BTX (computers)

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Image:Intel-logo.svg BTX (for Balanced Technology Extended) is a form factor for PC motherboards, originally slated to be the replacement for the aging ATX motherboard form factor in late 2004 and early 2005. It has been designed to alleviate some of the issues that arose from using newer technologies (which often demand more power and create more heat) on motherboards compliant with the circa-1996 ATX specification. The ATX and BTX standards were both proposed by Intel. Intel's decision to refocus on low-power CPUs, after suffering scaling and thermal issues with the Pentium 4, has added some doubt to the future of the form factor, and it has not been widely accepted by the market as of early 2006.

1 Enhancements
2 Compatibility
3 Criticisms
4 External links

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Enhancements

Low-profile - with the push for ever-smaller systems, a redesigned backplane that shaves inches off height requirements is a benefit to system integrators and enterprises who use rack mounts or blade servers.
Thermal design - the BTX layout establishes a straighter path of airflow with fewer obstacles, resulting in better overall cooling capabilities. With CPUs and graphics cards being capable of consuming nearly 100W of power each, this was viewed as an essential improvement as computing technology develops beyond 2005.
Structural design - the greater need for heat sinks, capacitors, and other components dealing with electrical and thermal regulation has resulted in devices that can physically strain some motherboards. The BTX standard addresses this issue by specifying better locations for hardware mounting points.

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Compatibility

Regular or full-sized BTX motherboards in a tower case will likely work fine with ATX power supplies, as neither the power connectors nor the direction of airflow from the power supply fan has been changed; however, this is about all that will be compatible.

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Criticisms

Unlike ATX, BTX was met with an almost unanimously hostile response from motherboard manufacturers and was often lampooned by the computing media. Many saw it as an attempt to redesign the form factor only to cool a next generation of Intel multi-hundred watt CPUs. The aberrant motherboard orientation was also met with derision.

In December of 2005, ExtremeTech listed BTX as one of ten failed tech trends of the year.

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External links

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Documentation

FormFactors.org, a website dedicated to maintaining data and tools regarding the implementation of various form factors. Note that formfactors.org is sponsored by Intel, and does not contain information about non-Intel form factors that are nevertheless quite popular, such as Mini-ITX.
Detailed AnandTech discussion of the BTX design
Hardwareanalysis.com report about the pros and cons of the BTX proposal
'Whatever happened to BTX?' at Game Tech Central

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Media Coverage

Dan's Data (a hardware review site) claims in late 2004 that, apart from "a new giant bolt-mount heat sink standard", BTX "doesn't have anything else to commend it" over existing industry standard motherboard form factors.
Anandtech's coverage of a 2004 trade show (wherein Intel was featuring BTX) includes coverage of some of the criticisms with which it was met.
ExtremeTech's December 2005 Failed Trends article.

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