One of my favorite trends in desktop PC design for the last couple of years has been what we call “The War on Cables,” wherein all the interior power and data cables are hidden on the backside of a case.

MSI’s new Project Zero X PC puts the graphics card and motherboard side by side, and somehow moves both parts’ I/O ports to the back of the case.

MSI's Project Zero X prototype is a PC that hides every single one of its cables to preserve the views of its front-to-back glass case.

MSI isn't new to the back mount design (BMD) game, having released a few motherboards since showcasing Project Zero in 2023. For CES 2025, the company is teasing Project X, a gorgeous panoramic PC case designed with reverse connector motherboards in mind.

MSI is challenging that concept at CES 2025 with Project Zero X. Like we said, most PC cases have its I/O ports positioned at the rear of the case. This helps hide the cables running from your keyboard,