Review

The release of the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID X 24G has introduced enthusiasts to the pinnacle of performance and innovation. Crafted with the best that MSI has to offer, this card combines the revolutionary Nvidia Ada Lovelace architecture with an integrated liquid cooling system. Let's dive into what makes this $2,699.99 GPU stand out in the high-end market.

Specifications Overview

This graphics card is packed with a substantial 24GB of GDDR6X memory and operates on a 384-bit interface. The computing prowess is housed within its 16,384 CUDA cores, making it a formidable beast for any graphical task. The integrated liquid cooling system is engineered to optimize the 450W power consumption for sustained peak performance.

Design and Cooling

The MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID X 24G departs from the bulk usually associated with air-cooled giants, offering a sleek two-slot design while incorporating a separate 240mm radiator. While this does provide more options for installation in smaller cases, one must account for the necessary space to install this external radiator [IGN].

Regarding thermal performance, the card maintains a low operational temperature, thanks to the efficient liquid cooling setup, capable of keeping it at 55°C under load - significantly cooler than its air-cooled counterparts, translating to less thermal throttling and higher performance margins [IGN]. However, when tested against traditionally-cooled 4090 alternatives, the cooling doesn't substantially boost performance relative to air-cooled setups [Tom's Hardware].

Performance Analysis

In terms of raw performance, the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 stakes its claim at the top tier of the current GPU hierarchy, further augmented by Nvidia's DLSS 3 AI technology, significantly boosting frames in supported games. Benchmarking tests, including ray tracing and rasterization workloads, demonstrate the RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID X consistently trading blows with competing models, albeit showing exceptional benefits in cooling efficiency [IGN].

Overall, the card offers a factory overclock with a boost up to 2.625 GHz, providing a negligible yet appreciated increase in performance when compared to Nvidia's own Founders Edition [TechPowerUp].

Market Position

At a retail price of $2,699.99, the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID X 24G sits at the high end of the price spectrum for modern GPUs. While its performance is best-in-class, the decision point hinges on whether one finds the premium for liquid cooling worthwhile given the similar performance metrics to air-cooled options.

Conclusions

In retrospect, the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM LIQUID X 24G is a statement piece as much as it is a component. It's perfectly suited for users targeting the absolute best in performance and those seeking a unique combination of aesthetics and capability. However, prospective buyers must weigh its price premium against the incremental gains offered by its innovative cooling solution.

In conclusion, while not offering groundbreaking enhancements over other RTX 4090 variants, it does secure its niche by granting enthusiasts a card that combines elegant design with efficient cooling, ultimately ensuring stable high performance in the most demanding scenarios [TechPowerUp].