Do you know the difference between EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards? If not, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most people don’t know the difference.
In this blog post we will take a look at the differences between these four motherboard sizes so that you can decide which one is best for your needs.
Motherboard size is an important consideration when building or upgrading a computer because it determines the form factor and type of components that can be used. So let’s get started!
- What is the difference between EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards?
- EATX vs ATX
- Micro ATX vs Mini ITX
- The benefits of each type of motherboard:
- EATX:
- ATX:
- Micro ATX:
- Mini ITX:
- How to determine which motherboard is best for your needs?
- ATX:
- MicroATX:
- MiniITX:
- EATX:
- Factors of Motherboard
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
What is the difference between EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to PC hardware. And it’s not surprising why. Choosing the right motherboard is critical because it will determine what kind of CPU, RAM, and other components you can use with your system.
Get it wrong and you’ll be stuck with a ring that doesn’t perform as well as it could or worse, one that doesn’t work at all. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards so you can choose the right one for your needs.
EATX vs ATX
EATX (Extended ATX) and ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) are the two largest motherboard form factors. They’re often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between them.
EATX motherboards are 12″ x 13″ while ATX motherboards are 12″ x 10.1″. That extra real estate on an EATX board allows for more expansion slots and onboard features. If you’re looking to build a high-end gaming PC or workstation, an EATX motherboard is a good choice.
ATX motherboards, on the other hand, are better suited for mid-range systems. They still offer plenty of features and expansion options, but they’re not as bloated as EATX boards. That makes them a bit easier to work with and a bit cheaper too.
Micro ATX vs Mini ITX
Micro ATX and Mini ITX are the two smallest motherboard form factors. They’re designed for smaller PCs, such as HTPCs (home theater PCs) and small form factor (SFF) builds. Micro ATX motherboards are 9.6″ x 9.6″.
That’s still larger than a Mini ITX board, but it gives you a bit more room to work with when it comes to expansion slots and onboard features.
If you’re looking to build a small PC that can still handle some light gaming or moderate workloads, a Micro ATX motherboard is a good choice.
The benefits of each type of motherboard:
EATX:
- Support for more expansion cards
- More room for internal components
- More stable power delivery
ATX:
- Standard size for most cases
- Good balance of features and expandability
- Wide range of aftermarket options
Micro ATX:
- Compact size for smaller cases
- Can still support a decent number of expansion cards and components
- Often cheaper than full ATX boards
Mini ITX:
- Very small form factor for mini/htpc cases
- Limited expandability but still supports basic features and some extras like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Can be very expensive for feature-packed boards
In general, you’ll want to choose a motherboard that matches the size of your case. If you’re looking for a smaller form factor build, then a Micro ATX or Mini ITX board will be your best bet.
If you need more expandability and room for internal components, then an EATX or ATX board will be a better choice. It really comes down to what you need and what fits in your budget.
How to determine which motherboard is best for your needs?
The motherboard is the most important part of your computer. It is the main circuit board that connects all the other components of your computer together.
There are different types of motherboards available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this guide, we will discuss the four most common types of motherboards: ATX, microATX, miniITX, and EATX.
ATX:
The ATX form factor is the most common type of motherboard. It is used in almost all desktop computers. ATX motherboards are available in a variety of sizes, from small to large. They have a lot of features and Expansion slots.
MicroATX:
MicroATX motherboards are smaller than ATX motherboards. They are usually used in small form factor computers. MicroATX motherboards have fewer features and Expansion slots than ATX motherboards.
MiniITX:
MiniITX motherboards are the smallest type of motherboard. They are usually used in very small form factor computers. MiniITX motherboards have the fewest features and Expansion slots of any type of motherboard.
EATX:
EATX motherboards are the largest type of motherboard. They are usually used in high-end desktop computers. EATX motherboards have the most features and Expansion slots of any type of motherboard.
Factors of Motherboard
- The most common form factors for motherboards are ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX. Here’s a quick rundown of each one:
- ATX is the most common form factor. It supports all kinds of features and expansion options.
- MicroATX is a smaller version of ATX. It’s less expensive and easier to install, but it has fewer features and expansion options.
- Mini-ITX is the smallest form factor. It’s very easy to install, but it has even fewer features and expansion options than microATX.
- EATX is a larger version of ATX. It supports more features and expansion options, but it’s more expensive and harder to install.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between e ATX ATX Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX?
As you move upward, you have E-ATX (Extended ATX) motherboards, which add more to the ATX board and are slightly bigger as a result. A microATX is smaller than an ATX, going the other way. It is followed by Mini ITX (“Information Technology eXtended”), which is even smaller than Micro ATX.
What is the difference between ATX and EATX Eatx?
The ATX form factor is the standard for motherboards. A type of ATX with a larger size, EATX is nothing more than that. By 2021, it will be the de facto motherboard standard. An EATX board is the largest ATX board.
What is the difference between ATX motherboard to EATX motherboard?
Due to their larger size, EATX motherboards have more space to accommodate other ports. EATX, on the other hand, can usually be equipped with 4 to 8 PCIe x16 ports, whereas ATX usually has 3. Similar to ATX motherboards, EATX motherboards usually have six or more RAM slots.
Is ATX motherboard better than ITX?
Depending on the usage, either board can perform well; however, an ATX board is preferred over an ITX because it has enough RAM and PCI slots to be utilized for any kind of PC use, including heavy gaming and workstations.
Can ATX fit in Eatx?
EATX motherboard trays are certainly compatible with ATX boards. There are many different standoffs to choose from on the tray.
Final Words
We hope this article was helpful in clearing up some of the confusion around EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards. If you still have questions after reading this post or want to know more about a specific motherboard type, please let us know in the comments section below. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and may even update this guide with additional information based on your feedback. Thanks for reading!