14 DAY TRIAL // Normally, a desktop has a pretty standard hardware set installed within a rectangular case of varying sizes, but the newest concept from Razer does away with that concept completely.
Codenamed Project Christine, the system doesn't actually have a case at all. Instead, it has a central hub, like a tower, to which various modules can be connected.
The more you add, the better your PC gets and the greater the range of connectivity becomes.
It's meant to allow even less tech-savvy users to upgrade their system, or at least start out small and keep adding more components as time and funds allow.
Razer's Christine has specific modules containing the microprocessor (along with the indispensable chipset and interfaces), a graphics processing units, memory, storage, etc.
Each module looks like a rectangular cartridge with rounded edges, most no larger than a 5.25-inch optical disk drive.
The PSU, central and video components are the only ones larger than that, from what the concept images show.
You should be able to connect everything through the PCI Express backbone, regardless of combination.
Graphics capabilities can go all the way to quad-SLI multi-GPU configurations, storage can be made up of individual SSD/HDDs and RAID storage setups, there can be more than one PSU, even I/O capabilities can be customized.
Finally, everything is done without cables, which means that only your monitor, keyboard and mouse will add a wire to the equation, unless the latter two are wireless, in which case only the display will need such things.
Sure, even this modular PC will have limits, but it's definitely a project worth exploring if you're not all that good with choosing your own PC hardware and assembling a normal PC from individually bought parts.
“Project Christine is a new concept design that will revolutionize the way users view the traditional PC. This is the first gaming system that is able to keep pace with technology and could allow consumers to never buy another PC, or gaming system, again,” said Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director.
