was slightly lifted from the PCB, a flaw that would have gone unnoticed without the power supply's specialized monitoring system.