VIA Technologies -- a computer hardware manufacturer based in Taiwan -- released the first Mini-ITX motherboard to the public in 2002. The motherboard was at one point the smallest motherboard form factor available, but lost its title to the Nano-ITX in 2005.
Motherboards designed with a Mini-ITX form factor specification are often used in home theater systems and small form factor (SFF) computers due to their small size.
Measurements
The Mini-ITX can measure up to a maximum of 6.7 inches by 6.7 inches (or 17 cm by 17 cm) in size. The Mini-ITX is 61 percent smaller than the leading desktop form factor -- the ATX, a full-size motherboard -- and is 33 percent smaller than even the smallest ATX variation, FlexATX.
Compatibility
Mini-ITX motherboards can fit into ATX, Micro-ATX and FlexATX cases, as the mounting holes, I/O (Input/Output) panel and expansion slot are in the same locations as ATX specifications. ATX and ITX power supplies can also work with the Mini-ITX form factor.
Components
The Mini-ITX includes two 168-pin DIMM memory slots, two ATA connectors, an integrated AGP/2x accelerated graphics chip, several I/O ports (including four USB ports, one parallel port, one serial port, one PCI slot and three audio jacks) and a processor supporting 0.15 and 0.13 Micron technology.
Voltage
Mini-ITX power supplies measure 174 mm by 73 mm by 55 mm. Mini-ITX power supplies use a 20-pin P1 cable to connect to the motherboard. The 20-pin connector feeds +3V (volts), +5V and +12V of power to the motherboard.
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