At Gamescom 2024, both Asus and MSI unveiled a range of new motherboards that aim to enhance convenience in PC building. Some of the models introduced at the event feature innovative quick-release mechanisms, not only for the SSD but also for the graphics card. Given the increasing size and complexity of top GPUs, simplified installation methods are certainly a welcome change.
Among the highlights were Asus’ AMD 800-series boards for Ryzen 9000 and MSI’s Intel Arrow Lake-S 800-series chipsets, catering to the latest processors in the market. Renowned overclocker and YouTuber Der8auer had a firsthand look at the new Asus motherboards, including the impressive ROG X870E Hero.
The ROG X870E Hero from Asus boasts a quick-release mechanism for the M.2 slot that can be easily handled single-handedly. Additionally, Asus introduced the PCIe Q-Release Slim feature for the GPU, which, as demonstrated in videos, promises a remarkably simple installation process.
The PCIe Q-Release Slim feature eliminates the traditional release button found on most motherboards. Given the challenges of dealing with bulky graphics cards, particularly for novice builders, this new retention mechanism from Asus allows for easy and secure GPU installation. While further testing is needed to assess its efficacy, the initial impressions are promising.
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On the MSI front, the company conducted a two-hour live stream to showcase its new products, including the upcoming Z890 MPG Edge motherboard designed for Intel’s 15th-gen CPUs. While this motherboard is not yet available, once released, the EZ PCIe Release feature will simplify GPU installation with a switch positioned above the GPU.
Installing GPUs has become increasingly challenging due to their size and weight, such as the RTX 4090 occupying multiple slots. These difficulties can lead to issues like melting connectors and cracked PCBs. It remains to be seen if simplified installation mechanisms, like those introduced by Asus and MSI, will become a standard feature across a wider range of motherboards in the future.
