Types of Motherboards: Motherboard Sizes Explained
As we are reaching the end of a generation for both memory (DDR4) and GPUs, prices for PC components have reached an unprecedented low. This has given a huge incentive for PC enthusiasts to pick up new parts and, in many cases, a brand new computer. To make full use of this zeitgeist of high demand, media companies have pushed forth a lot of information regarding which CPU and GPU you should buy, but resources related to the motherboard are few and far between. This is made worse by the fact that the nomenclature (ATX, M-ATX, etc.) for motherboard types can be bewildering, and some of it can even confuse experienced PC builders. If there’s a PC part that we needed an in-depth guide on, it would be the motherboard. It is in this context that we believe that first-time buyers and PC enthusiasts might need a bit of background knowledge for which motherboard fits their needs — both in terms of physical dimensions and usage pattern. So, here is our guide on motherboard sizes. The guide is intended to clear all your doubts about which motherboard form factor should you get for your next build and why.
Motherboard Sizes: Comparing ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX Form Factors (2022)
In this article, we will explore everything there is to know about motherboard form factors, from looking at the reasons why the particular sizes emerged to what are their assets and liabilities. We will also compare popular motherboard form factors of today, i.e. ATX, M-ATX, and M-ITX boards, to see which one you should buy and for which particular build.
Table of Contents
History of Computer Motherboard
The IBM Personal Computer (1981) featured the first motherboard as we know it. At first, this component was called a planar, and at the beginning of its creation, went through several additional names until it was finally called the motherboard. This was the first time in computer history that a board housed the computer’s CPU and RAM, and provided audio as well as many other functions.
This board also supplied ports for the keyboard and cassette tape and had expansion slots for add-on cards. There was even a system known as the bus to manage the information flow here. It was a revolutionary machine that changed the future of computing.
IBM AT Motherboard (1984)
However, it was only in 1984, with the coming of IBM’s AT (advanced technology) motherboards that component-based PCs that we know today emerged. The AT form factor proved to be hugely popular and became the go-to form factor among PC manufacturers for several years. Though, this board did have its issues. One of the major problems with the IBM AT board was its enormous width (aside from limiting its use in smaller cases), and this made the board overlap with the drive bay designs of PC cases at the time. This essentially made the installation, troubleshooting, and upgrading of hardware a very tedious process.
Baby At motherboard (1987)
To counter this problem, a smaller version of the original AT motherboard called the “baby AT“ was introduced back in 1987.
The primary difference between these two variants was the width — the older full AT board was 12-inches wide, while the new baby AT was 8.5-inches in width. The design change made the IBM Baby AT motherboard way more compatible with PC cases of the time, and this led to its widespread adoption. The Baby AT was also the first PC motherboard to include sockets for I/O ports like serial and parallel.
Both the AT and Baby AT sizes were widely used in 386, 486, and early Intel Pentium PCs and were the most widely used motherboards at the time. This doesn’t mean that there were no other competitors in the motherboard space at the time.
LPX (Low Profile eXtension) was a competing motherboard form factor developed by Western Digital in 1987, and it was used in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. An LPX motherboard was 9-inch x 13-inch in size, used a riser card, and had different placement of the video, parallel, serial, and PS/2 ports compared to other motherboards.
The LPX motherboard never could match the stratospheric success of the Baby AT form factor, but it did remain a viable alternative throughout the early 1990s.
An LPX motherboard on a Dell PC
What Are the Different Sizes of Motherboards?
The 1980s and the early 1990s were a fascinating time for motherboard design, as every few years, a new standard would come, be used by a few manufacturers, and then ultimately die out. The process worked almost like clockwork, as this period saw the release of Intel’s Baby AT (1985), Western digital’s LPX (1987) platform, and even IBM’s NLX (1997) form factor.
But when it comes to motherboard form factors today, the situation is much more comprehensible. The vast majority of today’s consumer motherboards come in one of three sizes — ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX.
Popular Motherboard sizes of Today
The ATX platform is currently the most popular of them all and has been the industry standard for a while now.
It offers a ton of flexibility when it comes to expansion and upgradation, which makes this form factor the preferred one for gamers and PC enthusiasts. Mini-ITX, on the other hand, is the smallest of the bunch and is usually used in smaller PC builds because of its compact nature.
The Micro-ATX motherboard form factor splits the two in the middle and gives us some flexibility when it comes to PCI-e and RAM expansion while keeping the overall size smaller than full-ATX. Furthermore, one might also come across an E-ATX motherboard, which is larger than a full-ATX board, but those are primarily used in workstation systems. Few other form factors do still exist like the Mini-STX, but they are fairly rare, and one hardly ever comes across them in build guides or retail stores.
Full-Size ATX Motherboard
The form factor which replaced the popular Baby AT standard and defined what the motherboard would look like for the next few decades was the ATX motherboard size.
Developed by Intel in 1995, the ATX form factor was designed to address the many problematic areas that plagued the earlier boards.
ATX motherboard was created to enhance ease of use, bring better I/O support, and made available at a much lower price point. In terms of design philosophy, it is basically a Baby AT rotated 90 degrees. This change in design allowed the processor to be relocated away from the expansion slots, which gave it better airflow and made upgrading the PCIe card easier.
A modern ATX motherboard (Intel Z690)
In terms of dimension, a full-size ATX board has a height of 305 mm (12 inches) and a width of 244mm (9.7 inches). The larger dimension is the major strong point of the board, as it provides manufacturers with enough space to install bigger heatsinks, intricate VRM solutions, larger rear-I/O, and more expansion slots. A full-size ATX motherboard, for example, typically has 7 PCIe expansion slots, allowing you to install up to 4 GPUs if your power supply can support such a configuration that is.
However, there are some drawbacks to the full-ATX form factor. One is that because it’s a large motherboard, it’s not compatible with all PC cases. Therefore, it requires one to research a bit more about the dimensions of their PC case before purchasing this kind of board. So, if you are thinking about upgrading to an ATX motherboard and have any doubts about the compatibility, do check your motherboard specs to see if the size is supported.
There is also the issue of “heat” with ATX motherboards. The ATX’s component arrangement hinders airflow and many manufacturers claimed that this resulted in less than optimum cooling. The issue of heat was so severe that Intel released a new BTX motherboard series in 2005, which was supposed to fix the heat issues and supposedly replace the ATX form factor.
The BTX form factor introduced changes like moving the CPU socket toward the front intake fans. The idea was that fresh air intake from the front would remove excess heat as soon as possible, solving the biggest issue with ATX.
It also tried to remove older standards like the PS/2 and parallel ports, replacing them with extra USB ports. In theory, it was a remarkable improvement over the decade-old ATX board design.
But as history would have it, the BTX form factor never reached the popularity that it was meant to achieve. Several reasons like sunk cost, community approval, and widespread adoption of ATX motherboard made both manufacturers and consumers vary of the new platform.
BTX motherboard (2005)
Another major benefit of the ATX motherboard size is upgradability. The expansion capability makes the ATX motherboard a perfect form factor for PC users who want to ensure they will never be caught in an inconvenient situation due to a lack of space or performance like hardcore gamers and other heavy users. But this emphasis on performance does not mean that an ATX board has no use for a regular user.
