MSI has recently showcased its latest motherboard range, the X870 and X870E, at Gamescom 2024. An interesting feature spotted by Cowcotland was the inclusion of an 8-pin PCIe power connector at the bottom of these boards. This addition has raised questions about the upcoming demands of next generation Nvidia and AMD graphics cards.
Increased Power Requirements
The inclusion of the 8-pin PCIe power connector on the MSI X870 and X870E motherboards indicates a shift towards handling the power requirements of future high-end graphics cards. With reports suggesting that upcoming GPUs may consume significant amounts of power, motherboard manufacturers like MSI are already preparing for this change.
Secondary Power Connectors
While secondary power connectors are not new in the realm of high-end and overclocking-focused motherboards, the decision to incorporate them into more mainstream options is noteworthy. These connectors serve to provide additional power to high-power graphics cards, ensuring stable performance and compatibility with the latest GPU technologies.
By combining the power output from the PCIe x16 slot and the 8-pin connector, motherboards like the MSI X870 and X870E can deliver up to 225W of power. With the possibility of adding even more power through a 12V-2×6 or 12VHPWR connector, the total power output could exceed 800W. This level of power is crucial for flagship tier graphics cards, such as the rumored RTX 5090, which are expected to have high power consumption requirements.
The trend of increasing power consumption and TDPs in flagship graphics cards is evident in models like the RTX 4090, which can pull up to 450W or more for overclocked variants. With the anticipated release of Nvidia’s next generation GPUs, the need for additional power headroom is becoming more apparent. MSI’s decision to include the 8-pin connector reflects a proactive approach to meet the evolving demands of high-performance graphics cards.
Industry Response
While MSI has taken a cautious approach by including the 8-pin connectors in their motherboard range, other manufacturers have not followed suit across their product lines. Enthusiast boards like the Asus Crosshair X870E Hero have also incorporated this feature, indicating a potential shift towards addressing the power requirements of next generation GPUs. It will be interesting to see if more motherboard manufacturers adopt this strategy as Intel’s Z890 boards are unveiled in the near future.
The unveiling of MSI’s X870 and X870E motherboards with 8-pin PCIe power connectors signals a new era of motherboard design catering to the power demands of advanced graphics cards. As the industry prepares for the release of next generation GPUs with higher power requirements, motherboard manufacturers are stepping up to meet these challenges. The addition of secondary power connectors on mainstream boards reflects a proactive approach to ensuring compatibility and performance with future GPU technologies. Stay tuned for further developments in the world of high-performance motherboards and graphics cards.
Leave a Reply