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

Gaming performance

The MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC only shows a marginal increase in gaming performance compared to the previously tested air-cooled SUPRIM SOC, although the 360 mm radiator is undoubtedly thermally superior. In this review, I deliberately used the same benchmark image and identical settings as for the air-cooled variant to ensure maximum comparability. And the result is clear: Within the measurement tolerances, both cards are equally fast.

Although the AiO variant can maintain higher boost clocks over longer periods of time thanks to the more efficient heat dissipation, the performance gains are in the range of a few percentage points and are highly scenario-dependent. The previously tested SUPRIM with air-cooled vapor-chamber cooler and optimized core pipes was already able to achieve very consistently high clock rates, so that the thermal advantage of water cooling hardly releases any additional performance in practice.

In silent mode, which limits the TDP to the level of the Founders Edition, the SUPRIM LIQUID is just as efficient as the SUPRIM. Although the lower chip temperatures ensure slightly more stable boost states, the difference here also remains marginal. The efficiency is at the same level, as both cards are slowed down by the power limit and the cooling advantage in the thermally uncritical range cannot release any relevant additional performance.

The bottom line is this: The SUPRIM LIQUID is not faster than the SUPRIM, it’s just cooler. The AiO does not bring a new performance class, but merely more thermal control, which cannot be converted into additional fps in most scenarios. So if you already own a SUPRIM X, you don’t need an AiO for more performance. On the other hand, anyone looking for a quieter or more system-friendly thermal concept will find a technically clean solution here, just not a dramatically faster one.

Results in Full HD

When evaluating the gaming performance of the MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM, I focus on four central metrics, which I apply equally to all three resolutions tested, i.e. 1080p, 1440p and Ultra HD. I deliberately avoided measurements with DLSS, as these would not provide any additional insights into the raw performance of the GPU due to the interpolation technology. This approach follows the line that I have also consistently applied in previous tests. The metrics mentioned thus represent a direct, redundancy-free analysis of GPU performance and allow a clear assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the RTX 5090 SUPRIM.

These following metrics allow a comprehensive and comparable analysis of the card and its performance under different conditions. The first metric is the normalizedgaming performance compared to the RTX 4090, where the performance of the RTX 5090 is compared to the previous generation to illustrate how the SUPRIM positions itself in relation to the established performance class. This key figure makes it possible to objectively evaluate the progress of the architecture and optimizations, regardless of the absolute FPS values.

The P1 Low, i.e. the lowest percentile of frame rates, provides information on how the graphics card behaves in the most demanding moments of a game. This metric is particularly meaningful because it makes dips or brief lags visible, which can have a negative impact on the gaming experience. A consistently high P1 low rate indicates that the GPU can keep its clock rate stable even under heavy load and does not produce any critical frame drops. This is precisely where the RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID X SOC shows its strength, as the consistently high clock stability ensures that performance drops are barely measurable.

The average power consumption across 11 different games is the third key performance indicator. It provides a practical picture of how high the power consumption of the card actually is in real gaming operation. In contrast to instantaneous values or synthetic load peaks, this averaged value enables a better assessment of the energy efficiency and system load under typical conditions. As several titles are included, each with a different load profile, outliers are relativized and a reliable overall view of the average energy consumption in everyday gaming is created.

The fourth key metric is efficiency, i.e. the ratio between performance achieved and measured power consumption. It plays a decisive role when it comes to objectively evaluating the actual utility value of the graphics card, especially in direct comparison with other models. The RTX 5090 SUPRIM Liquid benefits noticeably here from its more efficient cooling, which allows the card to maintain higher boost clocks even with the same or only slightly higher power consumption. This potential is particularly evident in silent mode, as the card makes better use of its thermal reserves and can therefore achieve a higher efficiency than the Founders Edition.

Interim conclusion

The MSI RTX 5090 SUPRIM Liquid offers advantages over the Founders Edition in both Silent Mode and Gaming Mode. While Silent Mode increases efficiency with the same TDP, Gaming Mode uses the improved cooling and the higher TDP to achieve an additional increase in performance, which is particularly interesting for enthusiasts with maximum demands on gaming performance. If anyone subjectively notices it at all. The gold ears for audio are then joined by the gold eyes.