MSI’s bonkers RTX 5090 Lightning Z card breaks the 1,000-watt barrier
Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- PCWorld experiences that MSI unveiled the RTX 5090 Lightning Z, an ultra-premium graphics card that breaks the 1,000-watt energy barrier with excessive overclocking reaching 2,500 watts.
- Only one,300 models can be accessible globally beginning February, that includes built-in liquid cooling, 32GB VRAM, and an 8-inch LCD show for stats.
- This luxurious GPU targets fans and collectors with an estimated value exceeding $4,000, representing the head of graphics card efficiency.
MSI introduced again one among its most unhinged GPU lineups at CES 2026, and sure, the RTX 5090 Lightning Z is as ridiculous as its title implies. It isn’t attempting to be cheap—it’s attempting to be the stuff of legends.
The RTX 5090 Lightning Z is MSI’s absolute halo card, constructed across the concept of “luxurious efficiency” taken to the acute. MSI is simply making 1,300 models worldwide, with availability deliberate for February. There’s no official value but, however in a fast facet chat with my colleague Michael Crider, he thinks there’s no approach it’s going to be beneath $4,000 (to which I responded with a low whistle, and my eyebrows additionally left my face and went as much as the heavens above).
The cooling on this card is absolutely built-in liquid cooling. An enormous copper chilly plate doesn’t simply sit on the GPU die, nevertheless it additionally covers the encompassing VRAM—32GB, by the way in which—maintaining all the pieces in examine even when the cardboard will get pushed onerous.
Foundry / Michael Crider
And visually? It’s completely ridiculous in one of the best ways doable. There’s an 8-inch LCD working alongside the GPU’s outdoors shell. It’s clearly meant to be proven off in a vertical mount, the place you possibly can throw up stats and animations. This factor begs to be seen.
Energy supply is the place issues get wild—I imply, actually wild. Simply working it usually, the cardboard can pull as much as 1,000 watts utilizing twin 16-pin energy connectors, and MSI recommends a 1,600-watt PSU. Then you definately flip on the acute overclocking mode and immediately it’s allowed to attract 2,500 watts, and at that time you’re simply demolishing data.
Foundry / Michael Crider
There’s a twin BIOS setup for normal use and testing, plus management and monitoring by an internet interface or cellular app, which feels very on-brand for a card like this.
Briefly, the RTX 5090 Lightning Z isn’t for regular players (and positively not for plebs like me). It’s for collectors, overclockers, and individuals who need probably the most outrageous graphics playing cards ever made. MSI is absolutely leaning into that in each approach.
