I started with the same $1,999 RTX 5090 FE and 1000-watt power supply from my desktop test, dropping them both onto a $99 Minisforum DEG1. It’s an open-air external GPU that can connect to the Oculink port that’s now shipping in a handful of portable gaming PCs, so long as you bring your own desktop GPU and power supply.

This gaming PC was a CES 2025 showcase build, powered by an RTX 5090 GPU, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming CPU, and a $7,100 InWin PC case.

The brackets that hold on the CPU cooler are placed right on top of those standoffs and then secured with four thumb screws. The upward-facing screws on the brackets — which we’ll use in a minute — are built in.

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5090 starts at $1,999 before you factor in upsells from the company's partners or price increases driven by scalpers and/or genuine demand. It costs more than my entire gaming PC.

Of course, standalone restocks are also at risk of selling out, depending on how many units NVIDIA is able to get into the hands of its partners. If you don't want to play that game and/or are interested in a full PC build, and are willing to pay the Alienware tax, you can order one now and get it in a few weeks.

NVIDIA has a useful overlay that can enhance your gaming experience's visuals and provides a bunch of useful tools you probably didn't know existed.

Yes, I know, we’re all very excited about how powerful Nvidia’s RTX 5090 is, and presumably many of us are also very upset that Nvidia apparently thought seven cards per retailer would be enough stock for launch day (note to Jensen Huang: that was a joke,