BTX

[Gamingphreek]

As everyone knows BTX formfactor is right around the corner. As of now does anyone have any sites, pics, dates or generally any information about BTX? Also what about costs when it comes out?

-Kevin

 

[Gamingphreek]

Does anyone know ANYTHING about BTX!

 

[sparkyclarky]

Intel has been having a hard time getting manufacturers on the BTX boat from what I've heard.

 

[Cerb]

BTX is new. Great idea for quiet, less dusty PCs, and cooling speedy prescotts.
But ATX works fine. So manufacturers are leary.

 

[gordanfreeman]

Originally posted by: Cerb
BTX is new. Great idea for quiet, less dusty PCs, and cooling speedy prescotts.

what i think we want to know though, is how the new factor will improve on ATX in those things. like are there diagrams of suggested setups or what? most ATX mobos are set up in generally the same fashion, ie components located in the same general location on the board. whats the plan for BTX?

 

[Mday]

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1876

 

[pennylane]

Any idea when these things will start being mainstream? I kind of want a new case and mobo... but if these things are coming out I might just get a fry's mobo deal and keep my case until BTX hits the scene.

 

[Gamingphreek]

I was wondering that too. Im not in dire need of an upgrading by any means but still how long until BTX comes out?

Also does anyone know if there will be any PCI to AGP bridge for us older legacy AGP cards. I know Nvidia is using something similiar but not a seperate part its more just built in so they dont have to redesign the Architecture.

-Kevin

 

[hifisoftware]

Something new inlcuding pic of BTX, I guess they are coming http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=2064&p=9. Hopefuly tomorow's article will have more info. Motherboard is an half of the equation. Next we will need a case for it.

BTX looks good and has a potential for being a good deal quiter (IMHO). I recently took a look inside MAC G5 and it is designed with as much sense as BTX (much berrer then ATX). This MAC had a special air chanel (all the way through the case, front to back) just to cool CPUs.

I think that it will take at least another half a year (if not a year) before we see something. Especially now that Intel is altering it's plans in order to put more emphasis on lower heat generation.

 

[azndelite6983]

http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/cas-204.html

CoolerMaster has done the right thing to make a dual format compatible case in the Stacker. If I weren't so invested in my current pc already I would grab one of these and just wait for BTX mobos and psu's to come out.

New case designs, like the lian-li v1000, take advantage of BTX ideas to improve cooling. In reality, for the standard user who buys the majority of pc's, a BTX form factor is unnecessary (unless using the p4 presshots).

Enthusiasts who build and overclock our own systems can probably find just as many ways to get the cooling we need (wc, improved heatsinks, bigger and faster fans, wire management, case mods, etc.).

I could do without the BTX cases, but I really hope PCI express doesn't take much longer.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: gordanfreeman

Originally posted by: Cerb
BTX is new. Great idea for quiet, less dusty PCs, and cooling speedy prescotts.

what i think we want to know though, is how the new factor will improve on ATX in those things. like are there diagrams of suggested setups or what? most ATX mobos are set up in generally the same fashion, ie components located in the same general location on the board. whats the plan for BTX?

I'd say look at the docs, but really, they make it look crappy, as they are basically minimum specs.

Thermal zones. Basically you have volume-based channels for each part. HDDs are left in a netherworld, but that's no different than ATX, so it will be up to case manufacturers to get right, as now.
The CPU gets a nice big zone, and the GPU (save in really small cases, where they all but share one), and then one for everything else.
In contrast, ATX basically has it to intake from the bottom, swirl air around the top, and exhaust it. Now, go to SPCR and check the ARM Stealth 3.2GHz review. ATX can be made to awesomely cool thing, but BTX should be able to make it easier with fewer fans, and use more positive pressure, where ATX has more emphasis on negative pressure.
In BTX, the CPU and GPU get cooler air. In ATX, the air they get, even with a side duct (unless you have it sealedm unlike most cases with them), you get air that's gotten heated from every component going to the CPU, and the GPU gets that hot air again, and it becomes a turbulent mess. It's not that it doesn't work, but it could be made to work better.
Look at dual and quad 1U and 2U rack servers. Basically it's taking those good designs and putting them in desktops.

ATX is not dead, and with BTX taking the same PSU connectors, we shouldn't be doing too badly early on, assuming a few makers other than Coolermaster make cases that can service both types.
Even without that, however, ATX should be strong for 2 years or so yet, even with heavy BTX adoption.

 

[gordanfreeman]

after reading some more on BTX it looks like a really good idea, however it makes me very leary of investing much more money at all in my current rig/starting a new one anytime soon. being a college student i dont have much money to spare. with BTX and PCI express both looking towards the future and being released soon, i have to wonder if i would be better off saving for 6 months to a year to invest in a better setup using all the newer tech or if i will get my money's worth to build something based on current tech.

 

[Cerb]

Dude, it's a brand new standard. You'll have a solid two years before you start even seeing BTX cases that you'll want more than nice ATX ones.
PCI-E is a case where you might want to hold off until you can buy into it, as with GbE and drive controllers, we are actually at a point where the power user could really take advantage of it.

 

[gordanfreeman]

i guess alot will depend on what kind of income i can get this summer. that, and what has happened w/ the new tech between now and then.

 

[azndelite6983]

Check the new stuff they have been showing at Computex lately.

Almost all new mobos will be supporting PCI-E and DDR2, and hopefully soon, SATA2, and the hardware is out there (PCI-E gpu's are already being produced and DDR2 is for sale right now).

As far as BTX goes, I totally agree with Cerb. Go with a good and well cooled ATX case and don't wait around for BTX. Any well-modded ATX case is easily as good or better than any BTX case that might be available in the next year or so.

Most of the stuff is worth waiting for, but any case will do.

And check this new link for a little info on BTX not working with AMD mobos
http://www.techreport.com/onearticle.x/6809

 

[gordanfreeman]

yea after reading anandtechs review today (well yesterday at this point) on some of the new BTX stuff they have seen at computex, i am really starting to doubt the usefulness of BTX and how long it will really take to be fully implemented. from the sounds of it, the possible compatibility problems w/ AMD chips it may take a bit longer to be fully accepted than i originally thought. i may end up going w/ anothe ATX setup as soon as i see where the other new tech is headed and how my money situation works out :thumbsup: