
Is Mini-ITX and ATX the same? The mini-ITX is significantly smaller compared to the micro-ATX. The micro-ATX has three sizes – standard, maximum, and minimum – while the mini-ITX has one standard, fixed size.
Is an ATX motherboard better than a micro ATX?
if you make the gaming pc then I will highly recommend to you the micro ATX motherboard is the best for you otherwise the ATX motherboard. When we think about the micro ATX motherboard then this is the best value of the money. It also provides the four RAM slot for enough gaming experience. Micro ATx can also support the Dual GPU set up.
Is Mini ITX the same as ITX?
They are the same thing. Sometimes people refer to mini-ITX as just ITX. Both terms still reference the same form-factor. The formal name for the standard is Mini-ITX, which is the motherboard size of 17 × 17 cm (6.7 × 6.7 in).
Does Mini ITX fit in a micro ATX case?
microATX motherboards should always fit into ATX cases (but some cases are dumb, so check first). miniITX is another specification, which you will probably not deal with, and it does not fit into ATX cases. Wide ATX motherboards typically will not fit into st Continue Reading
What is the main difference between ATX and micro-ATX?
Main Differences Between ATX and Micro ATX
- ATX board size is 305mm by 244mm while Micro ATX board size is 61mm by 244mm. ...
- The ATX board is rectangular in shape whereas the Micro ATX board is square in shape.
- The ATX board has five expansion slots while the Micro ATX board has three expansion slots.
- The number of drive bays in a ATX form factor is more than that of in a Micro ATX form factor.

Is Mini-ITX compatible with Micro-ATX?
Mini-ITX boards can therefore often be used in cases designed for ATX, micro-ATX and other ATX variants if desired.
Is Micro-ATX bigger than Mini-ITX?
The standard ATX is the largest at 305 by 244 mm. The micro ATX is at second largest at 244 by 244 mm. Finally, the smallest is the mini ITX, which is 170 by 170 mm.
What's the difference between ATX Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX?
The most crucial factor that differentiates between the Mini-ITX and the two ATX boards is the number of RAM slots that the motherboard offers. Generally, the Mini-ITX motherboards offer only two RAM slots, while the Micro-ATX motherboards typically come with four.
Is Mini-ITX better than Micro-ATX?
The advantages of micro-ATXs is that these motherboards fit smaller form-factor cases if necessary. Mini-ITXs are even smaller motherboards with a length and height shorter than both micro-ATXs and standard-ATXs. The micro-ITXs usually have only one PCIe lane and are compatible with far more small form-factor cases.
Is a Mini-ITX good for gaming?
A mini ITX motherboard is a great option for gamers who want to build a small form factor gaming PC. Mini ITX motherboards are much smaller than traditional ATX motherboards, and they offer a number of benefits for gamers.
Why is Mini-ITX more expensive than Micro-ATX?
Mini ITX boards would be the most expensive as they aren't purchased as often, and require lots of engineering to get all the circuitry to work, while keeping the features of an ATX board.
Is a micro ATX good for gaming?
A micro ATX motherboard is a great option for gaming. It is smaller than a full ATX motherboard, so it will fit in a smaller case. It has all the features you need for gaming, including multiple PCI Express slots for graphics cards, plenty of RAM slots, and high-speed storage options.
Should I build ATX or ITX?
That depends solely on your needs and preferences. If you want a really small computer then you'll simply have to with ITX — there's no other option. If, on the other hand, you want as many ports as you can get, then ATX is the way to go.
Will Micro ATX fit in ATX case?
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.
What does ITX stand for?
Information Technology EXtended(Information Technology EXtended) A family of very small PC motherboards from VIA Technologies.
How do I know if my motherboard is ATX or Microatx?
Motherboard form factors are easily identified by their physical dimensions. An ATX motherboard size is 12 inches by 9.6 inches. An Extended ATX (EATX) measures 12 inches by 13 inches. A micro-ATX (mATX) motherboard measures 9.6 by 9.6 inches.
