Asked by: Haroa Bersch
technology and computing desktops

Are ATX motherboards better than micro ATX?

Last Updated: 14th January, 2020

10
Fortunately, mATX motherboards areperfectforbudget-friendly gaming PCs, as they still have all ofthemainfeatures that standard ATX motherboards have. Theonlyrealdifference is that standard ATXmotherboardsofferbetter aesthetics, more PCIe slots, andbeefier VRMsforoverclocking.

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Accordingly, is ATX or Micro ATX better?

While ATX and Micro ATXmotherboardscanboth support up to four RAM modules, the Mini ITXcan onlysupporttwo. ATX and Micro ATX, on the otherhand,cansupport twice as much memory. However, this isn't muchofadeal-breaker for gamers, seeing as even 16 GB of RAM ismorethanenough for a gaming PC today.

Additionally, can you fit ATX motherboard in micro ATX case? microATX was explicitly designedtobebackward-compatible with ATX. The mountingpointsofmicroATX motherboards are a subset of thoseusedonfull-size ATX boards, and the I/O panel isidentical.Thus,microATX motherboards can be used infull-sizeATXcases.

Simply so, what is the difference between a micro ATX and ATX motherboard?

Micro ATX is one of the offshootsofATX,and its main difference from the mainATXform factoris size. ATX retains a generallyrectangularboard sizemeasuring 305mm. by 244mm. While ATXboardstypically havefive expansion slots, Micro ATXtypically hasthree withfour being the absolutemaximum.

What is a micro ATX motherboard?

Sometimes referred to as themATX,themicroATX is a motherboard that is 9.6"wide x9.6"deep and capable of being as small as 6.75" wide x 6.75"deep.Thismotherboard was first introduced by Intel inDecember1997and is a smaller motherboard that can be used ineitheranATX case or smaller computer case.

Related Question Answers

Nebil Lezameta

Professional

What does ATX stand for?

ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) isamotherboardand power supply configuration specificationdevelopedby Intel in1995 to improve on previous de facto standardslike theATdesign.

Junli Rieg

Professional

Are ATX motherboards good for gaming?

Fortunately, mATX motherboards areperfectforbudget-friendly gaming PCs, as they still have allofthemain features that standard ATX motherboards have.Theonlyreal difference is that standard ATXmotherboardsofferbetter aesthetics, more PCIe slots, andbeefier VRMsforoverclocking.

Romul Jamai

Professional

How do I choose a motherboard?

What To Consider When Buying A Motherboard
  1. Form Factor. Initially you'll need to select a formfactor.
  2. Processor Socket. After choosing a form factor you'llneedtochoose a processor socket.
  3. RAM (Random Access Memory) Next up, RAM, short forRandomAccessMemory.
  4. PCI Slots. A PCI slot is a connection or port that islocatedonthe motherboard.
  5. Features.
  6. SATA.

Yunes Nowagk

Explainer

Can I put a Micro ATX motherboard in an ATX case?

Although it's a small motherboard, it isalsofullfeatured and can hold a CPU and memory andexpansioncards. AMicroATX motherboard should fit perfectlyinto amicroATXcase, but it will also fit inmanyATX ormini-ATX cases, albeit with some extraspacearoundit.

Hmida Moelder

Explainer

What size is ATX?

A full size ATX motherboard is 12 incheswideand9.6 inches deep (305 x 244 mm). There are also severalvariantsofATX, which have slightlydifferentformfactors.

Yasemin Lamachoo

Explainer

Can Mid Tower fit ATX?

Full-tower and mid-towercasesbothfit standard ATX motherboards—by farthemostcommon motherboard size out there. Both canalsofitsmaller micro-ATX motherboards.Full-towercasesoften support more fans and 5.25-inch drivebaysaswell.

R Fange

Pundit

What is the smallest motherboard form factor?

The 5x5 is 29 percent smaller thanmini-ITXat147x140mm (5.5x5.8 inches), making it thesmallestsocketedboard available. Just like themini-ITX (and unlikethesmaller NUC), it has a socket whichfitsLGAprocessors.

Creuza Cwio

Pundit

What is the smallest ATX case?

