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What is ITX vs ATX

Author

Ethan Hayes

Published Mar 29, 2026

The difference between ATX and ITX is that ATX has a standard size and is intended for use in standard PCs, have a high number of PCI slots and higher RAM capacity while an ITX is smaller than the standard size and are used in compact PCs usually meant for traveling.

Is ITX the same as ATX?

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. 3. The micro-ATX can also be a substitute for a full-size ATX motherboard since all the components of both motherboards are the same.

Is ITX good for gaming?

IMHO, no. ITX sized motherboards are way too small for a gaming-spec computer.

What does ITX mean on a motherboard?

(Information Technology EXtended) A family of very small PC motherboards from VIA Technologies. See PC motherboards.

Can ITX fit in ATX case?

Mini-ITX boards can therefore often be used in cases designed for ATX, micro-ATX and other ATX variants if desired. The design provides one expansion slot. … Many older case designs use riser cards and some even have two-slot riser cards, although the two-slot riser cards are not compatible with all boards.

What devices use ITX?

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.

Can micro ATX fit in ITX case?

sorry, that case only fits Mini-ITX. which is really tiny. Micro-ATX is bigger.

Which is bigger Micro ATX or Mini ITX?

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. … Of course, there’s no sense in picking up a standard ATX motherboard if you’re using a smaller case. Each form factor is designed to fit a standard size case.

Where is Nano ITX used?

Nano-ITX boards measure 12 × 12 cm (4.7 × 4.7 in), and are fully integrated, very low power consumption motherboards with many uses, but targeted at smart digital entertainment devices such as DVRs, set-top boxes, media centers, car PCs, and thin devices.

Are ITX builds bad?

mini itx is good in certain situations, albeit there are limiting factors. but as far as raw specs, theres no reason an itx build cant be as powerful as a simple (single gpu) atx build.

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Why are ITX builds popular?

The first benefit is that mini ITX builds are much smaller than your standard full-tower and mid-tower builds. … A mini ITX build is often much lighter than a full-tower or mid-tower gaming PC. This makes moving the case around much easier and allows for easier transport of your computer.

Why is ITX expensive?

“Why are most Mini ITX motherboards more expensive than standard ATX ones?” It’s a combination of niche market and compressing everything in a full size board down. Most people prefer to go as big as they can for ease of maintenance unless they need to go smaller (like for travelling).

What is the biggest type of motherboard?

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.

Can you put a Mini-ITX motherboard in a mid tower case?

As long as you think it will look fine it will be okay.

Can a micro ATX fit in a mid tower?

Full-tower and mid-tower cases both fit standard ATX motherboards—by far the most common motherboard size out there. Both can also fit smaller micro-ATX motherboards. Exact sizing varies from case to case, but most mid-towers run up to roughly 18 inches high and 8 or so inches wide.

What are motherboard sizes?

Motherboards come in three main sizes, from largest to smallest: ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX (Yes, Mini is smaller than Micro). You can use a smaller chassis with the micro or mini boards, but you’ll have to settle for fewer PCIe slots, RAM slots and other connectors.

What is the smallest mATX case?

White Micro ATX Case The NZXT H400i is the smallest micro ATX case on the market, and features one of the best designs we’ve ever seen. This small micro ATX case has a spacious interior, great airflow, and easy cable management.

What ATX is my motherboard?

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.

What is STX motherboard?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Mini-STX (aka Mini Socket Technology EXtended, Intel 5×5) is a computer motherboard form factor that supports upgradable processors. The motherboard size is 147×140 mm, which is between Nano-ITX motherboards and Mini-ITX boards that are popular in small form-factor builds.

What is LPX motherboard?

Lpx-motherboard meaning (Low-Profile EXtended motherboard) A low-profile PC motherboard for slimline cases, introduced in 1997 by Western Digital. Unlike boards for desktop and tower cases that hold the expansion cards perpendicular to the board, cards plug into a riser card on the LPX and are parallel with the board.

What are the three types of computer cases listed?

The most common system case type is the tower. Tower cases are: Full tower, Mid tower and Mini tower. Slim line cases are simply tower cases turned on their sideways. Small form factor or SFF cases are custom cases that are designed to minimize the spatial volume of a desktop computer.

What ATX stands for?

ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) is a motherboard and power supply configuration specification developed by Intel in 1995 to improve on previous de facto standards like the AT design. … ATX is the most common motherboard design.

What are the different types of motherboard?

  • AT Motherboard. These motherboards have bigger physical dimensions of hundreds of millimeters and hence they are not the right fit for the mini desktop category of computers. …
  • ATX Motherboard. …
  • LPX Motherboard. …
  • BTX Motherboard. …
  • Pico BTX motherboard. …
  • Mini ITX motherboard.

Is ATX better than ITX?

The two boards can perform efficiently depending on the usage, however, an ATX is a better choice than an ITX since it has sufficient RAM and PCI slots for any kind of usage of the PC may just be internet surfing or be heavy gaming and workstations.

What does ITX stand for?

Short for Information Technology eXtended, ITX is a small motherboard form factor from VIA Technologies that was first introduced in November 2001 with the Mini-ITX.

Can you put a mini ATX motherboard in an ATX case?

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.

Are ITX builds hot?

Mini-ITX gaming builds run a little hotter than bigger systems, simply as a function of the design—the same components running in a smaller space concentrates the heat. This problem is compounded when you try to add in extra fans: mounting area for air intake and output is limited.

Are ITX cases bad?

ITX permits a very small case. If you want a gaming build, it will need to be larger to accommodate a strong graphics card and a strong cpu. The case you mentioned will have no such problems, you can install a good air cooler and any strong graphics card and psu.

Can a mini PC be upgraded?

Unlike a tower PC, the number of things you can upgrade in a mini PC are severely limited. … So while you would normally buy a Core i3 CPU now and upgrade to Core i7 later, that’s not the case with mini PCs. The CPU can’t be upgraded.

What is ATX mATX ITX?

As you can see, mATX motherboards are the same width as standard ATX motherboards, but they are a couple of inches shorter. … Mini-ITX motherboards, on the other hand, are shorter in both height and width than micro-ATX motherboards. They typically only feature a single PCIe lane.

Do mini PCS overheat?

Although you don’t need to worry about burning your legs with a mini PC, you do need to make sure the case regulates temperature so that it doesn’t overheat. Due to the system’s size, you might hear the fan kick on more often than with other computers, so it’s important that the fan’s sound isn’t too annoying.