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MSI's $5,090 RTX 5090 Lightning Z Reaches Retail as Tests Top 1,000W

The 1,300‑unit, liquid‑cooled card is allocated by lottery, with scarce listings showing steep markups.

Overview

  • MSI lists the Lightning Z at $5,090 on its site and allocates purchases via an open draw for a global run of 1,300 units.
  • Best Buy posts the GPU at $5,090.99, while several Indian retailers list limited stock at roughly $9,000 to $9,700.
  • Reviews detail dual 12V‑2x6 power connectors, AIO cooling with a 360 mm radiator, and vBIOS limits of 800W (OC) and 1000W (Extreme).
  • Independent testing reports a peak draw of about 1,076 W in Cyberpunk 2077 when the card is overclocked.
  • A widely viewed BiliBili video shows an RTX 5090 igniting on first power‑on, with the buyer lacking warranty after using a proxy purchase.