The main differences between an ATX and Micro ATX motherboard are their size, form factor, and the number of expansion slots they offer. An ATX motherboard is larger and provides more space for additional components, while a Micro ATX motherboard is smaller and has fewer expansion slots. However, both types of motherboards offer similar essential features for building a computer system.
What is the difference between an ATX and Micro ATX motherboard
An ATX motherboard and a Micro ATX motherboard are both types of motherboards used in computers. The main difference between them lies in their size, form factor, and the number of expansion slots they offer.
ATX Motherboard
- Size and Form Factor: An ATX motherboard is larger than a Micro ATX motherboard. It measures approximately 12 inches by 9.6 inches.
- Expansion Slots: An ATX motherboard typically has up to seven expansion slots, which allows for more components to be added to the system.
- Features: Due to its larger size, an ATX motherboard can accommodate more components such as additional PCI or PCIe slots, extra RAM slots, and more onboard connectivity options like USB ports and audio inputs/outputs.
Micro ATX Motherboard
- Size and Form Factor: A Micro ATX motherboard is smaller than an ATX motherboard. It measures approximately 9.6 inches by 9.6 inches.
- Expansion Slots: A Micro ATX motherboard typically has up to four expansion slots, which limits the number of components that can be added to the system.
- Features: Despite its smaller size, a Micro ATX motherboard still offers most of the essential features found on an ATX motherboard, but with fewer onboard connectivity options and less space for additional components.
In summary, the main differences between an ATX and Micro ATX motherboard are their size, form factor, and the number of expansion slots they offer. An ATX motherboard is larger and provides more space for additional components, while a Micro ATX motherboard is smaller and has fewer expansion slots. However, both types of motherboards offer similar essential features for building a computer system.