MSI recently showcased its upcoming X870 and X870E motherboard range at Gamescom 2024, leaving many attendees intrigued by a new feature – the inclusion of 8-pin PCIe power connectors at the bottom of the boards. This addition has sparked questions among tech enthusiasts about the necessity and implications of such a design choice.
Powering Next Generation GPUs
The Cowcotland team, who visited MSI’s booth, reported that the 8-pin PCIe power connectors are likely intended to meet the power demands of future Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. With rumors circulating about upcoming GPUs consuming significant amounts of power, MSI seems to be preparing for the inevitable shift towards more power-hungry hardware in the market.
While additional power connectors are not a novel feature on high-end motherboards, their appearance on more mainstream options raises eyebrows. Traditionally, such connectors were reserved for overclocking-focused boards to provide extra power to high-performance GPUs. However, the inclusion of these connectors on mainstream motherboards hints at a shift in the industry towards accommodating higher power requirements for everyday users as well.
Potential Power Output
A standard PCIe x16 slot can deliver up to 75W of power, but adding an extra 150W from an 8-pin connector expands the possibilities significantly. By combining this with the potential 600W output from a 12V-2×6 or 12VHPWR connector, motherboards could theoretically support power-hungry flagship GPUs like the rumored RTX 5090. Such high power capabilities not only cater to single high-end cards but also open up possibilities for users looking to deploy multiple GPUs for specialized workloads.
The escalating power consumption and TDPs of flagship graphics cards, such as the expected 450W draw of the RTX 4090, indicate a growing trend in the industry. If historical patterns hold true, we may see future GPUs like the RTX 5090 surpassing the 500W TDP mark, pushing the boundaries of what current motherboards can handle. MSI’s proactive approach in including 8-pin connectors across its range suggests a readiness for the power-hungry GPUs that lie ahead.
While MSI is leading the pack with its inclusion of 8-pin PCIe power connectors, other manufacturers have yet to follow suit across their ranges. Enthusiast boards like the Asus Crosshair X870E Hero have incorporated similar features, hinting at a potential industry-wide adoption of higher power output capabilities. As Intel’s Z890 boards gear up for release, it will be interesting to observe if more manufacturers embrace the trend set by MSI or opt for alternative power solutions.
As technology advances and GPUs become more power-hungry, motherboard manufacturers must adapt to meet the evolving demands of the market. MSI’s unveiling of the X870 and X870E range with 8-pin PCIe power connectors signifies a proactive step towards accommodating future high-performance graphics cards. Whether other manufacturers will follow suit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the era of power-hungry GPUs is on the horizon, and the industry is gearing up for the challenge.