MSI recently showcased its latest X870 and X870E motherboard range at Gamescom 2024. Among the new features seen on these boards is the addition of 8-pin PCIe power connectors located at the bottom. This has sparked curiosity among enthusiasts and tech experts alike, as to the purpose and implications of this new addition.
According to reports from Cowcotland, these new power connectors are designed to meet the demands of upcoming Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. It is speculated that the next generation of GPUs will require significant amounts of power to function effectively. This shift towards higher power consumption in graphics cards is driving motherboard manufacturers like MSI to adapt and prepare for the future.
Traditionally, high-end or overclocking-focused motherboards have included secondary power connectors to supply extra power to graphics cards. However, with mainstream options like the X870 and X870E now featuring these connectors, it indicates a shift towards accommodating higher power requirements across the board. A standard PCIe x16 slot can deliver up to 75W of power, but with the addition of an 8-pin connector supplying 150W, the total power output from the motherboard increases significantly.
As flagship GPUs like the rumored RTX 5090 are expected to have power consumption figures well beyond current models, the inclusion of these additional power connectors becomes crucial. The RTX 4090, for example, is projected to draw up to 450W, with overclocked variants pushing that figure even higher. By including 8-pin connectors on their motherboards, MSI is taking a proactive approach to ensure compatibility with future high-power GPUs.
While other manufacturers may not have implemented 8-pin connectors across their entire range yet, the inclusion of such connectors on enthusiast boards like the Asus Crosshair X870E Hero suggests a growing trend towards higher power requirements in the GPU market. Whether this is a preemptive measure by MSI or a sign of things to come remains to be seen. With Intel’s Z890 boards on the horizon, the industry is bracing for further developments in motherboard design to accommodate the next generation of GPUs.
The unveiling of MSI’s X870 and X870E motherboards with 8-pin PCIe power connectors signals a shift towards higher power requirements in upcoming GPUs. As technology advances and graphics cards become more powerful, motherboard manufacturers are adapting to meet these new demands. Whether these additional power connectors will become a standard feature on future motherboards remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the future of motherboards is evolving to support the next generation of high-power GPUs.
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