Hardware standards are one of the desktop PC’s greatest strengths. You can mix and match sections to match the content you want. Though not all motherboard are similar in dimensions. There are different formats for different types of PCs. Here we discuss ATX Vs Micro ATX Vs Mini ITX:
ATX Size & Design:-
The largest motherboard layout is the ATX standard. It is the original standard for x86 and x64 desktops and offers the most ports and connectivity options available. Typical ATX motherboards are 305mm by 244mm (12 “by 9.6”). This means that if you are buying an ATX motherboard, you will need a properly sized ATX case.
As the largest motherboard, ATX motherboards typically include four RAM slots (currently supporting 128GB +), multi-drive support, and a varying number of PCI-e expansion slots (at least two PCI-e x16) for graphics cards and others devices such as network cards.
Micro ATX Size & Design:-
As the name suggests, the Micro ATX (mATX) layout is a slightly smaller design. Based on an ATX design but shrunk to 244mm by 244mm (9.6 “by 9.6”), Micro ATX keyboards lack little in functionality, but allow PC builders to use smaller chassis for their builds. To accommodate the reduced size, Micro ATX designs typically have a reduced number of ports and expansion slots. Micro-ATX motherboards typically come with 2-4 RAM slots (64GB-128GB support), one x16 PCI-e expansion slot, and support for fewer drives and external media (such as smaller USB ports).
However, if you have an ATX case, you’re in luck – ATX cases usually fit Micro ATX motherboards out of the box, making room for additional drives, larger fans, or dedicated water coolers.
Mini-ITX Size & Design:-
At presently 170mm by 170mm (6.7 inches by 6.7 inches), the Mini-ITX board is at least 30% smaller as compared to already shorter Micro ATX design. Mini-ITX motherboards, which are niche designs for small PCs, are less common and generally have a higher price tag when compared to ATX and Micro ATX motherboards.
Mini-ITX supports all major AMD and Intel processors, but with this layout you can expect to lose some expansion and functionality. It supports two RAM slots (up to the usual 32-64GB maximum), but only one expansion slot (one PCI-e x16) for a graphics card, possibly with an additional PCI-e slot at a reduced rate for additional expansion.
Price:-
Considering that there are more ATX motherboards and they offer the most functionality, you can expect them to be the most expensive to buy, while Mini-ITX motherboards (offering the least functionality) will be the cheapest. In fact, the opposite is true: Mini-ITX motherboards are the most expensive for consumers.
This is basically because of their niche position in the marketplace – smaller numbers of producers manufacture Mini-ITX motherboards, which indicates elevated costs. If you would like to have a PC with the smallest factor, you’ll have to pay that premium for Mini-ITX builds. ATX and Micro ATX assemblies are cheaper, due to cheaper chassis and wider manufacturing cycles.