Of course, PC hardware vendors have been working for a long time to make PC assembly easier. Let’s take storage as an example. The hard disk and IDE cables have been replaced with simpler SATA, but you still have to connect two cables to the motherboard and power supply. But for now, all you have to do is plug the M.2 drive directly into the motherboard. It’s easier than RAM.
The new transformation of the power supply
Similar innovations have occurred elsewhere. Take a look at Corsair’s latest power supply. The standard power supply’s cable connections are deep in the PC case, so you’ll have to put your hand deep into an obscure space. If you are a user who wants to organize cables neatly, you may think about how to connect everything to the outside.
The Corsair RMx Shift solves this problem by rotating the existing power supply 90 degrees. The size of the case has been reduced to provide additional space, which allows the power cable to easily reach the necessary components through the back of the case (the space under the motherboard). Even better, it can be mounted on any standard PC, and all the cluttered power cables are easily hidden in the back for better internal airflow.
invisible cable
As for cabling, Gigabyte has suggested a way to keep the cumbersome parts of PC assembly out of sight. Some PC cases have slightly raised shield designs, which have the advantage of not showing cable routing, but are no easier to assemble. GIGABYTE’s Project Stealth, which showed its second version at CES this year, placed all connection terminals for power connection on the back of the case.
This means that the motherboard, graphics card, fan inside the case, and USB motherboard cable are all turned upside down and connected to the back of the case. The interior space is neatly organized, and the airflow and aesthetics are improved, as well as any connection can be made to the back. There’s even a CMOS battery on the back that’s needed to hold the motherboard settings. The downside is that you have to buy all the parts at once, from the case to the motherboard and graphics card.
a growing case
What if the case itself was a little more flexible? What if you initially assembled it in a small mini-ITX configuration, but later need an ATX case to mount a high-performance graphics card? The product for such users is InWin Mod Free. The case of this radical design is skeletal and has no sides, so the internal structure can be accessed at any angle, allowing it to accommodate all the latest ATX components.
More importantly, the core case can be connected to other skeleton modules. The other skeleton modules provide ample space to add a powerful power supply, a large all-in-one cooler, or a built-in NAS. It is also possible to combine the two systems into one by assembling a separate computer on the new skeleton. The size of the core case and additional modules varies. Once you have initially sized and installed the parts, you can add exterior panels made of materials such as acrylic, tempered glass, or cool mesh.
For reference, the Corsair RMx Shift is available in capacities from 750 watts to 1,200 watts, and the GIGABYTE Project Stealth is sold as an all-in-one kit including a case, motherboard, and RTX 3070. Gigabyte products have the disadvantage that their position in the market is a little ambiguous because of the graphics card, but the product composition may change in the future. Inwin Mode Free is scheduled to be released in the second half of this year.
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