MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM SOC review – When the gram costs one euro and puts the FE in the shade

1 - Introduction, overview and technical data 2 - Test system and equipment 3 - Teardown: PCB, components and cooler 4 - Material analysis and heat conducting materials 5 - Gaming performance 6 - Power consumption, load peaks, PSU recommendation 7 - Temperatures, clock rates and thermography 8 - Fan curves and operating noise 9 - Summary and conclusion

The MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM is actually more than just a graphics card – it is a materialized piece of extravagance and performance that redefines the boundaries of what is technically possible and economically viable. Combining cutting-edge technology with a design that resembles an overweight work of art, it certainly sets new standards in the world of hardware. But this progress comes at a price – literally. At a cost of almost one euro per gram, it reflects not only technological progress, but also the growing divide between affordability and exclusivity. What was once a tool for gamers and creatives has become a symbol of prestige, reminiscent of the extravagance of Tom Ford-style handmade leather jackets, which with their shiny crocodile leather look not only cause a stir in the disco, but also at so-called launch events.

Incidentally, the social context in which such developments are taking place is also interesting. While the number of organ donations is steadily increasing, the organ donor card could be seen with a wink as the new “budget ticket” to the world of high-priced graphics cards. In a way, both stand for an exchange – one for solidarity and life, the other for status and technical perfection. Just as Tom Ford’s iconic designs are a statement of style and luxury, high-end graphics cards such as the RTX 5090 SUPRIM act as a symbol of the pursuit of perfection and exclusivity. Ultimately, the question remains whether these products enrich our lives or are just another shiny status symbol in an increasingly materialistic world. But whatever the case, it’s time for testing and, of course, slaughter. Yes, that too, you don’t treat yourself to anything else.

The MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM SOC 32GB

But now, after so much organic debauchery, let’s turn to inorganic reality in the form of this card. With a combat weight of 2820 grams, a length of 36 cm and a height of 13.5 cm, this card is a real big ship. The full 6.7 cm installation depth plus the 0.5 cm for the backplate is a truly expansive offer that cannot be refused, but should be supported very well. MSI has included a small graphics card stand in the accessories, but it is far too small and short for EATX boards. The solution in the last generation was much more practical. Speaking of the last generation, I also measured the power consumption here and was amazed. But nothing is spoiled yet. But at least nobody was stuck to the outside of the box. The little Lucky comes from the private stock of my desk zoo and is unfortunately not included in the delivery.

The MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM is a powerful graphics card based on NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture. It offers a high number of CUDA cores and GDDR7 memory, which impresses with its high capacity and fast transfer rates. The graphics card’s cooling system is based on an integrated vapor chamber that efficiently dissipates heat from the GPU and VRAM. The heat is dissipated through rectangular core pipes, which offer an optimized contact surface for an even distribution of waste heat. More on this in the teardown.

According to MSI, cooling is supported by precision-manufactured fins equipped with Wave Curved technology to optimize airflow and minimize turbulence. The RTX 5090 SUPRIM’s fan system includes seven fan blades with a specially textured surface to ensure high airflow with reduced noise levels. A Zero-Frozr function deactivates the fans when idling or under low load to further reduce the noise level. Of course, I still have real measurements of the heat conducting materials used.

The PCB is reinforced with a 2 ounce copper layer, which should improve thermal conductivity and increase the structural stability of the card. Additional safety features such as built-in fuses and HCI chokes provide increased protection against electrical damage. More on this in the obligatory teardown, which I didn’t want to miss out on here. The card also finally offers a dual BIOS, which can be switched between a performance-oriented mode and a low-noise mode.

This allows the user to flexibly adapt the graphics card to the respective requirements. I even measured this separately.

The MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM SOC is equipped with a selection of modern display outputs that ensure a high level of compatibility with current monitors and displays. Specifically, the graphics card has three DisplayPort 2.1b ports and one HDMI 2.1b port. This configuration enables the simultaneous operation of up to four displays. The DisplayPort 2.1b connections support resolutions of up to 8K at 165 Hz or 4K at 480 Hz, while the HDMI 2.1b connection enables resolutions of up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz. These versatile connection options ensure a flexible and powerful connection to various display setups

The technical details and production of the MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM focus on high computing power, efficient cooling and a stable construction. The rest is the same as yesterday’s big launch article, so I’ll save the redundancy for now.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Review – The 600-Watt Powerhouse in Gaming and Lab Tests