The very fact that the motherboard has sufficient space for additional memory, storage, and PCIe cards makes it future-proof for all kinds of users.
It gives one the peace of mind that when new components get released, the ATX motherboard will always have a place for it.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Flexible with good upgrade options | More expensive than M-ATX and ITX boards |
| I/O portfolio is superior to other form-factors | Can’t be used for small form-factor builds |
| Plenty of room for heatsinks and VRMs | The board design is a bit outdated |
Micro-ATX (M-ATX) Motherboard
Micro-ATX motherboards, as the name suggests, are smaller than full-size ATX motherboards. They were first introduced in 1997 and, according to Intel, were seen as a natural evolution of the ATX form factor. Computer sizes were reducing rapidly and manufacturers at the time believed that a smaller form-factor motherboard was essential for a future where mini-PCs would be the norm.
AMD Athlon M-ATX motherboard
The Micro-ATX motherboard was also designed while keeping in mind a variety of users. For one, it was made to fill the gap that existed in motherboard form factors in the late 1990s. While most users used ATX at the time, users who wanted a small form factor had to sacrifice a lot in terms of capability if they went with a smaller motherboard. Micro-ATX solved this by giving users most of the capabilities of the full-size ATX board, while at the same time, keeping the form factor palatable enough to fit in smaller cases.
Dimension-wise, the micro-ATX motherboard is only slightly smaller than ATX with an overall surface area of 9.6 x 9.6 inches (244mm). This makes the board 25% percent shorter in length. To achieve this size, there are some features that the motherboard designer had to sacrifice. M-ATX boards have a maximum of 4 PCIe slots compared to a maximum of 7 on an ATX board, of which usually only two are x16 slots.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of M-ATX motherboard PCs, though, is cost. Thanks to their smaller size and the materials that go into making the motherboard, you can see a noticeable saving by opting for an M-ATX over a full-size ATX motherboard. So, if you want a PC that does not dominate your desk in the way that a full-size tower does, or need to make the most of a smaller space and take full advantage of your budget, then a Micro-ATX motherboard size might be the best choice for you.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Smaller form factor while having most features | Lack of expansion slots |
| Ability to fit in more compact cases | Inferior power delivery |
| Cheaper than other boards | I/O ports can be limited |
Mini-ITX (M-ITX) Motherboard
If the M-ATX platform is still big for you, and you are looking to build an even smaller but capable PC, there is another motherboard size worth considering — Mini-ITX.
An acronym for Information Technology extended, ITX is a small motherboard form factor developed by VIA Technologies, which was first introduced in November 2001 with the Mini-ITX platform.
Many other versions of the ITX motherboard design, like the Nano-ITX in 2003 and the Pico-ITX in April 2007, have since been released. However, it’s the Mini-ITX form factor that has remained the most popular of the bunch, especially for desktop users.
ITX motherboards are popular because of their compact design and are often used in low-cost setups in cars, network devices, set-top boxes, and other small computers. They are seen as small, reliable platforms that can power relatively weaker PCs rather effectively. But Mini-ITX boards, for reasons that only computer enthusiasts know, have taken a different path as compared to their initial use cases. It is now employed by the PC building community and large manufacturers as a platform for building compact high-performance PCs, which are no bigger than your average game console.
VIA Mini-ITX motherboard size
In terms of dimensions, the Mini-ITX board is squarish in its design philosophy as it’s only 6.7 inches in both length and width (6.7 × 6.7 inches) This makes Mini-ITX the smallest type of motherboard that can still run full-sized PC components out of the box. So what are the compromises here?
While the M-ATX board could still function in most aspects like an ATX board (Rear I/O, memory slots), the Mini-ITX board size is more of a compromise. For one, M-ITX boards typically only feature a single PCIe lane. This limitation means there is no support for multi-GPU configurations or other expansion cards. You will also not find no more than 2 RAM slots on the typical mini-ITX motherboard, which decreases the total amount of memory you can have in your system compared to an M-ATX board (4 slots).
Furthermore, because of lack of physical space, M-ITX boards tend to have fewer VRMs than, let’s say, full-size ATX boards.
This sort of limits the overclocking capability of the chips as power delivery is compromised in comparison to a larger board. Cramming a lot of components onto a smaller space may also create more heat dissipation problems. That said, CPUs have become more power-efficient over the years, so you can still find plenty of boards that will allow you to overclock. Though, you are just not going to reach very high clock speeds with the limited VRM and cooling options in Mini-ITX boards.
However, the advantage of Mini-ITX motherboards, as mentioned above, is their smaller size. These boards are typically compatible with more small form-factor cases than both standard ATX and micro-ATX motherboard sizes. For example, a typical ATX mid-tower like the Corsair 4000D has a size of 453mm x 230mm x 466mm, approximately 48,552 cubic centimeters of space. A Mini-ITX case from Cooler Master like NR200, with room for a full-sized power supply and gaming-grade GPU, is 200mm x 320mm x 400mm, about 25,600 cubic centimeters.
So you could stack 2 Mini-ITX cases together, and they still wouldn’t be as big as a standard mid-tower case. There are even smaller options, including Nano-ITX and Pico-ITX, but you won’t find many mainstream PCs in either of those form factors.
Finally, if we talk about the price, you would be surprised to know that these smaller Mini-ITX motherboards are more pricey than the Micro-ATX models and have quite a bit more features in them. Its high price, however, is a sort of premium that you pay for having a bespoke motherboard type.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can fit in the most compact of PC cases | I/O not comparable to other Motherboard standards |
| Capable enough to power a High-end gaming PC | Limited VRM performance |
| More expensive than M-ATX |
Less Popular Motherboard Sizes
While ATX, M-ATX, and Mini-ITX make up the majority of motherboards these days, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other options for people looking for specific workloads.
In this section of the article, we will look at the other “less popular” motherboards you can still find on the market.
Extended-ATX (E-ATX) Motherboard
If you look for a slightly bigger motherboard than the ATX, there’s an extended version of such motherboards available as well. It is known as the E-ATX form factor, which basically stands for extended-ATX. The motherboard dimensions (12 x 13 inches) are slightly different from ATX, as it boasts the same length at 12 inches but is substantially wider at 13 inches.
Image credits: Asus
The features and basic I/O ports of this motherboard category are similar to that of an ATX motherboard. But, since the size of the chassis is bigger, E-ATX motherboards generally have more expansion slots compared to ATX boards. For example, an ATX size board usually has 3-4 PCIe x16 slots, while E-ATX boards usually come with 4 or more slots.
Similarly, ATX motherboards usually come with 4 RAM slots, whereas E-ATX has 6 and even sometimes 8 RAM slots.
You can also expect an EATX motherboard to come with a few more additional heat sinks than ATX boards.
But the biggest difference between the two motherboards is the fact that E-ATX boards sometimes have support for dual-sockets, which allows you to run two processors at the same time. This is usually reserved for workstation-class hardware, but the fact that the board can accommodate up to 2 processors is impressive in its own right.
