The Most Popular Motherboard Form Factor, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the motherboard form factor you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:44
Choosing the right motherboard form factor is critical for anyone building or upgrading a computer, as it determines not only the size of the board but also its compatibility with other components and the case. It can be challenging for both seasoned builders and newcomers to select the ideal form factor that meets all their needs. By voting for your preferred type, you help create a helpful guide for others.
This live ranking aims to simplify the selection process by showing which motherboard form factors are currently the most favored by users like you. Each vote cast contributes to an updated list, reflecting real-time preferences and trends in motherboard design. Your participation ensures that the list stays relevant and useful to everyone involved in building or upgrading PCs.
What Is the Most Popular Motherboard Form Factor?
-
184votesATX is the most popular motherboard form factor because it offers the most features and compatibility with various components. It is also the most commonly used form factor for gaming PCs and high-end workstations. -ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) is a widely used motherboard form factor that was introduced by Intel in 1995. It is an evolution of the previous Baby AT form factor, offering improved expansion and power capabilities for desktop computers.
- Size: 305 mm x 244 mm
- Power Connectors: 20-pin ATX power connector, 4 or 8-pin CPU power connector
- Expansion Slots: 4 to 7 PCI or PCIe slots
- RAM Slots: 2 to 8 DIMM slots
- Storage Interfaces: SATA, M.2, U.2, NVMe
-
235votes
Micro ATX (µATX)
IntelMicro ATX is a smaller version of the ATX form factor, offering similar features and compatibility but in a more compact size. It is often used in budget gaming PCs or small form factor builds. -Micro ATX (µATX) is a motherboard form factor that is smaller in size compared to the regular ATX form factor. It was developed by Intel and first introduced in 1997. Micro ATX is designed to be more compact and affordable, making it suitable for smaller computer cases and budget-conscious consumers.- Size: 244 mm × 244 mm (9.6 in × 9.6 in)
- Expansion slots: Usually 4 slots (e.g., 1 PCIe x16, 2 PCIe x1, 1 PCI)
- Power connectors: Usually 24-pin ATX, with optional 4 or 8-pin auxiliary power connectors
- RAM slots: Usually 2 or 4 slots, supporting DDR4, DDR3, or DDR2
- Graphics support: Integrated graphics or support for dedicated graphics cards
-
327votes
Mini ITX
VIA TechnologiesMini ITX is the smallest motherboard form factor, designed for compact builds and home theater PCs. It has limited expansion options but is popular for its low power consumption and compact size. -Mini ITX is a motherboard form factor designed for small form factor PCs. It is the smallest mainstream form factor available, offering a compact size without sacrificing functionality.- Size: 170mm x 170mm
- Power Connectors: 24-pin ATX, 4-pin CPU
- Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe x16
- Memory Slots: 2 x DDR4 DIMM
- SATA Ports: 4 x SATA 6Gb/s
-
422votes
Jacek Halicki · CC BY-SA 4.0Extended ATX (EATX)
IntelEATX is a larger version of the ATX form factor, offering more expansion options and support for larger components. It is commonly used in high-end gaming PCs or workstation builds. -Extended ATX (EATX) is a popular motherboard form factor that provides a larger size and more expansion slots compared to the standard ATX form factor. It was introduced to accommodate the demands of high-end desktop and server systems. EATX motherboards are known for their robustness and capacity to support powerful components and multiple graphics cards.- Size: 12 x 13 inches (305 x 330 mm)
- Expansion Slots: 7 or more
- Power Connectors: 1 x 24-pin ATX, 2 x 8-pin EPS
- Memory Slots: Usually 4 or more
- GPU Support: Multiple graphics card support, often with reinforced PCIe slots
-
526votes
Flex ATX
IntelFlex ATX is a smaller version of the Micro ATX form factor, designed for low-power systems and compact builds. It is commonly used in small form factor PCs or embedded systems. -Flex ATX is a small form factor motherboard standard that was introduced by Intel. It is designed to provide a compact solution with reduced dimensions, making it suitable for space-constrained computer systems. Flex ATX motherboards are commonly used in small form factor desktops, home theater PCs, and industrial computers.- Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 inches
- Expansion Slots: typically 1 or 2
- Power Connectors: 1 x 20-pin ATX
- Memory Slots: up to 2 DDR4 DIMM slots
- Graphics Interface: PCI Express x16
-
614votesBTX is a form factor designed to improve airflow and reduce heat in the system. It never gained widespread popularity due to its limited availability and compatibility with components. -BTX (Balanced Technology Extended) is a motherboard form factor developed by Intel as a successor to the ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) format. It was primarily designed to provide better thermal properties and improved power distribution compared to its predecessor. The BTX layout positions major components, such as the CPU, memory slots, and expansion slots, in a way that optimizes airflow and reduces hotspots, resulting in improved cooling efficiency. This form factor was aimed at catering to high-performance and power-hungry systems.
- Dimensions: 325mm x 266mm
- Orientation: Switched from ATX (Rotated 90 degrees)
- CPU Socket: Socket 6xx
- Memory Slots: 4 DDR2 DIMMs, up to 8GB
- Expansion Slots: 1 PCIe x16, 2 PCIe x1, 1 PCI
-
79votesLPX is a form factor designed for slim desktops and tower cases. It is known for its low height and compatibility with low-profile components. -LPX (Low Profile eXtension) is a motherboard form factor that is designed to be smaller and more compact than traditional ATX form factor. It allows for space-saving and flexibility in small form factor desktop systems.
