Why does the X870E Tomahawk MAX require an extra PCIe power connector?
Asked by
MellowPine47
I'm planning my first high-end PC build and the compatibility checker warns that one additional PCIe 6-pin power connector is needed. The build includes a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, MSI MAG X870E TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI, Radeon RX 9070 XT, Corsair iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX LCD cooler, and a 1000W Corsair RM1000x power supply. When I replace the MAX motherboard with the standard MSI MAG X870E TOMAHAWK, the warning disappears. The boards appear to have the same connectors, so what is causing the warning? Can I use these parts as-is, or do I need another cable or a different component?
Answers
The MAX motherboard has an optional supplemental PCIe power connector at the bottom of the board, labeled PCIe_PWR1. The compatibility checker is treating it as a required connection, but it mainly provides additional power to the PCIe slots for demanding cards or overclocking. With a normal RX 9070 XT setup, it generally isn’t necessary, so you can leave that connector unused.
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You don’t need to replace the motherboard just because the checker reports this warning. The standard and MAX boards can have similar main power connections, but the MAX model exposes an additional optional power input that the compatibility tool flags. Your RM1000x has more than enough capacity; just make sure every cable required by the cooler’s LINK hub and graphics card is connected. Don’t use random modular cables from another power supply—use only cables compatible with that PSU.
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The 6-pin warning may also be related to the Corsair iCUE LINK hub included with the LCD cooler. That hub uses a PCIe 6-pin cable because it can power a large number of LINK fans and accessories. It isn’t a sign that the 1000W power supply is too weak; it just means the required cable or connection isn’t being accounted for in the parts list. If you only use the included cooler and accessories, follow Corsair’s wiring instructions and connect the hub as specified.
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MellowPine47: That clears it up. I didn’t realize the motherboard connector was supplemental and that the cooler’s LINK hub also uses a PCIe connection. So I should be able to keep the parts as planned and leave the motherboard’s extra connector unused, provided the cooler’s hub has the cable it needs.