Can anybody explain to me the difference between ATX and WTX? I liked the transition from AT to ATX (much more idiot proof, which was good for me ), and was really curious if it would be similar with the transition to WTX.

And, if you're really bored, what exactly is the difference in the AT and ATX forms?

I know this is the "highly technical" forum, but I don't do that. So heres a simplified version:

WTX is simply ATX with the mobo flipped and mounted on the opposite side of the case. Only advantage that I can see is that all of the HSF on components (vid cards, etc) now point up and should therefore cool more efficiently.

The switch from AT to ATX was for a similar reason. Basically, the components were rearranged to make cooling more efficient. The location of the socket/cpu was moved so that it was underneath the power supply. AKA, it was underneath a fan.

This is very simplified and of course, AFAIK. If I have made any glaring errors or oversights, someone please correct me. (If I got everything correct feel free to mail me some cash )

That's basically right. WTX is just ATX with the motherboard mounted upside down and on the other side, so you take off the other side panel to get to everything. That means that the CPU is below the expansion cards. The theory is that since heat rises, the CPU should be placed below any potential heat producers. It sounds like a good idea, and early benchmarks have shown promise. We'll have to wait and see if there are any substantial gains.

Interesting tidbit.

Go to www.colorcases.com .

If I am not mistaken, the "Matrix" is a WTX case.

Correct me if I am wrong.

your mistaken.....its atx.

quote:Originally posted by pompadorean:
your mistaken.....its atx.

Interesting. I kinda figured it as either a WTX or precursor to WTX. In the picture all of the slots are at the top left of the back of the case and the I/O cutout is on the bottom left. When was the last time you saw an ATX case with a layout like that?

Anyway, Merry Christmas to all.

One important difference between AT and ATX was the power supply. ATX supplies the motherboard with 3.3 V supply instead of the 5 V used on AT. This is important for power supply efficiency.

AFIK your P/S needs to all the current your motherboard uses even if the voltage is such that power would be greater then would otherwise be needed. I.E. if your processor is drawing 40 A of current at 1.7 V (68 W). An ATX P/S would need to supply 40 A * 3.3V = 132 W while an AT P/S would need to supply 40 A * 5 V = 200 W

quote:Originally posted by Moridin:
One important difference between AT and ATX was the power supply. ATX supplies the motherboard with 3.3 V supply instead of the 5 V used on AT. This is important for power supply efficiency.

AFIK your P/S needs to all the current your motherboard uses even if the voltage is such that power would be greater then would otherwise be needed. I.E. if your processor is drawing 40 A of current at 1.7 V (68 W). An ATX P/S would need to supply 40 A * 3.3V = 132 W while an AT P/S would need to supply 40 A * 5 V = 200 W

I guess that explains why AMD suggests a P/S of 250 Watts or higher. I was curious about that, to tell you the truth.

quote:Originally posted by James:
Interesting. I kinda figured it as either a WTX or precursor to WTX. In the picture all of the slots are at the [b]top left of the back of the case and the I/O cutout is on the bottom left. When was the last time you saw an ATX case with a layout like that?

Anyway, Merry Christmas to all.[/B]

I have to agree with you James. If I understand from correctly what WTX means from the previous posts, then that case is a WTX case. Looking at the picture with the left side down, it show that the mobo has to be placed on that panel. Also the picture fom the back shows that the connectors for USB, PS2, ... are on the right side, where ATX has them on the left side.