MSI's Project Zero Motherboard

Our client, Maingear, licensed U.S. Patent 8,687,350 to major motherboard manufacturers.

U.S. Patent 8,687,350

Motherboard and case with hidden internal connectors

13. A motherboard comprising:

a front side further comprising electrical sockets for a CPU and at least one add-on card; and

a back side opposite said front side, comprising a plurality of internal cable connectors each adapted for removable engagement with a corresponding cable,

wherein said motherboard is housed in a computer case such that said front side faces a removable side of said computer case and said back side faces an attachment side of said computer case, and

wherein each said corresponding cable extends from between said back side of said motherboard and said attachment side of said computer case.

The story

Back in 2011, Maingear computers patented the concept. Patents last 20 years from the date of filing (with some exceptions) and it took the gaming PC industry until 2024 to catch up to the idea.

Finally, Maingear licensed its MG-RC® technology (also trademarked by this law firm) to major motherboard manufacturers – Maingear’s first partners were MSI and Gigabyte followed quickly by other very famous motherboard manufacturers. One of these major manufacturers had copied Maingear’s product and after some months, many more emails, and time spent on international video conferences, we convinced them to take a license.

References to the MG-RC Tech in Industry News

Appearing at CES in 2024, the tech took off

Linus Tech Tips – he railed against the fact that someone could get a patent on this. Well, you can complain about the patent system or you can make seven figures making the system work for you – here’s his video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wg-RQpcpUU

Here’s the review at Tom’s Hardware.

Here’s a Reddit feed.

HotHardware review.

Geek Tyrant review.

HardcareGamer review.