Motherboard form factor- a standard that determines the dimensions of a PC motherboard and where it is attached to the case; the location of the bus interfaces, I/O ports, CPU socket and RAM slots, as well as the type of connector for connecting the power supply. The latest versions of the form factor also determine the requirements for the computer cooling system. When choosing PC components, you must remember that the computer case must support the form factor of the motherboard.

Form factor ATX(Advanced Technology eXtended) is a form factor that was proposed back in 1995 by Intel and has remained extremely popular since then to this day. ATX form factor motherboards have dimensions of 30.5 x 24.4 cm. Currently, most motherboards, cases and power supplies based on Intel and AMD processors are available in the ATX format.

Features of the ATX specification include the following:

• placement of I/O ports on the system board;
• built-in PS/2 connector for keyboard and mouse;
• location of IDE and FDD connectors closer to the devices themselves;
• placing the processor sockets at the back of the board, next to the power supply;
• use of a single 20-pin and 24-pin power connector.

mATX (micro ATX)– reduced ATX standard. It is used mainly in office machines where many slots for expanding the configuration are not required. The mATX standard measures 24.4 x 24.4 cm and supports 4 expansion slots. The mATX standard motherboard has a main connector for connecting the power supply, containing 20 or 24 pins. Almost all new models since 2003 have a 24-pin connector.

EATX (Extended ATX)– the main difference from ATX is the dimensions (30.5 x 33.0 cm). Their main area of ​​application is servers.

BTX (Balanced Technology Extended)– a new standard designed to effectively cool the internal components of the system unit. BTX is relatively small in size and is suitable for building miniature computers. BTX boards measure 26.7 x 32.5 cm and have 7 expansion slots.

mBTX (micro BTX)– a smaller version of BTX that supports 4 expansion slots. mBTX – have dimensions 26.7 x 26.4 cm.

mini-ITX– standard electrically and mechanically compatible with the ATX form factor. The mini-ITX form factor was developed by VIA Technologies and has small dimensions (17 x 17 cm).

SSI EEB (Server Standards Infrastructure Entry Electronics Bay)– this form factor of the motherboard is mainly used for building servers and has dimensions of 30.5 x 33.0 cm. The main connector for connecting the power supply has 24+8 pins.

SSI CEB (SSI Compact Electronics Bay)– this form factor is also used for building servers and has a 24+8 pin main connector. The dimensions of such boards are 30.5 x 25.9 cm.

Legacy standards: Baby-AT; Mini-ATX; full-size AT board; LPX.

Modern standards: ATX; microATX; Flex-ATX; NLX; WTX, CEB.

Implemented standards: Mini-ITX and Nano-ITX; Pico-ITX; BTX, MicroBTX and PicoBTX

#XL-ATX #Enhanced_E-ATX #E-ATX #SSI_CEB #ATX #microATX #FlexATX #Mini-DTX #Mini-ITX

ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)- a standard created in 1995 that describes the geometric dimensions and methods of their interfacing, as well as the geometric and electrical parameters of power supplies, their methods of connection to motherboards and interaction with them.

A visual comparison of the sizes of motherboards of popular formats of the ATX family:

A more complete list of known motherboard sizes:

Currently used or planned for use in computers:

Name	Board size(mm)	Comments:
XL-ATX	345×262 (325×244)	XL-ATX. The first representative of this form factor was the Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD7 motherboard, released on April 1, 2010. XL-ATX boards are longer than standard ATX boards and allow you to create a motherboard with the ability to install up to 10 expansion cards. The length of the motherboard does not allow it to be installed in cases designed for ATX or E-ATX boards, so you need to choose special cases.
Enhanced E-ATX	347×330	Branded E-ATX extension from SuperMicro. The board is 32 mm wider (on the power supply side) than the standard EATX board, which requires an appropriate case. This format is usually referred to simply as E-ATX(347×330)
E-ATX	305×330	Extended ATX. The most popular format of boards and cases for dual-processor workstations and servers. Second name SSI EEB
SSI CEB	305×267	Motherboard format for workstations. Recently, boards of this format have begun to appear for gaming computers. It is possible to install boards of this format in E-ATX cases
ATX	305×244	The most popular (together with MicroATX) format of motherboards. In practice, boards can be shorter, up to 305 × 170
microATX	244×244	The most popular (together with ATX) format of motherboards. In practice, boards can be shorter, up to 244 × 170
FlexATX	229×191	A smaller version of MicroATX proposed by Intel
Mini-DTX	203×170
Mini-ITX	170×170

Other motherboard formats that are not fully ATX compatible.

