micro atx board in atx case

[Darren]

Ive always wondered, would a micro atx motherboard fit snug in an ATX case!!?


seems silly, but I need to know

 

[Digerati]

No - it would not be snug at all - you would have tons of room left over!!!!

The biggest difference between an ATX motherboard and microATX motherboard is the micro is shorter. Other than that, all existing mounting holes, PCI slots, keyboard, mouse, power supply, etc connectors will fit just fine as they all must adhere to the ATX from factor standard - though often loosly. For example - there is nothing that says a motherboard WILL have a mounting hole in the corner. BUT - the standard does say that IF there is a hole, it WILL be in a specific spot so that it can mount in any ATX compliant case.

So in other words - you can put a micro ATX motherboard in an full tower ATX case just fine - you will just have empty PCI slots down at the bottom. But you cannot put a full size ATX board in a microATX case as it will be too long.

 

[Darren]

thanks, Digerati

Getting worried as I purcahsd an MATX mobo for my ATX case, worried that the expansion slots would not aline.

things are much clearer now, thanks again!

 

[Digerati]

Np!

 

[lemonadesoda]

I've never seen an ATX case that CANNOT also take a mATX.

A mATX is shorter and narrower than a "Delux ATX" mainboard, so there is usually one less PCI slot, and sometimes only 2 RAM slots. Be careful. Always get a 4 slot mainboard to allow you to upgrade the RAM at a later date.

 

[i_am_mustang_man]

matx have the same holes as atx, at least the top six (generally, sometimes 5 or 4) of atx board. and you will generally have 4 expansion slots

sometimes it's nice, esp if you have lights or something in the case with an expansion slot cover switch, so you don't give up an otherwise useful slot in the case

and you could always get an ultra microfly case and be sff

 

[Bill_Bright]

I've never seen an ATX case that CANNOT also take a mATX.

You won't - or else it would not conform to the ATX standard, therefore would not be an ATX - micro, full or otherwise.

matx have the same holes as atx

Be careful there. They do not have to have the same holes! The standard only says, IF there is a hole, it will be in a specific place. This means the case may have a hole, but the mobo does not. And the mobo may have a hole, but there may not be a corresponding hole in the case. This means you might have to use a free standing plastic mount in the board in one or two holes for support. It also means you must be 100% certain you do not put a brass standoff in a case hole unless there is a corresponding mobo hole - or else you risk shorting out the whole works on first power up.