I'm considering upgrading my GPU to a liquid-cooled MSI 5090. Right now, I have a 9070 XT, but I've always wanted a liquid-cooled card and I'm seeing the 5090 priced at $2300, which seems closer to MSRP compared to its original price of $2799 at Microcenter for an open box. Is this a good deal? Just for context, the card is in good condition apart from a scratch on the AIO side.
5 Answers
I'd be cautious about liquid cooling for GPUs. If something fails, you're in a tricky spot since you can't simply replace the cooler like you can with a CPU. However, the failure rates are low for AIO liquid-cooled GPUs, often below 1%, so that might ease some worries.
At $2300, it could be worth it, but just make sure you set it up to vent heat out of your case to avoid cooking your other components. The 5090 can push out some heat—about 600 watts—so managing airflow is key!
I had a Suprim Liquid X 4090 before and loved it. The only reason I got rid of it was the worry over pump failure. It sounds like you're getting a decent deal on the 5090, so if you're set on that card, go for it! Just enjoy it!
I wouldn't drop that much on a liquid-cooled card unless you really need it. They don't perform much better compared to air-cooled models besides looking cooler, and there's a risk of reduced lifespan due to their complexity. Plus, with the cost of both cards combined, you could be in over $3000 for just an upgrade. Make sure you actually need it!
Honestly, I wouldn't go for an open box 5090. You might be better off snagging a solid air-cooled card and adding a custom water block if you're comfortable doing that. But then again, if you're not experienced with custom loops, it might just add unnecessary hassle for you.
My 9070 XT is going into a new build for my daughter. I got it for $599, but I'm tempted by an air-cooled model around $1999, especially since I aim to hit higher FPS for my 480hz monitor.