Motherboard differences ATX and mini ITX?

[sejodii]

Hey guys!

Just a few days ago I realised how cheap you can build a relatively stable gaming PC, so I decided to go ahead with it. Guys, im pretty new to this building computers stuff but I am using pcpartpicker.com and tomshardware for help.

So, I have a couple of questions, and I would really appreciate it if anyone can answer even one of them, assuming it does not take a lot of your time!

1. The motherboard has to match the case of the tower right? So ATX with ATX tower and mini ITX with mini ITX tower?

2. What about the GPU as well, is a normal GPU compatible with a mini ITX, or does it have to be a special size?

3. Also, is there a difference in performance in mini ITX and ATX or is it just size and quantity of ram slots?

4. What about the fans in a mini itx, are they a different size?

Thank you guys, I really appreciate it!

 

[DRagor]

1. More or less. You can't use smaller case for bigger mobo (so ITX case + ATX mobo = no go), but the other way around is ok
2. There's no such thing as normal GPU. No matter what kind of case you use, you still need to check if given GPU model will fit inside.
3. No difference performance-wise, just size and slots.
4. Fan size is dictated by case. Check case specification what size of fans it will accept.

 

[sejodii]

1. More or less. You can't use smaller case for bigger mobo (so ITX case + ATX mobo = no go), but the other way around is ok
2. There's no such thing as normal GPU. No matter what kind of case you use, you still need to check if given GPU model will fit inside.
3. No difference performance-wise, just size and slots.
4. Fan size is dictated by case. Check case specification what size of fans it will accept.

Thanks man!

I am "building" it with pcpartpicker.com so it should surely cross out the options that are not compatible for the case/motherboard and so on right?

 

[DRagor]

Yes, pcpartpicker does quite good job on finding any incompatibilities.

 

[raisonjohn]

1. Not necessarily, but matching the motherboard size with the tower size would make the build look nicer. An ATX tower case can fit an ATX motherboard, an mATX (micro-ATX) motherboard, and even an ITX (mini-ITX) motherboard -- but smaller-sized motherboards would have that "void"/blank space below it which may affect aesthetics (not performance though). An mATX case can fit an mATX or an ITX motherboard. While an ITX case can only fit ITX-sized motherboards.

2. The GPU (usually with a PCIe x16 interface) can fit with any of the ATX, mATX, or ITX motherboards, as these mobo's have at least one PCIe x16 slot. The physical size of the GPU (esp. the length) is more dependent on the physical size/clearance of the case that you will select (not the motherboard). Some GPU's are single-slot (i.e., only takes up one expansion slot at the rear of your case), some GPU's are dual-slot (or even 2.5 slots) due to thicker components/fans/backplates/etc. Those GPUs that take up more slots due to thickness might even cover/overlap some adjacent PCIe slots (but these slots are usually just the PCIe x1 slots you can plug in for additional adapter cards -- which not most people use). The width of the GPU is only a concern if you are getting a thin/slim-type chassis.

3) Not a difference in performance per se, but, an ITX mobo has lesser slots/headers than a regular ATX mobo. This means that in an ITX mobo, you can only use 1 GPU (due to a single PCIe x16 slot), while on an ATX mobo, you can use multi-GPU (2, 3, or more due to more PCIe x16 slots). RAM slots are also less in the smaller mobo than in the regular-sized mobo. Fan headers too. But if you compare the performance of an ITX mobo and an ATX mobo using the same number/capacity of components plugged in, the performance between the two would be the same.

4) Fans in a mini-ITX case would be much lesser than on a larger mATX or ATX case. The size of the fans supported by the chassis is dependent on the exact brand/model of the case you will choose. Some small cases have the regular 120mm-sized fan (while some also features smaller 90mm fan/s).

 

[sejodii]

Wow guys, I could not have asked for better answers!

Really appreciate the help and sorry for taking your time!

 

[junkeymonkey]

1. The motherboard has to match the case of the tower right? So ATX with ATX tower and mini ITX with mini ITX tower?

yes it has to match the motherboards form factor that's listed in the cases compatibility specs

[example ]
Motherboard Support Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/carbide-series-spec-02-red-led-mid-tower-gaming-case

so that case is drilled to fit them 3 form factors of motherboards

2. What about the GPU as well, is a normal GPU compatible with a mini ITX, or does it have to be a special size?
pretty much what he said above like here a gtx 980 ti hybrid on a m-itx motherboard

https://forums.evga.com/EVGA-GTX980Ti-Hybrid-implanted-into-a-miniITX-gaming-system-m2431075.aspx

for the most part you get a case like that nid/full tower that supports a m-itx board and most any card should fit . like that case I used as a example that info is given as well in its specs

Maximum GPU Length Top Slots: 414mm Lower Slots: 275mm

3. Also, is there a difference in performance in mini ITX and ATX or is it just size and quantity of ram slots?
like said should work as well and matx or atx boards

4. What about the fans in a mini itx, are they a different size?
like said above . BUT a mitx board may not have as many fan headers on the board due to size constraints