MSI recently showcased its new X870 and X870E motherboard range at Gamescom 2024. This unveiling caught the attention of many, including Cowcotland, who noticed a unique feature on these boards. The inclusion of an 8-pin PCIe power connector at the bottom of the boards sparked curiosity among enthusiasts and raised questions about the reasoning behind this addition.
According to Cowcotland’s report, the presence of these connectors is intended to meet the power demands of upcoming Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. It is suggested that these new cards will require substantial power consumption, which is why MSI has integrated the 8-pin connector into their mainstream motherboard options. This move indicates that high-end graphics cards are becoming increasingly power-hungry, and motherboard manufacturers need to adapt to support these advancements.
Traditionally, high-end or overclocking-focused motherboards have featured secondary power connectors to provide extra power to graphics cards. However, the inclusion of such connectors on mainstream boards signifies a shift in the industry. With a standard PCIe x16 slot capable of delivering 75W of power, adding an additional 150W from an 8-pin connector brings the total power output from the motherboard to 225W. For scenarios where multiple high-power graphics cards are installed, the extra power provided by the 8-pin connector becomes essential to avoid overloading the motherboard.
Increasing Power Consumption
The trend of rising power consumption and TDPs (Thermal Design Power) in flagship graphics cards is evident. Current models like the RTX 4090 already draw up to 450W, and overclocked versions can exceed this limit. There are speculations that future Nvidia GPUs, such as the RTX 5090, could have TDPs exceeding 500W. This poses a challenge for motherboard manufacturers to ensure their products can handle the increased power requirements of these next-gen GPUs.
Industry Trends
While MSI has taken a proactive approach by incorporating 8-pin connectors into their motherboard range, other manufacturers have yet to follow suit across their entire lineup. Enthusiast boards like the Asus Crosshair X870E Hero have similar features, indicating a focus on supporting high-power GPUs. It remains to be seen whether more motherboard manufacturers will adopt this approach as new graphics cards with higher power demands enter the market.
MSI’s decision to include 8-pin PCIe power connectors in their X870 motherboard range reflects the evolving landscape of high-performance computing. The anticipation of next generation graphics cards with increased power requirements has prompted motherboard manufacturers to rethink their design choices. As the industry moves towards higher power consumption GPUs, it is essential for companies to stay ahead of the curve and provide solutions that can support these advancements. The integration of additional power connectors is just one example of how manufacturers are adapting to meet the demands of modern hardware.