MSI is hitting the high-end market with the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid , a card designed for those who want the best without compromise. This version adopts a 360 mm AIO liquid cooling system , supposed to push the thermal limits and offer a more compact design, while harnessing the colossal power of the RTX 5090. On paper, the cocktail is attractive, but at a price close to $2,800 and with availability still complicated, the investment deserves to be questioned.
After extensive testing of the card, we were able to measure the real contribution of this liquid system. Compared to the air-based Suprim , the Liquid boasts a 22% smaller format , significantly lower temperatures , and even a slight performance gain under intensive load. All this in exemplary silence, despite the power released. MSI delivers an impressive technological showcase here, but the question remains: are these advantages really enough to justify such an additional cost?
Table of Contents
The pros and cons of the MSI RTX 5090 Supprim Liquid
- Exceptional cooling (-22°C vs air version)
- Compact and elegant design
- Near-silent operation
- Excellent overclocking potential
- Careful construction
- Excessive price (+40% vs MSRP)
- Almost zero availability
- Slightly higher consumption
- Memory contact could be improved on some chips
Design and design of the MSI Suprim Liquid RTX 5090
The MSI Suprim Liquid RTX 5090 is striking at first glance with its reduced size . At just 280 mm in length , it is 22% shorter than the air-cooled Suprim. The thickness is reduced from four to three slots (a reduction of 33%, at 51 mm), while the card itself has a 44% lighter profile , significantly reducing the stress on the PCIe port.
This evolution is explained by the transfer of the cooling system to an external 360 mm radiator , supported by three 120 mm Storm Force fans. The total combined weight (card + radiator) remains similar to the air version at 2.76 kg , but the distribution radically changes the installation experience.
In terms of design, MSI has opted for simplicity and elegance: a brushed aluminum front with angular lines discreet black GeForce RTX branding , and a single 95 mm fan dedicated to power components not covered by water cooling.
The MSI RTX 5090 Suprim's 360mm radiator (394mm total length) boasts an impeccable finish : fully sleeved cabling, proprietary connectors between fans, and no unnecessary cable management. MSI offers a premium solution here, combining performance and sleek design, which integrates effortlessly into a high-end configuration.
RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid Thermal Performance: Liquid Cooling Excellence
It's in the temperature department that the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid really shines. During our extended testing, which ran The Last of Us Part One at 4K, at maximum settings, in a closed case maintained at 21°C, the results speak for themselves.
BIOS Quiet (default mode):
GPU temperature: 55°C maximum
GDDR7 memory temperature: 72°C maximum
Fan speed: 1000 rpm only
Noise pollution: almost inaudible
BIOS Gaming:
GPU temperature: 53°C maximum
GDDR7 memory temperature: 70°C maximum
Fan speed: 1200 rpm
Compared to the air-cooled Suprim, the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim shows a difference of 22°C in favor of the GPU, and another 14°C better in Gaming mode . Compared to the Founders Edition, the advantage even climbs to 24°C at normalized noise (40 dB) .
In practice, this translates into impeccable stability, low noise even under heavy load, and the ability to maintain high frequencies without throttling. MSI has achieved a masterstroke here: liquid cooling doesn't just provide silence, it radically changes the user experience.
Overclocking: a potential finally unleashed
Liquid cooling not only keeps the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid cool, it also opens up new areas for optimization. In our tests, we were able to push the GPU from its stock 2565 MHz to 2815 MHz , and the GDDR7 memory from 28 Gbps to 30 Gbps without experiencing any instability.
Under sustained load, the card maintained a stable frequency of 3030 MHz , with consumption climbing to 540 W. Impressive, especially when you see that temperatures remained contained: 54 °C for the GPU and 72 °C for the memory , all with fans topping out at only 1300 rpm
In practice, this overclocking results in a performance gain of 7 to 10% depending on the games tested in 4K, enough to cross the symbolic threshold of 160 FPS in certain competitive titles or reduce the gaps with a configuration equipped with a custom RTX 5090 cooled with liquid nitrogen... but without the extreme constraints of this type of setup.
The most impressive aspect is the stability: while the air version struggles to maintain its frequencies beyond a few minutes, the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid offers constant support , paving the way for marathon rendering or gaming sessions without throttling. MSI demonstrates here that liquid cooling is not just a marketing argument: it really transforms the overclocking potential into an asset that can be used on a daily basis.
