ATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX vs E-ATX: What is the Distinction?

In search of a primer on the totally different motherboard form-factors? On this put up, we’ve highlighted the primary variations between mini-ITX, micro-ATX, E-ATX, and customary ATX motherboards.

Should you get a micro-ATX, mini-ITX, or customary ATX motherboard? What about prolonged ATX motherboards? What’s the distinction between all of those form-factors?

In the event you’re seeking to construct a brand new laptop, some of the essential parts you’ll have to buy is a motherboard. Nevertheless, not all motherboards are created the identical.

Additionally Learn: Learn how to Select A Motherboard

Motherboards can fluctuate in options, value, and measurement. The primary factor that first-time builders wrestle with is figuring out what the distinction is between motherboard form-factors (or sizes).

On this information, we’re going to go over what the primary variations are between motherboard form-factors. And, that ought to provide you with a greater thought of which form-factor motherboard is greatest for you and your construct.

Fast Motherboard Type-Issue Comparability

Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX vs ATX vs E-ATX: A Measurement Comparability

The largest distinction between micro-ATX (mATX), mini-ITX, customary ATX, and E-ATX motherboards are their dimensions:

• Prolonged ATX: 305mm x 330mm (12.0″ x 13.0″)
• Normal ATX: 305mm x 244mm (12.0″ x 9.6″)
• Micro-ATX: 244mm x 244mm (9.6″ x 9.6″)
• Mini-ITX: 170mm x 170mm (6.7″ x 6.7″)

As you may see within the picture above, mATX motherboards are the identical width as customary ATX motherboards, however they’re a few inches shorter. This measurement benefit for traditional ATX motherboards permits them to characteristic extra PCIe lanes. And, that makes them higher suited to multi-GPU setups, or for customers that wish to make the most of a number of PCIe gadgets.

Mini-ITX motherboards, then again, are shorter in each top and width than micro-ATX motherboards. They sometimes solely characteristic a single PCIe lane. Their benefit, nonetheless, is of their smaller measurement. They’re sometimes appropriate with extra small form-factor circumstances than each customary ATX and micro-ATX  motherboards.

Prolonged ATX motherboards are the identical top as customary ATX motherboards, however they can be up to a couple inches wider. With the additional width, E-ATX motherboards can home extra DIMM slots, extra ports typically, and extra heatsinks. Simply be aware, although, that E-ATX motherboards additionally require circumstances which can be particularly designed to deal with them.

Additionally Learn: Which PC Case Measurement is Greatest for Your Subsequent Construct?

The largest take away on the sizes of every of those motherboards are that they principally decide what PC case you may (or can not) use.

For example, if you wish to construct a small form-factor gaming laptop, it’s extremely probably that you just won’t be able to make use of a typical ATX motherboard in it. And, in reality, you could not even be capable of use a micro-ATX motherboard in it as nicely.

Alternatively, if you wish to go together with a bigger case, you’ll probably be capable of match any motherboard in it. That’s as a result of most medium-to-larger sized circumstances will accommodate smaller form-factor motherboards. (Nevertheless, from an aesthetics stand level, you could not wish to put a mini-ITX motherboard in a bigger case, as your parts will look scrunched up within the prime left nook of your case.)

However, it is very important be aware that the alternative just isn’t true and that you just sometimes can not put customary ATX or mATX motherboards in mini-ITX circumstances, or customary ATX motherboards in micro-ATX circumstances.

The Professionals and Cons of Every Type-Issue

You is likely to be considering to your self… “Why would I would like something aside from a typical ATX or E-ATX motherboard and case? Isn’t greater higher?”

And, the reply to that’s that there’s a time and place for every motherboard type issue. Every of the three hottest form-factors mentioned on this article will make extra sense than the others in several eventualities.

So, on this part, we’ll go over the professionals and cons of every form-factor so that you just’ll have a greater thought of which one meets your wants the perfect.

Prolonged ATX (EATX)

Professionals

• Usually include the higher-end chipset (which implies higher help for higher-end CPUs & extra options)
• Extra ports, options, & heatsinks on common
• Higher energy design/VRM on common

Cons

• Fewer circumstances obtainable that may maintain EATX motherboards
• Circumstances that may maintain EATX boards value extra on common
• EATX motherboards value extra themselves than different form-factors

Normal ATX (ATX)

Professionals

• Are available a spread of chipsets, together with the high-end chipset for a given socket
• Higher energy design/VRM on common when in comparison with mATX or ITX
• Extra ports, options, & heatinks on common

Cons

• ATX motherboards sometimes value greater than mATX motherboards
• Aren’t appropriate for many compact case choices

microATX (mATX)

Professionals

• The most affordable form-factor for motherboards (normally the one choice for customers seeking to construct a finances PC)
• Can be found within the mid-range chipset, which needs to be ok for many customers

Cons

• Usually aren’t obtainable with the high-end chipset for a CPU socket (which implies much less options on common by default)
• Will look awkward in a typical ATX case
• Not as many good microATX case choices on the market

Mini-ITX (ITX)

Professionals

• Probably the most accessible compact form-factor for consumer-level programs
• In contrast to microATX boards, mini-ITX boards can include the high-end chipset for a given socket

Cons

• Value much more than microATX motherboards and much like ATX motherboards
• Mini-ITX circumstances sometimes include a premium hooked up to them
• Extra restricted within the form of system you may construct as a result of smaller footprint

Which Motherboard Type-Issue Ought to You Select?

If in case you have appeared over the professionals and cons of every of the three hottest motherboard form-factors above, you most likely have already got a good suggestion of what motherboard is greatest for you.

