What is the difference between atx and matx

They were initially developed for PCs that don't use fans for cooling the system. It also help users looking to minimize the power consumption.

The setup is also ideal for users looking for minimal noise while the PC is running. This also means that users can load up to 32GB of memory, two 16GB kits. But this doesn't mean that the performance of the motherboard is compromised. It is well equipped to handle high-end applications and extensive games. ATX is biggest of the bunch measuring at x mm. Next to follow is the Micro ATX which measures at x mm.

And, the smallest of them all is Mini ITX, measuring at x mm. When we talk about the size, it should only concern a user if their computer case is smaller than what is essential for a certain format. There's no issue if the case is too big for a motherboard since every case has a standardized layout to accommodate any motherboard. We wouldn't recommend a mini ITX unless your aim is to build a compact and portable gaming machine. But you'll also have to keep in mind the size of the graphics card as well.

If you are someone who has high-performance requirements, an ATX would fit the bill, but only if you plan on making full use of the extra PCIe slots, but Micro ATX is still best options. Also, there will be heating management factors that need to be considered if you plan on using a small case. If your only use of a PC is to browse the Internet, multimedia, or occasional office work, the best solution would be the cheapest one.

That being said, it is most likely to be a Micro ATX motherboard. As always, preferences and requirements differ from person to person. Honestly, none of these three mainstream motherboard formats can be the best choice for everyone. All of them serve different for a reason. They work well in favorable conditions and poorly otherwise. Well, it won't be a tough task for you to choose the right motherboard based on the aforementioned details.

It's imperative to know what each motherboard's strength and weaknesses are, so that you can gauge them and make the right choice. For Quick Alerts. Subscribe Now. India - 34,, World - ,, For Daily Alerts.

The biggest take away on the sizes of each of these motherboards are that they mostly determine what PC case you can or cannot use.

For instance, if you want to build a small form-factor gaming computer , it is highly likely that you will not be able to use a standard ATX motherboard in it. And, in fact, you may not even be able to use a micro-ATX motherboard in it as well. That is because most medium-to-larger sized cases will accommodate smaller form-factor motherboards. However, from an aesthetics stand point, you may not want to put a mini-ITX motherboard in a larger case, as your components will look scrunched up in the top left corner of your case.

And, the answer to that is that there is a time and place for each motherboard form factor. Each of the three most popular form-factors discussed in this article will make more sense than the others in different scenarios. If you have looked over the pros and cons of each of the three most popular motherboard form-factors above, you probably already have a good idea of what motherboard is best for you.

But, if you are still unsure of which motherboard is right for you, let me outline a few common use cases and which motherboard form-factor makes the most sense for them:. If you want to build a budget-friendly gaming PC , your best bet is to go with a micro-ATX motherboard.

The reason being is that, no components are going to have as big of an impact on your in-game performance as will your graphics card, processor, and memory.

And, so the general rule of thumb when building a budget-friendly gaming PC is to allot as much of your budget as is possible to those three components. Fortunately, mATX motherboards are perfect for budget-friendly gaming PCs, as they still have all of the main features that standard ATX motherboards have.

If you want to build a PC that has a smaller footprint, whether because you want it to be mobile, or you prefer a minimalistic design, your best bet will be to go with a smaller mini-ITX or micro-ATX motherboard. And, obviously, if you want to go as small as possible, mini-ITX motherboards will be your best bet. Your email address will not be published. For example, Dell computers have a history of pin swapping the ATX 24 pin power connector such that replacing a Dell power supply with a standard one would will?

Always verify the pin-outs of branded connectors to those of the industry standard. This may require using a multi-meter to test each pin of the branded connector. Other things will be things like reversing the position of the external interface connections, moving the PCI slots to the left side of the external interface panel, non-standard screw positions and other nefarious proprietary twists.

Look up the requirements of each piece of software. Search: requirements Hint: most sites will list minimum, good, and optimal 2. Identify the components of the most demanding game. Your build needs to use those components.

Total build will need to be compatible with those components. No such thing as mini-ATX. Look up the specs of the exact model of the desired case. There you will find which form factors are compatible with it. Very useful explanation indeed..

Besides, those who also intend to use their gaming setup as a workstation might need more than 32 GB of RAM to run some memory-hungry software. Now, another very noticeable difference between all three of the aforementioned motherboard formats is the number of PCI Express slots that they come with. ATX motherboards definitely have the lead in this department, as most come with three PCIe slots, although some high-end models can boast as many as five.

Many modern graphics cards are quite thick, as their bulky coolers could potentially obstruct some of the slots. Finally, there is the matter of price. You would think that Mini ITX motherboards would be the cheapest due to their small size requiring less manufacturing materials, but the truth might surprise you.

If you intend to use your PC not only for gaming but also for certain professional software, then the extra space might be appealing, that is, the extra PCIe and RAM slots.