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RTX 5090 Lightning Z: $5,090 GPU Has Side Screen
18 Feb
Summary
- Limited 1,300 units worldwide, priced at $5,090.
- Features a unique 8-inch side-panel display for monitoring.
- Requires high-end components, including a 1,600W power supply.
MSI has unveiled the GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z, a limited-edition graphics card with only 1,300 numbered units available worldwide. This ultra-high-end component is priced at $5,090 and was released for sale on February 12, 2026.
The card is characterized by its extreme overclocking features and a unique 8-inch side-panel monitor, designed for PC builders and modders. It pushes thermal and power limits, requiring a robust power supply, with MSI supplying a 1,600W unit for demonstration.
Installation proved complex, necessitating a large, clear-sided case and careful component selection, including a Ryzen 9 9950X CPU and a Gigabyte X870 motherboard. The card's vertical mounting system and side display require specific setup procedures.
Initial benchmarks show modest performance gains over a standard RTX 5090 Founders Edition, ranging from 6% to 10% in synthetic tests and gaming. While impressive, these gains are not proportional to the card's significant price increase.
Ultimately, the RTX 5090 Lightning Z is positioned as a collector's item and a showpiece for extreme PC enthusiasts. Its high cost and demanding requirements mean it is not a practical choice for most users, but rather a statement piece for those seeking the ultimate in PC hardware.
