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Best RTX 5090 GPUs – our top picks and guide to AIBs

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Best RTX 5090 GPUs – our top picks and guide to AIBs
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The RTX 5090 has finally launched, but as expected it’s hit some stock issues due to its immense popularity and demand. That being said, this year, there are a load of options to choose from, ranging from water-blocked designs, cards with advanced and innovate fan upgrades, and unique ARGB lighting. Of course, there’s also a number of OC options, however, there’s not too much information on how far these cards can be pushed just yet.

To save you some time, we’ve listed and highlighted the key features of every AIB RTX 5090 model that’s heading our way. In short, ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI have the widest selections, then Zotac and PNY, followed by Gainward, Palit, and Galax.

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We’ve spotlighted what we think are some of the best options on the market, and we’ve created a comprehensive overview of all the AIB models available for the card at this time.

Best RTX 5090 graphics cards at glance

The best RTX 5090 graphics cards

Best RTX 5090 for most people
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: 2410MHz

Of course, we think the best RTX 5090 is the one made by Nvidia itself, even though it’s super tough to come by. This particular Founders Edition has some innovative design improvements on the 4090, specifically when it comes to cooling and size.

In short, it features a double flow through design, where you’ll find two fans pulling through air, which is then pushed out via the heatsink. It also uses liquid metal between the GPU and vapor chamber, instead of thermal paste. This is a major improvement too, as it has a significant effect on heat transfer.

What’s interesting and unique about this card is that it’s surprisingly lean when compared to the RTX 4090, coming in at 304 mm x 137 mm x 48 mm. While I’d still recommend getting a big case for maximum airflow, its two slot design does mean that you don’t need to go massive in order to accommodate the card.

In terms of performance, this card is a real beast, achieving in some cases over 180fps at 4K in games like Final Fantasy 14, but it’s not the best GPU if you’re looking for something to push within an inch of its life. As you’ll see with some of our other selections, there are cards designed specifically for this purpose, which would be better suited and reduce risk of potential damage too.

All in all, this version of the RTX 5090 would be the best for most people, and comes in at $1,999. Fingers crossed you can get one!

Best value for money RTX 5090
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory bus width: 512-Bit
  • Base clock speed: TBD
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The RTX 5090 might’ve launched with a $1,999 MSRP, but it’ll be difficult to get ahold of one as the stock has already run out. While there are other options available but they’ll cost you an eye-watering amount of $3,000+. So, if you want the best value for your money, we recommend keeping your eye on the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 5090 OC. This variant costs the same as the MSRP, so the competition for it is going to be tough, but our RTX 5090 stock tracker should help you grab it as soon as it is restocked.

Besides that, there are no aesthetic changes to this card as it sports the same design as the previous ASUS TUF cards with a slightly industrial look with silver edges, giving it a more robust feel. As for its measurements, it has a length of 348mm, a width of 149mm, and a height of 72mm.

For reference, the Founder’s Edition card measures 304 mm x 137 mm x 48 mm, so the ASUS TUF variant is bigger in all aspects and is a 3.6-slot card, meaning the M.2 and PCIe slots at the lower half of the motherboard will be covered.

To ensure that you can comfortably house it, we recommend checking out some of the best cases for the 5090. Crowding a powerful GPU is the last thing you want to do. Its base and boost clock speeds haven’t been announced yet, but judging by what we know based on various reviews and performance benchmarks, you should have a comfortable working and gaming experience without needing to overclock it. Just keep a lookout for the stock as you want to grab it as soon as it hits the shelves again.

Best RTX 5090 for overclocking
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory interface width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: TBD
  • Boost clock speed: 2655 MHz

There are always enthusiasts who want to push the new CPU or GPU to its utmost limit, and if you're one of those, we recommend you check out the AORUS RTX 5090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 32G. 

While we've seen quad-fan variants that should provide excellent cooling, the reason we selected this card is that it is designed for a custom water-cooling loop. This means that you should be able to push this card as much as you want without worrying about thermal throttling; however, it also means that you'll need to invest more in the liquid, pipes, and a water cooling case

A neat aspect of this card is that it has a boost clock of 2655 MHz, which is slightly higher than what you get in the FE card. However, a benefit of being water-cooled is that it doesn't need fans, which allows it to decrease its size further, making it even smaller than the Founder's Edition. 

According to TechPowerUp, it measures 208 x 156 x 29 mm (LxWxH). However, a case that supports water cooling is already large, but it doesn't hurt to have a small GPU, which means you have more space for your custom loops. This design not only makes the best 5090 for overcooling but also the best SFF RTX 5090 available.

