The 20+4 and CPU power connectors are full length because everyone needs those. The rest of the connectors are modular so you only use what you need. There are four SATA, six molex, two FDD and perhaps most important of all two PCIe connectors for high end video cards.
Keeping all that power cool requires an extreme cooling solution. A massive 135mm cooling fan with blue LEDs takes up the bottom panel of the housing. The back panel is perforated in a Hexflo honeycomb mesh for maximum airflow combined with superior strength.