Introduction
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 marks the high end of the 50‑series Blackwell architecture, offering immense performance, large VRAM, and advanced AI features. But not all RTX 5090 cards are created equal. While the Founders Edition is solid, many users will prefer custom partner models from MSI, ASUS, and Gigabyte — each bringing unique design, cooling, and performance characteristics.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the best RTX 5090 custom cards from these three brands, outline key differences, and help you choose which is best for you. We’ll also touch on potential caveats such as coil whine, thermal design, and power requirements.
What to Look for in a Custom RTX 5090 Card
Before comparing models, here are some key factors to consider when choosing a partner RTX 5090:
- Cooling Solution
RTX 5090 is a very powerful GPU that draws a lot of power, so good cooling (heatsink design, fans, or even AIO) is critical. - Clock Speeds / Overclocking
Factory overclocked variants (OC editions) can offer better performance, but only if thermal headroom allows. - Power Connector / PSU Requirements
Many 5090s use a 16‑pin (12V) power connector; ensure your PSU supports it or comes with the proper adapter. - Noise & Coil Whine
High-end GPUs often draw a lot of current, which can lead to coil whine. Some models are known to be quieter than others. - Build Quality & Durability
Features like metal shrouds, reinforced frames, and backplates can significantly affect longevity and aesthetics. - Warranty & Support
Consider warranty length and how responsive the manufacturer is — especially important for a premium GPU. - Special Features
Some cards have LCDs, RGB lighting, BIOS switches (performance vs. silent), or unique thermal pads/gels.
Top RTX 5090 Partner Cards: MSI, ASUS & Gigabyte
Here are some of the standout RTX 5090 cards from MSI, ASUS, and Gigabyte, along with their strengths and drawbacks.
MSI
MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC
- According to a TechPowerUp review, the Suprim SOC uses a premium Hyper Frozr SUPRIM cooler with a large vapor chamber and seven heat pipes, giving excellent thermal management.
TechPowerUp - Factory overclocked: boosts up to 2,565 MHz (vs reference ~2,407 MHz).
TechPowerUp - Aesthetically, it's very premium — industrial design, solid metal frame, ARGB lighting, and a 3D backplate.
TechPowerUp - In reviews (e.g., GeekaWhat), the Suprim delivers top-tier gaming performance, though its noise levels can be non-trivial under load.
GeekaWhat - Price premium: MSI lists this card much higher than base, reflecting the premium build and cooling.
Considerations for MSI Suprim:
- Coil whine — Some users report coil whine at idle or load. > “co‑whine is a bit of a crap‑shoot … I have one and coil whine is not really audible … but if you get near the case you hear it.”
reddit.com - Size and weight: This is a large, heavy card, so make sure your case supports it.
- PSU: High power draw, so you need a robust power supply.
MSI Suprim Liquid (AIO)
- For users who want to push clocks or reduce temperatures/noise, the liquid-cooled Suprim Liquid (SOC) is an option (though not covered in as many reviews yet).
- According to early owner reports, coil whine is more muted on the liquid version compared to the air version.
reddit.com - Potential trade-off: pump lifespan, radiator space, and added tubing complexity.
ASUS
ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 (Quad‑Fan)
- The ROG Astral is the first ROG quad-fan RTX 5090, featuring four Axial-tech fans.
@ROG - Cooling: Comes with a substantial heatsink, phase-change thermal pad, and a milled vapor chamber to maximize heat transfer.
@ROG+1 - Power delivery: Uses 80 A MOSFETs, giving more power headroom for higher clocks or sustained performance.
@ROG - Protection: GPU Guard (reinforced corner braces) and a full die-cast metal frame / backplate for durability.
@ROG
ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC Edition
- Higher boost clock: Up to 2,610 MHz in OC mode.
@ROG - Same cooling structure, but tuned to run faster; ideal for users who want maximum GPU clock without going liquid.
ASUS ROG Astral LC (Liquid)
- Uses a 360 mm AIO radiator for cooling, targeting overclockers or thermally constrained builds.
RB Tech & Games - Very efficient at keeping temps down, but introduces complexity (radiator, pump, mounting).
Considerations for ASUS Astral:
- Coil whine & noise: Several users report coil whine or fan noise. One Redditor noted: > “two Astrals … coil whine still brutally loud … hardest to accept … a $3,500 GPU makes such horrible electrical noise.”
reddit.com - Fans & frame: Quad‑fan means a large heatsink — ensure case compatibility.
- Price: Premium materials and complexity come at a higher cost.
Gigabyte
Gigabyte AORUS RTX 5090 MASTER
- According to TechPowerUp, this card sports 21,760 CUDA cores, a 512-bit memory interface, and 32 GB of GDDR7 memory.
TechPowerUp - Core clock: Boosts up to 2,655 MHz, which is substantially higher than reference.
TechPowerUp - Cooling: Uses Gigabyte’s WINDFORCE system — Hawk fan + large heat pipes + server-grade thermal gel for good thermals.
GIGABYTE - Features: Has an LCD Edge View (a small display), RGB Halo lighting, and a dual BIOS (Performance / Silent).
GIGABYTE - Build & Warranty: Reinforced design, good structure, and 4-year warranty (with online registration) — a big plus.
GIGABYTE
Gigabyte AORUS RTX 5090 MASTER ICE
- A variant with similar GPU specs but designed for more efficient thermals and quieter operation.
B&H Photo Video - Uses same 32 GB GDDR7, 16-pin power, and has a robust heatsink.
Gigabyte RTX 5090 Gaming OC
- A slightly more modest (but still very powerful) design from Gigabyte.
