CES 2026 is shaping up to be a huge event for gaming and PC fans. Many brands are expected to show new laptops, monitors, and graphics cards. Now, MSI has added more excitement by teasing the return of its famous Lightning graphics cards, this time powered by NVIDIA’s upcoming GeForce RTX 5090.
MSI CES 2026 teaser
MSI shared a short teaser that quickly caught the attention of hardware fans. The teaser looks like a weather forecast and shows lightning expected on January 5. This date lines up closely with CES 2026, which strongly hints that MSI is ready to show something special at the event.
The Lightning name makes a comeback
The Lightning series is well known among PC enthusiasts. MSI last used this branding with the RTX 2080 Ti Lightning Z, which was known for its strong performance and premium design. By bringing back the Lightning name at CES 2026, MSI is clearly aiming at the very top end of the graphics card market once again.
While MSI has not shared full details yet, the teaser suggests that these RTX 5090 Lightning GPUs will sit at the flagship level. This means they will likely be made for users who want the best performance possible, especially for high-end gaming, content creation, and heavy workloads.
New cooling designs teased
Along with the Lightning branding, MSI also hinted at two new GPU designs based on earlier concepts. One of them appears to be a liquid-cooled model. This version is said to use two 120 mm radiators, which should help keep temperatures low even under heavy use. Liquid cooling is usually used on top-tier cards, so this fits well with the flagship idea.
The second design is an air-cooled version. This one is even more eye-catching, as it is said to use five Stormforce fans. Three fans would sit in the usual front position, while two extra fans would be placed on the backplate. This setup could improve airflow and cooling, which is very important for powerful GPUs like the RTX 5090.
What to expect next
At this point, MSI has not confirmed clock speeds, memory details, or pricing. However, given the Lightning branding and the advanced cooling options, it is safe to expect a very high price tag. These GPUs will likely be aimed at enthusiasts who are ready to pay more for top performance and premium build quality.
More information should come closer to CES 2026, where MSI is expected to fully reveal these new RTX 5090 Lightning graphics cards. Until then, the teaser alone has already done its job by building strong hype among PC and gaming fans.
