MSI introduces a 105W TDP mode on its motherboards, specifically designed for use with AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X processors, offering increased power efficiency options for enthusiasts. The new mode enables a significant boost in efficiency, with potential gains of up to 13%, as it allows the CPUs to scale their clock speeds beyond what’s possible in their standard 65W TDP configurations.
TDP stands for thermal design power, referring to the maximum amount of heat a central processing unit (CPU) is designed to dissipate, which directly impacts its power consumption and overall performance. The AMD Ryzen 9 9700X and 9 9600X boast a default 65W TDP, significantly lower than the 105W of their predecessor, the Ryzen 5 7600X, which earned its place as one of our top gaming CPUs. While the latest mode may boast increased performance, its introduction comes at a cost: heightened energy consumption. However, this enhanced capability does offer users the opportunity to squeeze additional efficiency out of their upgraded processors.
The 65W TDP target of these CPUs led to remarkably low power consumption, outperforming rivals by more than half while maintaining exceptional efficiency. Despite testing indicating a clear outcome, it is evident that AMD overlooked opportunities for efficiency as they restricted the chip’s capabilities to boost clock speed and voltage.
The replacement processor, in turn, enables the freshly installed chips to operate at faster speeds. Although exact data on the adjustments to clock velocity, voltage, and energy consumption resulting from this upgrade is unavailable, MSI has shared its own performance metrics with WCCFtech.
Accordingly, the 9700X is expected to boost its Cinebench R23 score from 20,409 to 23,153, representing a 13% increase. While the impact of gaming efficiency is uncertain, it’s reasonable to expect a significant correlation with CPU-bound conditions’ effects on body charges.
The replacement is expected to be rolled out across the board for all homeowners of these new AMD CPUs, via official AMD updates applied to newer AMD motherboards. Despite AMD reportedly pushing back its plans, MSI has surprisingly released its own iteration of the upgrade ahead of schedule.
Homeowners of AMD 600-series motherboards must visit MSI’s website to locate a BIOS/EFI update that includes the description “adds ‘TDP to 105W’ feature enhancing CPU efficiency with a single firmware swap.”
These updates can even declare that “AGESA PI 1.2.0.1 has launched for trial use.” AGESA, or AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture, is a set of guidelines provided by AMD for motherboard manufacturers to implement into their motherboard BIOS updates, ensuring they operate seamlessly with the company’s CPUs.
When you’ve downloaded and put in the brand new BIOS, it is best to have the ability to swap on the brand new 65W>105W characteristic and indulge in your new-found further efficiency, assuming you’ve gotten both the 9700X or 9600X – the change isn’t set to have an effect on the Ryzen 9 9950X or 9900X.
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