Mini-STX Motherboard
The next type of motherboard we will be looking at is the Mini-STX motherboard (Mini Socket Technology Extended), which was originally called Intel 5×5. Released in 2015, this motherboard measures 147mm by 140mm in size, which makes it 5.8 inches in length and 5.5 inches in width (not really living up to the 5×5 moniker). Unlike other small form factor boards like NUC or mini-ITX, which have a square shape, the Mini-STX board is 7mm longer from front to rear, making it slightly rectangular.
AsRock Mini-STX (image credits: AsRock)
The basic rationale behind the 5×5 form factor was to provide PC builders with a motherboard with an upgradeable LGA socket that stayed under the ultra-compact volume benchmark of one liter. With Mini-STX, Intel’s intention was to create a platform that was much smaller than the dominant motherboard designs of the time but still had the hardware to pack a decent amount of performance.
However, as we have seen over the years, the platform has not picked up in terms of popularity. As of today, only one major manufacturer ASRock still produces a motherboard of this form factor, and even that hasn’t been updated for the newest Intel sockets. Furthermore, the proprietary Nvidia MXM GPU modules used with this motherboard have been discontinued.
So, it’s fair to say that the mini-STX motherboard is dead in a sense and unless board partners like ASRock come up with something new (maybe an AMD partnership), the platform is unlikely to see a revival.
Which Motherboard Form Factor Should You Choose?
Now that we have given a detailed overview of the qualities and specifications of the different types of motherboards and their sizes, let’s look at which motherboard you should buy and for what use. As we have previously discussed, not all motherboards are created equal, as each one of them has its strengths and weaknesses.
For example, deciding which motherboard might be for you will heavily depend on what workflow you have or how many PCIe and RAM slots you will use. To make the answer of which motherboard you should buy easier, we have divided this section into three parts — best motherboard for a Budget PC build, best motherboard for a Gaming PC, and best motherboard for a Mini-PC.
For Budget PC Build
- Choose a Micro-ATX motherboard size
- don’t splurge on a bigger motherboard and more component slots
If you want to go for a budget build, where a considerable sum of your total budget will go toward the processor and the graphics card, your best bet is to pick up a Micro-ATX motherboard.
The reason is rather simple: there are no components that will have as much of an impact on your day-to-day performance as your processor and graphics card. These two components form the base for other PC components like storage and memory, and thus, you need a good CPU and GPU to even make full use of other PC parts.
So, if you are building a budget PC, remember to allocate as much as your budget to these two components. However, this does mean that you will have to sacrifice a bit on the quality of your other components or will have to give away in terms of features.
But M-ATX motherboards come in handy for budget builds, as they can be anywhere from 30-40 percent cheaper than their full-size counterparts. And though they are cheap, they still have all the main features that ATX motherboards have. The only real difference is that full-size ATX boards can offer better thermals, as they can physically have more VRM and MOSFET modules and also that it can physically incorporate more PCIe slots.
These features, while important, are not that useful when it comes to budget builds. Budget CPUs don’t necessarily have the overclocking headroom required to fully make use of the more robust VRM solution of ATX boards. Furthermore, budget builds are typically single-card builds, as a second GPU might push the build over the budget limit.
For High-End Gaming PC Build
- Always buy a full-size ATX motherboard for high-end gaming PCs
- Offers up to 7 PCIe slots, making upgradability a cinch
On the other end of the spectrum, high-end gaming PCs are far different from their budget counterparts. For a high-end gaming desktop, having multiple graphics or expansion cards is not uncommon. Moreover, in a quest for supreme performance, most high-end gaming PCs are also overclocked, which means that the motherboard needs to have a robust power delivery system to match these increased power requirements.
For this kind of build, the only suitable motherboard option is the full-size ATX motherboard.
With up to 7 PCIe slots, the Full-ATX motherboard gives the user the option to not just have multiple GPUs but also gives them the flexibility to install other add-on cards like capture cards, PCIe SSDs, or even 10-gigabit network cards.
For Small Form-Factor PC Build
- Buy a mini-ITX or micro-ATX motherboard
- Constraints on upgradability and part availability
If you want to build a PC with a smaller footprint, whether because you want it to be mobile or prefer a more minimalist design, your best bet is to go with a smaller mini-ITX or micro-ATX motherboard.
If you want to save a little space and a little money, whilst still packing the most powerful of components into your new PC, M-ATX may be what’s best for you. Just be aware that you won’t have many options when it comes to picking your motherboard and case, and your cooling and storage may not be as expansive as they would be in a larger design.
Image credits: Phantek
But if you want the smallest build possible, without opting for a proprietary solution like an Intel NUC or a Corsair one, then blindly go for Mini-ITX motherboards and build yourself a portable gaming beast.
What PC Cases Are Compatible With My Motherboard?
The simple answer to this question is – it depends. Certain PC cases can fit all types of standard motherboards, but there are a few that do not. To understand this better, we should look at the different PC case sizes available in the market. If you are upgrading your PC case and don’t know which motherboard you’re using, read our detailed guide on how to check which motherboard you have on Windows right here.
There are essentially four common sizes for PC cases — Small Form Factor, Mini Tower, Mid Tower, and Full Tower. There are additional sizes, such as Ultra Tower and HTPC, but they serve a very specialized purpose and are generally not intended for a typical commercial home, office, or gaming PC.
Each of these case sizes has recommended motherboard sizes that they can accommodate. For example, a small form factor PC is the best use-case scenario for the Mini-ITX motherboard size that we discussed earlier.
But this does not mean all cases are exclusive to a specific motherboard size. A mid-tower PC case, particularly intended for ATX motherboards, can fit smaller M-ATX and mini-ITX motherboard types as well.
Recommended case sizes are just a kind of guideline, which tell you the best case (pun intended) scenario for the given motherboard, and are not to be read as gospel. So if you already have an M-ATX board and want to change your PC case, you should have a range of choices for new cases as you can use either small factor cases or even the larger Mid-tower cases.
Types of Motherboard Form Factors Explained
In the above article, we have rounded up not only the three mainstream motherboard sizes: ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX, but we have also explored other less common options like E-ATX and the mini-STX. In the process, we also explored the long history of motherboard design and the variety of approaches that early motherboard manufacturers took to set themselves apart.
Now, why did we do that? We believe that before buying a motherboard, it is fundamental to understand the different form factors and their use cases. It helps you make a better decision. Having knowledge about the different types of motherboards will give a significant advantage to builders who want to create their PC for a specific purpose. So if you wish to build a gaming rig or a workstation, choosing the right motherboard type is crucial. That’s pretty much it. If you have further questions about how specific parts of the motherboard work, read our detailed overview linked here.
Motherboard Size Comparison Chart | Techosaurus Rex
If you are planning to build your own computer, knowing the differences between the various motherboard sizes available is extremely important. I didn’t know that when I first build my first PC many years ago and the result was disastrous.
But today I am here to help you get that sorted and understand what are the different motherboard sizes available today with an easy to follow motherboard size comparison chart.
