MSI recently showcased its latest motherboard range, the X870 and X870E, at Gamescom 2024. These motherboards caught the attention of visitors, including Cowcotland, due to a new feature – an 8-pin PCIe power connector located at the bottom of the boards. This addition has sparked curiosity among tech enthusiasts, as it seems to be in preparation for the power demands of next generation Nvidia and AMD graphics cards.
The presence of the 8-pin PCIe power connector on the MSI X870 and X870E motherboards suggests that upcoming graphics cards will require significant power resources. With high-end graphics cards potentially consuming upwards of 450W or more, the traditional PCIe x16 slot providing 75W may not be sufficient. By including the additional 8-pin connector, MSI is preparing for the possibility of graphics cards with TDPs exceeding 500W, such as the rumored RTX 5090.
In the past, secondary power connectors were mainly seen on high-end or overclocking-focused motherboards. However, MSI’s decision to incorporate the 8-pin connector on mainstream options indicates a shift towards accommodating higher power requirements across the board. With the potential for flagship graphics cards to surpass 500W TDP, having a reliable power source from the motherboard becomes essential, especially when considering scenarios involving multiple GPUs.
While MSI is taking a proactive approach by including the 8-pin connector on its motherboards, other manufacturers have yet to follow suit across their ranges. It raises questions about whether MSI is simply being cautious or if they have insider knowledge about the power demands of future GPUs. As Intel’s Z890 boards are set to debut soon, it will be interesting to see if more manufacturers adopt similar power delivery solutions to ensure compatibility with next generation graphics cards.
As the tech industry continues to push the boundaries of performance with each new hardware release, MSI’s introduction of the X870 and X870E motherboards with 8-pin PCIe power connectors signals a readiness for the future. By anticipating the power requirements of upcoming graphics cards, MSI is positioning itself to offer users a stable and reliable platform for high-performance computing. As the competition heats up in the motherboard market, it remains to be seen how other manufacturers will respond to the changing landscape of GPU power demands.