Early MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Benchmarks Are Appearing
Benchmark leaks for the MSI RTX 5090 Lightning graphics card are starting to surface online, just ahead of its expected announcement at CES 2026 on January 5. While details are still limited, these early numbers are already getting PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts excited.
The RTX 5090 Lightning is rumored to be one of MSI’s flagship custom versions of Nvidia’s next generation top tier GPU. Lightning branded cards from MSI have a long history of pushing extremely high factory overclocks, premium cooling and strong power delivery aimed at enthusiasts, overclockers and high end gamers.
With users claiming that the new benchmark records come from this specific model, it suggests that MSI is once again targeting the very top of the performance charts.
What These Leaks Suggest For PC Gamers
Even from a short mention of benchmark records, there are a few key takeaways for gamers and PC builders.
Performance jump for 4K gaming If these records are legitimate, the RTX 5090 Lightning is likely to become one of the best choices for maxed out 4K gaming, especially in demanding triple A titles with ray tracing enabled.
Headroom for high refresh rate monitors Higher benchmark scores usually translate to better frame rates at 1440p and 4K. This kind of power makes more sense than ever if you own or are planning to buy a 144 Hz or 240 Hz gaming monitor.
Overclocking focus The Lightning name typically signals extra power phases, custom PCBs and beefy coolers. That means more stability at higher clocks, and usually more freedom for enthusiasts who want to tweak voltages and frequencies for even higher scores.
Content creators benefit too Beyond gaming, stronger GPU performance can speed up tasks like video rendering, 3D work and AI assisted workloads that use GPU acceleration.
The important thing to remember is that these are early leaks. Synthetic benchmarks show potential, but real game performance can vary depending on drivers, game engines and cooling conditions inside your case.
What To Watch For At CES 2026
Since MSI is expected to officially reveal the RTX 5090 Lightning at CES 2026, that event will be the real moment where we see how close the leaks are to reality. If you are thinking about a high end upgrade, here are some things to keep an eye on when the announcement happens.
Official specs Look for CUDA core counts, memory size and type, memory bandwidth, boost clocks and power draw. These numbers will help you compare the Lightning model to the standard RTX 5090 and other custom cards.
Cooling design MSI usually gives Lightning cards a premium cooler with multiple fans and a thick heatsink. Cooling quality will directly affect noise levels and sustained boost clocks during long gaming sessions.
Power requirements High end GPUs increasingly need powerful PSUs and new power connectors. Check the recommended power supply wattage and connector type so you know whether your current build can handle it or if you will need an upgrade.
Actual gaming benchmarks Once reviewers get their hands on it, look for frame rate comparisons in modern titles at 1440p and 4K with ray tracing and upscaling on and off. This gives the clearest picture of what you can expect in real games.
Price and availability Flagship cards often come with premium pricing and limited stock at launch. If you are planning to grab one early, be prepared for both a high price tag and potential supply constraints.
For now, the appearance of new benchmark records tied to the RTX 5090 Lightning is a strong hint that MSI is aiming for the number one performance spot in the next GPU generation. If you care about maxing out every setting, chasing the highest frame rates, or competing in benchmark leaderboards, this card will be one to watch very closely when CES 2026 kicks off.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/msis-rtx-5090-lightning-shatters-gpu-records-before-launch-40-phase-vram-and-dual-12v-2x6-connectors-turn-heads-on-upcoming-overclocking-monster
