What are the differences between ATX and Micro ATX motherboard? When configuring a new computer everyone comes across the terms ATX and Micro ATX.
These two confusing abbreviations are very important to consider when choosing a PC. The reason behind it is the motherboard which is the foundation of any computer.
Each type of it is suitable for different purposes. If this factor got miscalculated then it can ruin the entire PC setup. In this article, we will talk about major differences that one can easily find between ATX and Micro ATX motherboards.
In This Article
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The ATX motherboards being larger in size than a micro ATX motherboard offer more room for upgrades.
- The ATX motherboards come with a higher number of PCI Express slots in them as compared to the micro ATX motherboards.
- The ATX motherboards are costlier than micro ATX motherboards but support a higher number of drives.
- The working ability and performance of the ATX motherboards is higher than the micro ATX motherboards.
5 Major Difference Between ATX and Micro ATX Motherboard
The form factor of a PC is mainly dependent upon the motherboard. It connects all the other components of a system. ATX and Micro ATX motherboards are very common and both of them provide great performance.
They are suitable for office and gaming PCs. The common differences between them are as follows –
1. Design & Size
Each of these two types of motherboards has a separate unique design. ATX motherboards are the best choice for any users, as it features many rooms for upgrades.
The common ATX motherboard is 12 inches in length and 9.6 inches in width. The numeric values are respectively 9.6 and 9.6 for the micro ATX motherboards.
2. Numbers of Slots for PCI Express
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express slots are the expansion slots that help the users to customize their system and add more efficient peripherals or components such as the cooling setup, GPU and hard drives, etc.
Different numbers of PCIe slots are present in ATX and Micro ATX motherboards. An ATX motherboard usually offers up to 7 PCIe slots and the other one offers 4 PCIe slots.
If the user wants a PC with moderate gaming ability then he can choose a micro ATX motherboard. Most of the high-end gamers and high-end programmers usually go with ATX motherboards.
3. Costing
The micro ATX motherboards are more affordable and this type of motherboard is very common in this era. Having a compact design is in very great demand these days.
But ATX motherboards are quite expensive and possess more working capability.
4. Performance
ATX motherboards are designed to offer more efficient and powerful performance to the users. Build quality of this type of motherboards is steadier than the other.
There is no doubt that an ATX motherboard has more performing ability but it is larger in size. So, in this era of compact devices, micro ATX processors are very regular. But in terms of performance ATX motherboards take the lead.
5. Numbers of Drives
One of the minor differences between these two types of motherboards is in the numbers of the drive. The micro ATX motherboards support less numbers of drives, than the ATX motherboards.
If anyone is using one or two drives then this feature will not make a major issue. If the user chooses to use plenty of hard and optical drives in his system, then he should do with ATX motherboards.
Which is Better – ATX or Micro ATX?
ATX and Micro ATX are used in different sizes of systems. There are many differences between them.
But, in terms of performance ATX is better as it offers plenty of up-gradation options to the users.
But, micro ATX motherboards are very common these days as they are available at an affordable price range and it has got compressed design.
But high-end users prefer to use ATX motherboards.
Conclusion
When choosing a motherboard for your PC, it is important to consider the differences between ATX and Micro ATX.
While both offer great performance, ATX is better for users who want plenty of upgrade options and higher performance, but it comes at a higher cost and larger size.
On the other hand, Micro ATX is more affordable and has a compact design, making it a popular choice for many users.
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user.