Which is the top choice among watercooled LC AIOs for RTX 5090?
Which is the top choice among watercooled LC AIOs for RTX 5090?
Hello,
We are beginning to discover watercooled RTX 5090s at "reasonable" prices (*) in France, roughly around €3000 if you examine them closely... But which one should I pick?
I have spotted these three RTX 5090 models with water cooling or LC/AIO setups:
ASUS ROG ASTRAL LC,
MSI SUPRIM LIQUID SOC,
Gigabyte AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE (the Gigabyte version without a waterblock is omitted).
I haven’t found any comprehensive comparisons between these three: do you know of any?
I came across several standalone tests for the MSI model but no thorough evaluations or benchmarks for the Asus and Gigabyte versions. Do you have any information about them?
And which one do you think offers the best value?
My main concerns are silence and low operating temperatures, since the high-end performance of RTX 5090s generally means I’m more interested in stability and quiet operation than raw speed differences.
Thank you for your assistance and advice...
The air cooled units already come with all the necessary components. Additionally, you'll be able to tailor your own fan curves no matter which model you choose.
The key distinction among these models lies in their fan setup—three fans in the Gigabyte version compared to four in the other—so the sound quality will vary.
The Gigabyte version features fewer fans, reducing noise and potentially giving it an advantage over the others...
This ultimately depends on how you adjust the fans after tuning.
🙄
You won't notice any variation between these cards except for tiny numbers in benchmarks. Can you spot the difference in a game with speeds like 147 fps versus 152? Definitely not.
Go for the one that appeals to your eye.
Choose the ASUS ROG ASTRAL LC for a quiet experience with solid temperatures right out of the box.
The MSI SUPRIM LIQUID offers better cooling but comes with more noise — you’ll need to adjust fan and pump settings for silence.
The Gigabyte WATERFORCE is the loudest option, adding some flashiness but not ideal if you value quiet performance.
Personally, I’d pick the ASUS for its balance of silence and power.
I don't have direct access to specific websites, but you can look for manufacturer documentation or technical forums related to the cards. Many sites offer detailed specifications including noise and temperature measurements.
This review highlights the significant power needs of the GeForce RTX 5090 due to its large GB202 chip. Even with a high-quality air cooler, the card demands strong system cooling to manage its substantial heat output. Despite this, AiO liquid cooling options are presented as a potential solution.