We’ll have more details on this matter in this article, but let’s get started with the main thing you came here to see: the actual motherboard size comparison chart!
| Motherboard size | Height | Width |
| ATX | 12 inches | 9.6 inches |
| Micro ATX | 9.6 inches | 9.6 inches |
| Mini ATX | 11.2 inches | 8.2 inches |
| E – ATX | 12 inches | 13 inches |
| WTX | 14 inches | 16.75 inches |
| FlexATX | 9 inches | 7.5 inches |
If you prefer a visual look instead, check out the image below:
If you want to learn more about the sizes, the role of the motherboard in a desktop system and much more – read on! You’ll be a motherboard expert in no time!
What is a motherboard?
The motherboard is one extremely important part of a computer.
It is the central communication hub of the computer or laptop. You can also see it called a circuit board, mainboard or logic board.
Technically represented by a printed circuit board which offers the connectors and components for the device it is used on.
It basically allows the electronic components of the computer to communicate and operate as a whole, basically laying the foundation for your computer.
These components include the processor, connectors, RAM memory, graphics card and so on.
What are the different sizes of a Motherboard?
As you saw in the chart above, there are 6 main motherboard sizes:
- FlexATX (9″ x 7.5″)
- MicroATX (9.6″ x 9.6″)
- Mini ATX (11.2″ x 8.2″)
- ATX (12″ x 9.6″)
- EATX (12″ x 13″)
- WTX (14″ x 16.75″)
Is this size important? It definitely is!
Depending on the size of your motherboard, you will be allowed to have more or fewer components installed.
For example, a standard ATX motherboard has a maximum of seven PCI or PCI-Express expansion slots, while a MicroATX only has four.
Generally speaking, a larger motherboard offers more slots than a smaller one. However, most of them are compatible in terms of mounting points. This means that a computer case that fits an ATX motherboard will also fit a MicroATX.
And getting the smaller one is not always a bad idea. If you don’t really need to build a super-computer and you don’t really need all the extra slots, there’s no point in spending more for a larger motherboard.
So when deciding to build a computer, it’s always good to start by deciding what size of a motherboard you want or need, and only afterwards decide upon a desktop case and all the other components.
What are the basic components of a motherboard?
We’ve learned that a motherboard will offer more slots depending on size. The actual offering can vary from model to model, but all motherboards need to offer support for these basic components:
CPU Socket
The processor is equipped into this socket directly.
This is one of the most important parts of a computer or laptop. There are various sockets available on market, and each processor requires a certain socket type.
So in order to make sure that your motherboard is compatible with your processor, check the socket type it offers – as well as the one that the CPU requires.
Card slots
There are different types of slots in a laptop and they are specifically designed for various components. We’re talking about modem card slots, audio and video card slots, as well as a network card slot. Here we will have various ports for the storage options (HDD or SSD)
Most modern motherboards – especially those created for gaming – will offer more GPU slots, for example, so that you can completely customize your product.
Make sure to double check the design and the placement of the slots – it’s not uncommon for some graphics cards to come with a huge fan that will simply block the additional GPU slot that a motherboard might offer.
RAM Slots
Depending on the model of the motherboard, you can have anything from two to 8 RAM slots for your computer’s RAM.
BIOS and CMOS
All of the motherboard’s information and settings are stored in the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).
The CMOS is actually responsible for storing and saving the data when the laptop or computer is turned off.
Input & output ports
These are the places where you will insert various cables and peripherals, like your sound system (if you don’t have a dedicated card), the ethernet cable, mouse and/or keyboard.
Cabinet connection
This is where you connect the power switch, as well as any potential front audio and USBs. These connections are critical to ensuring that your computer works as intended.
Power connectors
We’re talking about the large ATX connector which basically feeds electricity to the motherboard in order to keep the system running.
Wrapping up
This would be all about motherboards today. Hopefully you found our motherboard size comparison chart useful and you know now everything about the different sizes of motherboards available to purchase.
In this case, we can say that definitely “bigger is better” – a larger motherboard will give you more options to connect more peripherals and components, so if you want to upgrade sometime in the future, it’s a lot easier to do so if you have a larger one.
But even smaller ones – like the popular microATX can be used with ease to create some really powerful, custom-made gaming PCs.
Share this article!
? Types of Motherboard Form Factors
In a nutshell, the motherboard form factor indicates the shape and size specifications of the board. The form factor also determines additional parameters such as the casing, power supply, mounting holes, and overall physical layout.
The first form factor dates back to 1983.
At that time, IBM built the personal computer XT and since the form factor specs were open, many manufacturers used it as a de facto standard.
Today the technology landscape has changed. The original motherboard XT form factor evolved to 40 different forms, all deviating from the traditional personal computer use case. IBM is no longer the most popular motherboard builder, there are other manufacturers such as Intel, ASUS, VIA, ABIT, and more. There are motherboards built for embedded systems, rackmount servers, mobiles, media centers, vehicles, and more.
So, What is Motherboard Form Factor ??
The motherboard is the main component, based on its function, of the internal structure of all computers. Mainly responsible for the interaction of all the elements of the computer, such as the CPU, RAM, storage, graphics card, I/O, among others.
It is extremely important to recognize its capabilities, limitations as well as the main features it contains so as not to repress the potential of any other piece within the PC.
Another key element is the form-factor (exterior physical size and shape) which also should be considered for the computer application according to the field where it’ll be used.
Motherboards are always characterized by their chipset, type of processor socket, and their form factor.
The following is a picture showing the most important Motherboard Components. The motherboard in the picture is the X570 AORUS PRO and its components are:
- CPU and CPU socket.
- RAM, DRAM, and RAM slots.
- ATX power supply.
- IDE Connectors
- Northbridge and southbridge.
- PCE Slot
- CMOS Backup Battery
- Integrated connectors for peripherals such as USB, mouse, keyboard, display, audio, Ethernet, etc.
The form factor for this specific motherboard, the X570 AORUS PRO, is the ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm dimensions.
In this article we’ll focus mainly on this feature, reviewing a list of the most common different form factors and their benefits, especially lower footprint to make computers more cost-effective.
≫ Form Factor ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)
Designed as an evolution of the Baby AT form factor, ATX marks a profound change in the architecture of the motherboard and other components such as the cabinet and the power supply.
Within the motherboard there are significant changes such as the location of the CPU socket, which is now placed near the power supply, thus allowing the flow of air caused by the fan of the source and not to be interfered with by any element as it happened with the technology Baby AT.
Another change was the connection between the source of the feed. Which is now a single connector, unlike the AT which were two. Some of the most important improvements for ATX and benefits are:
- Integrated input and output ports
- Slots of expansion without interference
- Start Control by software
- 3 Vol. from the source (reduces hardware cost, energy consumption, and heat)
- A better airflow
- Less interference in access to drive bays.
The ATX motherboard dimensions are 12 × 13 in. A variation of the ATX is the Mini ATX, which is essentially a reduced-size version of ATX but more reduced in terms of its shape, its measurements are 11.2 × 8.2 inches.
This form factor is the most used today, especially on desktop computers, and after this technology was released several other factors where based on it. Such as the Mini-ITX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX, Nano ITX, and Pico-ITX.
≫ Form Micro ATX
It is an evolution of ATX. Its measures are 9.6 × 9.6 inches. The Micro-ATX supports up to four expansion slots that can combine freely with ISA, PCI, PCI / ISA shared, and AGP. Mounting holes changed from the Standard ATX, since the measurements are different, but they are also compatible with most ATX cabinets.