Best Smallest ATX Case for 2019
Case Name Weight Dimension
Corsair Carbide Air 540 16.3 pounds 16.3 x 13.1 x 18 inches
Thermaltake Core G3 9.3 pounds 17.9 x 14.6 x 5.5 inches
Rosewill Cullinan 26 pounds 8.5 x 19.6 x 18.8 inches
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO 18.1 pounds 16.7 x 17.4 x 13 inches

Soulimane Lichtenfeld

Pundit

What advantages does ATX have over microATX?

3) What advantages does ATX haveovermicroATX?MicroATX is the advantage becauseofsize that isusually much smaller than normal ATX andusuallyhasfewer expansion slots like PCI, fewerDIMMsockets.

Alvard Roppel

Pundit

What does ATX mean on a motherboard?

Definition of: ATXmotherboard.ATXmotherboard. (Advanced TechnologyEXtendedmotherboard)The PC motherboard thatsuperseded theBaby AT design. TheATX layout rotated the CPUand memory 90degrees, allowingfull-length expansions to be pluggedinto allsockets.

Reveca Tento

Pundit

Can I use ATX power supply on micro ATX board?

A micro-atx motherboard will workfinewithan ATX case and power supply.Thus,microATXmotherboards can be used in full-sizeATXcases.Furthermore, most microATX motherboardsgenerallyusethe same power connectors asATXmotherboards,[6]thus permitting the use offull-sizeATX powersupplies with microATXboards.

Misha Nuevo

Teacher

How many expansion slots are on typical ATX and ITX motherboards?

Most ATX motherboards containfiveexpansionslots, while the averagemicro-ATXmotherboardincludes only four.

Alasne Renziehausen

Teacher

What form factor is my motherboard?

The Succession ofMotherboardFormFactors
The form factor of amotherboarddeterminesthe specifications for its generalshape and size. Italso specifieswhat type of case and power supplywill besupported, the placementof mounting holes, and the physicallayoutand organization of theboard.

Emil Haaf

Teacher

Is Mini ITX same as ITX?

Both mini-ITX and micro-ATXaresmallform factor motherboards used in small computers.Asmotherboards,both ATX and ITX provide thebasicfeatures that canrun a computer. “Small formfactormotherboard” is thecommon term for any motherboardbelow acertain size.

Ethyl Melgares

Teacher

What is the best micro ATX motherboard?

Checkout our top picks for best motherboardbelow.
  • ASRock H370M Pro4 Micro ATX Motherboard.
  • Asus TUF Z270 Mark 2 ATX Motherboard.
  • MSI Z170A Gaming M5 ATX Motherboard.
  • Gigabyte X470 AORUS Gaming 5 ATX WiFi Motherboard.
  • MSI Z270 M5 ATX Motherboard.
  • ASUS ROG Crosshair VI Hero ATX Motherboard.

Cher Elworthy

Reviewer

What is Nano ITX motherboard?

Nano-ITX.Nano-ITXboardsmeasure 12 × 12 cm (4.7 ×4.7 in), and arefullyintegrated, very low power consumptionmotherboardswithmany uses, but targeted at smart digitalentertainment devicessuchas PVRs, set-top boxes, media centers, carPCs, andthindevices.

Suyog Leiton

Reviewer

How do I find my motherboard chipset?

If you are looking for the chipsetofthemotherboard and are running Microsoft Windowsyoucanfind the chipset information under the'Systemdevices'category in Device Manager. The chipsetofthemotherboard is probably ALI, AMD, Intel, NVidia,VIA,orSIS.

Saray Vidican

Reviewer

Are all micro ATX motherboards the same size?

PC cases themselves are often referred to bythesethreeform factors, but the terms more accurately refertothesize of the motherboards they canhost.ATXboards measure 12 by 9.6 inches, MicroATX upto9.6 by 9.6inches (they're sometimes smaller), and Mini-ITX6.7inchessquare.

Saad Brunning

Reviewer

What are the sizes of motherboards?

Motherboard Sizing
Size Width Height
Mini ITX 6.7 in 6.7 in
Micro ATX 9.6 in 9.6 in
ATX 9.6 in 12 in
E-ATX 13 in 12 in

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14th January, 2020

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