Building a clean, cable-free gaming PC takes plenty of patience and time, but what if it doesn’t need to? Brands such as ASUS, MSI, and, previously, Gigabyte have all attempted to provide the long-sought-after solution with varying forms of a cable-less approach.
Gigabyte was the first to test the water with Project Stealth but has left the project relatively untouched since its infancy. ASUS and MSI have since entered the market with Back To (the) Future (BTF) and PROJECT ZERO, respectively, two solutions gaining significant market traction.
For this build, we’ve opted to use ASUS’ BTF, as we find that it offers a true no-cable experience. Contrasting to MSI PROJECT ZERO motherboards, ASUS has gone a step further to ensure there are no cables at the front of a PC build by providing a proprietary solution for your graphics card.
In this guide, we’ll explore the components used to build this incredible cable-free system. From a BTF-compatible case like the Corsair 6500X to the cable-minimising iCUE LINK, we’ve gone all out to help alleviate cable clutter.
Main Components
Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi
The star of this PC build that makes the cable-free design possible is the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi motherboard. While we’ve looked at other reverse connector motherboards, such as the MSI Z790 and B650M PROJECT ZERO, the TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi takes cable management a step further by shifting GPU power to the rear of the board. By doing this, the visible space at the front of a PC build will be entirely cable-free, with no connectors in sight.
It is worth noting that because of this proprietary design, owners of the TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi will require a BTF-compatible graphics card and case, as this standard is not universalised across different manufacturers.
| Specification | ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Supported Memory | 192GB DDR5 7200MT/s |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 1 x PCI-E 5.0 1 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 4 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| VRM Power Phases | 16+1+1 |
| Front IO | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 2 x USB 2.0 |
| Rear IO | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A |
| Audio | 1 x Optical S/PDIF 5 x Audio Jacks |
| Networking | WiFi 7 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
On the aesthetic front, the TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi is a very clean motherboard covered in white and grey heatsinks with an underlying black PCB. The lighter theme across the heatsinks on the board makes the TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi ideal for a white PC build.
Looking at expansion and connectivity, the TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi offers a single Gen5 graphics card slot and four Gen4 M.2 SSD slots, which is ample for any further storage upgrades. This board comes with a 16+1+1 VRM power phase design, providing plenty of headroom for an overclock on the Core i7-14700K. The TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi also comes with eight USB ports in total on the rear IO, which includes four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, three USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, and a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, rated at 20Gbps.
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CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K
The Intel Core i7-14700K is a top-end CPU from the 14th-generation range of processors. It is a tried-and-true CPU geared towards enthusiasts who need plenty of cores and threads for more than just gaming. Compared to its 13th-generation counterpart, the Core i7-14700K offers 20 cores and 28 threads capable of handling intense workloads and 4K gaming.
Offering an exceptional boost clock speed of 5.6GHz, the Core i7-14700K is highly capable in the latest AAA titles and will provide longevity with modern games for many years.
| Specification | Intel Core i7-14700K |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 20 |
| Thread Count | 28 |
| Base Clock Speed | 4.3GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.6GHz |
| Max Cache | 58MB |
| Default TDP | 125W |
| CPU Socket | LGA1700 |
| Overclockable | Yes |
Furthermore, the Intel Core i7-14700K is fully overclockable, as denoted by the ‘K’ at the end of its name. Overclocking the Core i7-14700K results in better performance across various applications because CPU instructions and processes are executed more quickly.
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CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE LINK H150i LCD
To keep our PC build cool, we’ve picked out the Corsair iCUE LINK H150i LCD liquid cooler. The iCUE LINK range of coolers is Corsair’s rendition of daisy-chaining, which connects the fans and radiator through a unique power and data delivery system with a single cable.
This is all powered through the iCUE LINK system hub, which can control up to 14 devices with just one hub. The proprietary cabling design allows for a spotless cooler setup that minimises cable hassle, which synergises well with the theme of this PC build.
| Specification | Corsair iCUE LINK H150i LCD |
|---|---|
| Radiator Size | 360mm |
| Radiator Dimensions (L x W x H) | 397mm x 120mm x 27mm |
| Number of Fans | 3 |
| Max Fan Speed | 2400RPM |
| Bearing Type | Magnetic Dome |
| Pump Connector | iCUE LINK |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X AMD: AM5, AM4 |
| Warranty | 6 Years |
The Corsair iCUE LINK H150i LCD is a gorgeous-looking cooler with consistent white colouring across the fans, radiator and tubing. The CPU block head also has an LCD, which can be customised with the Corsair iCUE software to showcase system stats or temperatures.
