Motherboard Type Issue Information – Logical Increments Weblog

Pc circumstances can are available a wide selection of styles and sizes, from a fundamental field you may order on-line to a custom-made bust of your uncle Kevin that you may slap an influence provide and graphics card into.

It doesn’t matter what sort of case you gravitate in the direction of, it is very important know what type issue of motherboard might be appropriate with it, and the advantages and downsides that accompany these sizes. Whether or not you’re constructing a brand new PC or just upgrading ol’ dependable, the shape issue of your motherboard is a crucial piece of the puzzle.

What’s a Type Issue?

It’s a measurement. A type issue is a standardized measurement that any motherboard could be categorized into. To be thought-about a micro ATX motherboard, for instance, it should have the identical measurement, similar mounting screw areas, and similar placement of sure ports as all different micro ATX motherboards (with some minor exceptions). This enables for widespread compatibility of motherboards and circumstances from totally different producers. As well as, a motherboard of a selected type issue can match into some bigger type issue circumstances, because of the consistency of mounting screw areas, however the reverse will not be true. As stunning as it might be, an “Prolonged ATX” motherboard is not going to match right into a “micro ATX” case!

Totally different type elements go well with totally different types of PCs: bigger motherboards are extra highly effective and possess extra options, however usually demand increased value tags and all the time require bigger circumstances. Smaller type elements can produce quiet, compact PCs, however with some sacrifices when it comes to efficiency and compatibility.

Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the advantages and downsides of a few of the hottest motherboard type elements in the marketplace! We’ll begin with the most typical and work right down to the rarer sorts, itemizing off specs and a few execs and cons for every as we go.

Widespread Type Components

ATX

The fundamental type issue since its introduction by Intel in 1995, the usual ATX type issue is the bread and butter of the buyer computing world. Most motherboards produced are of ordinary ATX measurement, and the mid-tower circumstances made to carry them are in no quick provide (but). These motherboards are comparatively massive, measuring 305 millimeters tall and 244 millimeters huge; that’s about an inch wider and taller than an abnormal piece of printer paper. They provide an ideal stability between performance and value that meets (or typically exceeds) the wants of the common shopper. These motherboards will match right into a case designated both “ATX” or “mid-tower”, however they will additionally match into bigger EATX or “full tower” circumstances as properly, simply with some further house left over.

Specs:

• • Measurement: 305mm x 244mm | 12” x 9.6”
  • Common CPU sockets: 1
  • Common RAM slots: 4
  • Max PCI slots: 7
  • Common SATA ports: 6-12
  • Suitable circumstances: Mid-tower (ATX), Full tower (EATX)

Professionals:

• • Quite common, enormous market choice
  • Loads of RAM and PCI slots
  • Good price-to-performance ratio

Cons:

• • Trendy chipsets and options could be dear
  • Can solely match mid-tower or bigger circumstances

Verdict:

Normal ATX motherboards are primarily really useful for these needing a gaming laptop or a standard workplace PC. The big variety of PCI slots permits for a bevy of graphics playing cards, sound playing cards, and different {hardware} to be put in (relying on the particular motherboard’s slot sorts). 4 RAM slots permit for intensive reminiscence capability, excellent for demanding workstation actions or gaming when you produce other duties open on a number of displays. However the comparatively massive measurement of this kind issue means that you’re often restricted from utilizing a case smaller than a mid-tower, which can or might not introduce points into your construct.

Micro ATX

The Micro ATX type issue is actually an ordinary ATX motherboard shortened right into a sq. on the costly of shedding three PCI slots. This manner issue is appropriate with ATX circumstances and energy provides, and sometimes makes use of the identical chipsets as their full-sized brethren. Measuring 9.6” tall in addition to huge, these squat motherboards are wonderful choices for finances builds as their decrease variety of PCI slots and comparatively weaker overclocking efficiency knocks the value down a couple of notches. Including to their worth is their versatility: along with micro ATX mini towers, micro ATX motherboards can match into any mid- or full tower case that helps different ATX type elements… in case you can abdomen the unused house.

Specs:

• • Measurement: 244mm x 244mm | 9.6” x 9.6”
  • Common CPU sockets: 1
  • Common RAM slots: 4
  • Max PCI slots: 4
  • Common SATA ports: 4-8
  • Suitable circumstances: Micro-ATX, Mid-tower (ATX), Full tower (EATX)

Professionals:

• • Matches into all however the smallest circumstances
  • Cheaper than different well-liked type elements

Cons:

• • Fewer PCI slots than commonplace ATX
  • Typically use weaker VRMs, which impedes overlocking

Verdict:

The Micro ATX type issue could be really useful to these searching for options much like commonplace ATX on a finances. Motherboards of this kind issue usually sport the identical variety of CPU and RAM slots as an ordinary ATX board however at a cheaper price. Whereas there’s fewer most PCI slots comparatively, 4 remains to be loads for many customers trying to construct a gaming PC. Nevertheless, diminished overclocking potential implies that you will be unable to push these motherboards to the extent of efficiency you’d discover in commonplace ATX or EATX.

