Since we will have a representative at CES, I figured now would be a good time to show motherboard manufacturers that there's support within the SFF community to finally make Mini-DTX a thing!
What is Mini-DTX?
More those you aren't aware, Mini-DTX is basically Mini-ITX but extended downward a bit to make room for a second expansion slot. Here's an example of an existing board:
So they exist, but the problem is that they're currently used as ultra budget "microATX" boards with just x1 for the additional slot
Here's a mockup of a Mini-DTX Z270 Strix:
Looks sweet doesn't it?
Why should I want it?
A Mini-DTX boards with dual x16 (though it'd be running x8/x8 electrically on mainstream Intel) allows the possibility of dual single-slot video cards in a regular ITX case! EK even makes a single-slot terminal now to make watercooling on Mini-DTX easier: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc-terminal-dual-parallel-1-slot-acetal
For a less extreme use case, it'd allow for a single-slot card in the upper slot (NIC, PCIe SSD, sound card, custom interface card, etc.) with a normal dual-slot video card in the bottom slot in 3-slot cases like the NCASE M1.
Really, what it allows is possibilities, like microATX does, but within basically the ITX case form factor.
What about cases?
That's the beauty of it, Mini-DTX doesn't require cases to be custom-designed for it, it can be dropped into any existing dual-slot Mini-ITX case! The most flexible use of the slots would be with a 3-slot case but it's not strictly required.
The official dimensions are 203mm x 170mm (HxW) and that would be too tall for dual-slot ITX cases. But motherboard manufacturers are already aware of this though, as seen in the ASRock H91M-XT Plus pictured above. So the "Mini-DTX" boards released would be a bit shorter, at 190-195mm tall.
So please chime in if you also would like to see enthusiast (dual x16 slots) Mini-DTX motherboards!
What is Mini-DTX?
More those you aren't aware, Mini-DTX is basically Mini-ITX but extended downward a bit to make room for a second expansion slot. Here's an example of an existing board:
So they exist, but the problem is that they're currently used as ultra budget "microATX" boards with just x1 for the additional slot
Here's a mockup of a Mini-DTX Z270 Strix:
Looks sweet doesn't it?
Why should I want it?
A Mini-DTX boards with dual x16 (though it'd be running x8/x8 electrically on mainstream Intel) allows the possibility of dual single-slot video cards in a regular ITX case! EK even makes a single-slot terminal now to make watercooling on Mini-DTX easier: https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc-terminal-dual-parallel-1-slot-acetal
For a less extreme use case, it'd allow for a single-slot card in the upper slot (NIC, PCIe SSD, sound card, custom interface card, etc.) with a normal dual-slot video card in the bottom slot in 3-slot cases like the NCASE M1.
Really, what it allows is possibilities, like microATX does, but within basically the ITX case form factor.
What about cases?
That's the beauty of it, Mini-DTX doesn't require cases to be custom-designed for it, it can be dropped into any existing dual-slot Mini-ITX case! The most flexible use of the slots would be with a 3-slot case but it's not strictly required.
The official dimensions are 203mm x 170mm (HxW) and that would be too tall for dual-slot ITX cases. But motherboard manufacturers are already aware of this though, as seen in the ASRock H91M-XT Plus pictured above. So the "Mini-DTX" boards released would be a bit shorter, at 190-195mm tall.
So please chime in if you also would like to see enthusiast (dual x16 slots) Mini-DTX motherboards!
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