MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC Review – Grilling is now done away from case

1 - Introduction, overview and technical data 2 - Test system and equipment 3 - Teardown: PC, components and cooler 4 - Material analysis and TIMs 5 - Gaming performance 6 - Power consumption, transients and PSU recommendation 7 - Temperatures und clock rates 8 - Thermal imaging and modding 9 - Fan curves and noise 10 - Summary and conclusion

Total power consumption

The increased power consumption in idle mode, measured between 29 and a good 34 watts, has not yet been conclusively clarified. Although a driver or firmware problem could play a role, it should not be overlooked that the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC is an AiO-cooled card. In addition to the active fan on the radiator block, the three 120 mm fans of the radiator and the integrated pump also run in idle mode; even at low speeds, this adds up to a base load that does not occur in this form with air-cooled models. In this respect, part of the increased idle consumption can certainly be explained by the design of the card itself.

Under load, a more differentiated picture emerges, in which the efficiency – i.e. the ratio between power consumption and actual performance – serves for better classification. In silent mode, the card uses its superior cooling structure to maintain lower temperatures and thus realize more boost levels. This advantage is particularly evident in QHD and UHD: The MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC achieves a higher frame rate with almost identical energy requirements compared to the air-cooled variant or the Founders Edition. This ensures constant, stable performance without an excessive increase in power consumption.

In gaming mode, however, the full performance potential is called upon. With a TDP of 600 watts, the card operates at the upper end of what the 12V 2×6 power design can deliver. The clock frequency increases by around 150 MHz under full load, but not with the same increase in efficiency. The additional fps are measurable, but not proportional to the energy input. The cooling system keeps the temperatures under control, but the power consumption increases significantly – which naturally has an impact on efficiency.

The differences in power consumption between Full HD, QHD and UHD show how strongly the load conditions affect the energy requirement. At lower resolutions, the card works significantly more economically, while the GPU is fully utilized at UHD. Technologies such as DLSS were deliberately not taken into account, but could help to further reduce power consumption in practice. The MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC therefore delivers a good balance of performance, noise and consumption in silent mode. Gaming mode, on the other hand, specifically maximizes performance but accepts a noticeable reduction in efficiency. The measured load peaks and the temperature behavior nevertheless remain within the specifications – what follows is a closer look at the thermal side.

According to the PCI-SIG specification, the PCIe slot, also known as the PEG slot (PCI Express Graphics), is designed for a maximum current consumption of 5.5 amps at 12 volts, which corresponds to a power limit of up to 66 watts. This standard was deliberately defined in order to safely absorb short-term load peaks during a system change or sudden load increase without affecting the power supply of other components. At the same time, it protects mainboards from thermal overload and electrical damage to conductors or connectors.

A key aim of this specification is to ensure compatibility between mainboards and graphics cards from a wide range of manufacturers. Stable operation without impairing the other components can only be guaranteed if the load on the PEG slot remains within the specified limits. More powerful graphics cards should therefore primarily cover their energy requirements via separate power connections – the slot is only used for basic supply and signal integration.

In the case of the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC, this separation is particularly clear: the card only draws around 1.3 amps via the motherboard slot, which corresponds to around 15.6 watts – well below the maximum permissible load. This means that the slot remains virtually unstressed thermally and electrically, which benefits the stability and longevity of the mainboard. At the same time, the main power requirement is completely covered by the 12V 2×6 connection, which is, however, subject to high demands. Measurements show that this connection reaches or slightly exceeds its specified load limit in places under full load.

This load distribution corresponds to the intention of the specification, but shifts the technical responsibility to the quality and protection of the external power connection. The PEG slot is spared, while the 12V 2×6 connection takes over the entire high load – a concept that is well implemented in the case of the RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC, but places high demands on the power supply.

Load peaks during gaming

Silent Mode	Gaming Mode

Load peaks during the stress test

In the synthetic stress test, the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC shows very constant power consumption behavior. In this scenario, the card operates with a consistently high but stable load – typical for tools such as Furmark or comparable stress tools that aim for maximum thermal and electrical load. This consistent load illustrates the efficiency of the card’s power management system, which is designed to keep the GPU permanently within the specified thermal and electrical limits.

The constant power consumption over long periods of time proves that the card regulates its power supply properly and that there are no uncontrolled outliers. At the same time, the protective mechanisms that automatically intervene in the event of prolonged extreme loads are also evident here. As soon as critical temperatures or power consumption limits are reached, the card begins to reduce its clock rates in a controlled manner. This regulation takes place both via the firmware and via the integrated PWM controller, which continuously monitors the temperature and load behavior.

This throttling is not a weakness, but an essential component of modern GPU architectures. It ensures that the card does not suffer permanent damage under sustained full load and that the electrical components are operated within their specified tolerances. Especially for a model with a TDP of up to 600 watts such as the SUPRIM LIQUID SOC, precise thermal and electrical monitoring is crucial for the long-term stability and reliability of the entire platform. The consistent behavior in the stress test therefore speaks for a sophisticated design and well-coordinated power target management.

Silent Mode	Gaming Mode

Summary of the load peaks and a power supply recommendation

The load peaks of the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC place considerable demands on the power supply, especially in gaming mode, where the card can temporarily reach power consumption of up to 600 watts. Such peaks occur primarily during graphics-intensive gaming scenes or under continuous synthetic load, such as in Furmark. To avoid voltage drops or thermally induced instabilities, a high-quality and powerful power supply unit is absolutely essential.

A power supply unit with a nominal output of 1000 watts that meets the requirements of the current ATX 3.1 standard is optimally dimensioned in this context. This specification requires the power supply unit to be able to deliver up to twice its rated power for short periods, i.e. in the case of a 1000 watt model, up to 2000 watts for a maximum of one millisecond. This reserve is crucial for system reliability, especially during sudden load changes, for example when the GPU, CPU and peripherals draw high currents at the same time.

In addition to the ability to absorb load peaks, the typical operating range of the power supply unit also plays a key role. Power supply units reach their highest efficiency in the range between 50 and 70 % of their rated power. In a modern gaming system with average loads of 500 to 700 watts, a 1000 watt power supply unit would therefore operate ideally – with minimal waste heat, high efficiency and low noise levels. An 80 PLUS Platinum or Titanium certification is recommended in this power range, as it not only minimizes energy losses, but also reduces the thermal load on the components and thus contributes to long-term system stability.

The availability of the 12V 2×6 connection is also essential for the power supply of the RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC. This new power supply design replaces the previous 12VHPWR standard and is specifically designed to safely handle the high and rapidly fluctuating load requirements of modern graphics cards, as long as nothing melts. A power supply with native 12V2X6 support ensures that all protective circuits work correctly and that the mechanical and electrical load on the connector remains within the specified range.

In the long term, a high-quality ATX 3.1 power supply unit with 1000 watts not only offers sufficient reserves for the RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC, but also scope for future hardware upgrades. It ensures stability even under extreme conditions and remains flexible for future generations of GPUs, processors and platforms thanks to its modern features. Anyone running such a powerful system should not make any compromises when choosing a power supply, because the RTX 5090 makes it mandatory.