In Pictures: AMD's new DTX Form Factor

AMD's new form factor aims to make it easier for enthusiasts and system builders to create small-form-factor systems. Here's a look inside the reference design.

By Eric Dahl, PCWorld

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Introducing DTX

DTX is AMD's attempt to bring standardization to the world of small form-factor PCs. It's designed for small, quiet machines that use low-power processors. The vertical design allows the system to hide behind an LCD monitor, if necessary.

Reference PC

This AMD reference system is built around a 45-watt Athlon 64 X2 BE-2350 processor, a motherboard with an AMD 690G chip set, 1GB of DDR2 memory, and a 250-watt power supply. The vent visible on panel of the case aligns with the CPU fan to allow it to pull in cool air. According to AMD, a similar vent can be placed over the power supply fan.

Inside DTX

DTX motherboards use the same mounting hole locations as the ATX motherboards you find in most PCs, which means that DTX boards can fit in existing ATX cases. This reference system uses the basic DTX design, but there's also a Mini-DTX spec for a smaller (170mm by 200mm) motherboards.

Rear-Panel

AMD's DTX system uses integrated graphics. DTX boards include space for two expansion slots; in this case, low-profile PCI Express and PCI slots.

CPU Cooling

DTX motherboards use the same power connectors and fan mountings as ATX systems, as well, so standard cooling setups will work in DTX systems.

Storage

It's a tight fit, but the reference system manages to pack in a standard 3.5-inch hard drive--no pricey notebook drives, here.

Optical Drive

There's room for an optical drive as well, situated above the system's front-mounted USB and sound ports, as well as a flash memory card reader.

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