Motherboards are called the central circuits of a computer that bind all the parts of the computer together. It distributes all its power across the circuits which then acts like a conduit due to which the innards start working together.
ATX vs Micro ATX
The difference between ATX And Micro ATX is that ATX is a rectangular board and its size is 305mm by 244mm whereas Micro ATX is a square board and its size is 61mm by 244mm.
The number of expansion ports that are located at the bottom end is more in the ATX format than the Micro ATX format which is one of the downside of the Micro ATX format.
This is a partial offset by most of the board manufacturers integrating the common functions like networking, graphics and sound. It is now common to see computers that no longer use the expansion ports.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | ATX | Micro ATX |
|---|---|---|
| Size and dimensions | ATX board size is 305mm by 244mm. It is larger than Micro ATX. | Micro ATX board size is 61mm by 244mm. It is smaller than ATX. |
| Shape | The ATX board is rectangular in shape. | The Micro ATX board is square in shape. |
| Expansion slots | The ATX board has five expansion slots. | The Micro ATX board has three expansion slots. |
| Drive bays | The number of drive bays in a ATX form factor is more than the Micro ATX form factor. | The number of drive bays in a Micro ATX form factor is less than the ATX form factor. |
| Installation | An ATX board cannot be installed in a Micro ATX chassis. | A Micro ATX board can be installed in an ATX chassis. |
What is ATX?
The ATX format was developed in the year 1995. It is an enhanced AT model to ensure a more stable circuit. The ATX board is rectangular in shape and it’s dimensions are 305mm by 244mm.
There have been many noticeable changes or upgrades to the newer models. For example, the ports in the newer models are arranged in such a way that they don’t overlap each other.
Also, the number of drive bays have increased in the new formats. This makes the number of drive bays to be more in the ATX form factor than in the Micro ATX form factor.
What is Micro ATX?
The Micro ATX format was developed in the year 1997. It is backward compatible with the design of the ATX. It is one of the newer formats that were developed after the development of the ATX board.
To deal with this problem of limited expansion slots, many peripherals are integrated. The ATX subsets are the mounting points of Micro ATX format and it uses the I/O panel.
For someone who is looking forward to build a gaming PC, the Micro ATX board will be an excellent choice. It has enough RAM slots and also some free slots to ass any other PCIe expansion cards.
Main Differences Between ATX and Micro ATX
- The number of drive bays in a ATX form factor is more than that of in a Micro ATX form factor.
- A Micro ATX board can be installed in an ATX chassis but the other way is not around is not possible.
References
- https://www.nature.com/articles/1203263
- https://www.mechanika.ktu.lt/index.php/Mech/article/view/19233
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I am Sandeep Bhandari; I have 20 years of experience in the technology field. I have various technical skills and knowledge in database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about me on my bio page.
