@TheGoose,
Yeah, know what you mean - surely it'd take electrons light-years just to travel from one side of that MB to another? :-)
If that is an X1000, then why, oh why, not make it mini or micro-ATX and make a case to suit?
Bigger is not better...
Perhaps they're trying to justify the hefty $$$ price-tag by giving the buyers a lot more metal and glass than is actually needed?
Mike.