Outdated or not widely used:

Name	Board size(mm)	Comments:
WTX	356×425	Workstation ATX - found, as a rule, only in brand-name four-processor platforms, like the closely related SWTX
AT	350×305	Original formats of motherboards for personal computers, proposed by IBM and dominating the market until the end of the 90s of the 20th century. As a rule, most Baby-AT format boards can be installed in an ATX case.
Baby-AT	330×216		DTX	244×203	Smaller MicroATX variants offered by AMD.
NLX	254×228	Original "proprietary" standards of major PC manufacturers. MicroATX were completely replaced.
LPX	330×229
BTX	325×266	A format that was developed as a replacement for ATX, but never became one.
microBTX	264×267
Nano-ITX	120×120	Smaller MicroATX variants offered by VIA.
Pico-ITX	100×72
mobile-ITX	60×60	Ultra-compact motherboard format for mobile and embedded computers, also proposed by VIA

Used in industrial and embedded equipment:

Until recently, Micro ATX motherboards were the domain of entry-level systems. With corresponding requirements for performance and functionality. The vast majority of them carried integrated video on board, and some, in principle, did not allow adding discrete video. What overclocking possibilities can we talk about in such a situation? Everything was bad with them. Although it is clear that some computer enthusiasts would happily give up their huge “coffin” on the table (or under it) in favor of a smaller and neater system unit. Albeit in exchange for slightly worse performance.

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Demand, as we know, creates supply, and Micro ATX motherboards for discerning users have begun to appear. Including those well adapted to overclocking. But manufacturers did not dare to decide to release a “small” motherboard without built-in video. But what to do if there is only one set of chips for the processor socket, and that one is discrete? And in addition, this platform is the most productive and “advanced” in the household segment. You can’t fight against an army of users who certainly want the best, but in a small package.

We are, of course, talking about the Intel LGA 1366 socket and the X58 logic set from the same manufacturer. At the moment, motherboards based on it in the Micro ATX format are produced by at least four manufacturers. Asus was one of the first to do this. Moreover, the Taiwanese did not waste time on trifles and “rolled out” the Micro ATX motherboard immediately in the flagship Republic of Gamers (ROG) series. It was this “monster” that became the hero of today’s review.

Meet the Asus Rampage II Gene.

Packaging and delivery

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The motherboard comes in a very small square box made of thick matte cardboard. The color scheme gravitates towards red tones. On the front side there is only the name of the motherboard and a list of logos of “interested” brands. There is also nothing interesting on the sides, although the standard sticker with the serial number is present.

A short list of technical characteristics, closely intertwined with marketing statements, is located on the back of the box.

Things are better inside. Under the hinged lid, instead of the expected window, detailed descriptions are found: an integrated sound subsystem, in the development of which the well-known company Creative participated; as well as parts of the software supplied with the board. And if 3DMark 06 is already quite outdated (however, the latest Vantage released at the moment is also not the first freshness, and also does not work on “pre-Vista” Windows operating systems), then the presence of a popular antivirus developed by a Russian company in the kit cannot but rejoice.

The first thing you find inside is the motherboard. It sits comfortably in a separate compartment, covered with a plastic lid. The delivery kit, divided into two parts, was hidden under it. And at the very bottom there is a branded sticker with an abstract image that repeats the “main theme” of the box. It is quite large (if you stick it on a computer case, then maybe on the side wall) and will certainly attract surprised looks.

But let's get back to the included accessories. The Asus Rampage II Gene comes with:

• Quick Start Guide brochure in 12 languages ​​(Russian is available).
• Full instructions, but only in English.

• Disk with software. In addition to drivers for 32- and 64-bit MS Windows 2000/XP and Vista, as well as Linux; and the mentioned 3DMark with Kaspersky Antivirus on it the user will find:

• Plug for I/O ports of the motherboard. It is original here, with an insulating “sandwich” from the inside.

• A set of connectors Asus Q-Connector Kit, which allows you to connect case connectors outside a cramped case, and then insert them into the motherboard in one fell swoop. A very convenient "feature". It’s a pity that few people besides Asus use it (do patents get in the way?)
• An LCD Poster panel, which is essentially a screen designed to display system operating parameters.

• One PATA cable. Black, but ordinary, flat, not “put together”. However, modern computers have fewer and fewer corresponding devices, so this is not critical.
• Four SATA signal cables. These are red, packed in twos, in each set one is straight, the other is angled.
• Several disposable plastic cable ties.
• A cable for combining two video cards in SLI.