Why is micro ATX cheaper?
Micro-ATX boards are generally cheaper because they simply include fewer components to their design. ATX boards having to accommodate more inside one board brings the price up. That said, an ATX board might be the right choice for you if you need a lot of what it offers.
Is a micro ATX good for gaming?
A micro ATX motherboard is a great option for gaming. It is smaller than a full ATX motherboard, so it will fit in a smaller case. It has all the features you need for gaming, including multiple PCI Express slots for graphics cards, plenty of RAM slots, and high-speed storage options.
What does ITX stand for?
Information Technology EXtended(Information Technology EXtended) A family of very small PC motherboards from VIA Technologies.
How big is a Mini-ITX motherboard?
Mini-ITX specifies length to be 6.7 inches with width of 6.7 inches. It is the smallest form factor possible utilizing ATX mounting holes. All Mini-ITX motherboards use four (4) mounting holes, there are no known exceptions. This form factor is the smallest of all ATX motherboards.
What are Mini-ITX used for?
Mini-ITX is a compact motherboard configuration designed to support relatively low-cost computers in small spaces such as in automobiles, set-top box es, and network devices. The Mini-ITX can also be used in making thin client computers.
How many slots does a mini-ITX motherboard have?
It has room for just two slots versus four on the ATX or MicroATX boards. This doesn’t mean Mini-ITX boards can’t have a healthy amount of RAM, though. For example, if you want 32 GB of RAM, you just put two, 16 GB modules on it, whereas, the other two motherboards, you fill with 8 GB modules.
When was the ATX motherboard introduced?
Asus. Intel created the ATX form factor and first introduced it in 1995. For nearly 25 years, the ATX design has been the predominant form factor for home and office PCs. Advertisement. The largest of the three motherboard sizes we’re looking at, the ATX measures 12 inches by 9.6 inches.
How big is a NUC motherboard?
NUC motherboards typically measure four by four inches, and the cases are a very tight fit. Usually, you buy NUCs in a kit that includes the motherboard, processor, discrete graphics (which vary by kit), and RAM. It’s up to you to add storage or peripherals; however, current NUCs do not accept full-size graphics cards.
What is the smallest motherboard?
Like the larger ATX motherboards, the standard determines what all the various critical points must be. Finally, the Mini-ITX, developed by Via Technologies in 2001, is the smallest of them all, measuring a mere 6.7 inches by 6.7 inches. ATX motherboards have the most expandability. They typically have six (or fewer) PCIe slots for things like ...
Which motherboard has the most expansion slots?
ATX motherboards have the most expandability. They typically have six (or fewer) PCIe slots for things like graphics, sound, and network cards. However, there are Extended ATX (or EATX) boards that have seven PCIe slots, but those are aimed at enthusiasts and servers and are beyond the scope of this article.
What to consider when choosing a motherboard?
It’s a beautiful thing, but to decide which motherboard is right for you, you have to consider things like space, and your experience building PCs and performance needs.
What are the different form factors for motherboards?
Just like other PC components, motherboards have standardized form factors, including ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX. Nearly every motherboard for home computers at your local PC shop or online will be in one of these flavors.
What is the difference between a micro ATX and a mini ITX?
When talking about Micro ATX vs Mini ITX, the first thing need to compare is their size. The size of the Micro ATX is 244 x 244 mm (9.6″ x 9.6″). On the other hand, the size of the Mini ITX is 170 x 170 mm (6.7″ x 6.7″). When you compare the size of them, the winner is the Mini ITX.
Why use mini ITX?
For Workstation. When creating a workstation, you can use the Mini ITX. This is because you do not need high RAM. You will not need an additional slot to integrate the graphics card. This is why Mini ITX can be used if there is not enough space when building a workstation.
How many RAM slots does a mini ITX have?
