Wednesday, September 11th 2024

MSI Unveils the World's First ATX 3.1 Ready Motherboards, Based on AMD's X870/X870E Chipset

MSI is thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking feature on its X870(E) series motherboards. This innovative is designed with gamers and professionals in mind, provides the extra power required for AI computing and GPU-intensive applications. The supplemental PCIe Power feature, equipped with an integrated 8-pin PCIe power connector, delivers additional power for GPUs demanding higher wattage, ensuring they can achieve their peak performance. Paired with the ATX 3.1 power standard, which can hold up to a 2.5x power excursion for enhanced reliability and better power delivery, this feature ensures stable, efficient, and sustained performance, even under heavy loads. Whether gaming or tackling complex applications, this supplemental PCIe Power offers unmatched reliability and stability for the most demanding environments.

What is Supplemental PCIe Power?
Think of it as an extra battery pack for your motherboard. The system's 12 V power on the 24pin power connector from the motherboard basically handles all the PCIe interface, fans and RGB extensions. Still, the supplemental PCIe power ensures everything runs smoothly when your PC is pushed to the limit—like when running very intensive graphical games or maximizing all the fan dissipation for extreme performance.
The extra power means you can game harder, work smarter, and push your PC to its limits without worrying about power shortages or system instability. Whether running extremely intensive games or running complex AI applications, the Supplemental PCIe Power ensures your system stays stable and performs at its best. It's like knowing your system will keep up no matter what you throw. MSI's X870(E) series motherboards are ready to support the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards, providing the ultimate foundation for future-proof computing. With the addition of the Supplemental PCIe Power, users can confidently run the most demanding games and applications, knowing their system is backed by MSI's advanced power management technology and is prepared for future advancements in computing power requirements.

Breakdown of Key Power Management Features:
Let's take the MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard as an example of how MSI is pushing the boundaries of performance for demanding users. Imagine stacking it with the powerful AMD Ryzen 9950X processor alongside the cutting-edge GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM X 24G GPU. At maximum load, these components demand a lot of power. Usually, the motherboard's 24-pin 12 V power connector can only supply a maximum of 168 W. While this might be enough for basic operations, it falls short when trying to drive everything to its peak—especially with fans, RGB lighting, and a beastly GPU like the 4090 connected.

That's where MSI's 8-pin Supplemental PCIe Power Connector steps in. On the MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI, this additional connector provides up to 252 W of extra power, ensuring everything have enough power to run at their full potential. The 24-pin and 8-pin connectors deliver a combine total of 420 W, giving the entire system plenty of power headroom to operate smoothly, even under the most demanding conditions.

What does this mean for users? The Supplemental PCIe Power ensures MSI X870(E) motherboards have the stable, consistent power needed to handle high-end GPU performance and maximized system cooling simultaneously. Whether pushing a 4090 GPU to its limits or adding a second GPU for AI complex computation tasks, these motherboards are fully equipped to handle the next generation of power-hungry components, delivering performance and stability.

MSI's ATX 3.1 / 3.0 Ready PCIe 5 PSU lineup fully supports the additional 8-pin PCIe power demand, offering stable and efficient power delivery across all connected devices. This includes a robust support of all models across MEG, MPG and MAG, ensuring that power distribution is handled efficiently across the motherboard and connected peripherals.

The MSI X870(E) series motherboards with Supplemental PCIe Power will be available on Sept 26th.

Source: MSI
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30 Comments on MSI Unveils the World's First ATX 3.1 Ready Motherboards, Based on AMD's X870/X870E Chipset

#1
Assimilator
Motherboard manufacturers are so intellectually bankrupt they now have to advertise features like supplementary power connectors, that have been around for years, as something new.
Posted on Reply
#2
Event Horizon
RIP innovation. RIP power efficiency. RIP value for money.
Posted on Reply
#3
Chaitanya
AssimilatorMotherboard manufacturers are so intellectually bankrupt they now have to advertise features like supplementary power connectors, that have been around for years, as something new.
And I thought those supplemental power was there for USB-PD(100W) for USB 4.0. Though I must say that fan power delivery upgrade is worth it.
Posted on Reply
#4
TheLostSwede
News Editor
ChaitanyaAnd I thought those supplemental power was there for USB-PD(100W) for USB 4.0. Though I must say that fan power delivery upgrade is worth it.
It's still USB4, not USB 4, nor USB 4.0.... :banghead:
Posted on Reply
#5
Geofrancis
I thought almost every motherboard with more than one pcie 16x slot had one of these extra power connectors.
Posted on Reply
#6
TheLostSwede
News Editor
GeofrancisI thought almost every motherboard with more than one pcie 16x slot had one of these extra power connectors.
No, don't confuse this with the two EPS connectors, it's not the same.
That said, a lot of boards have had this extra 12 V input over the years, but it's never been part of any kind of standard.
Posted on Reply
#7
_roman_
Maybe someone give me a headsup or a correction.