All RTX 5090 AIB models so far

Below you’ll find a breakdown of each brand’s offering, and how certain versions of the card differ.

ASUS

Starting off with ASUS, who will be sending six RTX 5090 GPUs our way. Four will be from ASUS ROG range, and two will be from the more affordable ASUS TUF range. You can view all of these on its site here, but let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer and how they differ.

ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 graphics cards

  • ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 OC Edition
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2,010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

So we’ll start with the higher-end models, which are as follows:

As you can see, ASUS is offering the ‘base’ model, an overclocked edition, and perhaps the most interesting of the bunch, two AIO cooled option that promises to provide 30% better thermal performance than typical air-cooled cards – great for overclocking.

Speaking of overclocking, all of these cards will feature GPU Tweak III, which will allow for GPU monitoring and tuning. There are few tools you can use here.

The Thermal Map allows you to monitor real-time data and check the temperature of different areas of the card easily for maximum performance. You’ve got Power Detector+ that checks for any anomalies or faults, and notifies you accordingly. And finally you have Mileage, which allows you to track usage at different power levels. This helps you keep track of what kind of load you’ve used across multiple gaming sessions.

In terms of design, you’ll find on the base and OC versions a four axial tech fan setup for optimal cooling. In fact this setup is claimed to boost air pressure by up to 20%.

There’s also some Indirect Aura Lighting along the side that you can customize, in addition to an ultra-ridged case for durability -another welcome addition to an already stunning looking card in my opinion.

ASUS always seem to hit out of the park with its ROG lineup, so we’re expecting these to be super popular on launch. We’d also predict that they’ll be some of the most expensive too – so keep that in mind if you’ve got your eye on one.

ASUS ROG TUF RTX 5090 graphics cards

  • ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 OC Edition
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The ASUS TUF range looks great also, and features two variations.

There are few minor differences between these cards, the first being their design, which goes for the signature miltary-eque, rugged aesthetic. If the Astral series is a modern day Sci-Fi film with its RGB and sleek design, this TUF line would be the hanger bay at the end of Aliens. It’s rugged and only features a very small amount of ARGB lighting in comparison.

It does feature military-grade TUF chokes and MOSFETs, which can help improve system stability, so it’s more than just a gimmick. In terms of software, you’re getting GPU Tweak III again for overclocking and monitoring, but you also get Muse Tree – an Ai generation app that will pair nicely with your complimentary one month of Adobe Creative cloud.

One of the main difference between the TUF and ROG lines comes down to its cooling. Basically, the TUF options have a three fan setup, while the ROG editions mostly have four. How much of a difference this makes, we’ll have to see for ourselves, but theoretically this would have an effect on performance and overclocking.

Overall, these GPUs do away with all the fancy add-ons, and give you exactly what you need in terms of performance. They still look great though! No prices just yet, so we’ll keep you posted on these.

Gigabyte

Gigabyte is releasing seven RTX 5090 GPUs. Here’s what you can currently find listed on its site:

Let’s take a quick look at some of the key differences between these offerings.

XTREME Waterforce

  • GIGABYTE AORUS Xtreme Waterforce GeForce RTX 5090
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

So as the name suggests, these are the options that focus on advanced cooling, and both feature waterblocks. One version has the addition of a 360mm radiator with three120mm ARGB fans, and the other goes all-in with watercooling for more advanced setups. They’re also both adorned with ARGB lighting and are obviously OC editions, so expect to be able squeeze out some more performance from these cards.

Typically, these type of water-cooled GPUs tend to be more expensive than your ‘base’ models – so expect to throw down a fair whack of cash to get these. That being said, due to the sheer effort of putting together an entirely water-cooled rig, we don’t think the Xtreme Waterforce WB version will be selling out as quickly as the other options available.

AORUS Master

  • Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090 Aorus Master Ice
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The Master series in black and white both come with the WINDFORCE cooling system, featuring Gigabyte’s impressive Hawk fans, in addition to superconducting heat pipes and server-grade thermal conductive gel. They both also have an LCD edge view, which looks amazing. It can display card information, in addition to texts, pictures, and even GIFs.

On top of that it feature RGB Halo, which circles the fans on the card. This can be customized and programmed via the Gigabyte control center.

Overall, we’d say this is likely going to be the go-to GPU for most people.

