How Much Does it Cost?
So, the RTX 5080 SUPRIM SOC from MSI. It delivers a high-end experience with a strong factory overclock, premium cooling, and refined aesthetics. However, much like the rest of the 50 series, its biggest drawback remains pricing. While MSRP is meant to be $1250 for this card, real-world pricing pushes it significantly higher, sometimes exceeding $1500, making it difficult to justify over lower-priced alternatives that offer similar performance gains, especially when you consider that the MSRP for the Founders is $999, and that leaves the SUPRIM SOC on a pretty steep incline. That being said, MSI has done a solid job of making this one of the most polished 5080 options available and I can’t fault them for that, and I could argue that I can see where the extra cost has gone, though as always, and I’ll keep on saying it, but the FE is just so good from every aspect, and that makes it a tricky one for any AIB, though it’s clear to see that the large cooler on this is pretty special.
Cooling
Cooling performance is one of the standout features of the SUPRIM SOC, with its large vapour chamber, enhanced airflow design, and triple StormForce axial fans that were able to keep temperatures impressively low. Compared to the Founders Edition, it runs an average of 7–8 degrees cooler, and even when overclocked, it maintained a manageable temperature profile with only a slight increase. Noise levels are also well-controlled, with the stock configuration being even quieter than the Founders Edition by a small margin.
Overclocking
Speaking of overclocking, while the SUPRIM SOC already comes with a factory boost, we managed to push it even further to some pretty impressive levels and while some games benefited from this overclock, others showed regression in the 1% lows, highlighting that stability and fine-tuning are still key factors when pushing performance further.
Gaming
Gaming performance at stock was already strong, with the SUPRIM SOC sitting ahead of the Founders Edition in every title tested and, when overclocked, we did see performance increase, but there’s definitely room for further tweaking if you’re willing to put the time in, though some games saw lower uplifts, reinforcing that while the SUPRIM SOC is a powerful card, it doesn’t always translate to major performance leaps.
Added Features
One thing I do like is that MSI have toned down the RGB on this model, making it more refined compared to previous SUPRIM releases, with a more minimalist aesthetic straight out of the box. The build quality is still top-notch, with a mix of materials that add to its premium positioning, though the included GPU support bracket could have been better, as reusing the same design as MSI’s lower-tier cards feels like an oversight. Beyond that, feature-wise, the dual BIOS switch is expected, though I was a little disappointed to find that it doesn’t impact clock speeds, and instead, only adjusts fan behaviour, but I guess it isn’t a deal breaker.
Should I Buy One?
Ultimately, the MSI SUPRIM SOC is a premium option for those who want one of the best RTX 5080s available, if it’s available, and even then there’s a but, as it comes at a high cost. While cooling, build quality, and factory overclocking are all excellent, the price premium makes it a tough sell over MSRP-based models unless you specifically want the SUPRIM’s refined cooling and aesthetic touches. If you can get it at a reasonable price, it’s a fantastic card, but if not, you may be better off looking at more cost-effective options, though sadly, in the current market, it may be a simple matter of getting what you can get your hands on.
