What do you guys think of this BTX form factor?
 

Looks like a step backwards to me. Riser cards and weird layouts that are manufacturer specific. I like the idea of having the cpu and chipset getting cooling right from the front of the case though. Something that should have been done with ducting LONG ago in ATX cases.

for those that have noooo fucking clue what I am talking about...

http://www.silentpcreview.com/News+a...de-thread.html

Teh technology behind this prototype is a-fucking-mazing to say the least! Just reminds me of an old 90's era desktop clone.. the one that takes 2 hours just to pop a 1meg simm in becuase everything is in your way .

this BTX standard seem to be mainly for multimedia machines though, I don't think it will take over the desktop market any time soon.

It's inevitable though. Might not be this year but it's comming. There was big talk about major form factor changes comming this year that is going to put all current hardware obselete overnight in a big way. The 755(right number?) chips are designed around the btx factor for proper cooling. I'd love to see the standard ATX style get lengthened and the cpu pushed towards the front of the case for a direct inlet and direct ducted outlet at rear. Actualy.. I could prolly do that with the case I have now. It's an Antec SOHO server case.

The new pci standard and the new north/southbridge/controler/audio chips are all one chip now to make smaller form factor boards and they want to take advantage of this for better cooling space.. but it looks to me they are just packing cards and drives in the space instead and making the case smaller. Since that case/board is prototype I am sure it will be ironed out intoa more usable setup once other manufacturers get their guys on it.

Seems like a case of if it ain't broke why fix it to me..

Yes and no... with faster cpu's comes more heat, conventional ways of cooling are getting too loud and nto effective enough. But the driving force behind all of this is the technology inside is so different.