This type of motherboard form factor supports both Intel and AMD processors. It is commonly used on Small Form Factor Desktop Computers.
≫ Form Micro Mini-ITX
Mini ITX is a low-power consumption motherboard format of 6.
7 × 6.7 inches. Its dimensions are the most characteristic factor of this type of form factor. Although this type of motherboard was designed with the aim of empowering teams of low consumption, at present there are no limits and they have grown by giant steps in terms of benefits.
Since the Mini-ITX was introduced they have expanded in all kinds of applications, thanks to their open standard factor. Mini ITX is a standard format for all types of equipment, such as vehicle embedded computers, industrial applications, and IoT. The Mini-ITX is the first standard system of reduced format that is popularized, reaching all types of projects and any equipment where it may be necessary.
≫ Form Micro Nano-ITX
The Nano-ITX is another type of motherboard form factor, that measures 4.7 × 4.7 in. Nano-ITX are fully integrated boards designed to consume very low power. This type of motherboard can be used in many applications, but it was specially designed for smart entertainment, like PVRs, media centers, smart TVs, in-vehicle devices, and more.
≫ Form Micro Pico-ITX
The Pico-ITX is the smallest type of motherboard form factor in this list. Its measurements are 3.9 × 2.8 in and it is 75% smaller than the Mini-ITX. This motherboard was designed and developed by VIA, to open up innovation for smaller and smarter IoT devices.
The Pico-ITX with an x86-based-platform and low-power consumption board is a great choice for embedded systems applications, such as industrial automation, in-vehicle computers, digital signage, and more.
Brief Comparison of the Motherboard Form Factors.
Below is a chart comparing the most popular motherboard form factors.
| Form Factor | Manufacturer/Date | Dimensions | Applications |
| Standard-ATX | Intel 1995 | 12 × 13 in | Workstation/Desktop |
| Micro-ATX | Intel 1997 | 9.6 × 9.6 in | Small Form Factor |
| Mini-ITX | VIA 2001 | 6. 7 × 6.7 in |
Small Form Factor |
| Nano-ITX | VIA 2003 | 4.7 × 4.7 in | Embedded Systems |
| Pico-ITX | VIA 2007 | 3.9 × 2.8 in | Embedded Systems |
| Mobile-ITX | VIA 2009 | 2.4 × 2.4 in | Embedded Systems |
Below is a motherboard form factor size chart. This comparison picture helps understand the differences in dimensions for the most popular motherboard form factors.
Form Factors and Some of Their Applications
In-Vehicle Computers
Due to its really reduced format, yet powerful performance, the Mini-ITX systems can be installed in vehicles’ reduced spaces in order to communicate real-time tracking and monitoring systems.
On example of a Mini- ITX solution is Lanner’s V3G, which is a rugged fanless vehicle computer. V3G is powered by the new generation 14 nm Intel® Atom™ x7-E3950 SoC (formerly Apollo Lake). This processor consumes low volume of power and offers performance upgrade from previous generation of Atom™ processors, optimized for vehicle computing applications.
Since wireless network connectivity is one of the most critical requirements, the V3G offers 2 x mini-PCIe sockets with a swappable SIM slot supporting 3G/4G/LTE cellular communications. In addition, the compact system comes with built-in GPS for navigation and multiple antennae I/Os for extended receptions.
As an in-vehicle computer, V3G boasts an abundance of I/O peripheral connectivity including 2 x serial COM ports, 2 x video output by DVI-D, USB, and Digital I/O ports, and 2 x RJ-45 LAN ports to work with other components and subsystems in armored vehicles. For storage, V3G comes in SATA/mSATA storage options.
Lanner’s V3G is a great solution in this case due to its certified LTE wireless connectivity and Military-grade ruggedness.
IoT Devices
Smart LED street illumination has been embraced by multiple municipal governments worldwide, as the starting point for IoT-based smart city establishment.
Since the street lighting infrastructure already exists, many city planners take smart lighting as the opportunity to enable their IoT foundation by consolidating sensors, wireless communication points, and open-interface technologies. In order to work with whole these elements at an external environment, the requirements that should be considered are abundant I/O ports, LTE connectivity, Wide Operating Temperature and (of course) being a reduced form factor.
One example of IoTs street illumination solution is Lanner’s LEC-3030T a compact communication white-box IIoT gateway to meet the demands for smart LED street lighting. The gateway is physically designed in compact form factor and fanless thermal mechanism to meet the outdoor setting. Since extreme temperature is a potential challenge in an outdoor application, LEC-3030T can withstand a wide range of operating temperatures, from as low as -40°C to as high as 70°C.
In terms of the performance, the LEC-3030T is empowered by Intel® Atom™ E3815 processor and DDR3L at 1,333 MHz SO-DIMM memory up to 4GB to adequately perform data collection, analysis and transfer in an end-to-end application.
Functioning as the IoT gateway for street lamps, LEC-3030T boasts an abundance of I/O connectors, such as VGA display, serial COM ports (with RS-232/422/485 and ESD/surge protection), digital I/O connector, RJ-45 LAN ports, and USB ports to accommodate various sensors and meters associated with the deployment.
These are only two excellent examples of the benefits of a PC reducing form factor tendency which provides great benefits in space and cost. We have not only reviewed the different form factors but also learned how the form factor enables PC applications in different industries.
Final Words
With the rise of millions of different IoT devices and embedded systems, motherboard design is evolving rapidly. Sizes are changing, and forms are becoming more adaptable to each application.
The size of a device depends on the size of the motherboard. A smartwatch will require a totally different form factor than an industrial IoT device. So the form factor becomes a crucial characteristic when building the device.
The form factor determines the specifications on how a motherboard is built, from the size, shape, casing, power supply, mounting holes, and the overall layout.
The most common form factor is ATX, which evolved to mini-ATX, nano-ATX, pico-ATX, and further. A different type of form factor, and smaller than the ATX is the ITX, which is significantly smaller than the micro-ATX. The ITX form factor can also be found as nano-ITX, pico-ITX, mobile-ITX, and more.
Motherboard form factor, its dimensions and standards, table of popular sizes
Technology eXtended)
0007 XL-ATX
The form factor of a motherboard determines the specifications for its overall shape and size.
It also indicates what type of case and power supply will be supported, the location of mounting holes for mounting, as well as the physical layout and organization of the board. The number and location of interface slots for connecting RAM, video cards, SSD and HDD drives, various expansion cards input and output ports and other necessary interface connectors..
The size of the motherboard affects the appearance of the assembled system unit and its hardware stuffing. This is especially important if you’re building a computer yourself and need to make sure you’ve chosen the right case and components.
Today there are a large number of standard motherboard sizes, each with similar features, advantages and disadvantages. As technology develops, the popularity of the form factor for assembling desktop systems also changes (screenshots from Regrad and DNS electronics stores) on 12/23/2020. Let’s start by looking at everyone’s favorite, the ATX form factor.
ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended)
General view and dimensions of the ATX
motherboard Intel first introduced the motherboard (MP) of this form factor in 1995. A full size Standard ATX motherboard is 305 mm high and 244 mm wide, or 12 x 9.6 inch . When you plan to build an ATX MP PC, you need to find a computer case of the same standard so that you can fit it in it and be able to secure it. Super-tower, Full-tower, Middle-tower and Mini-tower are perfect. Be sure to check ATX support before buying cases.
There are many variations of the ATX form factor, including Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, Nano-ITX, and Pico-ITX.
ATX motherboard designed to work with any system. With a minimum of 4 RAM slots, it can support dual or quad-channel memory for better performance. It is also convenient for upgrading the computer. If at the time of purchasing the components you do not have enough money to buy more RAM, you can first buy two modules, and then buy two more.
ATX boards usually have 7 expansion slots, allowing you to run up to 4 GPUs with Nvidia SLI or AMD Crossfire if your case and power supply are suitable to power and house such a system or have enough money for it ? . A large number of expansion slots allow you to install Bluetooth adapters, good sound cards, USB hubs and many other additional equipment that expand the capabilities of your PC.
This type of motherboard gives enough space for installing large CPU coolers, wiring complex VRM
VRM (Voltage Regulation Module). In the case of the motherboard, it regulates the voltage supply to the central processor.
The VRM itself consists of several parts:
PWM controller (PWM controller)
Driver
MOSFET transistors
Choke (inductance)
Capacitor, more convenient rear I / O panel, more SATA and USB connectors. 8-9 mounting holes are provided for mounting to the case.
The mainboard is powered by a 24-pin power supply connector with a 6/8-pin CPU power connector, which allows you to run high-performance CPU models and overclock with an unlocked multiplier.
ATX form factor best suited for PC upgrades. You can organize high-quality cooling. There is a wide choice of different housings for this standard. Ease of assembly, both high-performance office computers and gaming ones. An important design feature of this size should be attributed to the fact that they are only compatible with cases of system units of the same standard or larger dimensions.
The ATX and Baby AT formats are about the same size, but the ATX board is rotated 90 degrees inside the case to allow easy access to the components.
Has a full range of I/O headers
Enough space for heatsinks and fans
Ability to install a better VRM than smaller boards
Wide variability in PC builds of different power
Does not fit into compact cases
More expensive mATX mini-ITX
Micro-ATX (mATX,uATX,µATX)
General view and size of the motherboard Micro ATX
The next most popular format is mATX.
Launched by Intel in 1997. square shape 9.6″ x 9.6″ (244 x 244 mm) . Usually there are slots for 2-4 DIMM memory modules, which is more than enough to build a powerful PC in a compact package.
The standard was originally developed for office computers, and therefore the set of USB and PCI-E ports for connecting peripherals in MicroATX is less than that of its full-size counterpart. Manufacturers also often include additional features such as built-in Wi-Fi and the like.
Although you will lose some I/O slots, you will be able to build a smaller PC without sacrificing performance. When creating a computer in the micro ATX form factor, it is important to pay attention to the choice of components (so that they fit in size) and high-quality cooling of the system unit.
Smaller than ATX, but functionally not much worse
Can be installed in both ATX and smaller cases
Great for building office machines
More demanding on the cooling system
In some models of cases for this format, the video card and processor cooler may not fit in length
Restrictions in the upgrade
Mini-ITX
How it looks, width and height of the mother The Mini-ITX, developed by VIA Technologies in 2001, is 170 x 170 mm (6.
7 x 6.7 inches) and is the smallest board type that can accommodate full-size desktop computer components. If mATX still allows you to create systems comparable in performance and capabilities to ATX, mini-ITX is more of a compromise between compactness and power.
On mini itx motherboards, no more than 2 RAM modules and one expansion slot are installed. Through the use of embedded processors, many mini-ITX boards have an embedded CPU with a TDP of no more than 15W. , SSD drives as drives and a passive cooling system, it is easy to create inexpensive, compact and quiet HTPC and multimedia home centers based on them.
Overclocking in the Mini-ITX form factor is not desirable, and the selection of a video card must be approached responsibly.
More functional Thin Mini ITX is now gaining popularity.
Allows you to assemble very compact computer systems
You can install ordinary PC hardware, but pay attention to the size and power consumption
Strict cooling requirements
Limited expansion slots and I / O ports
DTX
—
Form DTX and Mini-DTX factors introduced by AMD in early 2007.
Their dimensions are 8 x 9.6 in. (203 x 244 mm) and 8 x 6.7 in. (203 x 170 mm) . Focused on building compact, quiet, energy-efficient, low-cost HTPC computer multimedia systems.
DTX is an open standard and is fully compatible with the ATX standard for mounting dimensions and power connectors. The disadvantages of this standard include limited expansion options due to the presence of only 2 slots — 1x PCI and 1x PCIe and the use of only low-profile cards. ExpressCard slots are also provided.
DTX is a shorter version of ATX and micro-ATX, while Mini-DTX is a slightly longer version of Mini-ITX. Mini-iTX can only have one expansion slot whereas Mini-DTX is the same width and can have two expansion slots.
Mini-STX
Mini-STX motherboard size is 147×140mm . Has processor sockets that allow users to change the CPUs.
Notebook memory modules are installed — SO-DIMMs, not full-size DIMMs, as on Mini-iTX.
There is no full-length PCIe expansion slot, limiting users to MXM GPUs or less powerful integrated graphics. May have fewer I/O options due to limited space on the back of the board.
BTX (Balanced Technology eXtended)
The BTX standard was proposed by Intel at the end of 2004. In their opinion, it was supposed to replace the aging ATX. The new format was created to address the then emerging problem of dissipating large amounts of heat from the Pentium 4 processors. In 2006, Intel abandoned this idea in favor of more energy efficient solutions and stopped developing components for new systems. This marked the beginning of the end for the BTX form factor.
And although such large companies as Gateway, Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens produced computers of their own assembly in this format for a long time, it was not widely used.
Foreign Foreign The memory slots and expansion slots are swapped, allowing the main components (CPU, graphics controller, and north and south chipset) to share the same airflow, which reduces the number of fans needed for cooling and reduces noise.
I have an old 2007 Fujitsu-Siemens
at work. All cooling of the motherboard with one 120 mm fan, which is enclosed in a casing + power supply. It still works like a typewriter.
The new BTX form factor is not compatible with ATX except for the ability to use an ATX12v power supply with BTX boards.
Convenient arrangement of components for high-quality cooling
More compact dimensions
Not ATX compatible
Intel no support
Extended ATX (eATX)
Extended ATX boards are slightly over the standard. They are sized 305x330mm (12″ x 13″) to allow for more routing options on the expansion board.
This standard is used to create servers where the motherboard requires the installation of two or more processors, a large amount of RAM and various kinds of expansion cards. Another name for the SSI EEB (Enterprise Electronics Bay) standard. For the average user, it is redundant and expensive.
can support two
processors more connectors for RAM modules
more connectors for connecting extensions
Small assortment
Requires a case for this standard
expensive
XL-TX
9000
, unlike maternal boards of other sizes, XL-ATX boards do not conform to the standard height and width. XL-ATX boards are very rare and only a few manufacturers have released this unusual format in the last decade ⇒
- EVGA — 343x262mm in 2009
- Gigabyte — 345x262mm in 2010
- MSI — 345x264mm in 2010
they have no clear advantage over their smaller ATX brethren other than more DIMMs (up to 8) to build powerful workstations. That being said, XL-ATX motherboards are slowly disappearing from the market, so it’s unlikely you’ll encounter this format anytime soon.