The motherboard, as I already mentioned, is located in a separate compartment. It protects it quite well even after the motherboard has been removed from the box. And most importantly, it is perfect as a basis for an open stand :).

The form factor of computer cases and motherboards is one of their significant characteristics. People often encounter a misunderstanding of the difference between ATX and mATX, either when assembling a new system or when upgrading an old one. Most people are only familiar with these abbreviations, although others may appear in context. Both standards are similar to each other, and they have identical requirements for a number of characteristics of a number of components, so it is worth considering ATX and mATX specifically in relation to motherboards - the form factor here will be decisive.

Definition

ATX— the form factor of full-size motherboards for desktop computers, which determines the dimensions, number of ports and connectors, and other characteristics. It is also a form factor of personal desktop computers, determining the dimensions of the case, the location of the mounts, the placement, size and electrical characteristics of the power supply.

mATX- form factor of motherboards of reduced dimensions and with a reduced number of ports and interfaces. Also - the form factor of system unit cases.

Comparison

The difference between ATX and mATX is primarily in size. Full-size motherboards are installed in full-tower and midi-tower form factors, mATX motherboards are also installed in mini-tower cases. The standard dimensions of ATX boards are 305x244 mm, although they can be slightly smaller in width - up to 170 mm. The standard dimensions of mATX boards (often called micro-ATX) are 244x244 mm, but can be cut down to 170 mm. The standards are not very strict, and a difference of a few mm from one manufacturer or another is common and does not affect anything. But the places for mounting are rigidly standardized by the form factor, and absolutely always coincide with the housing holes for installing motherboards. Visually it is determined as follows: the first vertical row of holes from the plug is universal, the second is intended for mATX, and the third is for ATX boards. It is not possible to install an ATX board in small mATX cases; on the contrary, in the vast majority of cases the installation will not cause difficulties.

Another difference is in the number of ports and interfaces. This is not subject to standardization and remains at the discretion of the manufacturer, however, mostly mATX boards have a minimal gentleman's set: two, rather than four, as in ATX, slots for RAM, fewer SATA and USB interfaces, one video output on the rear panel (if yes), I/O ports, often combined, a minimum of USB, most often there are no frills like eSATA or HDMI. All motherboards today are equipped with an ethernet port. The number of PCI slots on mATX boards is minimal, so installing a video card plus a couple more expansion cards is the ultimate dream. Also, due to the reduction in area on small boards, integration is always relevant, plus the number of soldered parts is less.

In practice, a computer user will find almost no differences between the form factors of motherboards. Due to the small size of the cases and the “clustering” of mATX electronics, mATX may heat up more, and installing new components may be inconvenient due to the space saved.

Conclusions website

1. ATX is larger both as a motherboard form factor and as a case form factor.
2. mATX has reduced functionality due to a reduction in the number of ports and connectors.
3. mATX boards can be installed in ATX cases, and not vice versa.
4. In some cases, mATX causes inconvenience when installing components.

Good day, dear readers of our tech blog. Today we will look at the main form factors of motherboards as of 2018. We would like to immediately clarify that the classification will only include devices for home use. Modern server MPs CEB and EEB are not discussed here, although we will also talk about them later.

From this article you will learn:

What will the review consist of? Here you will receive comprehensive information about the maximum dimensions of the board, the number of ports used, the layout of connectors and more. We hope our article will help you determine the optimal motherboard for your computer if you have not already done so.

Is there a lot of choice?

Today, there are several popular types, or rather form factors, of motherboards on the market. Among the key ones we note:

• E‑ATX;
• MicroATX;
• Mini-ITX;
• Mini-STX.

How to find out and determine the optimal format? So let’s figure it out together, and at the same time discuss which form factor is better.

ATX

ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)– the most common MP standard at the moment. It was developed by Intel back in 1995 as an alternative to the AT form factor, popular at that time, but gained real fame only in 2001. Among the basic differences from its predecessor, it is worth noting the following:

• CPU power management by the motherboard. The process occurs even when turned off: a voltage of 5 or 3.3 volts is systematically applied to the CPU and some peripheral connectors;
• The power supply circuit has been significantly changed to the more common today version of 24+4 or 24+8 pin;
• The rear panel has a fixed rectangular size, and all components and peripheral devices are now connected without the use of adapters and additional cables. Each MP manufacturer can arbitrarily change the location of the outputs by providing a plug for the rear of the system unit;
• The mouse and keyboard have a standard PS/2 connection connector (nowadays mostly USB).

