BTX Format: Wait? Or Forget It?

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LT4CAMSS

Member
Jan 7, 2004
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First and foremost, Merry Christmas and may God Bless you all.

I'm sure this question overlaps w/ several of the sub-forums but I think this is the most proper place for it.

From what I read, it looks like Intel is looking to switch to a BTX form factor. This basically means that we (the Intel buyers that is) are going to be forced to buying a new case + PSU. Now I'm curious, when are we going to see this happening? I'm definitely planning on building myself a whole new setup in the near future w/ an aim of buying relatively upper-end parts. Is it worth waiting for this change? Is this change inevitable in all computers? I wouldn't want to buy a nice, new (expensive :| ) ATX case only to have to change in the near future anyway.

I would appreciate any replies and words of wisdom. May you all enjoy these days of celebration.


Don
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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If you're worried about BTX compatibility, you can at least make sure your case is future-proof (for what that's worth :p)--the Cooler Master CM Stacker can be converted from ATX to BTX style. I don't know about PSUs, though.

Like the others below, though, I'd say forget about it for a few years.
 
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mrgoblin

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2003
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Why are you worrying about BTX about 2 months after the first prototypes have been released and neither company have included btx in their roadmap? If u wait 4 years between purchases than a case isnt your problem.
 
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LT4CAMSS

Member
Jan 7, 2004
122
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Hmm, I was under the impression that gateway was already beginning to use this form factor in select cases (???). Maybe I was mislead. All the talk makes it seem like this is something that'll be happening sooner rather than later but no estimates are even given. My post was moreso to see when this will be happening rather than whether or not it's good like the other posts were about. Ts3433's suggestion seems good though. Thanks, you all answered the question.


God Bless,

Don
 
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onesNzeros

Member
Dec 5, 2004
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Yes, Gateway's 7200-series is BTX. Unfortunately it's the only system I've found so far that is. I struggled with the same question when I was starting to look for a new computer and since I couldn't find any parts to even build my own, I said screw it built an ATX system instead. I guess a lot of it comes down to how much of a hurry you're in.

http://products.gateway.com/pr...em_id=7200s&seg=hm
 
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w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
5,545
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Originally posted by: onesNzeros
Yes, Gateway's 7200-series is BTX. Unfortunately it's the only system I've found so far that is. I struggled with the same question when I was starting to look for a new computer and since I couldn't find any parts to even build my own, I said screw it built an ATX system instead. I guess a lot of it comes down to how much of a hurry you're in.

http://products.gateway.com/pr...em_id=7200s&seg=hm
Click to expand...


yes but it wont be any benfit to AMD so they are still gonna make ATX. anyways AMD is going to be on top for awile since the A64 and the new dual core coming next year.
 
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wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
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The BTX standard will also go through revisions, so it wouldn't be wise to get BTX this early in the game.

I still remember the ATX 1.0 spec which came out during the days of the Pentium Pro, which tried to do away with the CPU fan-- It called for using a side-mounted PSU fan to suck air past the CPU heatsink fins before it is exhausted out the back of the PSU. Problem was, this scheme does NOT work at all when real hot systems hit the market, like the Klamath-core P2s.

If (and that's a big if) BTX does become the de-facto form factor standard a couple years from now and it has been established to work with real-life systems, then it would be a good time to jump on the bandwagon.

Tried-and-true ATX meanwhile is the way to go, at least for the next year.
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
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Originally posted by: ts3433
If you're worried about BTX compatibility, you can at least make sure your case is future-proof (for what that's worth :p)--the Cooler Master CM Stacker can be converted from ATX to BTX style. I don't know about PSUs, though.

Like the others below, though, I'd say forget about it for a few years.
Click to expand...


The PSU will almost remain the same, If you buy a Standard EPS 24pin it will remain compatable with ATX and BTX. Since most new motherboards require or support EPS24 it should not be a problem.
 
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stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
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BTX repositions things on the motherboard, and sits on the opposite side of the case, theoreticly improving airflow to the places that need it most, to help keep those crazy power hungry prescotts running cooler. Don't see any reason to switch to it now, and standard ATX things will be arround plenty long enough not to even worry about it for now. It will likely be several years before ATX becomes less mainstream.
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,666
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Wow, if you wanted to wait for BTX you would be waiting for a really long time. The transition to BTX is going to be very slow, and that's if the market accepts it. The ATX was made for the ever growing power requirements "back in the day", and it was quickly adapted. The BTX however seems just something from Intel to keep their Prescott's cool, but im sure their marketing will just make it look like BTX is the next best thing and you'll need it for the new 4.0 GHz CPU's.

It's hard to say if BTX will ever fully get liquidized into the market. It depends on if Intel wants to stay on their current route. Faster clock speeds and longer pipelines or adapt their Pentium-M technology on the desk top platform.
 
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