Bryce. Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 What is the difference between an ATX Mobo and a Micro ATX Mobo, I'm assuming its just the size, but which would be better to buy? Bang for buck......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Neither one is better than the other. ATX is full size. MicroATX is about half size and the common size in pre-built systems like Dell, HP and so on. ATX has more expansion slots; PCI slots. For example on my ASUS full size ATX mobo, it has 1 AGP slot and 5 PCI slots. MicroATX has fewer slots. An older mobo I have has 1 AGP slot and 3 PCI slots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce. Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 Neither one is better than the other. ATX is full size. MicroATX is about half size and the common size in pre-built systems like Dell, HP and so on. ATX has more expansion slots; PCI slots. For example on my ASUS full size ATX mobo, it has 1 AGP slot and 5 PCI slots. MicroATX has fewer slots. An older mobo I have has 1 AGP slot and 3 PCI slots. yeah, I just realized that, I also noticed (not 100% sure) but most micro ATX's I see are only upgradable to 2 gigs of memory and is usually DDR. Thanks Wolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I had one that could do 3GB, but don't quote me on that. I do my last one could do atleast 2GB PC100/133 _or_ atleast 2GB of DDR200/266. It had 2 slots of each style of RAM. There are MicroATX mobos that can do 4GB of RAM. Newegg.com list 18 MicroATX with 4GB max supported RAM, 2 with 3GB, and 43 with 2GB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce. Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 I had one that could do 3GB, but don't quote me on that.I do my last one could do atleast 2GB PC100/133 _or_ atleast 2GB of DDR200/266. It had 2 slots of each style of RAM. There are MicroATX mobos that can do 4GB of RAM. Newegg.com list 18 MicroATX with 4GB max supported RAM, 2 with 3GB, and 43 with 2GB. Thanks wolf, one more thing, no sense in making a new topic, but what if the case I am getting for my mobo says it supports a Micro ATX, but looks like it wont line up, will I have a problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 If the case says it supports ATX, then that also includes MicroATX. If the case only says it supports MicroATX then you cannot fit a ATX mobo in there. You're not going to find too many MicroATX only cases not including Dell, HP and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exkabewbikadid Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 There is also a small form factor (SFF) form of micro ATX, such as my system below: I can't imagine going back to a full tower again, but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boobtronic Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 There is also a small form factor (SFF) form of micro ATX, such as my system below: I can't imagine going back to a full tower again, but that's just me. Reminds me of the underside of a pickup truck, cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond996 Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 There is also a small form factor (SFF) form of micro ATX, such as my system below: I can't imagine going back to a full tower again, but that's just me. Reminds me of the underside of a pickup truck, cost? Shuttle's are hella expensive since they have the motherboard and PSU built-in. Based on the picture, its about $300, there was also a $260 with a socket 478. A better solution is to get the Aspire Q-Pack, a MicroATX motherboard, and a full ATX PSU, which will end up running around 200. My friend bought a Q-Pack and a $60 Asus mobo, and threw in his Antec TP2-550, and it works great for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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