No More Cables* (Sort Of): MSI Motherboards Moving Cables to the Back

This video shows MSI's B650M Project Zero motherboard, which aims to move the motherboard cables to the back of the board. It's not technically a 'form factor' yet, but it is something that ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte are all working toward. The only purpose is for reducing cable clutter -- there's no functional (as in, power) advantage to doing this, so the biggest challenge is getting enough consumers to care as there's no real support for cases right now.



TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - MSI at Computex
01:18 - The Cable-Free* Motherboard
03:33 - New Cases

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Host, Reporting: Steve Burke
Video: Vitalii Makhnovets, Mike Gaglione

[Zanpaa]

It's pretty crazy that MSI doesn't make a case compatible with their own motherboard. That would be the only way to make it viable.

[Joel-stuw]

Ever since case vendors have been adding cable management space behind the motherboard, I've been flustered that this hasn't taken off earlier. I really want this to become a thing.

[Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

With the back connection motherboard, one possible solution is for them to make a connection mat that fixes behind the board and takes all connections to one point or lead that could go into the power supply area.

[EldenLord.]

The thing is you would not only need a case with special cut-outs in the back for this motherboard but also a case with a lot of headroom for the thick power cables.

[AETRD]

I am incredibly interested in these boards with the plugs on the rear, I would totally buy a board like this purely for the cable management benefits! but I need a range of suitable cases to go with it!

[IngwiePhoenix]

Connectors on th e backside makes me think of a two-chamber design with the PSU and an SSD or two stuck in the other chamber - basically the least heat-producing components, whilst the other side is free of obscuring cables. I like this idea a lot. Add some daisychain fans and this would be one heck of a neat build!

[TheSnowwraith]

If they are looking to break ground into a new standard then perhaps look to having all the connectors being fed into a single mini breakout board that can be connected via a large (and flexible) ribbon cable to be able to route it around the various case designs. Much like a fan or LED controller has a breakout board that can be routed to the back and easily maintained.

[Talliebird]

I really would like to see more motherboards with cabling to the back. I think it makes a lot of sense in a lot of different ways.

[thecaneater]

I don't know, man. Moving all the cables to the back just for some minor aesthetics and cable-airflow reasons, don't seem to outweigh the MASSIVE headache of cable management and compatibility issues. Like, 5% of the market cares about what a case looks like on their desk. The rest of us just want to get it done and leave it to the side.

[HoodedMushroom]

This is actually a pretty nice idea, hopefully this will take off to become a standard.

[ruthlessadmin]

Rear connectors is a cool idea. If it sticks before my next build, I'd definitely go w/ this layout.

[brunogianello]

I like the inverted cable design, would be amazing for those modular case designs where you can move the PSU to the back and move the motherboard hack centered in the case, combined with vertical GPU mount. Also for those minimalist super custom computer building designs, like wall, table, drawer, etc.

[JacobAndrsn]

i can't keep up with all these uploads holy shit

[isidisi]

Very interested in this new "standard", I hope the good case manufacturers like Fractal Design makes cases for it.

[aBoogivogi]

This "0 cables" board would be fine if we had one form factor and that's it. It will however by a problem if you need to support everything from m-ATX to e-ATX. Suddenly you need a ton of cut-outs in the motherboard tray and if you have no standard layout for the connectors your cut out's will need to be pretty extensive.

[kennwan]

Dude the content you bring, the knowledge you have. The career you've built for yourself here. Really is top notch.

Good luck on 2 mil subs my man, almost there.

[ethanaderemi]

I actually think the project zero motherboard is beautiful, and love the concept of moving the cabling to the back. But without support, it's hard to see where it goes.

[jacquesmertens]

Sure it's nice to have cables out of the way, but you already have a CPU cooler, RAM and a video card on the front side, therefore you might as well have your cables on that side as well.
Moving the cables to the back side means you need a larger case because you have components or cables sticking out from both sides instead of just one.

[Demorthus]

Out of everything. The practical & useful features were what stood out the most. Additional cooling in spots that otherwise are trapped & a modular design to a case in including the horizonal/vertical switch & retaining that functionality, if I'm not mistaken (of additional fans.)

[knobblyknob]

I don't think I like the cable-less look, some properly managed and thought out cable routing and management can really add a lot to the finished look of a build. I can imagine the absolute rats nest that will end up at the back of the board.