microATX
microATX, also known as µATX (sometimes transliterated as mATX[1] or uATX[2][3] on online forums) is a small form factor standard for computer motherboards, with a maximum size of 244 mm × 244 mm (9.6 inches x 9.6 inches), but some uATX boards can be as small as 6.75 inches by 6.75 inches or 171.45 millimeters by 171.45 millimeters[4]. The standard ATX size is 25% longer, at 305 mm × 244 mm (12" wide x 9.6" deep).
Currently available microATX motherboards support CPUs from VIA, Intel or AMD. There are no known microATX motherboards for processor architectures other than x86 and x86-64.
Backward-compatibility
microATX was explicitly designed to be backward-compatible with ATX. The mounting points of microATX motherboards are a subset of those used on full-size ATX boards, and the I/O panel is identical. Thus, microATX motherboards can be used in full-size ATX cases. Furthermore, most microATX motherboards generally use the same power connectors as ATX motherboards,[5] thus permitting the use of full-size ATX power supplies with microATX boards.
microATX boards often use the same chipsets (northbridges and southbridges) as full-size ATX boards, allowing them to use many of the same components. However, since microATX tower cases are typically much smaller than ATX tower cases, they usually have fewer I/O ports and expansion slots.
Expandability
Most modern ATX motherboards have five or more PCI or PCI-Express expansion slots, while microATX boards typically have only three (four being the maximum permitted by the specification). In order to conserve expansion slots and case space, many manufacturers produce microATX motherboard with a full-range of integrated peripherals (especially integrated graphics), which may serve as the basis for small form factor and media center PCs. For example, the Asus A8N-VM CSM motherboard (pictured right) features onboard GeForce 6 graphics, AC97 audio, and gigabit Ethernet (among others) thus freeing up the expansion slots that would have been used for a graphics card, sound card, and Ethernet card.
In addition, most microATX tower cases require the use of Low-Profile PCI cards.
References
- ^ See this thread on HardForum.com for an example of "mATX."
- ^ http://www.prcidf.com.cn/en/training/technology_session.html
- ^ See this thread for an example of "uATX."
- ^ http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/D201GLY/index.htm
- ^ As of 2007, most motherboards follow the ATX12V 2.2 specification, which provides for a 24-pin main power connector, and a 4-pin auxiliary connector.
External links
- "microATX Motherboard Interface Specification" (PDF) (in English). Intel Corporation. p. 23. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
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