DTX was designed to enable small, quiet and energy-efficient computers. Our engineering sample is equipped with an AM2 DTX reference board based on AMD’s 690G chipset with an integrated Radeon X1250 graphics chip. It comes with an AMD Athlon X2 BE-2350 CPU rated at a power consumption of 45 Watts, combining sufficient performance with a low power profile. Theoretically, an Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is a feasible CPU for this system as well – as long as its rated TDP is 98 Watts, and not 125 Watts. Even a Phenom X2 or X4 will work in this socket. In the end, the only limit on the choice of CPU is the thermal envelope – the cooler has to be able to handle the CPU’s thermal dissipation. In the end, performance wasn’t the primary focus of this demo-system – instead, it is more of a proof-of-concept design.

The top of the processor fan is fitted with a sleeve that is flush with the case’s top. This is meant to ensure that the processor’s heat will be expelled from the cooling slits integrated in the case’s lid. Another addition is a cooling slit directly over the power supply similar to that found over the processor, although that wasn’t implemented on our sample yet. AMD claims that this will allow quieter operation as a result of the fans being able to spin more slowly, thanks to the improved airflow to the power supply.

A quick inspection of the system’s back reveals that it no longer sports PS/2 connectors for a mouse or keyboard. Instead, it offers six USB 2.0 ports – four on the back, and two on the front, hidden behind a cover. A display can be connected using either the DVI or the classic VGA connector. Additionally, the back also features a network jack as well as an optical and an analogue audio output. In addition to the two USB ports, a slim-line ATAPI DVD-ROM connected to the motherboard with a SATA adapter, a card reader, and two more audio connectors can be found behind the cover on the front. Both the SATA hard drive and the DVD-ROM are mounted on a metal support that is placed on the left and right side of the case and then slides into a click-in locking mechanism. The support itself attaches to the case using a screw between the two drives.