For Micro ATX, it supports up to 4 memory slots. However, Mini ITX only supports two RAM slots, and each slot can only hold 16 GB RAM. Therefore, if you need more than 32 GB of RAM in the future, in Mini ITX, you will not be able to choose to expand RAM.
What is a motherboard?
The motherboard is an essential part of your computer. If you want to build a new computer but don’t know which motherboard is suitable for you, then you are in the right place. Although there are multiple formats and sizes available in motherboards, Micro ATX and Mini ITX are the two most popular.
Why is it better to use a micro ATX motherboard?
Hence, it is best to choose Micro ATX motherboards because they provide more PCIe slots.
Is Micro ATX cheaper than Micro ITX?
The last thing to compare between Micro ITX vs Micro ATX is the price. It is generally believed that due to the smaller Mini ITX motherboard, the price will be cheaper. However, you are wrong here. Micro ATX is the most affordable. This is because the demand for them is high, and therefore, the company can reduce costs. However, when choosing a Micro ATX motherboard, you need to ensure that the quality of the components meets the requirements.
Is Mini ITX good?
If there is not enough space, only Mini ITX is a good choice. However, it must be remembered that if you want to use Mini ITX, the size of the graphics card to be integrated with the system should also be small. This is because the slot faces the edge.
ATX vs Micro ATX vs Mini ITX
The ATX is the largest, followed by the Micro ATX, and the Mini ITX is the smallest of these motherboards after looking at their dimensions. The width of ATX and Micro ATX motherboards is the same, thus they appear the same.
ATX vs Mini ITX: Which Should You Use?
High-end gaming setups often use ATX motherboards since they are regarded as the best. However, these motherboards often fall short of several specifications, the most important of which is their size.
Micro ATX and Mini ITX Motherboards
When comparing Micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboards, there isn’t much of a difference in pricing. Both types of mini-ITX motherboards are aimed at consumers on a tight budget, although there are some high-end models available as well. These motherboards usually cost about one hundred dollars.
Should You Buy a Desktop or Laptop Motherboard?
We’ll now discuss the motherboard you should buy and how to set it up on your computer. As the Category changes, motherboards will have varying options depending on the kind of PC. In other words, let’s go to the categories and see which motherboard is best for you.
Workstation Motherboard
You should choose an ATX motherboard if you want to construct a computer for professional and development applications such as gaming. The amount of RAM and Graphical Memory needed for modern editing and rendering has skyrocketed. With seven PCIe slots and four ram slots, this motherboard is a one-stop shop for all your computing requirements.
Desktop PC Motherboard
Mini ITX is the ideal form factor if you’re searching for a motherboard that you can use for both work and play. However, a Micro ATX motherboard with many more capabilities is available; however, this one’s size will be a consideration.
Conclusion
With any luck, the information in this article has helped you make an informed decision on the motherboard you need for your PC. If you like this article, be sure to check out the rest of our tech articles and computer tips by bookmarking this page.
Which is better, ATX or Micro ATX?
Equipped with three slots, ATX motherboards are the best choice if you’d like to use multiple PCIe slots. As far as Mini ITX vs. Micro ATX goes, mATX is the safer choice between the two if you’re looking to keep your options open for additional cards in the future.
Why go with mini ITX?
The only reason to go with Mini ITX is size. These boards are designed specifically for HTPC and SFF computer builds, where compact dimensions are essential. You give up RAM slots, SATA ports, and extra PCIe x16 slots in exchange.
How many SATA ports does the ASRock X570 have?
A motherboard like the ASRock X570 Taichi with its eight SATA ports and three M.2 slots should offer enough storage expansion for even the most dedicated data hoarder.
How much RAM does a mini ITX have?
Mini ITX boards currently max out at 64 GB of memory, while most ATX and mATX boards support 128 GB. Some ATX boards go even further with support for 256 GB of total RAM.
What is a micro ATX motherboard?
Micro ATX motherboards are as wide as ATX boards but lose a couple of inches in height. The shorter dimensions open up the option of more compact cases like the Corsair Crystal 280X RGB. These mATX cases offer some of the space-saving properties of a proper Mini ITX case without severe cooling and component compatibility sacrifices you get with the latter.
