ASRock Wants the Best Mobo Ideas in the World

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An AM3+ board that will let me use my 955 till I upgrade to Bulldozer, 4 PCI-E slots with spacing like the X58 Deluxe3 to support 4-way crossfire, Solid State Capacitors, Extreme Overclocking Ability, Hardware RAID Controller, and Good Hardware Accelerated Onboard Sound. That's all 😀
 
[citation][nom]hotsacoman[/nom]I'd like to see an option to make a bootable recovery partition on one's hard drive, such as the one's they have on many manufacturer's drives (HP, Dell, etc) without having to resort to a third-party imaging program.[/citation]
This really doesn't have much to do with the motherboard...
 
A quick boot os with stress test capabilities or a mini screen and bios that would show the results of a stress test so you don't need a GPU installed, wired and wireless network, minumum of 8 sata ports, and slightly more spacing between memory slots for better cooling. I lost a few stick on an old Asus board becasue of overheating. Ended up only being able to run 1 stick by the end of it.
 
Latest technology:
Sata6, USB3, Wifi, dual lan, etc. And have little/no legacy support. It takes up too much room and often comprimises other more useful features (such as additional USB ports) So no Parallel, Ps2, IDE, etc
Innovative features:
1. Line up all power connections on one side
2. External switch on case (or even screen?) to change bios configurations (read clock speed).
3. Built in media OS to instantly boot up to watch movies
4. Use the bios to handle the bootloading sequence, so grub or similar program is not needed
 
The HDMI has to be v1.4 with full HDCP compliance to support digital audio out.

Then state it right on the box. Too many times vendors state that a MOBO has HDMI out and only later do you realize that it does not support HDCP or is v1.1.
 
Have a board that is MADE more for cases in which the PSU is on the bottom so that the user doesn't have to snake the various power cables up the entire chassis. Of course, flipping the case internally would resolve that (in which the board itself is upside down).

Move jumper block closer to middle (so to not make it harder to reach some cables) and have then in a single row. Whats left: POW / POW LITE / HD LITE / RESET
 
I would like to see a radical overhaul of the design of Motherboards leading to a modular design.

A motherboard would be little more than a backplane consisting of slots for CPU/Memory Daughterboards, Southbridge and Additional Feature Daughterboards, Expansion slots. There would be few if any components other than Daughterboard/Expansion slots and power connecters on this board.

The CPU/Memory Daughterboard would perhaps consist of memory slots on one side, cpu socket on the other side, and suitable power connection. The daughter board would have all appropriate Power circuitry to support the CPU and memory and would insert into the motherboard in a manner similar to the old Intel Slot one CPU's. Removing rear mounted connectors on an ATX and M-ATX Board would allow room for two or more such daughter boards to be installed on a single ATX/M-ATX Mainboard. The daughterboards would have sufficient pin connections to support CPU to CPU comms, enhancements to next generation CPU's and memory and interfacing to other slots.

Removal of Southbridge and the majority custom chips from the Mainboard along with all feature connectors (SATA/eSATA/USB/Audio/Video etc) from the Mainboard and transfered to a daughter board similar to an Expansion card with pin connections to allow the majority of connections to be located anywhere on a case, internally or externally rear/front/top or sides as needed. BIOS may located here or on a separate daughterboard. This would potentially allow for internal connectors to be positioned anywhere in the case, rather than being fixed in inconvenient positions on the motherboard or expansion slots.

The Mainboard may then accomodate the prevelant Expansion Slots, perhaps with changes in layout being able to accomodate 1 or 2 extra slots. Such a change of arrangement might also permit the isolation of the CPU/Memory daughter boards to provide more effective cooling with a front to rear fan driven windtunnel isolated from drives and other components.

The benefits of this change of arrangement means that it is possible to purchase one of a small selection of simple layout mainboard/backplane (single/multi CPU, alternate feature slot arrangements) and equip/upgrade it with a appropriate CPU/Memory Daughterboards for the current generation or the next generation of CPU using a suitable daughterboard, and similarly equip/upgrade the feature daughterboard and BIOS from a range offering features appropriate to the CPU and ranging from basic/budget to high-end/workstation/server.