Gaming OC

  • GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5090 Gaming OC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

If you’re looking for a more stripped down version, this would be the one for you. It’s similar to the ASUS TUF in many ways, in that it does away with all the extra bells and whistles, and gives you a card that performs well and looks pretty good too. Gigabyte even go so far as to say the texture is like ‘armor’, which is very much the same theme that the TUF series tries to push too.

It doesn’t completely do away with the RGB, as you still get the RGB Halo lighting here, which is good to see. Overall, this is a step up from the most basic cards in the lineup, and one that would be great if you’re more into the rugged aesthetic.

Windforce

  • Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090 Windforce OC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

There are two Windforce cards that feature the same Hawk fan cooling design as we’ve seen. The only real difference here is that they’re pretty bare bones. No RGB lighting, LCD screens, waterblock, and less rugged, reinforced materials. That’s not to say these won’t perform well, but expect these to be the cheapest option out of the range.

MSI

MSI will be releasing six RTX 5090 cards, so a little less than Gigabyte this time around:

  • GeForce RTX™ 5090 32G SUPRIM SOC
  • GeForce RTX™ 5090 32G SUPRIM LIQUID SOC
  • GeForce RTX™ 5090 32G GAMING TRIO OC
  • GeForce RTX™ 5090 32G VENTUS 3X OC
  • GeForce RTX™ 5090 32G VANGUARD SOC
  • GeForce RTX™ 5090 32G VANGUARD SOC LAUNCH EDITION

As before, let’s take a look at what each type of card brings to the table.

SUPRIM

  • MSI GeForce RTX 5090 SUPRIM LIQUID SOC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The SUPRIM line boasts an impressive pairing of GPUs from MSI, both of which deliver in the cooling department. The ‘standard’ version has Hyper Frozr Thermal Design, featuring MSI’s new Stormforce fans – which it claims boosts cooling efficiency by 37.1% and improves airflow by 14.7%. For the liquid cooled, waterblocked version, you get the standard 360 mm radiator thrown into the mix, which should further increase performance under heavy loads.

Both cards are more on the premium side, but I find them a little lacking when it comes to design aesthetic. MSI has opted for a more simple, metalic style with a small amount of RGB. I find the 360mm AIO radiator particularly boring aswell…

That being said these cards will be one of the best options for those looking to push them to the limit.

Gaming Trio

  • MSI GeForce RTX 5090 GAMING TRIO OC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

There’s only one Gaming Trio option from MSI and it’s marketed towards gamers and content creators. You can see that right off the bat from its lighting setup, which diffuses through a frosted cover and dragon totem on the card. That’s pretty unique, and pretty cool if you’re into that sort of thing.

This has a TRI FROZR 4 Thermal design, which boasts upgraded fans, improved airflow, and overall quieter operation. Interestingly no core clock has been listed just yet, so we’re keen to see just how far this card is able to be overclocked when that information comes to light.

Ventus 3X

  • MSI GeForce RTX 5090 VENTUS 3X OC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The Ventus 3X is like the ‘essentials’ model, and is more neutral in design. No flashy RGB, different metals, or sharp angles here – just a standard graphics card that performs well.

Unlike some of the other options this card has a different type of fan – the TORX Fan 5.0, which has been developed to increase air pressure, and keep that pressure even at slower rotation speeds thanks the angle of the fan blades and ring arcs.

No price yet, but this should be the card to go for if you want to save the most cash.

Vanguard

  • MSI GeForce RTX 5090 VANGUARD SOC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The two Vanguard options are probably the flashiest of the lot, and feature sharp lines, RGB, and the highest level of air cooling design (Hyper Frozr thermal design once again). There’s a launch edition this time around that’s a blind box bundle edition. With each launch edition, you’ll get one exclusive limited-edition Lucky figure.

How far this Lucky figure will impact the cards boost clock is still yet to be seen, however, it’s likely to boost enjoyment – so that’s a win.

Nvidia

Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: 2410MHz

Onto Nvidia which is to no surprise releasing the Founder’s Edition of the RTX 5090. You’ve seen loads of these in the past, and the look itself is actually quite simple, but iconic. Generally speaking, these editions lean much more towards a sleek and slimline aesthetic, and are optimized for performance.

Rather than going to flashy or seeking the highest boost clock, Nvidia focuses on high build quality and innovative cooling. Case in point, this card uses liquid metal cooling, in addition to a three-piece PCB to dissipate heat. It also has a dual-flow cooling system via the two fans at the front.

These will 100% fly off the shelves come launch, and will be some of the most difficult to come by, so be prepared!

