MSI has officially unveiled the GeForce RTX 5050 INSPIRE 2X series, a lineup of ultra-compact graphics cards designed specifically for small form factor (SFF) systems. Leveraging NVIDIA’s cutting-edge Blackwell architecture, these cards pack impressive performance into a diminutive footprint, making high-end gaming and content creation more accessible in mini-ITX chassis without compromising on power or features. Announced just days ago, the series includes two variants—the standard GeForce RTX 5050 8G INSPIRE ITX and the overclocked INSPIRE ITX OC—both tailored for enthusiasts who prioritize efficiency and elegance in their builds.
Source: MSI
the INSPIRE 2X series lies the GeForce RTX 5050 GPU, boasting 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR6 memory clocked at 20 Gbps across a 128-bit bus. The cards connect via PCIe 5.0 x16 (running at x8 speeds for optimal compatibility) and draw a modest 130W through a single 8-pin power connector, with MSI recommending a 550W PSU for stable operation. Performance-wise, the standard model hits a boost clock of 2,572 MHz, while the OC edition pushes to 2,602 MHz out of the box—reaching up to 2,617 MHz in Extreme Performance mode via MSI Center software. This tuning ensures smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming, enhanced by NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 for AI-powered upscaling and frame generation, fourth-generation Ray Tracing Cores for lifelike lighting, and fifth-generation Tensor Cores optimized for neural rendering and AI workloads like those in NVIDIA ACE for digital assistants.
Source: MSI
What truly sets the INSPIRE 2X apart is its engineering for compactness without sacrifice. Measuring just 147 x 120 x 45 mm, these dual-slot cards fit seamlessly into the tightest ITX cases, featuring a sleek Mondrian grid aesthetic and MSI’s TORX Fan 5.0 for superior airflow through linked fan blades and ring arcs. The cooling solution includes an efficient heat pipe array, optimal heatsink fins for rapid dissipation, and a reinforcing backplate with ventilation vents to exhaust hot air directly—complete with ZERO FROZR technology that halts the fan during low-load scenarios for whisper-quiet operation. Critical components benefit from high-quality thermal padding, while the DrMOS power stages minimize energy loss for sustained efficiency. Connectivity is robust for such a small package, with three DisplayPort 2.1b outputs and one HDMI 2.1b port supporting up to 8K resolutions and multi-monitor setups. These cards are designed for compact PC builds with limited space where larger coolers cannot fit. While Pricing and availability details have not been announced yet.
Source: MSI