micro-atx vs normal components reliability

[nevergone89]

Hello,
I would like to build a new computer and I am considering between using micro-atx small components or normal components. Now I have a tower computer case and before this I had a normal computer case. I never had any mini-atx or micro-atx.

The reason I consider mini-atx is because my current normal PC runs almost 24/7 and it consumes a lot of power which also leads to a very heated room. I want to lower my power consumption and also the heat from the room.

My question is if a mini-atx computer with 2x SSD, 32 GB RAM, i7 CPU (latest generation) and a dedicated GPU with 2GB memory would be "dead" in 2-3 years (due to a lot of usage and less ventilation inside the small micro-atx case) if I run it 5-6 days per week continuously.

 

[010010]

Hello,
I would like to build a new computer and I am considering between using micro-atx small components or normal components. Now I have a tower computer case and before this I had a normal computer case. I never had any mini-atx or micro-atx.

The reason I consider mini-atx is because my current normal PC runs almost 24/7 and it consumes a lot of power which also leads to a very heated room. I want to lower my power consumption and also the heat from the room.

My question is if a mini-atx computer with 2x SSD, 32 GB RAM, i7 CPU (latest generation) and a dedicated GPU with 2GB memory would be "dead" in 2-3 years (due to a lot of usage and less ventilation inside the small micro-atx case) if I run it 5-6 days per week continuously.

As long as you have adequate cooling the highest quality PSU you can afford it will be fine. Also it means there is less distance which the heat needs to be transferred across for it to be dissipated from the machine so it kinda balances out to a regular ATX/could be better if set up correctly.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Power consumption between a mATX and ATX systems is basically the same And even a mATX case setup properly and with two fans will keep a system cool without issue.

 

[Eximo]

If you want a low power / low heat system you need low power components. Major components are the same between ATX, uATX, and ITX.

You still have a chipset, CPU, memory, and a PCIe graphics slot. A similar configuration on an ATX board just means the board is a little bigger. If you don't plug anything into the extra available space, not really going to have much impact. Heck the extra copper in the PCB could really only help with cooling.

Obviously you can fit more fans in a larger case, but it is more about flow then volume. As long as cool air is coming in and hot air is exhausted it should be fine.

 

[nevergone89]

If you want a low power / low heat system you need low power components. Major components are the same between ATX, uATX, and ITX.

You still have a chipset, CPU, memory, and a PCIe graphics slot. A similar configuration on an ATX board just means the board is a little bigger. If you don't plug anything into the extra available space, not really going to have much impact. Heck the extra copper in the PCB could really only help with cooling.

Obviously you can fit more fans in a larger case, but it is more about flow then volume. As long as cool air is coming in and hot air is exhausted it should be fine.

A normal graphics card is too big to fit into a microATX case, which probably means that either a dedicated one cannot be installed and the GPU is integrated into the motherboard, or smaller components exist.

Aren't there any smaller CPU, memory and PCIe graphics card?

 

[Eximo]

Most decent Micro ATX and even ITX cases can easily fit a single full length GPU. Just have to verify that is correct before making a purchase. The standard only refers to the motherboard fitting, they can move anything else around. If you are are referring to OEM Micro ATX, they are generally a little smaller as they often aren't intended for discrete cards.

"Smaller" CPU, not physically. There are low power model's. Any Intel desktop chip that ends in T will be significantly less power than the same model without the T. Beyond that you would be looking at embedded or socketed laptop CPUs. There are some available motherboards that come with CPUs like that.

There are certainly small form factor GPUs that are still good performers. Fury Nano, GTX1060, GTX960, GTX760. They still require about the same power as their full sized versions, they just run a little hotter or louder. They are generally shorter, but just as wide though. (they tend to fit within the motherboard's footprint for MicroATX, and only exceed the footprint on the PCIe side for ITX)

Other power savings would come from a very efficient power supply, Platinum or Titanium rated.

Using the minimum of memory required and not going for speed (so the voltage is lower)

You can also further underclock and undervolt all of those components to save even more power.