How many RAM slots does an ATX have?
Every mainstream ATX board will have four RAM slots, as will most mATX boards. There are mATX boards with two slots out there, but they’re not as common as they used to be. Mini ITX boards will only have two RAM slots; there simply isn’t enough space for more on such a compact layout.
What is the best motherboard for a mid tower?
ATX motherboards are the largest of the three and will need to be installed in a mid or full tower case. The extra size has the benefit of offering more of everything. Whether it’s PCIe x16 slots, SATA ports, or M.2 slots, an ATX motherboard is undoubtedly the best option if you want room for expansion.

Different Standards
PC Motherboards: The Basics
- Intel created the ATX form factor and first introduced it in 1995. For nearly 25 years, the ATX design has been the predominant form factor for home and office PCs. The largest of the three motherboard sizes we’re looking at, the ATX measures 12 inches by 9.6 inches. The specification requires all ATX motherboards to be this size. It also specifies the locations of the mount points…
Motherboards: When to Use What
- All three of these motherboard types work for almost any type of home PC you want to build, including a gaming rig, general entertainment system, or Office 365 dynamo. But each form factor comes with some trade-offs—we’ll cover those next.
The Future
- As mentioned previously, ATX is an old specification. In the technology world, it’s hard to dislodge anything with that kind of staying power (see Windows XP). Intel tried to introduce a replacement for ATX called BTX in 2004, but it never caught on. Computer manufacturers are still experimenting with alternatives to ATX, however. At Computex 2019, Asus showed off a high-en…
Overview
- Micro ATX VS Mini ITX: Which One Should You Choose?
Are you considering buying a Micro ATX or Mini ITX motherboard? If you are, then you should know some information about Micro ATX vs Mini ITX before buying. In this post, MiniTool compares their differences on four different parameters: size, RAM slots, PCIe slots, and price. - The motherboard is an essential part of your computer. If you want to build a new computer but …
This post is mainly talking about Micro ATX vs Mini ITX. After reading this post, you should know which one is good for you.
Micro ATX vs Mini ITX
- This part gives some differences between Micro ATX vs Mini ITX from 4 different aspects.
When talking about Micro ATX vs Mini ITX, the first thing need to compare is their size. The size of the Micro ATX is 244 x 244 mm (9.6″ x 9.6″). On the other hand, the size of the Mini ITX is 170 x 170 mm (6.7″ x 6.7″). When you compare the size of them, the winner is the Mini ITX. - Another thing to compare when talking about Micro ATX vs Mini ITX is RAM slots. For Micro AT…
Therefore, if you need more than 32 GB of RAM in the future, in Mini ITX, you will not be able to choose to expand RAM. This is one of the reasons why you should not only consider the size, but also the slots provided.
Which One to Choose?
- After getting some information about Micro ITX vs Micro ATX, then which one should you choos…
If you plan to build a gaming PC, the Micro ATX motherboard is your ideal choice. It will allow you to integrate more RAM. It also supports the Dual-GPU setup. Even after that, empty slots for expansion will be provided. As the number of PCIe slots increases, you can expand your comput… - If there is not enough space, only Mini ITX is a good choice. However, it must be remembered th…
When creating a workstation, you can use the Mini ITX. This is because you do not need high RAM. You will not need an additional slot to integrate the graphics card. This is why Mini ITX can be used if there is not enough space when building a workstation.
Final Words
- To sum up, this post has listed the differences between Micro ATX and Mini ITX from four parameters. After reading this post, you should know which one is suitable for you.
About The Author
- Author Sonya has been engaged in editing for a long time and likes to share useful methods to get rid of the common problems of Windows computers, such as Windows Update error. And she aims to help more people to protect their data. What’s more, she offers some useful ways to convert audio and video file formats. By the way, she likes to travel, watch movies and listen to …