Case Form Factors????

[ex_reven]

Hey guys

I was looking at Pc cases and was wondering if anyone could explain the differences between modern Case form factors like atx and btx and all that jazz

It confuses me

 

[OOTay]

Physical form factor
Form factor size chart

The motherboard fits into the computer case with screws or clips. There are many form factors, or sizes of motherboard. In general, it is necessary for the case, power supply, and motherboard to conform to the same standard in order for them to operate properly.


* XT (8.5 × 11" or 216 × 279 mm) - obsolete - see XT bus architecture
* AT (12 × 11"–13" or 305 × 279–330 mm) - obsolete - see AT bus architecture
* Baby-AT (8.5" × 10"–13" or 216 mm × 254-330 mm)
* ATX (Intel 1996; 12" × 9.6" or 305 mm × 244 mm)
* EATX (12" × 13" or 305mm × 330 mm)
* Mini-ATX (11.2" × 8.2" or 284 mm × 208 mm)
* microATX (1996; 9.6" × 9.6" or 244 mm × 244 mm) - fewer slots than ATX, so can use smaller PSU
* LPX (9" × 11"–13" or 229 mm × 279–330 mm) - in slimline retail PCs
* Mini-LPX (8"–9" × 10"–11" or 203–229 mm × 254–279 mm) - in slimline retail PCs
* NLX (Intel 1999; 8"–9" × 10"-13.6" or 203–229 mm × 254–345 mm) - coming soon; requires add-in card riser
* FlexATX (Intel 1999; 9.6" × 9.6" or 244 × 244 mm max.) - can be smaller than microATX
* Mini-ITX (VIA Technologies 2003; 6.7" × 6.7" or 170 mm × 170 mm max.; 100W max.)
* Nano-ITX (VIA Technologies 2004; 120 mm × 120 mm max.)
* BTX (Intel 2004; 12.8" × 10.5" or 325 mm × 267 mm max.)
* MicroBTX (Intel 2004; 10.4" × 10.5" or 264 mm × 267 mm max.)
* PicoBTX (Intel 2004; 8.0" × 10.5" or 203 mm × 267 mm max.)
* WTX (Intel 1998; 14" × 16.75" or 355.6 mm × 425.4 mm)
* ETX and PC/104, used in embedded systems.

Straight off wikipedia, they are just different sizes of motherboards that fit into the cases. The most common is the ATX wich is basicly is the normal size. And the smallest most common mobo is the MicroATX board. If you are looking at normal sized cases most often it would be the ATX, just check what the case uses.

 

[ex_reven]

what if im looking for a case with an atx motherboard but a smaller case?

not the regular atx case, would this case be classed ATX or MicroATX?

 

[Agility]

Umm an ATX board is not able to fit into a mATX case. Also there are two type of motherboards. mATX boards and ATX. Mostly for ATX they would say "Standard ATX". For a mATX it's just plain mATX.

 

[ex_reven]

i guess i DO have to build one then

 

[Lord_Garshna]

Its real simple if you have a standard atx board use an atx case... if you have a matx board use a matx case. Beyond that if your wanting to do something tricky and build a micro-atx case with an atx board... more power to ya.

 

[Sasqui]

With a "normal" ATX board, you can go for a "Mini Tower":

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010090007+1054808478&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=7

You just need to be careful, as I think that some ATX boards are slightly bigger than others. There are a few things to watch out for with a smaller case:

Less airflow (typically) = more heat
They aren't as easy to work on (tight spaces.)

 

[OOTay]

i think we have confused the poor guy...

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

You can have an ATX case, but most ATX cases will also support microATX as well, but not vice-versa. If you have a mATX board, you can get a mATX case or ATX case. If you have an ATX board, then ATX case.

 

[OOTay]

Good explanation lol nj

 

[ex_reven]

thanks i get you