This 360mm radiator is efficient, ensuring heat is moved away from the CPU as quickly as possible. The QX120 magnetic dome fans also keep noise levels to a minimum, further assisted by the built-in Zero RPM mode, which turns off the fans entirely once temperatures are below a certain threshold.
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RAM: XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 6000MT/s CL30
Matching the clean white aesthetic of this PC build, we’ve opted for the XPG Lancer DDR5 32GB kit. This RAM kit is rated for speeds up to 6000MT/s, with an excellent CAS latency of CL30. CL30 latency is the sweet spot for more intense workloads, as the lower response times allow the CPU to read and execute instructions much quicker, making this RAM an ideal pairing for the Core i7-14700K.
We could have picked up faster options on the market thanks to the support for 7200MT/s RAM on the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi. However, the XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 kit is an affordable option that provides the performance we need for top-end gaming and more strenuous workloads.
| Specification | XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Generation | DDR5 |
| Capacity | 32GB |
| Transfer Speeds | 6000MT/s |
| CAS Latency | CL30 |
| Tested Voltage | 1.45V |
| Height | 43mm |
The XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 RAM is one of the best-looking kits. It offers a sleek brushed metal aesthetic and a small triangle of RGB, adding to this system’s monumental amount of lighting. All of the lighting effects on this RAM are also fully customisable and can be configured within various applications such as ASUS Aura Sync or MSI Center.
SSD: Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
For this PC build’s primary storage device, we’ve chosen the Samsung 990 Pro. This Gen4 M.2 SSD is one of the best-performing PCI-E 4.0 drives on the market, offering read speeds up to 7450MB/s and write speeds up to 6900MB/s. Naturally, as a high-performance drive, the 990 Pro should be pretty expensive, but due to an oversupply of flash chips, Gen4 SSDs have seen significant price drops, making storage options like the 990 Pro much more accessible.
The Samsung 990 Pro SSD comes in three capacities, with 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB variants. We’ve picked out the 2TB drive because we believe this to be the sweet spot for capacity. 2TB serves as a great middle ground because there’s plenty of space here for big games and gaming applications like Discord, Origin, Epic Games, etc.
| Specification | Samsung 990 Pro |
|---|---|
| PCI-E Generation | Gen4 |
| Capacity | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Read Speeds | 7450MB/s |
| Write Speeds | 6900MB/s |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
| Endurance | 1TB: 600TBW 2TB: 1200TBW 4TB: 2400TBW |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
The Samsung 990 Pro has a solid endurance rating of 1200TBW on the 2TB variant and a five-year warranty as standard across all capacities. In most circumstances, a Gen5 drive would have slotted perfectly into this PC build due to the high-end configuration that we’ve put together. However, the Samsung 990 Pro is a solid drive for those looking for a more affordable storage solution.
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GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF White
We’ve picked out the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF White for this PC build’s graphical horsepower. This excellent GPU features a sleek white design across the entire card, aligning with the brighter theme of the components we’ve opted for. This card’s white aesthetic looks sophisticated and clean while featuring some minimalist RGB towards the top right of the shrouding.
Design aside, the TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF is a unique card, as it features no female power connectors anywhere on the GPU. This is a first for modern graphics cards, as most GPUs in the past ten years require a dedicated power connector. However, the BTF cards feature a PCI-E high-power finger that connects to an additional hidden header on the TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi motherboard. This is a highly innovative way of cleaning up the cable mess further.
| Specification | ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF White |
|---|---|
| Video Memory | 16GB GDDR6X |
| Bus Width | 256-Bit |
| Base Clock Speed | 2.34GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 2.67GHz |
| CUDA Cores | 8448 |
| RT Cores | 66 |
| Power Draw | 285W |
| MSRP | $799 |
Looking at specs and performance, the TUF Gaming variant of the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER comes with 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM on a 256-bit memory bus, compared to the 12GB of VRAM and 192-bit memory bus on the original RTX 4070 Ti. The TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF also features a slight overclock to the boost speed up to 2.67GHz instead of 2.61GHz, which brings some performance uplifts to games and other intense applications.
