The board layout is quite different to the SK8V, the SK8N features a CPU socket much closer to the centre of the board and memory slots which run parallel to the top of the board. This layout does make working in the case slightly easier as the CPU and memory are further away from drives and cables than normal. Cooling of the ram may also be assisted depending on the cooling of your case or PSU. All IDE, SATA and power sockets are placed down the edge of the board which allows for greater air flow through the rest of the system where it is needed. The final design point of note is the PCB space to the side of the PCI slots is free from components and traces, something that is rather useful as capacitors in that area makes the addition and removal of PCI cards more difficult.