MSI Afterburner Adds Safeguard+ Protection For RTX 5090 LIGHTNING

MSI Afterburner 4.6.7 Beta 2 brings GPU Safeguard+ Power Guard support and RTX 5090 LIGHTNING compatibility. The update focuses on real-time PSU monitoring and automated protection.

MSI has released a new beta version of its popular overclocking tool, MSI Afterburner 4.6.7 Beta 2, introducing advanced power monitoring features and support for the latest flagship GPU.

Power Guard support arrives in MSI Afterburner 4.6.7 Beta 2

According to VideoCardz, the biggest addition in version 4.6.7 Beta 2 is integration with MSI’s GPU Safeguard+ system, marketed inside Afterburner as Power Guard Support.

GPU Safeguard+ monitors dual 12V-2×6 connectors on compatible power supplies and provides real-time alerts if abnormal power behavior occurs. This feature aims to reduce the risk of connector overheating or imbalance under extreme loads, especially on high-end cards like MSI’s GeForce RTX 5090 LIGHTNING series.

The beta introduces a new PSU.dll monitoring plugin that exposes detailed telemetry from MSI MEG Ai1x00 and MSI MPG Ai1x00TS power supplies. Users can track voltage, current, power draw, temperature, efficiency, and fan speeds directly inside Afterburner.

MPG models go further by reporting per-pin current data for 12VHPWR and 12V-2×6 connectors. This level of monitoring allows detection of overcurrent or current imbalance conditions before damage occurs.

Automated emergency protection features

A new “Enable GPU Safeguard+” checkbox activates automated protection. When Afterburner detects unsafe conditions, it plays a sound alert and launches an emergency mitigation process.

Two new command-line options support this system. One loads a predefined emergency profile that lowers NVIDIA GPU power limits. The other displays a custom on-screen message when the safety profile activates.

By default, the emergency profile reduces GPU power limits to quickly lower load and protect the 16-pin connector while users inspect cables and PSU connections.

The update also refines the Voltage/Frequency curve editor. Users now get zoom and pan controls, adjustable node sizes, and improved selection behavior, making fine-tuning more precise for enthusiasts.

While the tuning improvements benefit RTX 5090 LIGHTNING owners, MSI clearly positions this beta around PSU telemetry-driven protection and automated safety response.

In other hardware news, MSI recently unveiled three new X870 and X870E motherboards, while rumors suggest NVIDIA is preparing an RTX 5090 Ti variant.