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Difference between ITX and ATX
ITX and ATX are two motherboard form factors used in personal computers. The primary differences between the two are their sizes, compatibility with various components, and number of expansion slots.
ITX (or Mini-ITX) is a smaller form factor for motherboards than the standard ATX form factor. ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) is the standard motherboard form factor and is larger than ITX.
Read this article to find out more about ITX and ATX and how they are different from each other.
What is ITX?
ITX (or Mini-ITX) is a smaller form factor for motherboards than the standard ATX form factor. VIA Technologies first launched the ITX form factor in 2001 as an approach to building small and low-power devices. ITX has since become a popular alternative for developing small, energy-efficient computers.
ITX motherboards are typically 170mm x 170mm in size, much smaller than regular ATX motherboards, which are 305mm x 244mm in size. ITX motherboards are useful for developing small and portable systems such as home theatre PCs (HTPCs), small form factor (SFF) gaming PCs, and micro desktops due to their small size.
ITX motherboards have the advantage of requiring smaller casings than ATX motherboards. This is particularly useful for customers who have limited desk or shelf space or who want a computer that is portable. ITX cases come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from small cubes to ultra-thin designs that can be placed on the back of a monitor.
Another advantage of ITX motherboards is that they n less power than ATX motherboards. ITX motherboards are well-suited to building systems that require low power consumption, such as media centres or network-attached storage (NAS) devices, due to their smaller size and lower power requirements.
ITX motherboards become more powerful and full of features as technology improves, making them a viable alternative for a wide range of applications.
What is ATX?
ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) is a motherboard form factor established by Intel in 1995. It is still commonly used today and has become the de facto standard for desktop computer motherboards.
The advantage of ATX motherboards is their cooling features. Because the motherboard is larger, there is more room for cooling components like fans and heatsinks. This is especially useful for high-performance systems that produce a lot of heat.
One disadvantage of ATX motherboards is that they require larger cases than ITX motherboards. This can be an issue for users with limited desk or shelf space. In addition, because of their larger size, ATX motherboards consume more power than ITX motherboards, which can be a problem for users building energy-efficient systems.
Smaller form factors, such as ITX, have increased in popularity in recent years, but ATX remains a popular choice for building high-performance desktop PCs. ATX's flexibility and expandability make it an excellent choice for customers who require a high level of customization and are willing to give up some space and power consumption to get it.
Difference between ITX and ATX
The following table highlights the major differences between ITX and ATX −
Characteristics |
ITX |
ATX |
|---|---|---|
Size |
170mm x 170mm |
305mm x 244mm |
Expansion Slots |
1-2 |
4-7 |
Compatibility |
ITX are compatible with smaller components. |
ATX is compatible with larger components. |
Power Consumption |
It consumes less power. |
It consumes a lot of power. |
Cost |
Low Cost |
High Cost |
Use cases |
Compact PCs, HTPCs, SFF gaming PCs, mini desktops |
High-performance gaming PCs, workstations, and multi-GPU systems |
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between ITX and ATX motherboards, keep the PC's specific demands and intended purpose in mind. If you require more expansion choices and plan to use larger components, ATX may be the preferable choice. ITX, on the other hand, may be the way to go if you want to build a small PC or save money and electricity.
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