MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC Review
Conclusion
Conclusion
Many years ago we used to approach graphics card launches rather differently. If you’re as old as us you’ll remember that manufacturer models – then called Reference Cards – were generally rubbish. The PCB was fine, and great if you were building a watercooled system. The coolers though, with a single blower fan, were as useful as a presidential hairdresser. So we all got a feeling for the GPUs performance and then awaited the actual cards we’d buy.
When Nvidia first launched their RTX cards they came with a redesigned cooler. Rapid evolutions of that has led to the situation we’re currently in. Yesterday you saw the new Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition. It’s a twin slot, twin fan cooler with high average clock speeds and temperatures and noise we could live with on a daily basis. Additionally, although never confirmed, we’ve a suspicion that the Nvidia cards have carefully selected chips. That’s without getting into the GPU Boost technology which has rendered listed boost clocks as meaningless.
Where Does That Leave Us?
What does that mean for the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC? Primarily that the extra girth, and faster ‘factory’ clock speed, doesn’t really do anything above what the Blackwell GPU is capable of anyway. Clearly though that isn’t tainting it, as the RTX 5090 is capable of extraordinary things. The MSI Suprim SOC version is no exception. To think that it’s possible to have a card which basically annihilates the RTX 4090 in every scenario and title is insane to us. Two days ago the 4090 was so far ahead of anything else it seemed untouchable. Technology marches on at a relentless pace.
It’s easy to get lost focusing upon the gaming prowess, because it’s so undeniable. Don’t miss out on the amazing rendering performance, and AI calculative ability of the RTX 5090 though. The newest generation of hardware means you can render at incredible speeds, whether video or 3D. It leaves any CPU in the dust. We know that’s not why most people buy these cards, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you want to convince your accountant or spouse.
Final Thoughts
The MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC is built like a tank. There is a quality to all the materials that lives up to the Suprim reputation. The extra chunk nature of the cooler has genuine benefits in noise and temperatures over the Nvidia card. Lastly, the clock speed might not have seemed as high as the FE, but the actual performance was easily a match for the Nvidia card. If you’ve got the room in your case, and want a card which will last you for as long as you want it, the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC is a beast.
Discuss the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC in our OC3D Forums.