Zotac

Zotac is usually one of the most cost effective options for GPUs, and it looks like it’s keeping things simple this time around with three RTX 5090 offerings – two from its SOLID range and one from its AMP Extreme Infinity line:

  • ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 5090 SOLID
  • ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 5090 SOLID OC
  • ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 5090 AMP Extreme INFINITY

Solid OC

  • ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 SOLID OC
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

What’s good to see is that Zotac has actually given us some insight into the performance of these cards, specifically the power consumption and clock speed.

For the base model, you’re getting 2407 MHz, but for the above OC version you get slightly more at 2422 MHz. Asides from that, both are pretty much identical everywhere else.

You’ve got IceStorm 3.0 Advanced cooling, a 34% larger vapor chamber, BladeLink Fans, and Spectra 2.0 RGB lighting too.

AMP Extreme Infinity

  • ZOTAC AMP Extreme INFINITY GeForce RTX 5090
Specifications
  • GPU: GB202
  • CUDA cores: 21,760
  • VRAM: 32GB GDDR7
  • Memory Bus width: 512-bit
  • Base clock speed: 2010MHz
  • Boost clock speed: TBD

The higher-end model has the clock speed unsurprisingly, coming in at 2467 MHz. It’s not a huge leap, but we’ll have to get a sense of other cards to see where it fits in.

Asides from that, it’s a little shorter than the other RTX 5090’s, and 7% shorter than the previous RTX 4090 version. It comes with much more in the way of RGB too, this time running along the side of the card and reflecting off the metal casing, and on the front end of the card too.

Honestly, this is a great looking card and we’re expecting this to be popular choice on launch.

PNY

PNY will be releasing four RTX 5090 variants, which are as follows:

Essentially, you’ve got either the base model with or without ARGB, and an OC model with or with ARGB, and at the time of writing there’s no information on how far the OC versions can be pushed. No waterblocked cards or AIO cooled models here, these options are very much in line with what PNY is about – solid, simple, and likely more affordable than most other brands.

Not too much information asides from this at the moment, so we’ll have to keep you posted when we find out more.

Galax

Galax are releasing just one RTX 5090 – the GALAX GeForce RTX™ 5090 D 1-Click OC. Again, this is more a basic offering, but it’s good to see that Galax hasn’t wasted any effort bringing out just a base RTX 5090 model, and focused on an OC edition.

There’s been some work done to improve the cooling on this card too – with larger fans, and a 15% increase in air pressure. There’s also ARGB lighting that can be controlled via a phone app, and unlike some of the other cards from PNY, this lighting is fairly abundant, filling out the entire fan sections of the card itself.

Another good option that won’t be everyone’s first choice, simply because the brand is less well-known than some others on this list.

Gainward

Gainward is releasing two RTX 5090 cards, as follows:

Again, you’ve got a base version and an OC version here, and yet again, we don’t know how far the GS option can be pushed. In terms of design, Gainward is going for a more stealthy aesthetic here, and it’s pulled off very well. There’s some interesting markings on the cards that give it a modern, almost military-like look – similar in some ways to the ASUS TUF series, but very much its own thing. There is ARGB on here, however where exactly isn’t clear. From the looks of it, we’d expect to see some in the fans and logo – but it could just be the latter.

This is another worthy option to go for, but we’ll have to get more performance data to see if it’s worth it compared to other OC options.

Palit

Both Palit and Gainward are run by Palit Microsystems, and target different global markets. If Gainward is a bit more basic and performance focused, Palit is where you want to go for more ‘flashy’ options with advanced cooling features. That said, we’re only getting a couple RTX 5090s by the looks of it:

The main standout features here are the TuboFan 4.0 cooling and ‘Chameleon Panel’ which offers ever-changing, dynamic colors with ARGB. It’s actually one of the more unique designs we’ve come across from these RTX 5090 Aibs so far, but it may not be for everyone!

In terms of pricing, we’d probably put these just under the PNY ARGB OC models, as it stands, but again we have to sit tight to find out more.

Final word

So there are all the RTX 5090 cards heading our way towards the end of the month. It looks like MSI, Gigabyte, and ASUS are leading the charge with a huge array of different cards. These are likely going to be the most expensive and popular sellers on release.

What’s good to see though are the offerings from lesser-known brands, such as Pailt, Gainward, and Galax – all of which have gone with the less is more approach.

We’ll be updating this article with more information, reviews, prices, and specs soon, so be sure to check back in with us for all the latest.

About the Author

Ramzi Musa is a Growth Manager and Editor for BGFG. He has experience and expertise in tech, gaming, and hardware.