Mini-ITX

Initially created as a compact motherboard that forgoes the necessity for cooling followers (usually not true), the mini-ITX is the smallest type issue really useful for PC constructing. Regardless of the ITX designation, mini-ITX motherboards are usually nonetheless appropriate with all sizes of ATX circumstances, together with micro-ATX, mid-tower, and full-tower. These tiny sq. boards are simply above 6” lengthy on each side—an ultra-small board excellent for small-footprint PCs the place emphasis is positioned extra on look, house effectivity, or portability than on uncooked energy. Sporting a single PCI slot and two RAM slots means fastidiously chosen, environment friendly {hardware} is a should in case you plan on gaming with a mini-ITX motherboard.

Specs:

• • Measurement: 170mm x 170mm | 6.7” x 6.7”
  • Common CPU sockets: 1
  • Common RAM slots: 2
  • Max PCI slots: 1
  • Common SATA ports: 2-6
  • Suitable circumstances: Mini-ITX, Mini tower (Micro-ATX), Mid-tower (ATX), full tower (EATX)

Professionals:

• • Impressively small and simply transported
  • Typically highest compatibility of all motherboard sorts

Cons:

• • Solely two RAM slots and a single PCI slot
  • Can value as a lot as an ordinary ATX motherboard
  • Appears to be like frightened and alone inside a mid- or full tower case

Verdict:

Mini-ITX is a distinct segment type issue that sacrifices efficiency for an ultra-compact design. These motherboards are usually utilized by fans who place type far above operate. Whereas probably elegant and minimalistic, this kind issue could be tough to make the most of whereas on a finances. They’re typically value equally to an ordinary ATX motherboard regardless of having far fewer {hardware} slots. If constructing a gaming PC, the one PCI slot have to be reserved in your graphics card, and a cumbersome card can impede airflow in such small circumstances. Two RAM slots can even make gaming or multi-tasking tough with out costly high-capacity RAM. That being mentioned, this kind issue can produce some spectacular, easy PCs or extremely moveable workhorses in case you discover the proper case and don’t thoughts the additional construct issue.

Prolonged ATX

Tremendously highly effective, tremendously costly, tremendously… great! The prolonged ATX type issue is on the apex of shopper efficiency. It’s the identical top as an ordinary ATX board, however a lot wider. This manner issue can assist eight complete PCI slots, as much as eight sticks of RAM, and often twin CPUs . The one case that prolonged ATX will match into is a full tower case with eight enlargement slots.

Specs:

• • Measurement: 305mm x 330mm | 12” x 13”
  • Common CPU sockets: 1-2
  • Common RAM slots: 8
  • Max PCI slots: 8
  • Common SATA ports: 6-16
  • Suitable circumstances: Full tower (EATX)

Professionals:

• • Unequalled efficiency and potential
  • Some fashions assist two CPUs. Sure, two entire CPUs without delay!

Cons:

• • A number of occasions the value of an ordinary ATX motherboard
  • Comparatively few fashions to select from
  • Can solely slot in a full tower case

Verdict:

The few EATX motherboards in the marketplace are reserved for the beefiest gaming computer systems and most critical of workstation builds, they usually command a excessive value for his or her standing. These motherboards are solely really useful to these with enterprise to conduct or cash to burn; to place this kind issue to correct use, you’ll want (a minimum of one) high-tier CPU, eight sticks of RAM, and (a minimum of one) top-of-the-line graphics card. In today’s climate of hardware prices, a PC of this magnitude may simply value ten billion {dollars}. Properly, perhaps not… but it surely’ll empty your pockets nonetheless!

Conclusion

There you will have it: 4 type elements to select from when placing collectively your subsequent PC. Whereas there’s dozens extra type elements on the market, these are positively those you’ll see most frequently within the wild. Not solely are they principally appropriate with the identical circumstances as one another (house allowing), but additionally with most different parts in the marketplace.

Whether or not you’re excited by a tiny mini-ITX or a gargantuan prolonged ATX, we hope this information has made the choice course of just a little bit simpler. Tell us which type issue you like, and why, within the feedback under!