Consider a smaller form factor for better compactness.
Consider a smaller form factor for better compactness.
Hello everyone, I'm looking to discuss the latest motherboard trends and possible improvements. My idea came from wanting a more compact build for my next project, especially since we gamers often face limitations with current options. Right now I have a Z270 MATX setup but only use one PCIe slot for the GPU, which is typical. I'm thinking about moving to an ITX form factor, but that presents its own challenges. The size constraint means manufacturers charge more for smaller boards, and they usually offer only two memory slots. That's why I'm considering a board that blends MATX and ITX/DTX features. What do you think? Would such a board be practical?
The cost increases due to greater demand.
Creating an alternative design would require significant investment in research and development, making it unaffordable.
It's sufficient with just two memory slots; 32GB provides adequate capacity.
In my opinion, the changes needed aren't substantial enough to justify establishing another standard. If you're aiming for something contemporary, consider pushing further. Update all screw hole positions and dimensions to metric specs; rethink power connectors—swap the 24-pin for a modern alternative like an 8-12 pin design. Drop the 3.3V and 5V pins, keep only 12V for legacy support and 20V for new GPUs and processors. Integrate USB communication into the power supply to share efficiency data, control cables or rearrange some connections between 12V and 20V. Activate RGB LEDs, fine-tune PSU fan speeds (with safety override if necessary), and adapt CPU and graphics connectors for 20V. A 4-pin CPU socket could handle around 350-400W, eliminating the need for an 8-pin adapter for a Ryzen 2200G running at 60W—enabling video cards to draw 100-120W while maintaining backward compatibility. Extend PCIe slots to support higher power cards on compact boards, and consider adding an extension for PCIe Gen 4 slots like AGP Pro. Incorporate barrel-jack DC connectors for DC power adapters, allowing compatibility with 18.5V laptop chargers. This approach would make a 320-series board feasible using a 65W adapter, saving costs. With PCIe 4.0 adoption, it might be time to prioritize PCIe X8 slots for graphics on ITX boards, reserving X16 for larger form factors. Design video cards with X8 slots, permitting memory slots at a 45-degree angle under the PCIe lanes—freeing up space for additional components like extra M.2 slots. ITX boards are pricier due to tighter wire routing in smaller panels (typically 24"x18"), but they offer more room for expansion compared to older 32"x20" panels. The current dimensions were chosen mainly to minimize wasted material, producing larger panels. Now, ATX dimensions (12"x9.6") fit well within the available space, leaving ample room for additional boards. Moving to PCIe 4.0 could justify using X8 slots for graphics on compact boards, while keeping X16 for bigger systems. ITX offers a better balance between cost and performance, especially with the potential for more efficient designs.
Hey, I noticed it's been a while since we saw that kind of board. Back in the mid-2000s, even AMD experimented with that layout. Now here comes the announcement... standard DTX format. It's just a much simpler version of mATX. Even more frustrating, most PC builders don't take advantage of all the features anymore. We used to use more RAM sticks, multiple SATA drives, and PCIe GPUs, but now we mostly stick with 2-4 sticks, one SATA, two M.2, and just a single PCIe slot for the GPU. So why buy those big boards when we can get by with what we have? Most cases don't even fit six SATA drives anymore.