Large memory support
Very rare
Obsolete
Expensive
LPX and NLX
It was an attempt to reduce the cost of PCs, which were very expensive at the time.
There has never been an official LPX specification. The size was 330 × 229 mm .
Used in low-profile cases (Slimline or Low-profile) with parallel arrangement of expansion boards on the MP. Expansion cards were connected to a separate vertical rack. This allowed the use of smaller cases, but limited the number of available expansion slots (no more than 2-3 pieces).
Most LPX motherboards had integrated sound and video, making them cheaper and more compact.
Boards based on the NLX (New Low Profile eXtended) form factor appeared on the market in the late 1990s. This updated LPX form factor supported larger memory modules, tower cases, AGP graphics cards.
The NLX form factor, unlike the LPX, is a de facto standard and therefore more upgrade and repair components have been developed for it. Size from 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm) to 13.6 x 9 in. (345 x 229 mm) .
Many systems that were previously designed for the LPX form factor have moved to NLX or MicroATX.
After the advent of NLX, LPX began to be supplanted by this form factor. 1999 in addition to microATX. The motherboard size is 9 × 7.5 inch (229 × 191 mm) and can have a maximum of 3 expansion slots.
Fully compatible with computer cases and ATX power supplies. A meager set of I / O ports. Designed to create budget PCs for the office. Now this size has been completely replaced by more compact mini-ITX and high-performance micro ATX.
AT and Baby AT
The original motherboard that was used in almost all computers up to the Pentium 2. There are 9 of them0045 dimensions were 350×305 mm with 6-pin plugs and power sockets. A smaller (330x216mm) form factor for this MP, called the «Baby AT», was introduced in 1985.
Before 1997, IBM computers used large motherboards. However, after that, the size was reduced, and MPs with the AT (Advanced Technology) form factor were released. The AT form factor was used in older computers (class 386).
Following the AT size, the Baby AT was introduced. It reduced the width of the motherboard from 305 mm to 216 mm, which removed the problems associated with overlapping the surface of the drive bays.
Baby AT became popular, but not without problems. Computer memory was improved, and the Baby AT motherboard had front panel memory slots. As CPUs got bigger and hotter, the Baby AT’s layout didn’t allow for a combination of CPU, heatsink, and fan.
The ATX form factor was designed to address just these shortcomings. Motherboards AT and Baby AT are now considered obsolete and exist only in museums.
Therefore, now there are only 3 demanded form factors ⇒
For a home universal desktop PC, ATX and micro ATX mothers are perfect. The Mini ITX is severely limited in terms of upgradeability and is best used for office machines.
It’s a pity the ruined BTX format, which today could help with the cooling of more and more monstrous video cards.
Perhaps in time we will return to it.
If more actively promoted to the masses, Thin Mini-ITX, Mini-DTX and Mini-STX will become popular. I call these formats a laptop without a monitor, since they are similar in power. If you need more information, Wikipedia has a complete table of all motherboard sizes.
Can I put MicroATX in an ATX case?
Which is smaller micro ATX or Mini ITX?
Can I put an ATX motherboard in an mATX case?
What is the difference between microATX and MiniATX?
E -TX
14.63%
ATX
50%
Micro-Atx
20.73%
mini -itx
10.98%
9000 mini-dtx
2.44% 9000 mini-STX
1.22%
Voted: 82
Alexander
In 1998 — the first acquaintance with the computer. Since 2002, I have been constantly developing and studying computer technologies and the Internet.
Now a military pensioner. I am engaged in children, sports and this project.
Ask a question
Motherboard form factors: classification, differences, sizes
Author Aleksey Reading 6 min Views 14.6k. Published by Updated by
Contents
- What is motherboard form factor
- Motherboard form factors for office and gaming PCs
- ATX
- MicroATX (mATX)
- FlexATX
- Motherboard formats for compact PCs
- DTX 9007 Mini-DTX 9008 Mini-DTX -ITX
- Motherboard formats for server systems
- Extended ATX (eATX)
- SSI CEB
before buying expensive parts. Therefore, at the stage of planning a PC configuration, the user, first of all, must determine for himself which form factor of the motherboard will be used in it. After all, it is he who sets a bunch of parameters for future assembly, ranging from the size of the computer system unit case to the type of cooling system built into it.
Based on this, in this topic we will consider what are the form factors of motherboards, their types, formats, sizes, purpose, etc.
What is the motherboard form factor? expansion, input and output ports and other necessary interface connectors.
As you can see, this parameter directly affects both the overall appearance of the assembled system unit and its hardware stuffing. If you choose the wrong motherboard form factor, then the consequences can be sad, leading to an unplanned budget expenditure. Here you need to take into account many factors: this is the size of the case of the system unit, its internal space for installing expansion cards, a video card, a processor, a power supply, a disk system, and, of course, a cooling system.
If the configuration is designed for a powerful gaming computer, then the last of the listed points needs to be given special attention.
Let’s start the review of motherboard classifications with the most popular form factors among ordinary users and finish with professional-level MPs designed for specific tasks.
Form factors of motherboards for office and gaming PCs
ATX
This MP format is the most popular for building stationary computers of any configuration, from an office version to a powerful gaming station. ATX format boards have standard dimensions of 30.5×24.2 cm, which allows manufacturers to easily provide them with all the necessary functionality and a full-fledged complete base — slots, ports, interface connectors, reinforced power circuits, etc.
An important design feature of this MP size is that they are only compatible with system unit cases of the same ATX standard. On the one hand, this would seem to be a disadvantage, but on the other hand, assembling computers using them can save the user money from the budget allocated to them.
Firstly, a computer based on them is less demanding on the cooling system, because the components of its hardware stuffing do not have to huddle in a small case, which means they have good ventilation without the use of expensive cooling systems.
Secondly, the segment of chassis compatible with ATX form factor motherboards is larger compared to other sizes. Therefore, when assembling a computer, the user will not have difficulty choosing the case of the future PC, either on the financial side of the issue or on the choice of model.
MicroATX (mATX)
This motherboard size is a stripped down version of the ATX standard. This applies to both dimensions and the complete base. The dimensions of the MP of this standard are 24.4×24.4 cm. They are fully compatible with the cases of the previous format, but not vice versa. Often, MicroATX boards can be similar in configuration to their ATX counterparts. That is, they can be equipped with the same chipset, but with fewer PCI slots designed to install various expansion cards.
In addition, it is not uncommon for MicroATX MPs to be equipped with a built-in graphics core, while there are no similar ATX configurations. It follows that motherboards of this form factor are not aimed at building gaming systems, and in most cases, they are oriented only to create office computers.
FlexATX
The FlexATX form factor is the next evolution in the direction of reducing motherboards and reducing the cost of computers assembled on their basis. MP of this format have a size of 22.9×19.1 cm and are intended only for office PCs. They, like their predecessors, are fully compatible with ATX system block cases and with their power system.
