ITX is a series of x86-compatible motherboard form factors developed by VIA. First available in 2001, ITX boards are best-known for their small size and minimal power consumption.
Miniaturization
Beginning in 2001 with the Mini-ITX, VIA achieved a form factor of only 17 cm by 17 cm, making it smaller than standard ATX boards. The Mini-ITX was followed in 2004 by the Nano-ITX (measuring 12 cm by 12 cm) and in 2007 by the Pico-ITX (measuring 10 cm by 7.2 cm). In 2009, VIA released the Mobile-ITX, which measured 60 mm by 60 mm.
Efficiency
ITX motherboards are built around the concept of mobility and lower power consumption. ITX boards produce significantly lower levels of heat and require very little to keep them cool. Without the need for many cooling fans, computers built with ITX tend to be very quiet.
Application
Mini-ITX motherboards are fully compatible with ATX cases, so they don't require specialized parts or tools to build an ITX-based machine. ITX is frequently found inside embedded computers (computers built inside different objects), and the Mobile-ITX, being the smallest available x86 form factor, was designed to be embedded in mobile medical or military equipment.
Tags: computers built, form factor, power consumption