Somebody’s at all times attempting to alter how we construct gaming PCs—daring new ideas are commonplace at CES—however only a few concepts truly reach altering something in any respect. But it actually appears to be like like one pattern might stick round this yr, and that is motherboards with all of the connectors and cables hidden across the again.
Now, be happy to dredge this text again up in a yr’s time when motherboards with the connectors on the rear are nothing however a distant reminiscence, however throughout my time seeing what’s on provide at CES 2024, it severely appears to be like like these motherboards might make it mainstream.
In the event you’re not acquainted with the idea, there are two primary households of motherboard mullet (get together within the entrance, enterprise within the again): MSI’s Again-connect and Asus’ BTF (Again-To-The-Future). Considered one of which is a quick identify which may stand an opportunity of mainstream adoption. The opposite, uh…
Neither MSI or Asus idea is especially new—each corporations confirmed off these ideas again at Computex 2023. Nonetheless, over at CES 2024 I began seeing much more of those motherboard ideas from PC builders, case producers, and PC part corporations.
Let’s begin with MSI. MSI has Again-connect boards and builds throughout its CES 2024 sales space. The three boards obtainable out the gate are:
- B650M Undertaking Zero | AM5 socket, Micro-ATX
- B760M Undertaking Zero | LGA 1700, Micro-ATX
- Z790 Undertaking Zero | LGA 1700, ATX
As for PC builds, MSI has a row of PCs all constructed with Again-connect boards. Two are of its personal design, the Undertaking Zero ATX Showcase, nevertheless it additionally has a pair builds from Maingear. Maingear is stuffing Undertaking Zero boards with both an MSI or Phanteks suitable case.
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Asus additionally had BTF merchandise over at its sales space, although in contrast to MSI it additionally affords an answer for hiding GPU energy cables fully. Paired with a BTF motherboard, a BTF GPU, just like the Strix one on the sales space, could make for one fully cable-free case—till you’re taking off the again panel, anyhow.
You’d anticipate MSI and Asus to make an enormous fuss about visibly cable-free motherboards. But heading over to Thermaltake’s sales space I additionally discovered varied hidden connector motherboard machines, together with a child blue construct to have fun the corporate’s twenty fifth Anniversary that makes use of each BTF motherboard and graphics card.
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Thermaltake has designed total instances to assist these types of motherboards.
That is the factor: you may’t use any case with hidden connector motherboards. Most will not have cutouts within the right placements to run the cables by way of. As a substitute, case producers should explicitly assist them, although it appears to be like like they’re more than pleased to oblige.
Thermaltake’s Ceres 330 TG case helps hidden connector motherboards. Admittedly it had different new instances that did not provide hidden connector cutouts, however even one specialised case design appears like tacit admission that producers are fairly eager on the thought.
And if that is not sufficient, I used to be over at PC builder Yeyian’s sales space and noticed the PC producer was planning a PC case that provided the cutouts vital for hidden connector motherboards.
There was proof throughout CES 2024 that PC gaming producers are onboard with the thought. Maybe it is a contact {of professional} self-importance—you may actually make some stunning showcase builds with these hidden connector boards. Although I can see these boards taking off with the final PC gamer. We’re useless too, , and it appears this concept may even have legs.
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PC Gamer’s CES 2024 protection is being revealed in affiliation with Asus Republic of Avid gamers.