- According to TechPowerUp, boost clock is around 2,550 MHz, memory is 32 GB GDDR7.
TechPowerUp - More compact than the AORUS Master, but still delivers high performance.
Considerations for Gigabyte:
- Thermal Gel Issues: Early production MASTER cards reportedly had thermal gel leaking.
Tom's Hardware - Fan behavior: Some users report noise or rattling when fans stop (0 RPM) on Windforce models. > “strange grinding sound … when the fans … turn off”
reddit.com - Temperatures: Some users report load temps in the high 70s °C, which is okay but noticeable.
reddit.com - Coil whine: Many users say coil whine is less of a problem on the Master than on some other brands. > “Barely any coil whine … I am extremely happy so far.”
reddit.com
Side-by-Side Comparison
ModelCoolingBoost ClockNotable FeaturesTrade‑offsMSI Suprim SOC (Air) | Triple-fan, huge heatsink, vapor chamber | ~2,565 MHz TechPowerUp | Premium build, ARGB, strong cooling | Large size, possible coil whine, high price
MSI Suprim LIQUID | 360 mm AIO | potentially similar or higher | Excellent thermals, quieter fans | Pump lifespan, installation complexity
ASUS ROG Astral (Quad-Fan) | 4x Axial fans, vapor chamber | ~2,467 MHz (default) @ROG | Massive airflow, strong power delivery | Coil whine reports, large form factor
ASUS ROG Astral OC | Same cooler | ~2,610 MHz OC @ROG | High clocks, premium design | More heat, increased noise potential
ASUS ROG Astral LC | 360 mm radiator | — | Excellent cooling, overclocking potential | Requires space, pump noise
Gigabyte AORUS 5090 Master | WINDFORCE triple-fan, heat pipes, gel | 2,655 MHz GIGABYTE | LCD Edge View, 4‑year warranty, dual‑BIOS | Gel leak risk, fan stop noise
Gigabyte AORUS Master ICE | Same cooling concept | similar | Cooler thermals, quieter | Same gel risk, large card
Gigabyte 5090 Gaming OC | Triple-fan | 2,550 MHz TechPowerUp | More compact, lower price | Slightly slower, less premium feel
Which Card Should You Pick?
Here are some recommendations based on different user profiles:
- For Performance & Aesthetics (Premium Build):
Go with MSI Suprim SOC if you want the best balance of thermals, overclocking headroom, and a high-quality build. - For Overclocking or Lower Temps:
Consider Suprim Liquid (if you have the space and want liquid cooling) or Astral LC for very aggressive cooling. - For Static Builds / Showcases:
Gigabyte AORUS Master offers excellent performance + build + a warranty. The LCD edge view is a nice touch. - For Silent or Quieter Operation:
The Master ICE variant may be slightly quieter; just be aware of thermal gel concerns in early batches. - For Limited Budget (Relative to 5090 Tier):
The Gaming OC from Gigabyte is a naturally lower-cost custom option while still providing top hardware.
Risks & Known Issues to Be Aware Of
- Manufacturing Variance / Rare Hardware Defects
- NVIDIA has confirmed a rare manufacturing issue affecting <0.5% of RTX 5090 cards (some units missing ROPs), which can reduce performance by ~4%.
Wikipedia+1
- NVIDIA has confirmed a rare manufacturing issue affecting <0.5% of RTX 5090 cards (some units missing ROPs), which can reduce performance by ~4%.
- Scams
- There have been reports of RTX 5090 cards being sold missing the GPU die or memory — buyers should be careful and purchase from reputable sources.
Tom's Hardware+1
- There have been reports of RTX 5090 cards being sold missing the GPU die or memory — buyers should be careful and purchase from reputable sources.
- Coil Whine
- High-power cards like the 5090 are more prone to coil whine. Several users on Reddit report audible whining, though experience varies by unit.
reddit.com+1 - Some users find quieter units via returns / replacement, indicating some variability in production.
reddit.com
- High-power cards like the 5090 are more prone to coil whine. Several users on Reddit report audible whining, though experience varies by unit.
- Thermal Gel (Gigabyte)
- Early Gigabyte AORUS Master cards reportedly had thermal gel “leaking” from VRAM components.
Tom's Hardware - Later batches are said to have resolved the issue, but you may want to verify manufacturing batch or ask seller/customer support.
- Early Gigabyte AORUS Master cards reportedly had thermal gel “leaking” from VRAM components.
- Power Supply Concerns
- All of these high-end 5090s may recommend a 1,000 W (or more) PSU, especially under overclocking. For example, the Gigabyte AORUS lists 1,000 W on its spec sheet.
B&H Photo Video - Also ensure you have the correct 16‑pin connector or adapter.
- All of these high-end 5090s may recommend a 1,000 W (or more) PSU, especially under overclocking. For example, the Gigabyte AORUS lists 1,000 W on its spec sheet.
Conclusion
Picking the right RTX 5090 custom card is about matching the GPU to your use case, budget, and system constraints.
- If you prioritize maximum performance with premium design, MSI Suprim SOC is a top choice.
- If cooling or noise is your primary concern, consider liquid-cooled options (Suprim Liquid or Astral LC), or Gigabyte’s ICE variant.
- For longevity and support, Gigabyte’s 4-year warranty on the AORUS Master is very compelling.
- For value at the high end, the Gigabyte Gaming OC offers a relatively more accessible entry into 5090 custom models.
Be mindful of coil whine, manufacturing batch issues, and supply risks — make sure to buy from trusted retailers and verify the GPU once received. With the right model, the RTX 5090 can be a computing beast for gaming, AI workloads, and creative work.
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