- Size: 9.0 x 13 inches
- Expansion slots: 2
- Power connectors: ATX
- Memory slots: 2
- Processor socket: Socket 7
-
89votesNLX is a form factor designed for low-cost, low-profile desktops. It is known for its simplified layout and low-cost components. -NLX (New Low-profile eXtension) is a motherboard form factor that was developed to improve upon the Baby AT form factor and provide better support for smaller and compact computer systems. It was introduced in the late 1990s and gained popularity for its compact size and improved design.
- Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.8 inches (284.5 x 248.9 mm)
- Expansion slots: 3 to 4 PCI slots
- Power connector: 2x 12V ATX power connectors
- Memory slots: 2 to 4 DIMM slots
- Processor socket: Socket 370, Socket 423, Socket 478 (varies)
-
91votesWTX is a form factor designed for high-end workstations and servers. It offers more expansion options and support for larger components than the ATX form factor. -WTX (Workstation Technology eXtended) is a motherboard form factor designed specifically for high-performance workstations. It is larger than other common form factors like ATX or EATX, and provides additional features to meet the demands of professional users. The WTX form factor allows for multiple CPUs, extensive memory capacity, and expansion slots to accommodate various devices.
- Form Factor: 406 mm x 345 mm
- Socket: Socket 604
- Processor Support: Multiple CPUs
- Memory Slots: 8-16 DDR DIMM slots
- Maximum Memory: 64GB - 128GB
-
107votesDTX is a form factor designed for digital TVs and set-top boxes. It is known for its low power consumption and compatibility with multimedia components. -
Missing your favorite motherboard form factor?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular motherboard form factor
-
CompatibilityA popular motherboard form factor should be compatible with a wide range of computer components, such as CPUs, GPUs, RAM modules, and expansion cards. This ensures that users have more options when building or upgrading their systems, making the form factor more versatile and appealing.
-
Layout and DesignThe layout and design of a motherboard form factor play a significant role in its popularity. This includes the placement of components, expansion slots, and connectors, as well as the overall ease of use during assembly and installation.
-
Features and OptionsThe feature set and options available on a motherboard form factor can greatly influence its popularity. This may include the number of available PCIe slots, USB ports, memory slots, and other built-in features like integrated audio or Wi-Fi. Users generally prefer a motherboard that has a good mix of features, which cater to their specific needs and preferences.
-
PriceThe cost of a motherboard form factor plays a critical role in its popularity. Affordable, budget-friendly options with good features tend to be very popular among consumers, while more expensive options may only appeal to a niche market or high-end enthusiasts.
-
Brand ReputationMotherboard manufacturers play a role in the popularity of a form factor. Brands with good reputations for quality, reliability, and customer support may have a stronger influence on the popularity of a particular form factor compared to lesser-known or less reputable brands.
-
Market DemandThe overall market demand for a particular motherboard form factor will impact its popularity. If there's a high demand for compact, portable systems, smaller form factors may be more popular compared to larger form factors designed for performance enthusiasts. Conversely, if the market demands more performance, expandability, and customization, larger form factors may be more popular.
-
Community Feedback and ReviewsOnline community feedback and product reviews can also impact the popularity of a motherboard form factor. Users are likely to prioritize form factors that have positive feedback and reviews, indicating good performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction.
-
AvailabilityA motherboard form factor's popularity is also influenced by its availability in the market. Some form factors may be limited in supply, which can make them less popular compared to those that are widely available.
-
Industry TrendsFinally, industry trends can affect the popularity of a motherboard form factor. For example, if a new technology or standard is introduced that requires a specific motherboard size or layout, that form factor may become more popular to accommodate the new technology.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular motherboard form factor. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or form factor is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2647 views
- 231 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each form factor once every 24 hours. The rank of each form factor is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular motherboard form factor
Background Information: Motherboard Form Factors
A motherboard is a crucial component of any computer system, as it serves as the main circuit board that connects all the other hardware components. The form factor of a motherboard refers to its physical size and shape, as well as the arrangement of its components.
There are several standard motherboard form factors, each with its own advantages and limitations. The most commonly used form factors include ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX, and E-ATX.
ATX, which stands for Advanced Technology Extended, is the most popular motherboard form factor. It measures 12 x 9.6 inches and is compatible with most computer cases. ATX motherboards typically have more expansion slots and ports than other form factors, making them ideal for high-performance systems.
Micro ATX is a smaller form factor, measuring 9.6 x 9.6 inches. It is compatible with most ATX cases and offers a good balance of features and size. Micro ATX motherboards are a popular choice for budget builds, as they are generally less expensive than larger form factors.
Mini-ITX is the smallest motherboard form factor, measuring just 6.7 x 6.7 inches. It is ideal for compact builds and is often used in small form factor (SFF) PCs, home theater PCs (HTPCs), and other space-constrained systems.
E-ATX, or Extended ATX, is a larger form factor that measures 12 x 13 inches. It is primarily used in high-end gaming
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
