Colorful HM770M has recently emerged as a rather rare type of desktop motherboard: a board with a pre-installed Core i9-13900HX laptop CPU instead of waiting for users to install a separate chip. While it might sound like a toy for experimenters, the idea behind it is quite practical. It targets those who want a compact PC that consumes less power than a traditional high-performance desktop, yet still has enough capability to support a discrete GPU, DIMM RAM, and multiple storage drives. The trade-off is that CPU upgradeability is almost non-existent compared to standard desktop motherboards.
Why is the desktop motherboard with a pre-installed Core i9-13900HX noteworthy?
According to WCCFTech, the BATTLE-AX HM770M-K WiFi D5 V20 is a MoDT (Mobile on Desktop) type, meaning it brings a mobile chip onto a desktop board. What makes this product noteworthy is not just its unusual configuration, but the fact that it sits between two worlds: more open than a closed mini PC, but more integrated than a custom-built desktop. Consequently, buyers save a step in choosing a CPU and have less to worry about regarding cooler compatibility or overall power consumption.
In essence, the Core i9-13900HX is a high-performance laptop chip with 24 cores, 32 threads, a max boost clock of 5.4 GHz, and a base power of 55W. When placed on a Micro-ATX motherboard, this chip creates a platform powerful enough for rendering, compiling, virtual machines, or gaming when paired with a discrete graphics card. For general users, you can think of this as a “motherboard + CPU” combo pre-assembled by the manufacturer to prioritize compactness, cooling efficiency, and simplicity.
The biggest difference from a familiar desktop is that the CPU does not use an LGA socket for free installation and removal. It becomes almost a part of the board, making it suitable for those who want to build once and use for a long time, rather than those who enjoy upgrading their chips every few cycles. In short, the Colorful HM770M borrows laptop logic and brings it into a desktop chassis.
Who should care about this all-in-one motherboard type and what are the practical limitations?
If users have recently seen HX chips appearing more frequently in laptops, then articles about the new HX series show that this trend is continuing. The HM770M takes that idea further by placing a laptop CPU directly onto a desktop motherboard equipped with DIMM RAM, PCIe x16 slots, and multiple storage ports. The group that benefits most are those looking to build compact PCs, homelabs, or stable workstations, but who do not consider changing the CPU every two or three years as a top priority.
| Key Point | Specs/Limitations | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Integrated Core i9-13900HX | No need to buy a separate CPU |
| RAM | 2 DDR5 slots, up to 96GB | Easier to upgrade RAM than a laptop |
| Storage | 2 M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4, 6 SATA | Retains desktop-class storage |
| Expansion | 1 PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 PCIe 3.0 x1 | Good for GPUs, but few extra slots |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, LAN 1GbE, no USB-C | Sufficient, but lacks abundant I/O |
| Upgradeability | CPU is soldered to the board | Difficult to upgrade the CPU |
On the flip side, a traditional desktop combo remains more convincing if you prioritize upgradeability. On Colorful’s product page, this motherboard features 2 M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, 6 SATA ports, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, LAN 1GbE, and lacks USB-C. That configuration is good enough for mainstream to semi-professional needs, but it clearly does not target users wanting massive expansion slots or the latest I/O.
With the HM770M, users gain a middle-ground option between a closed mini PC and a traditional desktop, especially since the i9-13900HX remains powerful enough for many heavy daily tasks.
Ultimately, the price will determine how attractive the Colorful HM770M is. If the price is significantly lower than a comparable desktop CPU + motherboard + cooler combo, it is an interesting choice for compact cases and continuous heavy workloads. However, if the price approaches a traditional desktop combo, most PC builders will still find the separate socket platform more sustainable in the long run. macbook could increase
