- Joined
- Nov 10, 2004
- Location
- Sword Base
Why are there often so many empty spaces on the PCBs of mobos, gfx cards, sound cards etc? I realise that, for example in comparing an NF7 and an NF7-S the NF7 has a missing space where the SATA controller is on the NF7-S (and similar examples exist of cards with less RAM, no TV-out, no Tuner, no optical-in etc than the top model, but sharing a common PCB), but often even the top board or part in a series has many missing spaces with contacts (obviously originally intended to solder components to). Surely this must be un-economic? why does my DFI board (which as far as I know was the top Socket A DFI board) have so many spaces? If it is the top board then this isn't to save money by making a shared PCB for several designs. Surely considering the vast numbers in which many boards and other components are manufactured, to make a larger PCB with extra tracks and contacts that are never used will be a big waste of money?!