All power connectors on the motherboard are located at the edges of the PCB, providing both aesthetic beauty and ease of connecting peripheral devices and the power supply. The central part contains the socket, slots for RAM, PCI-Ex, and the south bridge.
Standard size – 305x244 mm. There are 8 to 9 mounting holes for mounting to the body.

E‑ATX

E‑ATX (Extented)– a derivative case from ATX, which differs primarily in the size of the board – 305x330 mm. Often, on the basis of this motherboard, top gaming solutions are assembled for the current sockets 1151, 2066 (Intel), AM4 and TR4 (AMD).

The key difference from standard ATX is more expansion slots (up to 8 ports for RAM), a more sophisticated power supply system for components, improved cooling and, which happens quite often, a standard cooling system.

I would also like to mention server dual-processor E‑ATX motherboards. Additional 86 mm allows you to easily place on one sheet of textolite up to 16 ports for RAM and expansion slots (video cards, network cards, RAID controllers).

The only drawback worth noting is the selection of the appropriate case, since the vast majority of Midi-Tower solutions for ATX boards are simply not suitable.

MicroATX

MicroATX (mATX, uATX, µATX)- another derivative of ATX, which was created by the same Intel in 1997. Boards of this form factor are practically no different from standard analogues, with one exception - the dimensions are 244x244 mm, which cuts off the entire bottom panel with expansion ports and moves the SATA ports to the side panel, optimizing the available PCB space.

The mounting holes are made in such a way that MicroATX can be installed in standard ATX cases without any problems. , socket and other architectural aspects are not affected.
The standard was originally conceived as an office standard, and therefore the set of peripherals and connection ports in MicroATX is more modest than that of its full-format analogue. However, modern models can easily create a base for the following PCs on the board:

• server;
• multimedia;
• gaming;
• workstations;
• HTPC;
• render machines.

The only drawback is essentially the inability to connect a second video card due to the lack of a second full PCI‑E x16.

Mini-ITX

Mini-ITX– an even more compact version of ATX, only its dimensions do not exceed 170x170 mm. Mechanical compatibility with all components and support for modern chips is maintained. The form factor was created in 2001 by VIA Technologies with the sole purpose of promoting its own processor, but something went wrong, and the stone never gained popularity, which cannot be said about the MP.

A distinctive feature of Mini-ITX is the built-in processor in some board models, which are soldered at the factory by the manufacturer. It cannot be replaced by words at all. On the one hand, the solution is not the most practical, but on the other hand, this procedure significantly reduces the cost of production (no need to think about inserting a socket) and the final cost of the product. The architecture allows you to create the coolest possible (TDP of built-in CPUs does not exceed 15 W), silent and fast office stations (SSD + 16 GB of DDR4 2400 MHz RAM).
Ideal solution for HTPC or multimedia center. Although a gaming system can also be built on such a board. Just take a closer look at the MSI B350I Pro AC. The board has standard power supply and supports overclocking of components. Add a Ryzen 5 2400G and you've got the perfect system for the soul.

Mini-STX

Mini-STX (Mini Socket Technology Extended)– a relatively recent standard, developed by the same Intel. It has dimensions of 147x140 mm, which is comparable to a DVD sleeve.

It differs from Mini-ITX in the complete lack of support for PCI‑E x16 connectors, as well as in a modified port for connecting a power supply. Here the output has a pin type, as on most modern laptops. This step is partly dictated by the fact that the board and components on it are low-power. On the other hand, it’s somehow inhumane to solder 24+4 pins in such an area.

To create a full-fledged PC, it provides the ability to connect SATA or M.2 drives, RAM and a processor with a built-in video core. Miniature dimensions will allow you to place the board in a miniature case with the dimensions of a PS4 or XBOX One.

The main disadvantage is the need for a power supply for Mini-STX boards.

conclusions

So, comparison of different architectures comes down mainly to overall dimensions and quantity on the board. In a good way, the need for ATX models is becoming less and less every year, since MicroATX offers similar functionality and does not require a case larger than a Mid-Tower. Lack of additional PCI‑E x16/x8/x4 slots?

The modern industry is moving away from further support for SLI and Crossfire, making it impractical to power additional slots unless you're mining or want to connect a super-fast NVMe SSD, capture card, or ASUS Xonar-class audio card.

We hope we helped you with choosing a motherboard for your future system. What it will be is another matter, but the main idea has been received, now we need to implement it. Good luck! Don't forget to share with your loved ones, bye.