The RTX 4070 Ti SUPER can comfortably handle 1440p gaming in the latest AAA titles and has strong legs at 4K, offering more than 60FPS in most games. Framerates can be further enhanced by switching on NVIDIA’s pillar technologies in supported games, such as DLSS and Frame Generation, which provide smoother and more stable gameplay.
Case: Corsair 6500X
The Corsair 6500X case is a chassis designed to showcase a luxurious PC while offering a refined and modern take on the ‘fish-tank’ style that is easy to build in. The 6500X utilises seamless glass on the front and side panels, providing an unhindered view of the components housed inside.
The 6500X is a dual-chamber case, meaning cable mess is restricted to the rear of the chassis, while the front can remain tidy and clean. This case has robust support for coolers and fans, offering space for up to ten 120mm fans or three 360mm liquid coolers across the side, top, and bottom panels. The additional radiator space is particularly useful for enthusiasts with a fully liquid-cooled system, which might include radiators for a motherboard, CPU, and GPU.
| Specification | Corsair 6500X |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Mid-Tower |
| Motherboard Support | ITX, M-ATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Case Dimensions (L x W x H) | 481mm x 328mm x 496mm |
| Front IO | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
| PCI-E Slots | 8 |
| Colour | Black White |
| Max. Clearance | 190mm Cooler Height 400mm GPU Length (370mm with front radiator) 225mm PSU Length |
| Drive Support | Up to 2 x 2.5 inch Up to 2 x 3.5 inch |
| Fan Support | Side: 3 x 120mm Top: 3 x 140mm Rear: 1 x 140mm Bottom: 3 x 140mm |
| Radiator Support | Side: 360mm Top: 360mm Rear: 140mm Bottom: 360mm |
| Pre-Installed Fans | 0 |
| MSRP | $199.99 |
Alongside the robust CPU cooler support, the 6500X accommodates Mini-ITX boards all the way through to larger E-ATX boards. The Corsair 6500X case provides room for CPU air coolers up to 190mm in height and graphics cards up to 400mm in length, which is more than enough clearance for this build’s RTX 4070 Ti SUPER. The front IO of the 6500X case is also very strong, with five USB ports in total, which include four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports and a single USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port.
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PSU: DeepCool PX1000G
The PX1000G from DeepCool powers this PC build. This 1000W unit provides more than enough power for the system’s components, leaving plenty of extra headroom for future upgrades.
The DeepCool PX1000G power supply supports the ATX 3.0 standard and comes with the 12VHPWR cable that RTX 4000 graphics cards use. While the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER BTF doesn’t have a visible power connector on the card, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-BTF WiFi uses 12VHPWR on the rear of the board, making this power supply an ideal pick-up for this system.
| Specification | DeepCool PX1000G |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| PSU Dimensions (L x W x H) | 160mm x 150mm x 86mm |
| Wattage | 1000W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80 Plus Gold |
| Modularity | Fully Modular |
| ATX 3.0 | Yes |
| Fan Size | 135mm |
| Zero-Fan Mode | Yes |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
Looking at efficiency, the PX1000G has an 80 Plus Gold rating, minimising power lost as heat or noise. The 135mm fan on the PX1000G also assists thermals while keeping noise levels low. This is further complimented by the Zero-Fan mode switch, which turns off the PSU fan once temperatures sit below a certain threshold.
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Performance
1440p, High Settings
Avg: 265FPS
Preset: High
V-Sync: Off
Anti Aliasing: TSAA
Texture Filtering: 8x
Ambient Occlusion: High
Volumetric Lighting: High
Dynamic Shadows: Enabled
Model Detail: High
1080p, Comp. Settings
Avg: 310FPS
Preset: Low
V-Sync: Off
Render Distance: Far
TSR: Off
Global Illumination: Off
Ray Tracing: Off
Effects: Low
Post Processing: Low
4K, High Settings
Avg: 132FPS
Preset: High
V-Sync: Off
DLSS: Performance
Textures: High
Particle Quality: High
Tessellation: Near
Shaders: High
1440p, High Settings
Avg: 112FPS
Preset: Recommended
V-Sync: Off
Anti-Aliasing: TAA High
Effects Quality: High
Texture Quality: High
Shadow Quality: High
Motion Blur: Off
Our testing results show that the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER and the Core i7-14700K synergise well, offering great performance at 1440p and 4K, whether you’re playing an Esports title like Apex Legends, or a AAA game such as Hogwarts Legacy. The configuration that we’ve put together for this PC build is more than ample for a smooth and lag-free gaming experience.
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