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About LinkBacksJust curious as to how many people use mATX vs ATX and the reasons behind it.
It seems slightly odd to me that there are over 5 times as many ATX boards for Z77 compared to mATX, but how many people actually require a full ATX board for their PC?
Already on mATX (or smaller)
Could fit current rig on mATX
Could but would prefer not to
My components require an ATX board
Just curious as to how many people use mATX vs ATX and the reasons behind it.
It seems slightly odd to me that there are over 5 times as many ATX boards for Z77 compared to mATX, but how many people actually require a full ATX board for their PC?
Always had a full ATX board before, but my latest is mATX. Was just a combination of the board having the features i wanted at the right price, mainly due to my computing needs changing.
mATX used to be the poorer cousin with reduced features, poor overclocking options and basic extras in the box. Now that hardware is waiting for software to catch up most hardware can be crammed onto an mATX or ITX board and manufacturers supply the same features as ATX.
I have been using mini-ITX and Shuttle FF systems since late 2005,and have bypassed mATX and ATX for my main computers.
Most only have 2 RAM slots which kills it for me. That and board layout tends to be cramped on MATX which is a killer if you use big passive cooling. Not space restrained so unless the cost saving is huge I'll go full ATX.
Sure you aren't thinking of mini-ITX?
All the mATX Z77 boards have 4 slots and even the cheapest H77 board still has 4 slots:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-h...vi-d-micro-atx
mATX boards are only smaller in the other direction where you would have additional PCI slots. You have the exact same amount of room for RAM/CPU as on a larger board.
Unless I win the lottery, and start buying SLI/Crossfire rigs, I'll be sticking with mATX and where possible Mini-ITX in the long run.
I really don't see the point of having a massive motherboard as things stand - my mATX board does everything that the full ATX boards can, and the PC fits easily on my desk.
Moved to a GENE-Z last year and haven't looked back.
Main issue with them is price, IMO. They cost the same as ATX counter-parts in most cases unless you go super cheap and roll with H61, but then it is a case fo you get what you pay for. AMDs uATX offerings are pap, too, so market penetration is lacking there.
The only reason i haven't dropped to ITX is again: cost. The boards are extortionate and so are the PSU and ITX case prices. The other issue is i'm not willing to forgo my STX or GPU either - if someone offered a riser card/design as part of the case maybe i'd look into it again in the future.
Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.
Last build was ITX, most are uATX.
My main machine is ATX though. Big machine with big quiet fans.
There is a lack of decent AM3+ uATX boards at the moment as well so high end AMD stuff still has to be ATX
Maaybe true in Intel land nowadays. Back when I was buying AM3, most of the reasonably priced Micro-ATX ones had 2.Originally Posted by Willzzz
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