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ASUS TUF Gaming BTF Cable-Free Gaming PC Build Up Close: Bye Bye Cable Management

btarunr

btarunr

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The ASUS TUF Gaming BTF cable-free gaming PC build on display at the 2024 International CES really looks like someone either forgot to plug in the cables, or aced at cable management. BTF is an effort to reduce or eliminate most of the visible cables in a gaming PC build, with the aim to improve aesthetics and airflow. BTF isn't some swanky new specification by Intel such as ATX 3.1, it's an ASUS-invented acronym for—we're not kidding—"back to the future." The "back" here refers to the reverse side of the motherboard's PCB, which is where all the connectors and headers actually open out, so you make your connections in the 3-inch wide crawlspace behind the motherboard tray, in an ASUS BTF compatible case. Case compatibility is a must, because the cutouts in the motherboard tray need to align with the connectors.

ASUS goes a step further from similar efforts by companies such as MSI with its Project Zero; by even making its graphics cards cable free. The motherboard has a PCIe power input on the reverse side, which is wired out to a power-delivery slot that connects to second gold finger besides the standard PCI-Express x16; which delivers up to 300 W of power. This brings back memories of EISA addon cards with that VLB extension. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The only thing sticking out in ASUS's build are the coolant tubes of the ROG Ryujin III White AIO cooler. That one can't be avoided.



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B

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I like it. Power cables etc to the back of the board is such a good idea. Twice easy to build and service basically for free.
 
bonehead123

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BArms said:
I like it. Power cables etc to the back of the board is such a good idea. Twice easy to build and service basically for free.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I like it A LOT !.....so glad to see that the back-of-the-board design movement is moving forward, unlike their boring AF, no-design-effort-whatsoever rectangular boxen, which are STILL stuck in the 70's !
 
Vya Domus

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BArms said:
Power cables etc to the back of the board is such a good idea.
Click to expand...
Baffling why this didn't become a standard years ago.
 
R

Redwoodz

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BArms said:
I like it. Power cables etc to the back of the board is such a good idea. Twice easy to build and service basically for free.
Click to expand...
What makes you think hiding the cables on the rear of the mobo will make it easier to service?
 
B

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Redwoodz said:
What makes you think hiding the cables on the rear of the mobo will make it easier to service?
Click to expand...
Not having to route power cables to the front will be nice. I dread anytime I have to unplug the CPU's aux 4pin power connectors.

I guess if someone's tower is stuck in the corner with little to no access to the back-side panel it would be harder since they'd have to unplug the tower, pull it out just to work on it. Place accordingly.
 
GreiverBlade

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wait, you mean that my PowerMac G4 Quicksilver (2001) was 22 years in advance on its time?

well ...
1657052399080.png

i hope Apple doesn't Sue MSI the heck out for it :laugh: (ok the connector has a different pin layout nonetheless :D )
 
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