Packaging

LYNK+ is available as separate components that you can combine yourself. For our testing, I was provided with the "Cooler Module 5090," which came preinstalled on a RTX 5090 from Inno3D. This is how you can purchase it too; preinstalled on a GPU, so you don't have to deal with the installation of the cooling block yourself, and this way it comes with a three-year warranty.

The block is compatible with all RTX 5090 models that use the NVIDIA reference PCB (not the Founders Edition PCB).

• Gainward RTX 5090 Phantom (4878 / NE7509019R5-GB2020P)
• Gainward RTX 5090 Phantom GS (4861 / NE7509019R5-GB2020P)
• Inno3D RTX 5090 iChill Frostbite (C50903-32D7X-1759FB)
• Inno3D RTX 5090 iChill X3 (C50903-32D7X-175967H)
• Inno3D RTX 5090 X3 (N50903-32D7-17593928)
• Inno3D RTX 5090 X3 OC (N50903-32D7-17593928)
• MSI RTX 5090 Ventus 3X OC 32G (MS-V530 VER:1.1)
• Palit RTX 5090 GameRock (NE7509019R5-GB2020G)
• Palit RTX 5090 GameRock OC (NE7509019R5-GB2020G)
• PNY RTX 5090 ARGB EPIC-X RGB Triple Fan
• PNY RTX 5090 ARGB EPIC-X RGB Triple Fan OC
• PNY RTX 5090 Overclocked Triple Fan (1B0-1G145-DFAA-A02)
• PNY RTX 5090 Triple Fan
• Zotac RTX 5090 AMP Extreme Infinity (ZT-B50900B-10P)
• Zotac RTX 5090 Solid (ZT-B50900D-10P)
• Zotac RTX 5090 Solid OC (ZT-B50900J-10P)

Inside the package we find a QR code that leads to the instruction manual, the 16-pin power adapter cable and the GPU itself.


The second package is the "Radiator Module 360 SLIM," which contains the radiator with integrated pump and three Arctic fans.


Everything is arranged neatly, but somehow I feel that for the price, I would have preferred that the fans are already cleanly preinstalled, with nice cable routing.

The Card

The LYNK+ "block" certainly looks appealing on the card. Its surface has a nice shine while maintaining a slightly brushed texture, which helps reduce fingerprints. On the back of the card there are no cutouts, because there are no moving parts and the block covers all components—GPU, memory and VRM, so no additional cooling is needed.


Dimensions of the card are 28.0 x 15.0 cm, and it weighs 2033 g (without the radiator).


Installation requires two slots in your system. We measured the card's width to be 40 mm. You can definitely plug in another card next to it, but plugging in a second LYNK+ card will be tight, because of the tubing connectors on the back.


Display connectivity includes three standard DisplayPort 2.1b and two HDMI 2.1b.

All GeForce RTX 50-series Blackwell cards feature a new display engine supporting DisplayPort 2.1b with UHBR20, as well as HDMI 2.1a. Both interfaces support DSC (display stream compression). With DSC enabled, a single DisplayPort on this card can drive 4K 12-bit HDR at 480 Hz; or 8K 12-bit HDR at up to 165 Hz. The RTX 5090 features an updated media acceleration engine with support for 4:2:2 video formats, AV1 UHQ, and MV-HEVC. There are three independent NVENC units, and two NVDEC.


The card uses a single 16-pin connector, which allows a maximum power draw of 600 W. Additionally, the LYNK+ cooling system is powered by a SATA power connector coming out of the radiator.


Notice how small the cutout is. While plugging the cable in is easy, removing it requires you to push your finger in or use a tool to press down on the connector. It is possible, but more fiddly than it should be.


RGB zones have been installed on the block and on both sides of the radiator, illuminating the LYNK+ logo.

Teardown

The waterblock covers all components that need cooling: GPU, memory chips and VRM circuitry.


The backplate is made from thick metal, it comes off easily and gives you access to the back of the card, without having to disturb the thermal paste.


Here we can see how the tubing on the left connects to the system, and there's also a small PCB at the bottom that takes care of controlling and monitoring the speeds of the fans and pump.


Removing the front plate doesn't get you anything.