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The point is, I and many other people I know, would be quite happy with the likes of a Shuttle PC, for our everyday computing. They're small, nice to look at, and, when not being taxed, they're pretty quiet too. Unfortunately, they just can't cope with the heavy loads of a proper high-end graphics card. So, what I propose is someone out there that has the capacity to design and manufacture full systems comes up with a new gaming form factor that has room for just one hard drive, a (possibly slim-line) disc drive, the largest graphics cards, and a cooling system that can handle the whole lot.

Now, unlike Shuttle, if this is made an open standard it opens up a whole raft of possibilities for third party manufacturers as well. All the usual motherboard manufacturers can offer low- to high-end solutions that start with just basic functionality but can add in high-quality onboard audio, onboard wireless, more expansive overclocking options, and all the rest of it as the price increases. Likewise, the cooling system, power supply, and case manufacturers are free to play around as much as they like within the specification. Just so long as they don't impinge on the basic ethos of the specification - no extraneous extras.

If the system is properly thought out, issues like sufficient cooling and noise dampening can be tackled so that when sitting idle there's hardly a noise to be heard but when going at full tilt, the thing doesn't overheat. It won't be easy and will require a complete redesign of current motherboard layouts but unlike BTX and other 'new and improved' form factors, the Ed form factor (as I think it should be known) will take off because there is a tangible purpose for it that consumers can relate to.

Just before I finish there's the obvious matter of SLI and Crossfire to address. In recent years having a really, really super-fast gaming PC has meant having two or more graphics cards in your system and obviously that's not going to be possible with my proposed form factor. However, I defy anyone to prove to me that buying two slower cards is better than getting one super-fast one. Ok, there's still people that would buy two or three of the most expensive graphics cards and use them together but we're talking niche within a niche within a niche, here. Moreover, that market is already well catered for with existing enthusiast motherboards and what I'm proposing isn't something to replace them but merely to exist in the same market.

So, Asus, Dell, MSI, HP, and all the rest, you've all proved you can make great motherboards, PCs, and notebooks. Why not combine all those expertise and give the Ed system a try? After all the Eee PC was a huge gamble and it paid off so why not continue the innovation and finally bring us what we all need in this modern society; the perfect gaming PC.

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