ATX Form Factor. How much longer before it's replaced?

[aircooled]

What do you think will replace ATX as the industry standard for building computers? (and how much longer does ATX has in the marketplace?)

 

[ProviaFan]

BTX will probably replace ATX eventually, because Intel is pushing it (well, maybe not... look at what happened with WTX). However, it will quite likely be at least three or four years before you won't be able to buy a new ATX motherboard at a major computer parts supplier.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: jliechty
BTX will probably replace ATX eventually, because Intel is pushing it (well, maybe not... look at what happened with WTX). However, it will quite likely be at least three or four years before you won't be able to buy a new ATX motherboard at a major computer parts supplier.

I'll help prove your point by saying: "WTX? Huh?"

 

[mbackof]

I think ATX will continue to be around for a while. We might see PS2 connectors go away in motherboards over the next few years and give was to USB completely. But I think as manufacturers put more and more features on the motherboards the Micro-ATX will become evan more prevalent in the home market. I don't see ATX going anywhere in the office computer environment for many years. There may be a new standard agreed upon by the small form factor/ home theater box manufacturers in a few years, but I see them using proprietary solutions and micro-ATX for the near future. As the magic 8-ball says, "Your future is uncertain."

 

[aircooled]

I hope the SFF standards get hammered out soon.
I own a shuttle XPC and would love for other manufacturers to build mobo's for future upgrades. there is now a handfull of companies besides shuttle with SFF computers (Soltek, Biostar). But I imagine they all have prioprietary components.

 

[Valkyre]

Well how long was the AT form factor around for? Would that not give a clue?

 

[SithSolo1]

You think we'll see BTX by next July?

I'm gonna upgrade then.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
You think we'll see BTX by next July?

I'm gonna upgrade then.

new case, new psu, new mobo, new cpu = big $$$ but that's ok for some I guess

 

[Goose77]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
You think we'll see BTX by next July?

I'm gonna upgrade then.

new case, new psu, new mobo, new cpu = big $$$ but that's ok for some I guess

If i remember correctly, i dont think you have to upgrade the case, just mobo and psu. But most people are gonna be doing that anyway for the new AMD 64s, so dont really matter

 

[SithSolo1]

Not that much of a biggie for me as I need a new psu, mobo, ram, proc, video card, HDs, sound card, possibly a case anyway.

Bare minimum I need a new proc, mobo, and ram.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: jliechty
BTX will probably replace ATX eventually, because Intel is pushing it (well, maybe not... look at what happened with WTX). However, it will quite likely be at least three or four years before you won't be able to buy a new ATX motherboard at a major computer parts supplier.

I thought WTX was meant for server-type computers? If it was servers, Intel doesn't have as much of a marketshare of it compared to the desktop market... which is where BTX is targeted to.

 

[Vegito]

you do not need a new PSU, BTX is more of an orientation change and plus to introduce pci-express cards.. the spec calls for the CPU to be moved to the front for better cooling. if you're getting a p5-5ghz next year, they might come out of btx mobo first and the cases, etc. This is only if intel makes a chip that it can't cool

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble

Originally posted by: jliechty
BTX will probably replace ATX eventually, because Intel is pushing it (well, maybe not... look at what happened with WTX). However, it will quite likely be at least three or four years before you won't be able to buy a new ATX motherboard at a major computer parts supplier.

I thought WTX was meant for server-type computers? If it was servers, Intel doesn't have as much of a marketshare of it compared to the desktop market... which is where BTX is targeted to.

WTX is a workstation formfactor (if I remember the acronym for the name correctly), but as far as I know, it was only used on a few original Itanium systems, and a few other rare boards. These days, it is much more common to find server and workstation class boards in the Extended-ATX formfactor.

 

[alexruiz]

Originally posted by: forcesho
you do not need a new PSU, BTX is more of an orientation change and plus to introduce pci-express cards..

You don't need BTX in order to get PCI express....

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: aircooled
What do you think will replace ATX as the industry standard for building computers? (and how much longer does ATX has in the marketplace?)

2-3 years. once pci express gets rolling, things will change.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: alexruiz

Originally posted by: forcesho
you do not need a new PSU, BTX is more of an orientation change and plus to introduce pci-express cards..

You don't need BTX in order to get PCI express....

No, but just about every BTX board will have PCI Express.

 

[bluemax]

I just love the fact they have three BTX flavours... normal, micro and PICO BTX!

This is awesome for the SFF community, and the fact we'll all see more compact, better designed motherboards/cases because microBTX should be quite popular.

 

[Vegito]

You don't need BTX in order to get PCI express....

No, but just about every BTX board will have PCI Express.

What ever the process is, I rather have BTX and hopefully get rid of these cables, SATA goes main stream at the same time ? ie sata cdroms, etc.

 

[Regs]

I just bought a ATX coolermaster and PSU man! Don't rush .

Anybody have any pics or blue prints of this BTX layout?

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: Regs

Anybody have any pics or blue prints of this BTX layout?

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.html?i=1830&p=8

The main difference from BTX and ATX is the fact that the video card and the CPU (the 2 more heat producing items in a computer) get seperated. The video card seems to be near where the exhaust fans go and the CPU goes straight to the bottom, where the intake fans (with cool air) go.

If more powerful and higher heat dissipating processors require BTX format over ATX, then it could come far sooner than you think. It all depends if OEMs adopt it. But judging by the fact that BTX has a significant cooling advantage over ATX, I doubt OEMs will be looking the other way for long. There will be an overlap period, like ATX with AT, of a 1-3 years.

And FYI, BTX will not be compatible with ATX cases (unless you do some modding, of course).

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: jliechty
BTX will probably replace ATX eventually, because Intel is pushing it (well, maybe not... look at what happened with WTX). However, it will quite likely be at least three or four years before you won't be able to buy a new ATX motherboard at a major computer parts supplier.

I'll help prove your point by saying: "WTX? Huh?"

I too would like to know more about this seeming ill-fated form factor. New (and sometimes dead) stuff is always interesting.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
I too would like to know more about this seeming ill-fated form factor. New (and sometimes dead) stuff is always interesting.

• An older overview of the WTX specification and the benefits it provides
• The official specification [PDF link] for WTX systems
• An AnandTech review of a WTX case that is still available today (though hard to find, not to mention that you'll be stuck using ATX motherboards with it since no WTX boards are available to the average person)