The mainboards and daughterboards may be designed and shaped to fit a variety of cases, perhaps also providing low-profile alternatives.

I would also like to see changes to the design of the PSU, perhaps reducing the height and increasing the depth, and positioning the sockets for powerleads on the underside nearest the motherboard.
 
A motherboard with:
- the power connections closer to the PSU to reduce cable clutter.
- Sata connectors near the hard drives and disc drives (same reason as above)
- fanless operation
- two PCI-Express 2.0/2.1 slot spaced out generously (most users will never need more than 2 slots and the space will reduce clutter and heating issues)
- quality integrated sound and lan
 
I think a very nice feature would be a small capacitor/battery that is built onto the board (or provided, but takes a drive bay), that would act as a small back up power source for the computer during a 10-20 second power blip. Basically, anything that will save the computer from very small power blips, potentially saving unsaved work from being lost, while not requiring a $80+ UPS to be bought.

This is an extension of the idea, maybe having flash memory on the board, that can be dumped to if the power goes out, and used to boot too after power has been restored. On that note, how about a user upgradable module of flash memory that can be used to hibernate to and from very quickly. It would become useless once SDD are very mainstream, but should still be useful for many years.
 
I would like to see a tri SLI/CFX X16, an SSD for the OS, the sata cables all to one area to make it cleaner and easier, wireless g capabilities, bluetooth, and if it has a bigger heatsink a fan for that. Otherwise you guys are doing great
 
Lets put all the the power connectors on the bottom of the board to make more room for fat fingers, etc. on the top! On most cases, both sides can be removed. Main power is only infrequently accessed - EXCEPT TO REMOVE POWER CABLES SO YOU CAN MESS WITH MEMORY, JUMPERS, OR SOMETHING ELSE. I imagine a motherboard connector on the bottom with a 90-degree offset for the power cables so they can lay flat against the bottom of the board close to the edge.

Also, isn't it about time to start building CPU and other fan power right into the Motherboard and case mounts for these things? Yes, this would be proprietary at first, but the fan vendors would come along quickly, since they would save miles and miles of wire -- 6 inches at a time.
 
- I was thinking of a cooling system where you could reach the other side of the socket, the back side with a liquid or small metal heat sink and tube.

- Also a video card support structure or brace for these heavy, floppy cards.

- Also a led light control panel built in with onboard temp display and knob. Better light effects that come standard.

- A key for security, like a gun firing pin.

- A method for attaching plastic handles to remove the mobo from the case/sit it in (probably already exists but I'm new).

- Built in fans for the NB/SB.






 
Put the SATA near the top for the drives, include a 90 degree Adapter for those who can fit it in. More 'lights' for status, , and more fan 'plugs' would be great. Im tired of having to spend extra for those extra spots or attatching directly to the PSU. For the Intel builds make sure all the heatsinks will work (775, 1366, ect) without having to get a heatsink that will do it for you. Maybe adjustable clips, or idk, just sometihng that will allow you to use any current CPU heatsink on your Mobo. Have a passive heatsink for the bridges on the lower end mobos, and an active heatsink for the high end mobos in one line... Most people who are spending just a little don't overclock and thus there is less heat production from the mobo. Those who spend more uasually want to OC and so there is more heat production... Be able to build your own-sorta like a computer from dell. For those who know what they are doing, it would be great to be able to select where things go (In a certian limit), and how much of what we want (Within a limit).

Make ones that have an atractive color too!! :lol:
 
OK, time for a field day. Warning, this is with an enthusiast in mind (but not overboard $10K computer budget enthusiast)

1) 4/8pin CPU power - place it somewhere my cables will reach without buying a case with cable-management holes above the spot EVERYONE puts it (annoying!)

2) RAM sticks - move away from CPU a tad to ensure clearence of 'top performing' air coolers. We all read the reviews and know which models those are...shouldn't be too hard.

3) As others have mentioned, junk all the legacy interfaces/chips/etc. IDE, firewire, serial, PS2, floppy.