German language text based websites claim that PSU (power supply units) with ATX3.1 are worse in specs than ATX3.0. As far as I remember the buffer time from input to output is bigger with the ATX 3.0 specification.

I'm kinda sure I read that the PEG slot, equals the gpu slot, is capable to supply 75Watts. Now I see 66 Watts. I assume that SMD connector for PCIE 5.0 maybe not that capable to provide 75Watts for the PEG slot.


I do expect proper naming of specs. Therefore I prefer 12V-DC. 12 V is not a Power - It's a Voltage. Assuming they meant 14A - that is a current - that's also not a power. (I refer to the wrong labelling on the top left - in colour orange)

I prefer if those connector pins would have been properly named with Voltage & AC or DC & Amps.

TheLostSwedeThat said, a lot of boards have had this extra 12 V input over the years, but it's never been part of any kind of standard.
There must be some sort of specifications for the mechanical dimensions and voltage.
I'm kinda sure my old PSU, which I do use sometimes for testing, from 386 and 486 (these are processors) based computers did not had those 8 pin connectors.

It seems there were some extra connector to the processor for a while on mainboards. Without that the mainbaord usually does not boot.

--

A summary article about USB 4 would be interesting. What is known so far and so on. What is currently available on hardware usually. Mechanically and electrically.
Posted on Reply
#8
csendesmark
This ATX 3.0 reached EOL quck, that I did not even got to get one...
I feel lucky :D
Posted on Reply
#9
INSTG8R
Vanguard Beta Tester
AssimilatorMotherboard manufacturers are so intellectually bankrupt they now have to advertise features like supplementary power connectors, that have been around for years, as something new.
Right? my S939 Abit AT-8 32x had it(it was Molex)and also had 2 full 16x lanes…
Edit I had to go back to the casemod galleru to see how long ago it actually was….
www.techpowerup.com/gallery/471/details
Posted on Reply
#10
Philaphlous
I feel like electric companies are getting kickbacks with some new technology coming out that's so power hungry...cough NVIDIA cough.... Intel.....
I'm looking for things with LESS power...not more. My electric bill by RATE has gone up 30% every year for the past 3 years. I'm almost paying double what I paid just 4 years ago. I want things with less power not more so my bill isn't so outrageously terrible every month. I'm like $0.34/kw its unreal...
Posted on Reply
#12
Dragokar
Well afaik there is a lifted limitation for the PCIe slot. You can now draw much more power for a limited time:
In the v3.1 spec, it is specifically noted that power excursions are permitted from the 12V rail of the PCIe slot. Thus, the 12V rail on the PCIe slot can experience spikes up to 13.75A for up to 100μs (equivalent to 165W). Previously, the limit was a mere 5.5A. The 12V rail can be boosted for up to 1 second using a logarithmic formula included in the new ATX 3.1 specification (Table 3-1). No power excursions are permitted on the 3.3V rails.
From Anand, but it should be in the linked PDF above as well^^
Posted on Reply
#13
Chaitanya
TheLostSwedeIt's still USB4, not USB 4, nor USB 4.0.... :banghead:
Whatever it is entire USB naming scheme is a convoluted mess. As if having USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 wasnt enough we now have USB4 Gen 2x2 and USB4 Gen3x2 :kookoo:.
Posted on Reply
#14
TheLostSwede
News Editor
ChaitanyaWhatever it is entire USB naming scheme is a convoluted mess. As if having USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 wasnt enough we now have USB4 Gen 2x2 and USB4 Gen3x2 :kookoo:.
USB4 1.0 Gen 3x2 is 40 Gbps and the one most people will use. Gen 2x2 is the 20 Gbps mode.
However, USB4 2.0 Gen 4 doesn't have a gen anything it seems, it only has symmetric (80 Gbps) or asymmetric modes (120/40 or 40/120).
PhilaphlousI feel like electric companies are getting kickbacks with some new technology coming out that's so power hungry...cough NVIDIA cough.... Intel.....
I'm looking for things with LESS power...not more. My electric bill by RATE has gone up 30% every year for the past 3 years. I'm almost paying double what I paid just 4 years ago. I want things with less power not more so my bill isn't so outrageously terrible every month. I'm like $0.34/kw its unreal...
We were hitting the equivalent of 50 cents / kWh here two years ago during winter, this summer it hit minus six cents at one point. That doesn't include the cost to have the electricity transferred to you, which is around 5 cents per kWh and the energy tax and 25% VAT on top of of everything... (yes, we pay tax on top of taxes). This summer has been extremely cheap electricity, with it often hitting minus prices, but the actual saving on the bill was never more than $5.
Now they're going to change the entire electricity system here and implement flow based electricity (whatever that means), so the costs will go up, since they claim this will allow us to export more electricity...