In-game performance: consistent and measurable gains
While the differences aren't dramatic, the MSI Suprim Liquid RTX 5090 demonstrates a tangible advantage over the competition and its air-cooled version, thanks in particular to liquid cooling and overclocking. Our tests on various 4K titles confirm this trend:
Dying Light 2 (4K)
Stock: +2% vs Founders Edition
Overclocked: +7% vs Founders Edition, +3% vs Suprim X OC
The Last of Us Part One (4K)
Stock: +5% vs Founders Edition
Overclocked: +10% vs Founders Edition
Delta Force (4K)
Stock: +6% vs Founders Edition
Overclocked: +4% additional , reaching 177 FPS
These results show that, even in very demanding scenarios, the gain provided by liquid cooling and overclocking remains consistent and exploitable. The performance increase may seem modest on paper, but combined with controlled temperatures and noise, it offers a smoother and more stable , allowing high FPS to be maintained over time without throttling.
The Suprim Liquid RTX 5090 doesn't radically transform raw performance compared to an air version, but it optimizes the overall experience : silence, stability and margin for overclocking become concrete arguments for demanding gamers and content creators.
RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid consumption: a slightly higher but controlled appetite
The MSI Suprim Liquid RTX 5090 has slightly higher power consumption than the Founders Edition, with around 10% more power consumption . However, it remains paradoxically 4% more efficient than the air-cooled Suprim X , despite higher frequencies and more aggressive overclocking.
This difference is explained by the efficiency of liquid cooling : by keeping temperatures very low, the card can operate at higher speeds without overheating, thus reducing energy waste linked to excessive fan activation and dynamic thermal regulation. In practice, this results in a more efficient card with consumption perfectly consistent with its power level , an acceptable compromise for gamers and creators who aim for maximum performance while maintaining control over power consumption.
Internal design: studied engineering
The MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid highlights a thoughtful and robust design 23 screws must be removed , revealing a 220 x 145 mm PCB identical to that of the Suprim X , with 22 power stages for the GPU and 7 for the GDDR7 memory , all equipped with 50 A MPS stages.
The 5mm thick copper waterblock is not nickel-plated, but its very precise machining ensures optimal contact with the memory chips , minimizing thermal losses. However, it should be noted that the presence of certain screws in strategic areas can slightly compromise contact on some chips.
The AIO system is designed for performance and not for user maintenance : any intervention remains technically possible, but it must be carried out under warranty to avoid any risk. MSI prioritizes reliability and efficiency , to the detriment of modularity accessible to the general public, a choice consistent with the ultra-premium philosophy of this card.
The price and availability problem: the pill to swallow
MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid falls short . Initially listed at €2,400 (+25% compared to the RTX 5090's MSRP), MSI has since raised the price to €2,700 (+40% compared to the MSRP) in its official store. Worse still, the card remains unavailable waiting list system .
This inflation spares no manufacturer: Asus asks €3,300 for its Astral LC (+70% compared to the MSRP), while Gigabyte positions its Aorus Liquid at €2,750 .
In practice, this means that the Suprim Liquid RTX 5090 is primarily aimed at an ultra-premium , ready to invest in a card combining performance, liquid cooling and high-end design, but at a high price and with limited availability.
RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid Graphics Card Verdict: Technical Excellence, Disappointing Economic Reality
The MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid undeniably embodies technical excellence in the field of graphics card cooling. With temperatures more than 20°C higher than the competition , near-silent operation and unleashed overclocking potential , it ticks all the boxes for the ultimate graphics card.
Its sleek, compact design makes it easy to integrate into high-end configurations, while exceptional thermal performance ensures optimal operation even under extreme load. For creatives leveraging the 21,760 CUDA cores for productivity, AI, or rendering, the investment can be technically justified.
However, if you don't specifically exploit the benefits of silent liquid cooling, optimized size, controlled temperatures, a classic RTX 5090 will offer equivalent gaming performance for a lower price and simplified compatibility .
Unfortunately, the market reality makes this card difficult to recommend for the general public. With inflated prices between €2,700 and €3,300 (+40 to 70% compared to the already high MSRP) and almost zero availability , the Suprim Liquid RTX 5090 is more of a technological fantasy than an affordable product.
For the lucky few who can afford this MSI RTX 5090 Suprim Liquid , the performance and finish do not disappoint. However, for the average person, it is wiser to wait for more favorable purchasing conditions , while saluting MSI's impressive know-how in liquid cooling and high-end engineering .
Our best articles on graphics cards