4) I don't need 4xGPUs in my system - at best, I'll get 2 cards with dual GPUs on them. Design PCIE spacing around this... the two full bandwidth PCIE sockets should be spaced far enough apart for 3-slot solutions (GPU+cooler). The rest of the PCIE sockets can be bunched together towards the bottom as those will be the low impact cards (sound/USB/etc...)

5) built in wi-fi, n-spec (bonus points if you somehow make this modular allowing to improve the wi-fi spec without replacing the mobo - something like Auzentech does with their pre-amps on their sound-cards)

6) built in bluetooth (and give it some power!)

7) internal USB headers - not the pin configuration but legit plugs so I don't have to route my media card cable out back of the computer

8) Dual BIOS and a bios reset button - no more jumpers!!!

9) on-board power/reset buttons

10) quick-plug for the case interface (power/reset/HDD activity, etc). Something with loose ends on one end to connect to the case wires and a solid single connection on the other. I'm very tired of pulling these tiny one-pin connectors in&out.

11) 90 degree plugs for both ATX power and SATA, plus move one or two of the SATA connectors up for optical drives.

12) while we are on it, SATA 6 (at least 8 ports!) / USB 3 /PCI-E 3.0. Also, LightPeak (assuming its finalized prior to manufacture of this dream-board, and in that case, scrap the 3 I mentioned and just have the light-peak)

13) strip out all onboard audio AND integrated video. I want quality boards for both of these functions and this usually means that each costs more then the mobo itself. As I don't think people will appreciate paying $600 for a board, regardless of the amazing graphics/audio on it, take it out altogether. I dont need/appreciate the driver conflicts

14) Must admit I'm stealing this one, but its a good idea... put some LEDs into all the interface ports so I can tinker around in less then ideal lighting.

15) NO HYDRA LUCID CHIP. I do not want to pay the extra cost for something no enthusiast will ever use. And while we are at it, being an AMD fan, you can scrap the SLI support as well, crossfire is just fine 😛 (feel free to ignore the last one - I realize that's a thorny issue)

16) BIOS interface that looks/functions like it was designed during this century

17) This combines with point 8 really, but bring back 'turbo' boost button. Now what I mean by this is, a button that switches which BIOS is currently being used (if possible, in real time). This way we can have an 'overclocked' bios and a vanilla one to create the old-school turbo mode (like my 386 that went from 33MHz to 66... though I realize that in that case, 33 was actually throttling the CPU)

18) Give this board to me for free

I think that just about covers it. Just kidding about point 18, naturally...


"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
 
Put the SATA near the top for the drives, include a 90 degree Adapter for those who can fit it in. More 'lights' for status, , and more fan 'plugs' would be great. Im tired of having to spend extra for those extra spots or attatching directly to the PSU. For the Intel builds make sure all the heatsinks will work (775, 1366, ect) without having to get a heatsink that will do it for you. Maybe adjustable clips, or idk, just sometihng that will allow you to use any current CPU heatsink on your Mobo. Have a passive heatsink for the bridges on the lower end mobos, and an active heatsink for the high end mobos in one line... Most people who are spending just a little don't overclock and thus there is less heat production from the mobo. Those who spend more uasually want to OC and so there is more heat production... Be able to build your own-sorta like a computer from dell. For those who know what they are doing, it would be great to be able to select where things go (In a certian limit), and how much of what we want (Within a limit).

Make ones that have an atractive color too!! :lol:
 
Motherboards should made to be specific for what it's used for.

Media PC with options to run multiple TV tuners PCI X1 and PCI as well as sound card and have good Raid options, also support for Xeon processors.

Game PC PCI X16 slots which do not share bandwidth and support Xfire and SLI, extra memory capacity, support for extreme overclocking with high end capacitors, water cooled blocks for chipsets, memory, capacitors and over amplified headphone output for cranking up the headset.

Client PC (connects TV to media PC) Simple small mATX or miniITX with support for a low power processor (atom dual core) integrated graphics with enough power to run Blu-Ray and a single drive, also options for optical/coax audio output, HDMI video output and bluetooth for wireless keyboards, mice and remotes.