So yeah, more power efficient hardware could be nice.
Posted on Reply
#15
tommo1982
TheLostSwedeNo, don't confuse this with the two EPS connectors, it's not the same.
That said, a lot of boards have had this extra 12 V input over the years, but it's never been part of any kind of standard.
What do you mean? I have an old AM3+ mainboard laying around with such connector and the PSU has an extra 4pin for it. It should be 8pin, but that's what I had on hand.
Posted on Reply
#16
TheLostSwede
News Editor
tommo1982What do you mean? I have an old AM3+ mainboard laying around with such connector and the PSU has an extra 4pin for it. It should be 8pin, but that's what I had on hand.
These are not the same as the old ones, even if they serve the same or at least a similar purpose.

These MSI boards appear to use a new connector, that's not EPS or GPU connector compatible.
If you flip the image, you end up with square, square, cut, cut and then three cut and one square pin, which means you can't physically fit any current plug into the jack on these boards.

Posted on Reply
#17
las
PhilaphlousI feel like electric companies are getting kickbacks with some new technology coming out that's so power hungry...cough NVIDIA cough.... Intel.....
I'm looking for things with LESS power...not more. My electric bill by RATE has gone up 30% every year for the past 3 years. I'm almost paying double what I paid just 4 years ago. I want things with less power not more so my bill isn't so outrageously terrible every month. I'm like $0.34/kw its unreal...
In this gen, Nvidia is less powerhungry than AMD. Nvidia has better perf per watt and way lower power usage in multi monitor usage and during video playback, like half.

4080 and 4080S uses ~300 watts in games. 7900XT uses ~315 watts, 7900XTX uses ~360 watts.

4070 SUPER beats 7800XT and uses 50 watts less.

Intel CPUs, yeah, if you look at the extreme high-end stuff, i9 (i7-14700K too, since its basicly a i9-13900K) but TSMC 3N for Arrow Lake will probably fix this problem. It's really a non-issue for most people with regular use - Most people don't run Cinebench loops 24/7.


Power usage is also insane in competitive games, which is why 99% of competitive gamers use Nvidia:

Look at 2:30 timestamp if you don't bother to watch it all. It is pure fact that AMD simply uses way more power overall, for worse performance.

7900XTX uses around 325-350% more power than 4080 in CS while losing in performance as well.

Posted on Reply
#18
Voodoo Rufus
"Battery pack for your motherboard" isn't a very good analogy. More like bigger fuel rails and injectors from the PSU (fuel pump).

LEDs and fans don't use a lot of power. I don't mind USB-C PD connectors needing some extra juice, though.
Posted on Reply
#19
Broken Processor
Only one board shown had 90 degree connector surly it can't be that hard to do it on them all.
Posted on Reply
#20
TheLostSwede
News Editor
Broken ProcessorOnly one board shown had 90 degree connector surly it can't be that hard to do it on them all.
It's a bit of a tight space to access though, if it's pointing down, since in most cases, you have the PSU sitting the way right there.
Posted on Reply
#21
Papusan
TheLostSwedeThese are not the same as the old ones, even if they serve the same or at least a similar purpose.

These MSI boards appear to use a new connector, that's not EPS or GPU connector compatible.
If you flip the image, you end up with square, square, cut, cut and then three cut and one square pin, which means you can't physically fit any current plug into the jack on these boards.

Depends on what side you look through.
Posted on Reply
#22
Random_User
I wonder if outside the new connectors their power system has really adjusted for the new standards. Or maybe this is just an old motherboard design, with just some certified badges slapped on top?
AssimilatorMotherboard manufacturers are so intellectually bankrupt they now have to advertise features like supplementary power connectors, that have been around for years, as something new.
They use whatever resounding BS and trick, that are capable to secure to the solid and ever increasing cash flow, into their (C-suit & shareholders) bottomless pockets. Who cares, if the entire product stack ends up an utter dogsh*t, if these "decisions" and "innovations" transfer into another fat bonus for an upper management, and maybe a couple of lower tear staff.
csendesmarkThis ATX 3.0 reached EOL quck, that I did not even got to get one...
I feel lucky :D
Not exactly quick, TBH. Intel has introduced the ATX 3.0 ages ago. It just happened so, that it was mainly adopted by servers/enterprize market, and have reached the consumer market, only dor a brief moment.
But nevertheless, I fully agree. I wouldn't wonder, if the new ATX 3.2, and PCI-E 5.2, or whatever new standard is right around the corner.