An important distinguishing feature of MPs of this standard, which allows them to achieve a low selling price, is their more meager complete base. In some cases, they are not even equipped with expansion slots, and the user has to be content with only USB and IEEE-1394/FireWire ports.
The video below shows the main differences between the ATX family of MPs and the main points that you need to pay attention to when assembling a new PC.
Compact PC Motherboard Formats
DTX and Mini-DTX
AMD’s DTX and Mini-DTX form factors are designed to build compact, quiet, energy-efficient, and affordable HTPC multimedia systems.
The dimensions of the MP of this standard size are 24.4×20.3 and 17×20.3 cm, respectively. They are fully compatible with the ATX standard in terms of mounting dimensions and power connectors.
The disadvantages of this standard include limited expansion options due to the presence of only 2 slots — 1x PCI and 1x PCIe and the use of only low-profile cards installed in these slots.
Mini-ITX
The Mini-ITX motherboard format 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 embedded processors, SSD drives as file drives and the use of a passive cooling system, this type of MP is aimed at creating inexpensive, compact and quiet multimedia home systems.
Server board formats
Extended ATX (eATX)
MP eATX form factor measures 30.5 x 33.0 cm. This standard is more applicable to creating servers where the motherboard requires the installation of two or more processors, a large amount of RAM and various kinds of expansion cards.
Its second name is SSI EEB.
SSI CEB
The SSI CEB form factor is focused on building high performance workstations and server solutions. The overall dimensions of motherboards of this standard are — 30.5 × 25.9see
As you can see, the classification of motherboards is quite extensive and includes both obsolete types and newly developed ones. If they are divided according to a similar principle, then the picture that simply reflects reality will be as follows:
- Obsolete form factors: LPX, full-size AT board, Baby-AT; Mini-ATX
- Modern standards: ATX; microATX; FlexATX, eATX, WTX, NLX, CEB
- Implemented frame sizes: Mini-ITX, Nano-ITX, Pico-ITX, BTX, MicroBTX, PicoBTX, DTX and Mini-DTX
Motherboard sizes — ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX — what’s the difference
Like many other components, motherboards come in different sizes and form factors. They may all have the same basic features, but they can still be very different , when it comes to the features they offer, and how can use their potential.
And, of course, they differ in price , which should also be kept in mind.
However, if we focus solely on their dimensions , without taking into account any other parameters, the differences between them are not that great.
In fact, they can be reduced to one category: extensibility .
Explaining Motherboard Sizes — A Complete Guide
There are different sizes and formats of motherboards, but the three most common are those that are readily available on store shelves and are most often purchased by both «regular» users and those who the ones that aren’t are ATX, microATX (or mATX for short) and ITX.
The first thing you’ll notice is the difference in sizes of .
Compared to an ATX motherboard, an ITX motherboard is small and tiny, almost ridiculously small. mATX is a mean square — not too big, but not too small either.
Their size naturally affects many different things, the most important of which is the number of ports/slots and, in some cases, features.
The largest motherboards will obviously have the most potential in terms of connectivity and expandability, but most people don’t need a particularly wide array of ports.
Regular and and professional users will almost always only use one PCIe x16 slot (for graphics), two RAM slots, and possibly a few SATA and fan headers for any additional cooling.
However, those whose income is closely related to their computers may want to have more options than we just mentioned, and, in general, it’s easy to see why.
Some users may require multiple expansion cards, each requiring additional PCIe slots.
Others may need as much RAM as they can get, in which case it would be much preferable to have more RAM slots.
And there can never be enough memory (and memory expansion options ), because today’s most popular games and programs gobble up a bunch of gigabytes.
The choice of this or that motherboard format largely depends on your needs and personal preferences.
The format itself doesn’t change much; there’s really no reason to use a larger board if you’re not going to take advantage of it.
Again, having more connectivity and expansion options could come in handy in the future and is definitely something you should keep in mind when making your purchasing decision.
Motherboard format differences — ATX, mATX and ITX
Let’s look at the biggest differences between these three main motherboard formats:
| ATX | mATX | ITX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 305×244 mm | 284×208 mm | 170×170 mm |
| RAM slots | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2 |
| PCIe slots | to 7 | to 4 | 1 |
| Relative price | Medium | Least expensive | The most expensive |
Changing the size entails changing the extensibility and flexibility .
The smallest motherboards naturally have the fewest ports, although is still sufficient for most consumers.
It all boils down to what you need right now what you might need in the future and how much money you are willing to spend.
ITX boards are almost always more expensive. They are the hardest to produce and therefore must be sold at a premium. They are niche to some extent, although the has become much more popular over the years and is now seen as a «high end» option.
There’s something enticing about a small form factor PC, the that doesn’t compromise the ‘s performance.
ATX, on the other hand, is the least enticing format. These boards are comparatively large, which may or may not be a deal breaker, depending on what you need and how big a PC you want to build.
One thing cannot be denied: they are the least restrictive of the three when it comes to what you can do with them and what potential they have in terms of extensibility and future updates .
That being said, you probably don’t need as many ports and expansion slots as they provide, so the mATX is almost always the best choice.
mATX is slightly shorter but retains most of the core functionality. These boards are slightly cheaper and can be found at incredibly attractive prices.
They have everything you could possibly need and are a great option for budget builders as well as and enthusiasts.
Does the size of the motherboard matter?
It depends on your personal preferences and the type of PC you want to build.
As mentioned, you’ll lose a bunch of expansion ports by choosing a smaller motherboard, which may or may not matter to you, depending on the kind of work you’re doing.
We’re only talking about the form factor here, not about the chipset, VRM cooling, I/O, build quality and so on — all these things are extremely important, and their quality can vary regardless of the size of your motherboard boards .
So the high performance ITX board will be the offering incredible performance, although it will still be limited in terms of the number of ports it can provide — are physical limitations and cannot be bypassed .
Motherboard Form Factor FAQ
Let’s take a look at a few questions you may have about the three most popular motherboard formats:
Can I change the motherboard size?
Only if you sell your used motherboard and buy another one. You cannot resize your motherboard after purchase.
You can expand its functionality with any PCIe-based expansion card, but that’s about it.
Does motherboard size affect performance?
If you’re a «regular» user, then you won’t notice any difference when it comes to gaming, content creation, or any relatively intensive workload.
If you’re into overclocking or need every ounce of power your motherboard can provide (for whatever reason), you really need to read the following article.
Can a small motherboard be used in a large case?
Yes! It will look a little strange, but this is practically the only «downside».
Which motherboard size/format should I choose?
It depends entirely on your needs and preferences.
If you want a really small computer, you just need the ITX — there is no other option.
If, on the other hand, you need as many ports as possible, then ATX is what you need. They are is slightly larger than than mATX and ITX, so just keep that in mind as you will need a large enough case to accommodate it.
For most people, the mATX is the best choice in terms of both connectivity and the and in terms of price.
Will the motherboard format affect gaming performance?
Absolutely not . Just make sure it’s compatible with the rest of your components (CPU, GPU, RAM, any potential expansion cards you might have, storage, etc.