Other things to add to motheboards:
Iphone/Android monitoring MB status? (why not everyone else has it)
Motherboard hardware router: instead of using wireless router, non S/W dhcp.
Wireless audio transmitter, FM based? HD audio?
Bottom layer on motherboard to prevent shorting, plastic laminated?
Quick disconnect on rear of MB, one connector cable runs to a remote panel that connects all components. Easy to pull PC, add memory, hard drive etc. ability to add length to cord for storing PC in a nearby closet.

FYI: All my MB's are Asrock, very pleased.




 
- A mainstream affordable dual cpu mobo
- Detachable interchangeable plastic covers to color coordinate
- Built in SSD that only holds the operating system, maybe preloaded
- Better dust protection, maybe caps for unused plugins or dust covers for parts
- Free bumper stickers or case stickers!
 
Ok i didn't mean to post yet, and IE isn't displaying what i need. So im making a new post :lol:.

1.) What i have before
2.) BIOS look like they were made during the 50's, please guys, make something more attactive.
3.) More RAM slots (And allowing for high speeds :lol:)
4.) An instant OC that works just as well as a full blown BIOS OC
5.) Get some cool lighting effects you can turn on and off (And the brightness in %)in the BIOS (Haha i stole this, but i found it a very good idea).
6.) Better screwless designs... GRRRR I hate when they break!!!!
7.) Again, more fan 'plugs'.
8.) New Gen SATA and USB 3.0

Thats it right now :lol:.
 
Speaking for all of the HTPC builders out there, I cannot for the life of me understand why NVIDIA's laptop mobo feature, Optimus, has not made its way into any other offering. I would like to have a good graphics card in my mATX system, but the power draw and fan noise even at idle for those beasts would not do for a SFF PC. When I am just browsing Netflix, I don't need beefy hardware, as they don't stream in HD. When I do want to accelerate video, I can choose which programs deserve it. Unless there would be a patent war, I can't see why every mobo manufacturer hasn't jumped on board yet.
 
I want my motherboard to have the chip socket flipped so that the clamping system is on the inside of the case and chip along with the cooler portrude through a cutout on the side of the case protected by a cage or mesh. Whereby the inside of the case has free air flow to the memory, chipset and VRM's while the CPU has full cooling from the outside of the case and is easy to access and upgrade for air or water cooling.
 
- Boot from Android or Iphone
- Plastic channel that runs length through with all heat sinks/tubes inside and a high power fan that exhausts out a pcie slot.
- Tiny mobo line that uses laptop parts for building super small computers
- Connect two mobos together for sli-type performance
- Heat sinks for RAM slots
- Customized bios loading pictures
 
i would like a motherboard with a more intutive POST aka a cpu failure dosent just keep the computer rebooting. And i would also like a mobo with interchangable parts, like being a i7 one day and a Phenom the next
 
Full detail of hardware spec within the BIOS, serial ID and all so you can have the batch number and many other information. That help a lot in troubleshooting hardware issues and give you more feedback from customer.
 
Use Quality components; all Japanese capacitors for starters.
No on-board video, it's a waste of real estate. Better and better video cards show up on a near-daily basis.
On-board sound to handle high sample and bit rates (like 32 bit and 192Khz samples).
USB 3, and make it available for front panel connections.
SATA 3 with good RAID support.
At least one eSATA connector.
Keep all plug-in connectors away from the front of the board, unless they are low-profile right-angle as some optical drives are still made too long to fit because of plugs that are in the way.
Make an AMD version and an Intel version.
Keep plug-in sockets away from the CPU. We have some rather novel heat-sinks available that need space.
Delete old-school legacy circuits (and therefore connectors). PATA, for one, is obsolete, let it die as was the case of ISO 16 bit sockets.
Use reclaimed real estate from no video to provide 802.11n wireless on-board. (keeps LAN Parties from being a tangled mess of cables).
Plenty of PCIe slots.
Vapor-tight CPU socket (bottom of socket)so refrigerated CPU's won't condense moisture under the socket. (It's a pain to seal them ourselves after-the-fact).



 
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