At the PC configuration planning stage, the user must first determine for them what form factor of the motherboard will be used in it. After all, he is the one who sets a bunch of parameters for future assembly, starting with the size of the computer system drive housing, which ends with the type of cooling system built into it. Based on this fact, in this topic, we will consider ATX Vs MATX Vs ITX: What are the form factors of motherboards, their types, formats, sizes, purpose, etc.
Table of Contents
ATX:-
Form Factor: –
This format is most popular for building stationary computers of any configuration, from a desktop version to a powerful gaming station. ATX motherboards have standard dimensions of 30.5×24.2 cm, which allows manufacturers to easily equip them with all the necessary features and a complete base – slots, ports, interface connectors, reinforced power circuits, etc.
An important design feature of this standard size should be attributed to the fact that they are only compatible with system units with the same ATX standard. On the one hand, this seems to be a disadvantage, but on the other hand, assembling computers with their use can save the user money from the budget allocated to him.
Cooling System: –
First of all, a computer based on them is less demanding for the cooling system, because the components of its hardware do not have to be packed in a small housing, which means that they have good ventilation without the use of expensive cooling systems.
Compatibility: –
The case segment compatible with ATX form factor motherboards is larger compared to other standard sizes. Therefore, when assembling a computer, the user will have no difficulty in choosing a case for a future PC, either in terms of the financial side of the problem or in choosing a model.
Micro ATX (mATX):-
Form Factor: –
This motherboard size is a disabled version of the ATX standard. This applies to both the size and the full base. The dimensions of this standard are 24.4×24.4 cm. They are fully compatible with previous cases, but not the other way around. Micro ATX boards can often have a similar configuration to their ATX cousins. That is, they can be equipped with the same chipset, but with fewer PCI slots for installing different expansion cards.
In addition, Micro ATX is often equipped with a built-in graphics core device, but similar ATX configurations are not. Therefore, it turns out that the motherboards of this form factor are not aimed at building gaming systems, but in most cases are focused only on the creation of desktop computers.
Mini-ITX:-
Form Factor: –
The format of the Mini-ITX motherboard developed by VIA Technologies is mechanically and electrically compatible with the ATX form factor. Their dimensions are 17×17 cm. Thanks to the use of built-in processors, SSDs as file storage devices and the use of a passive cooling system, this type of motherboard aims to create cheap compact and silent home multimedia systems.
