Motherboard Sizes Explained

Are you looking to upgrade or build a new computer but don’t know which motherboard size is best for your needs? You’re not alone. Motherboard sizes and specifications can be confusing, so it’s important to understand the different types of motherboards available to make an educated decision.

Motherboard Sizes Guide

The motherboard is one of the most crucial parts of any computer system. It is the backbone that holds all other components together, enabling them to communicate and interact. Choosing the right motherboard size can be challenging, with many different sizes and specifications available. This article will explain the most popular motherboard types, dimensions, and features in layperson’s terms.

ATX Motherboard

ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) motherboards are the most popular form factor for PC builds. It measures 305mm by 244mm, or 12 x 9.6 inches, and is compatible with a wide range of cases from super-towers to mini-towers. This makes it easy to find an ATX compatible case that will fit your build perfectly. The ATX motherboard also offers great performance thanks to its support for dual or quad-channel memory configurations, allowing you to get the most out of your system.

ATX Pros

The ATX motherboard is also very versatile and can be used in a variety of systems. It has at least four RAM slots, giving you plenty of options when it comes to upgrading your system’s memory capacity. Additionally, the ATX board supports multiple expansion slots, which allow you to add more components, such as graphics cards and sound cards if needed. All in all, the ATX board is an excellent motherboard size for any PC build due to its flexibility and performance capabilities.

EATX Motherboard

E-ATX motherboards are the largest motherboard available, they are bigger version of an ATX board and offer the most features of all options. The boards are often used in servers and workstations because of their greater capabilities than other smaller versions. With an E-ATX motherboard, you can connect four GPUs in SLI or CrossFireX, giving you more power than ever. You also get access to curious connections that may be missing on lesser boards, making them ideal for those who need a little extra power from their PCs.

Micro ATX (mATX) Motherboard

Micro ATX (mATX) motherboards are the mid-size form factor of computer motherboards. They measure around 9.6″ x 9.6″ and are slightly larger than Mini ATX boards but not as large as full-size ATX boards. Even though they are somewhat smaller than regular ATX boards, their clever design means that they won’t sacrifice features for size. mATX motherboards can fit a decent range of components, such as one or two PCI or PCIe x16 slots, onboard audio, and sometimes even an extra PCIe slot. Because of their small footprint, mATX forms make great solutions for custom builds or small form factor PCs like Home Theater PCs (HTPC), making them very popular with enthusiasts who want to create something unique without compromising on features and customization options.

Mini-ITX Motherboard

Mini-ITX motherboards are the most compact and efficient type of motherboard. They measure 170 mm x 170 mm, which makes them 25% smaller than Micro-ATX boards. They are designed to support only one expansion slot, two RAM slots, and several PCIe slots. Despite their small size, Mini-ITX boards provide excellent performance, allowing users to power up high-end gaming rigs and video editing computers without taking up too much space inside the case. These boards can also be paired with powerful processors such as those from Intel or AMD, allowing users to equip their PCs with premium components on a tight budget.

XL-ATX Motherboard

XL-ATX motherboards are one of the largest form factor currently available, typically measuring 345 x 262 mm. These boards offer enhanced features over their ATX and E-ATX counterparts, such as more RAM slots, PCI Express slots, and SATA connectors. For this reason, XL-ATX motherboards are used for workstation purposes and for gamers who need maximum performance from their computers. The large size makes this motherboard suitable for multi-GPU configurations or multiple expansion cards. Fans of extreme computing will benefit from the added space – though bigger cases are needed to fit these boards.

Which motherboard size is a good fit for you?

With dozens of form factors, choosing the right size motherboard for your PC can be a daunting task. The motherboard size you choose will determine how many components and processors it can support, so you want to make sure that the size is appropriate for your needs. The most popular motherboard sizes are the ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX. Generally speaking, larger motherboards such as the ATX, EATX or XL-ATX offer more expansion slots and connectors than smaller boards. They are also preferred by people who wish to use multiple graphics cards or want room to upgrade components in the future. For those with limited space or on a budget, an mATX board might be ideal as they tend to offer most of the features of boards but in a smaller form factor.