MSI is developing a new Afterburner beta release that introduces advanced voltage tuning for the upcoming RTX 50-series Extreme OC graphics cards. The update, confirmed by developer Alexey Nicolaychuk, implements what MSI is calling triple-channel voltage control. This feature extends current options by adding memory (MSVDD) and auxiliary voltage adjustments to the existing GPU core voltage control.
The new system offers direct access to the PWM controller, with an extended ±100 mV adjustment range on supported designs. Engineering samples currently in testing use MP2988 and MP29816A PWM controllers, which provide VRM telemetry. This allows Afterburner not only to adjust voltages more precisely but also to monitor VRM temperatures in real time. The level of control, however, will be dependent on firmware and board design choices. NVIDIA’s Founders Edition models restrict I2C access on reference cards, which means the enhanced functionality will initially be available only on MSI’s custom Extreme OC models.
Among the changes, memory voltage control is the most significant. Many modern workloads are limited by memory bandwidth, making GDDR tuning just as important as GPU core clock adjustments. By exposing the memory rail, MSI’s Extreme OC cards are expected to reach higher memory frequencies and maintain stability under aggressive timings. This could improve performance in bandwidth-heavy benchmarks and certain game scenarios where memory speed plays a critical role.
Core voltage adjustment through direct PWM access is also more flexible compared to traditional methods. Still, real-world results will continue to be influenced by GPU boost behavior, silicon quality, and thermal limits. As a result, while competitive overclockers using advanced cooling solutions may benefit most from these changes, general users should be mindful of potential stability issues and warranty implications when experimenting with voltage tuning.
MSI’s upcoming Extreme OC designs are being engineered with reinforced VRMs, improved cooling systems, and enhanced power delivery to support the increased demands of higher voltage tuning. The new Afterburner beta is expected to be available before retail availability of the cards, providing early insight into how NVIDIA’s “Blackwell” GPUs and GDDR7 memory respond to more granular tuning.
The release will mark one of the most significant updates to MSI Afterburner in recent years, setting the stage for a new generation of graphics cards designed with extreme overclocking in mind.
