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New btx cases are NOT efficent
- Thread starter LeftSide
- Start date
Yes, because the ATX-spec was originally published in a time when PI and PII systems reigned supreme.
Since that time CPUs have doubled, even tripled their heat output, so some slight modifications to the ATX spec are in order, like the way I modded my systems.
Regardless, the ATX spec doesn't explicitly specify that the PSU should be used for exhaust. It's just a recommendation. The cooling solution is totally up to the OEM/user.
ATX isn't dead yet.
look at the blue case near the bottem
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=744312
looks sweet!
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=744312
looks sweet!
It's not a matter of what people and manufacturers can come up with to revitalize ATX. It's that BTX makes many of these enhancements part of the specification itself. Take for instance the noise requirements, or the power supply efficiency requirements--things you never saw with the ATX specifications. These have been added to the BTX and CFX12V supplements as actual specifications, raising the bar for everyone, not just the individuals and companies that go the extra mile.
Noise requirements shouldn't be part of a formfactor spec. PSU requirements are already part of the ATX spec (ATX/ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide).
I've read both the ATX and BTX spec, and used the former with a number of projects, but there's nothing in the BTX spec which would make me want to 'upgrade' to BTX. Main problem I have with BTX is that it's far too restrictive in regards to placement of components and cooling solutions, mostly because of the 'thermal module'.
What? Do ALL cases follow strict ATX specs? No, not at all. there are custom intakes, outputs, etc. ATX specs say there should be ONE input, at the front bottom, and ONE output, on the back of the chasses, higher than the HSF (which is terrible cooling-wise). the PSU can be used as an exhaust and usually was. However those are NOT strictly followed because nowadays, they suck. so dont be worried about cases having "restrictive placements" because the manufacturers wont explicitly follow the standard.
If you want a real larff, try designing somthing based around an ATX board (ie a scientific instrument rather than a PC) and cram as much rubbish as possible into the surrounding box, taking care to completely exploit any dead areas (aka keepouts) for extra PCBs, bracketry and wotnot. (ie make box a small as possible so that it's compact and easily luggable)
Tweak it in Flotherm /Icepak/whatever so that you only need one 'system' fan and then squeeze in even more stuff into the area you've just freed up.
Test it, just to be sure.
Invest huge amounts of money in tooling, make and release onto the market.
Now introduce the BTX spec and watch the system designers and mechanical engineers have a fit...
With how much proprietary stuff they've got in the BTX spec, I wouldn't be suprised if they come up with some stupid sized 111mm fans to cool it all
The furnace analogy also makes perfect sense to me. With a furnace, the goal is to get as much heat out of the furnace and into the house, the more heat buildup you have the less the house is heated. The same with computers, except there's no house to heat.
The furnace analogy also makes perfect sense to me. With a furnace, the goal is to get as much heat out of the furnace and into the house, the more heat buildup you have the less the house is heated. The same with computers, except there's no house to heat.
Yeah what proprietary stuff? It's not proprietary, it's already a recognized Form Factor, thus it can't be proprietary unless it deviates from the BTX Form Factor. (Warning PDF document.)Originally posted by drewb99
With how much proprietary stuff they've got in the BTX spec, I wouldn't be surprised if they come up with some stupid sized 111mm fans to cool it all
Proprietary: 'of, relating to, or characteristic of an owner or ownership'.
I think he probably meant 'restrictive', rather than 'proprietary'. It's a common mistake
On a more serious note, if you compare the ATX and BTX specs you'll see the reason for his post. Pretty much everything is defined in the BTX spec, except for the color of the PCB, whereas the ATX spec basically just specifies the location of the PCI-slots, back I/O, and the maximum height of components and the clearance between the board and the case in addition to the position of the mounting holes.
Originally posted by Elledan
Proprietary: 'of, relating to, or characteristic of an owner or ownership'.
I think he probably meant 'restrictive', rather than 'proprietary'. It's a common mistake
On a more serious note, if you compare the ATX and BTX specs you'll see the reason for his post. Pretty much everything is defined in the BTX spec, except for the color of the PCB, whereas the ATX spec basically just specifies the location of the PCI-slots, back I/O, and the maximum height of components and the clearance between the board and the case in addition to the position of the mounting holes.
I don't like BTX because if I have one sitting next to my ATX case, they'll just be blowing hot air into eachother.