amd on btx

[her34]

i've read about btx being a problem for amd because of uneven paths from cpu to memory. couldn't this be solved by just switching the position of cpu with northbridge, and calling it btx1.01? would there be a problem with having northbridge in front, cpu middle, southbridge back?

or if current design is used, what if the wiring between ram and cpu were increased to match the longest distance (closer side of ram would zig zag to reach cpu)

are there other possibilities?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: her34
i've read about btx being a problem for amd because of uneven paths from cpu to memory. couldn't this be solved by just switching the position of cpu with northbridge, and calling it btx1.01? would there be a problem with having northbridge in front, cpu middle, southbridge back?

Well, this would up the length/complexity of the traces between the northbridge and southbridge considerably. It also screws up the cooling and component placement somewhat (although maybe this can be dealt with).

or if current design is used, what if the wiring between ram and cpu were increased to match the longest distance (closer side of ram would zig zag to reach cpu)

They already do this on every board; I think the concern is that they would have to run at lower memory speeds (like DDR333) to make it work stably given current MB layout designs. More cynical folks believe Intel designed it this way on purpose to make it hard for AMD (but that seems pretty dumb to me; what if they go to an integrated memory controller at some point?)

 

[kpb]

I'm sure it's possible and that someone will figure out a way to do it but it might be a while. The biggest thing that btx does is optimize airflow for better cooling of components. Since intel's high end cpus produce more heat and from the looks of things are going to just keep going higher this is much more appealing to them. Additionally this is still bigger in the OEM market where intel is also stronger. Overall it's easier for intel to impliement and there's more reasons for them to which is why your seeing it there but not on amd'd side.

As far as switching the north bridge and cpu goes I don't know how well that would work. Keep in mind the btx specification places the cpu at that exact location so that the heatsink/fan/duct assembly can be mounted there. Moving the cpu would either require moving all these components which would mean at the very least a different designed duct or not having it on the cpu which would negate some of the cooling advantages. Also if you look at http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=2276&p=6 you'll see the area above the north bridge and south bridge are defined as cooling area's for the GPU's heat sink which would majorly limit the size and performance of the heatsink on the cpu.

All in all what will probably happen is they will just slide the memory slots as far forward as they can and they will be as close to the cooling module mounting as possible.

 

[SagaLore]

Why doesn't AMD just create an ATX2 specification and compete.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Why doesn't AMD just create an ATX2 specification and compete.

haha

i think the only reason intel has a BTX solution is because they realize that theyre new CPUs are going to have temperatures like those found in Death Valley

 

[TheStu]

AMD can't create an ATX2 spec and compete... there are too few major OEMS that make Desktop AMD systems and how would you like as the enthusiast building their own comp to have to choose between 3 different main specs each with about 3 sub-specs (micro, flex, full, and ehatever else they can think of....) Not to mention case designs.... BTX requires the case layout to be so different as to not allow ATX at all (at least what I've seen of it) which you would then have that to deal with as well...

 

[natto fire]

I think that I will just ignore that BTX exists and keep using AMD.

 

[Burbot]

AMD on BTX? You must be a fan of solutions that are looking for problems.

 

[cirthix]

Originally posted by: Captain_Howdy
I think that I will just ignore that BTX exists and keep using AMD.

me too