Motherboard SFF Threadripper motherboard petition thread

[jeshikat]

I know this topic will come up repeatedly so this thread will serve as the gathering point for Threadripper in a SFF-friendly motherboard form factor. Whether that's microATX, Mini-DTX, Mini-ITX, DTX, or really just anything smaller than ATX.

 

[VegetableStu]

Got lazy today and drew this. Come to think of it, I'd like to see if Asrock could do Threadripper on an ITX board

 

[alamilla]

Got lazy today and drew this. Come to think of it, I'd like to see if Asrock could do Threadripper on an ITX board

If they use SO-DIMM memory as suggested it's a (wishful) possibility.
They could potentially be placed on the rear of the board along with M.2 slots.

The further I learn about the X299 platform the more I become frustrated.
Reduced PCIe lanes for the lower tier SKUs, non-soldered dies, lack of ECC support, sky high prices.
I will definitely be holding out to see what Threadripper brings to the table.

 

[MarcParis]

let's hope Asrock will launch this TR4 socket mini itx board..

 

[VegetableStu]

They could only fit the single-storey flat SODIMM slot behind, but I'd think it's enough to move two of them behind (and probably the 2 m.2 slots). It's going to be a super tight build-and-hopefully-forget system, because troubleshooting the underside of the mobo might need complete removal...

I just had the thought of a second PCB layer position at roughly the height of a PCIe slot actually. Not to jinx myself, but when I get time I'll do a quick 3D mockup on what I mean

 

[Dyson Poindexter]

I believe SODIMM slots, even laying down are too tall for the back of a motherboard. There's a keep-out spec somewhere.

Why not "lift" the PCB by 2-4mm and have a low profile (shorter) PCIe slot? The rear IO should still fit, and the PCI slot bracket is the only other constraint. Then the rear could hold SODIMMs with no issues.

Routing ~1152 traces though a 8-14 layer PCB might be a bit of a challenge though!

 

[EdZ]

Why not "lift" the PCB by 2-4mm and have a low profile (shorter) PCIe slot?

PCIe cards 'bottom out' in the slots, so if you raise the board the PCIe card will also rise.

 

[VegetableStu]

I vaguely recall some STX boards doing that RAM thing though, that's my I mentioned it. I could be wrong...

 

[jeshikat]

ASRock actually didn't completely dismiss Threadripper on Mini-ITX when I asked, but they made clear that there were absolutely no plans for such a thing anytime soon.

And I got the impression that they didn't foresee there being enough demand to justify the hefty R&D before something new and better came along.

 

[Dyson Poindexter]

PCIe cards 'bottom out' in the slots, so if you raise the board the PCIe card will also rise.

Unless the PCB of the GPU hits the PCB of the motherboard, there's room. It would require a special slot component with an open bottom.

 

[|||]

And I got the impression that they didn't foresee there being enough demand to justify the hefty R&D before something new and better came along.

Does AMD not have plans to support this socket as long as AM4 (which they claim will be the supported socket out through 2020)?

 

[alamilla]

ASRock actually didn't completely dismiss Threadripper on Mini-ITX when I asked, but they made clear that there were absolutely no plans for such a thing anytime soon.

And I got the impression that they didn't foresee there being enough demand to justify the hefty R&D before something new and better came along.

 

[jeshikat]

Does AMD not have plans to support this socket as long as AM4 (which they claim will be the supported socket out through 2020)?

That's what I mean though, I got the feeling that ASRock felt by the time computing demands are enough to justify cramming even a massive CPU like Threadripper into Mini-ITX, it would be obsolete.

 

[jtd871]

I'm sure AMD will happily take money from those who don't like intel's marketing...

 

[VegetableStu]

They could only fit the single-storey flat SODIMM slot behind, but I'd think it's enough to move two of them behind (and probably the 2 m.2 slots). It's going to be a super tight build-and-hopefully-forget system, because troubleshooting the underside of the mobo might need complete removal...

I just had the thought of a second PCB layer position at roughly the height of a PCIe slot actually. Not to jinx myself, but when I get time I'll do a quick 3D mockup on what I mean

hahahahha I'll stop. looks damned ridiculous LOL

 

[|||]

Multiple boards stacked on one another have been done for a long time in servers. They usually go by the moniker of "mezzanine boards."

They do add a fair amount of complexity and signal integrity become an issue with very high frequency I/O signalling.

 

[3lfk1ng]

@VegetableStu
I made an mATX mockup of an AMD x399 board. I would love to see something like this.

 

[Phryq]

This is exactly what I've been wanting... mmmm.... probably costs way too much.

 

[SeñorDonut]

@VegetableStu
I made an mATX mockup of an AMD x399 board. I would love to see something like this.

And I made a (very shitty) ITX mockup! M.2 on the back, I guess...

 

[3lfk1ng]

haha, that's awesome. Hey @ASRock System are you hiring?