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ASRock's Side Panel Turns Your Case Into a Secondary Display

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But there’s one catch: It only works with specific ASRock motherboards

As shared by @momomo_us on Twitter, ASRock has built a new accessory for PC builders that allows you to turn your PC chassis' side panel into an LCD monitor. The gadget is a 13.3' side panel kit designed to be tapped to the inside of your see-through side panel, giving users an additional display for monitoring system resources and temperatures or being used as a secondary monitor altogether.

The screen is a 16:9 aspect ratio 1080P IPS 60Hz display, measuring 13.3 inches diagonally. This screen is the equivalent of a laptop display. It uses the same connection method as laptops, featuring an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) connector.

Unfortunately, this represents a problem for most PC users. The connector was originally designed specifically for mobile, and embedded PC solutions, meaning the connector is not available on standard desktop motherboards or graphics cards.

(Image credit: AsRock)

As a result, only ASRock motherboards support the side panel, and only a few models at best, with less than ten motherboards featuring the eDP connector. The list includes the following motherboards: Z790 LiveMixer, Z790 Pro RS/D4, Z790M-ITX WiFi, Z790 Steel Legend WiFi, Z790 PG Lightning, Z790 Pro RS, Z790 PG Lightning/D4. H610M-ITX/eDP, and B650E PG-ITX WiFi.

Sadly adapters aren't a solution either since eDP to DP (or any other display output) adapters don't exist today. Furthermore, creating an adapter is problematic because eDP runs both power and video signals through a single cable.

It's a shame this accessory won't get mainstream popularity due to these compatibility issues. But for the few users with the correct motherboard, this side panel kit can provide a full secondary monitor that takes up no additional space on your desk. The only sacrifice you'll make is blocking all the shiny RGB lighting inside your chassis.

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Aaron Klotz
Aaron Klotz
Contributing Writer

Aaron Klotz is a contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware, covering news related to computer hardware such as CPUs, and graphics cards.

18 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Alvar "Miles" Udell
    It's a shame this accessory won't get mainstream popularity due to these compatibility issues. But for the few users with the correct motherboard, this side panel kit can provide a full secondary monitor that takes up no additional space on your desk. The only sacrifice you'll make is blocking all the shiny RGB lighting inside your chassis.


    Know what else can do that? A portable monitor affixed, or propped, against your case, and doesn't require buying an ASRock product.
    Reply
  • BX4096
    Alvar Miles Udell said:
    Know what else can do that? A portable monitor affixed, or propped, against your case, and doesn't require buying an ASRock product.
    Yeah, but would that really be as cool as 13.3" 1080P 60Hz display cramped inside your computer? Imagine, a whole 13.3-inch secondary monitor that has the depth of 12 inches, weights 20-35 pounds (10-15kg), and is hidden behind a dusty plastic panel. Who on earth would not want to get one of these?

    Admin said:
    Unfortunately, this represents a problem for most PC users.
    Yes, it does, because a hell of a lot of people will want to punch them for buying this crap.
    Reply
  • Alvar "Miles" Udell
    BX4096 said:
    Yeah, but would that really be as cool as 13.3" 1080P 60Hz display cramped inside your computer? Imagine, a whole 13.3-inch secondary monitor that has the depth of 12 inches, weights 20-35 pounds (10-15kg), and is hidden behind a dusty plastic panel. Who on earth would not want to get one of these?

    Could be worse, could be glass and plastic...

    Reply
  • samopa
    I'd tucked my PC Case somewhere behind my desk and I think that I haven't seen it in last 9 months, so this product has no use for me at all 😁
    Reply
  • Gam3r01
    On the plus side, the RGB and "pretty case" trend has gone so far its beginning to block out its own RGB lighting.
    Reply
  • BX4096
    Alvar Miles Udell said:
    Could be worse, could be glass and plastic...

    https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/y2AAAOSwRVRemYmg/$_86.JPG
    Nah, that's just old school. Love it.

    Oh and ironically, the VGA connector featured on this relic should still be good enough to support the ASRock display from the article. Probably easier to find on your average desktop PCs than an eDP connector, too 😉
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    Given that both AMD & Intel have iGPU's now, MoBo makers can probably route one of the iGPU's HDMI/DisplayPort signals to have a internal MoBo header.

    This could create a entirely new Case Trend where the Side-Panel display is powered by the on-board iGPU.
    Reply
  • BillyBuerger
    Sadly adapters aren't a solution either since eDP to DP (or any other display output) adapters don't exist today. Furthermore, creating an adapter is problematic because eDP runs both power and video signals through a single cable.
    Maybe not an "adapter" but there are plenty of options for buying a controller to run an eDP laptop display from a DP, HDMI or VGA connection. It's just not universal as the controller has to be programmed for the specific display it needs to drive. But in most cases when I come across a laptop that has issues that make it unusable as a laptop, I look up the display model number and can compatible controllers that will let me use it as a standard monitor. Makes for some fun projects to work them into things. Such as into the side panel of a case like their doing here. I have a 15.6" one running in protrait mode for my second monitor. Also made a rack mount monitor with built in KVM with a 17" one.
    Reply
  • Colif
    Gam3r01 said:
    On the plus side, the RGB and "pretty case" trend has gone so far its beginning to block out its own RGB lighting.
    i was about to say, what am I supposed to watch now? My rgb light show or the other display? Hmm, I could have this running on loop on that display
    esO2aa1cwlAand have both.

    waiting for Inwin case with that light show with lasers inside the case.
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    Colif said:
    waiting for Inwin case with that light show with lasers inside the case.
    Don't give InWin anymore ideas, they might be crazy enough to do it.
    Reply