CES 2026 in Las Vegas kicked off with a blast, and MSI just went all-out at their booth. They showed off some wild stuff, from the over-the-top RTX 5090 Lightning Z GPU to a bunch of new cases, coolers, and even SSDs that stick to your phone. Here’s what stood out from MSI this year.
Key Takeaways
- MSI’s RTX 5090 Lightning Z is absurdly powerful (and extremely limited).
- New motherboards and cases target both overclockers and clean-build fans.
- MSI pushes screens on everything, including coolers.
- Even SSDs are getting magnets now.
RTX 5090 Lightning Z: A Flagship Returns
MSI brought back its Lightning graphics cards line and went all-in. The RTX 5090 Lightning Z comes with a massive 360mm liquid cooler and is packed to the brim with features:
- Liquid cooling with a thick 360mm radiator.
- World’s first 8-inch display on a graphics card – shows stats or basically whatever you want.
- Two beefy 12VHPWR power connectors, able to draw up to 1000W (!) for serious performance.
- Includes a vertical GPU bracket and riser cable right in the box.
- Only 1,300 units made. Each card is numbered.
The attention to detail is wild—carbon fiber backplate, heavy-duty 40-phase power delivery, real copper cold plate for both GPU and VRM cooling. Even the unboxing is fancy; you open the box and the card is presented like a showpiece.
Motherboards: Unify and Overclocker Focus
MSI’s new MEG X870E Unify-X Max motherboard is aimed at AMD overclockers. It even has a dedicated tuning controller—so you can tweak your overclock settings with physical knobs and buttons without rebooting and wading through BIOS menus. This is a big deal if you’re always adjusting settings.
Some quick highlights:
- 40Gb USB Type-C plus legacy ports for flexible connections.
- Smart button for multiple functions.
- 18+2+1 power phase, server-grade board.
- Easy M.2 drive access and quick-release graphics card button.
No word on actual pricing, but if you love to tinker—or just want a rock-solid board—this one’s on the radar.
Pro Max Series: For Clean, All-White Builds
MSI rolled out the new Pro Max line, slotted just under their gaming stuff but above regular Pro gear. They’re sticking to a minimalist, white-on-white look for everything:
- Pro Max 030 case: white, clean, and good-looking.
- Pro Max M15360 AIO: 360mm, all-white, and a digital stat display.
- Pro Max X870E-A WiFi motherboard: matches the case perfectly.
- Pro Max 1000PL PSU: 1,000 watts, 80 Plus Platinum, all-white.
It’s all about getting a unified build out of the box. If matching your hardware is your thing, this makes it pretty easy.
MEG Maestro 900R: A Case for Power Users
This monster ATX case is massive, supports extended motherboards, and the centerpiece—literally—is a removable motherboard tray. Turn it around, use it as a test bench, and you’re set. Also comes with three 160mm fans.
- Aluminum construction
- Supports GPUs up to 400mm
- Adjustable layout
- Lots of ventilation
MSI’s aiming for a $699 price tag, and they’re shipping these around Computex.
Liquid Coolers and Screens, Everywhere
MSI loaded their new MEG Core Liquid E15 360 AIO with a curved 6.67-inch OLED display. It’s not just a stat gimmick—it actually looks slick, blends right into the cooler, and gives your build some actual dashboard flair. It’s also super easy to install, with all three fans on a single bracket.
- Expected release: Q2
- Price: ~$349
They’re also diving into air cooling. The new MPG Core Frozr AP15 is a twin-tower, twin-fan beast with a digital readout. A prototype AP17 hits prototype territory: dual tower, dual fan with a 6-inch LCD. Pricing is “TBD”, but it shows MSI is serious about air cooling again.
Power Supplies and GPU Protection
The new MPG AI 1600TS PCIe5 power supplies get MSI’s “GPU Safeguard+” You get real-time monitoring for your GPU’s actual physical connector—are you plugged in all the way? Is it getting hot? If things go wrong, you get an alert and a loud beep. This could save you from frying an expensive card.
Fast Storage (with Magnets!)
- Spadium M571 DLP PCIe 5.0 SSD: Up to 14,000MB/s reads, 11,000MB/s writes, and comes in up to 4TB models.
- Data Mag Portable SSD: This thing is built for iPhones and laptops with built-in magnets. USB 4.0 speeds (up to 4,000MB/s), it just snaps onto the phone or laptop lid. Sizes up to 4TB.
Wrapping Up
MSI’s booth at CES 2026 was stacked with stuff for every kind of PC builder: super high-end GPUs, cases that let you experiment, white-on-white matching gear, and even magnet-backed SSDs. With SRAM-level prices and flagship features, you can tell they’re aiming right at people who want unique, powerful builds.
MSI CES 2026 Gallery
Thanks to the following Sponsors for making our CES 2026 coverage possible
ASUS / CPS PC Cooler / MSI
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