Motherboards come in many varieties, and choosing the right one is important.
Suppose you're looking to repair or build a computer. You quickly realize that you need a new motherboard. It doesn't seem like a daunting task until you research the types of motherboards that you can install into your computer case. It turns out that there are literally dozens of different types, and each type has a very specific set of components and cases with which it will work.
ATX Form Factor
A "form factor" simply refers to the physical dimensions of the motherboard. ATX is the most popular form factor, and was popularized in the late 1990s by Intel. These are the largest boards that fit in desktop computers, and are still used today, albeit several revisions later.
MicroATX Form Factor
This is a smaller version of the ATX form factor. It has the same layout of ports on the back, but it will fit into smaller cases. Most mid-tower systems use this form factor, as it is relatively compact, cheap, and performs as well as the standard ATX boards. The only significant difference between MicroATX and ATX is the number of ports and slots on the board.
FlexATX Form Factor
This form factor was introduced in 1999 by Intel as a smaller alternative to the ATX and MicroATX. It uses the same chipsets, socket types, and chip architecture as all other ATX form factors, but its small size limits it to only two expansion slots, which are usually PCI or PCIe slots.
BTX Form Factor
The BTX form factor was released in 2005 by Intel. It was meant to be a replacement for the aging ATX family of form factors, but as of 2010 it hasn't gained significant popularity among amateur PC builders. According to Intel, the main differences between BTX and ATX are the physical size (BTX is smaller), design (BTX is slightly more efficient), and thermal design (BTX allows for larger airflow volume).
Intel CPU Sockets
A form factor must be chosen in conjunction with a CPU socket, the place where the microprocessor (the computer's "brain") fits onto the board. Once chosen, you will need to replace the whole board if you want a new socket type. In 2010, the most popular Intel sockets available to consumers included Socket 1156, Socket 1366 and Socket 775. The main differences with these socket types reside in how bits of information are passed into and out of the chip.
AMD CPU Sockets
Like the Intel sockets, AMD sockets can also be found for every form factor. The most popular AMD sockets available to consumers in 2010 included AM2+ and AM3. Both types were originally designed for variations of the Athlon and Phenom processors. Again, the main differences lie in chip architecture.
Manufacturers
Several major manufacturers have made a name for themselves in the industry. ASUS, Gigabyte, Intel, and EVGA boards are nearly ubiquitous in North America. Other notable manufacturers include Biostar, MSi and Foxconn. Most manufacturers produce boards with all the popular form factor and socket combinations.
Tags: form factor, main differences, most popular, available consumers, chip architecture, Factor form