However, in case you are nonetheless not sure of which motherboard is best for you, let me define a couple of frequent use circumstances and which motherboard form-factor makes essentially the most sense for them:

1. You wish to construct a budget-friendly gaming PC

If you wish to construct a budget-friendly gaming PC, your greatest guess is to go together with a micro-ATX motherboard. The reason is is that, no parts are going to have as massive of an impression in your in-game efficiency as will your graphics card, processor, and reminiscence.

And, so the overall rule of thumb when constructing a budget-friendly gaming PC is to allot as a lot of your finances as is feasible to these three parts. Because of this, you’ll should sacrifice a little bit of high quality in your different parts (which doesn’t imply that you can purchase low-quality parts).

Luckily, mATX motherboards are excellent for budget-friendly gaming PCs, as they nonetheless have the entire predominant options that customary ATX motherboards have. The one actual distinction is that customary ATX motherboards supply higher aesthetics, extra PCIe slots, and beefier VRMs for overclocking.

And, since most budget-minded players received’t have the cash essential to drop on the parts which can be extra suited to the options that customary ATX motherboards supply, there ought to actually be no cherished misplaced for customers who don’t find yourself spending further on ATX boards.

2. You wish to construct a high-end gaming PC

Whether or not you’re seeking to construct a high-end gaming PC that has a strong gaming PC within it, otherwise you wish to overclock your processor and push it to the intense, otherwise you need a actually fancy-looking motherboard as a part of a pleasant color-coordinated construct you might be doing, you’ll most likely wish to have a look at a higher-end customary ATX or E-ATX motherboard.

And, whereas there are customary ATX motherboards that supply extra of the naked minimal by way of options, if you need a high-end board, you’re probably going to be compelled to decide on a typical ATX (or, once more, a bigger prolonged ATX) motherboard.

3. You wish to construct a small form-factor PC

If you wish to construct a PC that has a smaller footprint, whether or not since you need it to be cell, otherwise you want a minimalistic design, your greatest guess might be to go together with a smaller mini-ITX or micro-ATX motherboard.

And, clearly, if you wish to go as small as attainable, mini-ITX motherboards might be your greatest guess.

Smaller form-factor PCs are normally best-suited for players who need a system that’s straightforward to maneuver round (wish to take to LAN events) or for HTPC programs.

Motherboard Type-Issue FAQ

Beneath is a listing of regularly requested questions with regard to motherboard form-factor.

1. Can I set up a Mini-ITX motherboard in an ATX or Micro-ATX case?

Sure, you may sometimes set up a smaller form-factor motherboard inside of a bigger form-factor case, as smaller form-factor motherboards use the identical mounting holes as bigger form-factor motherboards—they simply use much less of them.

The one draw back to doing so, is {that a} smaller form-factor motherboard would possibly loook humorous inside of a bigger form-factor case.

2. Can a Micro-ATX motherboard match right into a case designed for ATX motherboards?

Sure, identical to with mini-ITX motherboards, any smaller form-factor motherboard can match inside of a bigger form-factor case because the smaller form-factors use the identical mounting gap patterns because the bigger form-factors.

3. Is Micro-ATX appropriate for gaming builds, or ought to I go for ATX as a substitute?

Sure, micro-ATX motherboards are positive for budget-oriented gaming builds. Nevertheless, as micro-ATX motherboards are a bit extra restricted of their feature-sets, utilizing a micro-ATX motherboard might restrict your future upgradeability.

4. Do Mini-ITX motherboards supply the identical efficiency as bigger type elements?

Whereas motherboards don’t immediately dictate the efficiency your system will get, they do decide the sorts of parts you should use in your system. And, so there are eventualities the place selecting a mini-ITX motherboard over a standard-ATX motherboard might result in you getting decrease efficiency than when you would have chosen a bigger form-factor motherboard.

For example, as a result of smaller measurement of mini-ITX motherboards, they’ll’t characteristic as sturdy of energy designs as can customary ATX or prolonged ATX motherboards. Due to this fact, even a mini-ITX motherboard with a higher-end chipset might not be capable of accommodate an excessive processor.

5. What are the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing a Mini-ITX motherboard?

The one actual benefit of the mini-ITX type issue is that it’ll enable you construct a really compact system. By way of characteristic set, customary ATX and prolonged ATX motherboards will at all times be higher and by way of pricing, micro-ATX motherboards are extra inexpensive.

6. What number of RAM and PCIe slots are sometimes obtainable on Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards?

Mini-ITX motherboards solely have two DIMM slots and one PCIe slot and micro-ATX motherboards can have both two or 4 DIMM slots and as much as three PCIe slots.

7. Are Mini-ITX motherboards costlier than Micro-ATX or ATX boards?

Relying on the chipset, mini-ITX motherboards are similarly-priced to ATX motherboards and costlier than micro-ATX motherboards.

8. Which motherboard type issue is greatest for constructing a compact or moveable PC?

Mini-ITX is the perfect form-factor for constructing a compact and moveable PC. Though, there are some compact circumstances that may maintain a micro-ATX motherboard which will or might not meet the necessities of a person who’s seeking to construct a smaller PC.

Make the Proper Motherboard Selection for Your Wants

Hopefully, after studying this information, you’ll have a greater thought on what form-factor motherboard is true on your wants.

If you would like particular motherboard suggestions, you’ll want to try our motherboard purchaser’s information, as we’ve rated a bunch of the perfect motherboard choices for every motherboard socket.