PhilaphlousI feel like electric companies are getting kickbacks with some new technology coming out that's so power hungry...cough NVIDIA cough.... Intel.....
I'm looking for things with LESS power...not more. My electric bill by RATE has gone up 30% every year for the past 3 years. I'm almost paying double what I paid just 4 years ago. I want things with less power not more so my bill isn't so outrageously terrible every month. I'm like $0.34/kw its unreal...
Here the electricity bills grow each year. And each time twice as much. This year is going to be even funnier, because the gov warned about two more price hikes, in addition to the existing one, that already doubled the tarrif, and each next raise is going to be aslo doubling the price, to improve the situation on the market, to please the sole and monopolic (oligarch) energy supplier on the non-existant energy market. This would place the electricity literally on par with the US and even EU prices. With the little correction- the absolute vast majority of salaries here, are basically within $200-400. And US/EU are struggling to pay their prices with their income....
And the situation becomes absurdly ridiculous, because in order to buy the energy efficient HW, and consumer electronics, one must have money first. And that is again, a vicious circle, since the HW prices are set mainly according to the US income level.
ChaitanyaWhatever it is entire USB naming scheme is a convoluted mess. As if having USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 wasnt enough we now have USB4 Gen 2x2 and USB4 Gen3x2 :kookoo:.
It is unknown what substances the staff of USB Implementers Forum consume... but what they implement deserves intervention, and even punishment. This is global scale organisation, that is unsure of their own naming methods. The bunch of people cannot get their sh*t together, and retroactively rename existing standards, and... Really, this isn't their closed club's internal hobby... their specs and naming, actual devices, being used not by thousands, or even milllions, but billions of users across the globe, on daily basis. Their sh*tty actions turn what seems should have been the most basic thing, into complete disaster. So much unnecessary idiotic fuss...
Also, their certification isn't worth the paper i is printed on. The market is flooded with products, that carry the "certified" badges and logos on them, and their quality is "inconsistent"/"vague" to say the least. Even the existing products from renown barnds, can significantly varry from the official specs and requirements. This is lunacy.
Broken ProcessorOnly one board shown had 90 degree connector surly it can't be that hard to do it on them all.
Right. And the price difference between "usual" and 90° one, must be pennies. But, still, the motherboard manage to makers make it look as a novelty, and ask the extortion premium for these connectors, making them the part of only most expensive and usekess motherboards.
Not to mention, that these "angular" connector were used for motherboards, along with the usual "straight" ones, even two decades ago. Also, the PSUs use these ubiquitously, even for the cheapest low power products, for like... forever.
Posted on Reply
#23
_roman_
PhilaphlousI feel like electric companies are getting kickbacks with some new technology coming out that's so power hungry...cough NVIDIA cough.... Intel.....
I'm looking for things with LESS power...not more.
I'm looking for efficient parts. Most people ignore power supply units the efficiency from 0 to 50 or 100 Watts. This is the worst range ever.


--

To sum it up in my words. I read www.pcgameshardware.de/Mainboard-Hardware-154107/News/Neue-X870-MSI-Details-zusaetzlicher-Stromanschluss-1455527/

There are doubts that this will benefit at all any hardware becasue MSI does not meet the ususual standard for connectors on mainboards. As far as I have understood, there is an extra connector which will give extra amps to certain connectors on the mainboard. A graphic card should not, when it meets the standard, take more Watts from the PEG slot. Therefore an useless feature.

In my point of view. I removed the garbage FAN HUB of my Fractal Design Meshify 2 Case. Many cases come with an additional FAN HUB or it is separately available. Therefore more Watt on the FAN Connectors is not needed. (This also applies to RGB FAN Hub.)

With two 8 or 6 pin CPU Connectors and one 20 or 24 pin ATX connector there should be enough Watt for a mainboard (which includes CPU, RAM and peripherals)
Posted on Reply
#24
TheLostSwede
News Editor
PapusanDepends on what side you look through.
This is the connector in the press release, that appears to be on the boards, in the same orientation as the connectors I posted drawings of above.
It does not conform with any known connectors.

Posted on Reply
#25
ADB1979
Event HorizonRIP innovation. RIP power efficiency. RIP value for money.
Exactly.! Whom is this actually for.?

Could an admin ask a poll to this effect please: How many people who might be interested in an X870 chipset motherboard has any need for this new power stuff.?
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