https://videocardz.com/newz/msi-hides-all-motherboard-connectors-with-project-zero
 
A new trend in motherboard design are sleek designs with no visible power circuits or power cables. Heavily reinforced motherboards hidden under metallic and plastic covers might change what we expect from next-gen motherboards soon, but this will require a lot of changes. MSI’s Project Zero is based on MEG Unify design, most likely the Z690 model with quad-DDR5 SO-DIMM support. The company took a step back and redesigned the placement for motherboard headers, SATA and power connectors. Those are now located at the rear. This also means that some problem may arise, such as how to attach cables in such a tight space.
 
Some connectors are clearly facing opposite directions, which means that special motherboards will have to designed. This was already the case with the Gigabyte Stealth design. Although both are just projects for now, it is good to see a new trend that may lead to completely new standards. The vast majority of consumers will prefer the design with hidden cables.
 
The photos of MSI Project Zero have been shared on Twitter by a user chi11eddog. They might come from the ongoing Computex showcase.
 
With the connectors underneath do you need longer screws to connect the motherboard to your PC case? That's what I want to know. 
 
 
 

I don't like it at all. I want see my circuits and caps and such things besides just going add more material and cost to the prices.

I get what they're trying to do but that will be a pain to work with when you need to connect and disconnect while installed in a case. 

I mean didn't ASUS already do this with some of their previous ROG & TUF offerings?

kram36

Nereus
So... longer standoffs required. Not really sure I see the point of this - it's effectively just 90° headers but placed on the underneath of the board. All that does is make it a 'fatter' board, and if you're using a tall air cooler, it's going to reduce the clearance room for the cooler and may not fit in some cases.
 
If they really want to try being creative, put all the headers on the rear of the motherboard where the cutout is in most motherboard trays. That would definitely hide everything, and in some cases would be way more convenient.

Using taller standoffs won't allow the motherboard to work in a normal case. Think about it.

Yes of course I thought about it - they'd have to adjust somehow for the i/o and GPU PCIe, if that's what you're talking about. Just looking at my rig and imagining those headers underneath the board as it stands right now.. not going to be easy.
 

Nereus

kram36

Nereus
So... longer standoffs required. Not really sure I see the point of this - it's effectively just 90° headers but placed on the underneath of the board. All that does is make it a 'fatter' board, and if you're using a tall air cooler, it's going to reduce the clearance room for the cooler and may not fit in some cases.
 
If they really want to try being creative, put all the headers on the rear of the motherboard where the cutout is in most motherboard trays. That would definitely hide everything, and in some cases would be way more convenient.

Using taller standoffs won't allow the motherboard to work in a normal case. Think about it.

Yes of course I thought about it - they'd have to adjust somehow for the i/o and GPU PCIe, if that's what you're talking about. Just looking at my rig and imagining those headers underneath the board as it stands right now.. not going to be easy.
 

There is nothing to adjust, there are standards in cases for the I/O and PCI slot heights. This is a case specific motherboard. So expect MSI to announce a case for this motherboard.

unnecessary expense added to costs of boards for not much of a good reason.
Big thumbs down vote for me . 👎 

I took a close look at the Main gear case and what I see is the best innovation in case design in a long time. I'm truly excited to see more adoption of this idea.  And yes that is a gigabyte board there. SEE HERE The stand offs appear the same to me. What is different, is the cut out in the motherboard tray which allows you the ability to make the connections from the back of the motherboard tray or side of the PC case. ATX/EPS/USB/Case PWR/Reset/SPDIF/Headphone/Mic all connect from the back/side. As you can see in the link when GPU mfg's adopt the idea a very clean build emerges. Given the current climate it hard to get excited about much but this is an exception for me.

One thing I was thinking is why does the metal have to be black? Imagine what this board would look like if instead of the black they did a white one on a black PCB. Or red, purple, chrome or a number of other colors could really make for an awesome build with the right case.

Don’t overthink it. Companies partnering to build a could of niche products for a unique market isn’t going to become main stream when that would literally require every case manufacturer to completely change their entire motherboard tray layout, versus a few nice products like you are seeing here.

Hoggle
One thing I was thinking is why does the metal have to be black? Imagine what this board would look like if instead of the black they did a white one on a black PCB. Or red, purple, chrome or a number of other colors could really make for an awesome build with the right case.

That's what RGB is for.  Black is the base color for majority of the builds.  Sure there are a few white boards out there but that's about it.