ATX vs. Micro ATX vs. Mini ITX - Select Motherboards According To Your Needs

ATX vs. Micro ATX vs. Mini ITX – Select Motherboards According To Your Needs

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It’s a difficult task to select the most compatible components while creating a PC. You may become perplexed or require the assistance of a professional to install the ideal CPU, motherboard, GPU, RAM, SSD or HDD, and so on.

Table of Contents
ATX Motherboards
Micro ATX Motherboards
Mini ITX motherboards
Conclusion

The motherboards are made differently, and it is the most crucial component you must install with some competence. They can differ in specifications and features, size, and pricing.

The most challenging thing for beginners is to understand the difference between various types of motherboards. Therefore, many of them frequently ask ATX vs. Micro-ATX vs. Mini-ITX — which should I choose?

So, if you are the one of them, you are at the right place, my friend. Just continue to read!

ATX Motherboards

These motherboards are compact, compatible, small, and easy to install. It has enough storage for seven slots, including PCI and PCIe slots. The expansion slots in the traditional configuration are separated by 20.32mm.

Although this is the default setting, it does not necessarily imply that you can install a further 7 GPUs or seven other cards.

Some GPUs have up to two expansion slots, while others have three. The GPU is installed in a PCIe slot, but no other expansion card may be inserted next because it is more significant than 20.32mm. It may be worrisome for some folks who are interested in multi-GPU installations.

This motherboard is sufficient to install a QuadSLI GPU that takes up two slots. The buyer desires to build a Quad SLIGPU setup with three PCIe slots for each GPU. Customers will then have to upgrade to E-ATX, which is uncommon because most users are pleased with ordinary ATX capabilities. It is the smallest size required for any 3- or 4-lane ATX GPU setup.

ATX cards can use up to 8 RAM slots. The most recent ATX type includes 4 RAM slots with a total range of 128 GB. The card includes additional SATA connections, front-panel connectors, and M.2 sockets. The IO panel has more capability than the Micro-ATX, depending on the price and chipset.

Pros
  • ATX motherboards have enough ports and slots for expansion because of their large size.
  • It gives you complete control over adding and removing components from the motherboard.
  • Because ATX motherboards enable larger power supplies, overclocking features are more visible.
  • Another necessity that the ATX size handily meets is cooling.
Cons

  • The cost of a full-sized ATX motherboard is one of its disadvantages.
  • We’ve been telling you that the size of the motherboard is one of the most critical factors, and it may surprise you to learn that a considerable size is also a factor.

Micro ATX Motherboards

The motherboard is now available with multiple advanced features. Unlike ATX, it has a small footprint and is compatible with all cases. Because they are smaller, these motherboards are easier to handle, but they have less power and strength than the extended form factor.

It is a good option for people looking for convenience and ease. Motherboards can fit comfortably inside smaller enclosures because of the form factor’s tiny size.

It takes up less space in minor cases and can even fit into larger ones without issue. These motherboards do not require a significant investment because they are perfect for building a low-cost gaming PC. The majority of them are affordable, and all of the components you need are already included.

These motherboards also include four RAM slots. Customers prefer these motherboards because they have high-quality features that are adequate for gaming. These motherboards are not suitable for creating a PC with additional GPUs because they do not support Multi-GPUs.

Current versions of these motherboards support dual GPUs. However, they are equally as expensive as the extended models. If you need more GPUs, an extended motherboard is the best alternative. The components on these two motherboards are identical if you want to swap them out.

Pros
  • The size of the mATX motherboard is one of its main advantages. Its size is very compact, which causes the chassis to be relatively more minor.
  • This type of motherboard is significantly less expensive than ATX motherboards.
  • Except for high-end customers, most computer users favor micro ATX motherboards since they can meet most of their needs at a low cost.
Cons

  • Some motherboards of this type have two RAM slots. Although most mATX motherboard makers provide four RAM slots, they are pretty expensive.
  • These motherboards are not found in any gaming PCs. As they are small, it does not have enough space for powerful GPUs, an excellent cooling system, and other modern technologies essential in a gaming system.

Mini ITX motherboards

This sort of motherboard is well-known for its tiny and readily portable form, allowing you to transport and install it into any PC swiftly. Gamers prefer this motherboard because it has a storage capacity of 32 GB. However, if you want to build a professional workstation or computer, this is not the best choice.

It is an excellent alternative for gamers who want to keep their PC at a smaller level. High-end gaming is not viable with this motherboard as it only supports a single PCIe slot, limiting you to a single GPU.

Another reason it isn’t the best option is because Micro ATX motherboards are cheaper and have more features than the number of features this motherboard holds. The most crucial selling point is its compact size, which helps design a modest-sized gaming PC.

Pros
  • Okay, you probably already knew this, but it’s incredible how much space a Mini-ITX setup can save.
  • Aside from the motherboard, Mini-ITX systems employ most of the same parts. Still, the smaller casing makes it significantly lighter, not to mention much, much simpler to pick up and carry around.
  • This one is self-evident. At the same time, it is still feasible to outfit a Mini-ITX build with exorbitantly priced components and the latest designer casing. The smaller physical dimensions and reduced complexity of the motherboard and case mean they are often less expensive than their full-sized equivalents.
Cons

  • Mini-ITX motherboards must, almost literally, cut corners, which means that the majority of them lack numerous PCIe card slots for multi-GPU configurations.
  • Mini-ITX gaming rigs run somewhat hotter than larger systems due to the design—the same components running in a smaller space concentrate the heat. This difficulty is exacerbated when other fans are added: the mounting area for air intake and output is limited.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about creating a new PC, you’ll have to make one essential decision: which motherboard to use. After all, this is a sort of PC hub, connecting all of its components to form the machine you’ll use for work, play, or a combination of the two.

However, not all motherboards are created equal. Before you hurry out and get a new motherboard, think about the best layout for the computer you’re building. Typically, three options are available: ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini-ITX, but which is the best? Hopefully, this blog will have assisted you in making your decision!

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