In a surprising turn of events, it seems that some gamers using the RTX 50-series graphics cards with EVGA motherboards are experiencing boot issues, prompting them to resort to a rather unconventional workaround—taping their graphics cards to ensure proper functionality.

The Issue

Reports indicate that certain EVGA motherboards are incompatible with RTX 50 GPUs, causing systems to fail to boot appropriately. A Reddit post uncovered a solution involving the application of Kapton tape over specific pins on the GPU.

Workaround/FIX for 50-series GPUs on EVGA Z690 motherboards from r/TEAMEVGA

Users recounted their experiences of systems looping error messages during startup, essentially revealing a prominent issue with the EVGA Z690 motherboards’ compatibility with the GPU series.

The Fix

To fix the issue, users have found success by taping over the fifth and sixth pins on the GPU’s PCIe connector with a narrow strip of Kapton tape. The user advises to only cover the mentioned pins to avoid any adverse effects on the graphics card’s performance:

“Cut a 2mm-wide strip of electrically insulating tape (Kapton recommended). Apply it over pins #5 and #6 on the front side of the GPU’s PCIe connector. That’s it! Reinstall the card and enjoy your gaming experience.”

For those contemplating upgrading to an RTX 50-series card while using an EVGA motherboard, this DIY fix might just save you from potential headaches during installation.