When building or upgrading a gaming PC, understanding the role of the motherboard is crucial. The motherboard acts as the central hub that connects all your computer’s components, ensuring they work in harmony. This essential piece of hardware is available in various sizes, known as "form factors," each offering different features and compatibility options. In this blog, we'll explore the different motherboard form factors, their advantages and disadvantages, and which form factor might be the best choice for your gaming or general-purpose PC build.

What is a Motherboard?

A motherboard is the backbone of your PC, connecting all the critical components like the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and other peripherals. It sits at the heart of your gaming computer, managing data flow between the components. Motherboards vary in terms of size, number of slots, and compatibility with different processors, making it important to choose one that suits both your needs and your system's case size.

What is a Form Factor?

In the world of PC building, "form factor" refers to the specific size, shape, and layout of a hardware component. When it comes to motherboards, the form factor dictates the physical dimensions and the number of expansion slots available, and it also determines what type of case your motherboard will fit into. The most common form factors for motherboards are Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX, each serving a different purpose based on your system’s needs.

Choosing the right form factor is crucial because it impacts the expandability of your system, cooling efficiency, and even the types of components you can install, such as GPUs, RAM, and storage drives.

Different Motherboard Form Factors

Let’s dive into the details of the most common motherboard form factors: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX.

1. Mini-ITX

Mini-ITX motherboards are the smallest commonly available form factor, measuring 17cm x 17cm. These compact boards are perfect for small, portable builds and minimalist setups. Despite their small size, Mini-ITX boards typically offer essential features, including RAM slots, a PCIe slot for your graphics card, and multiple USB ports.

Advantages:

• Ideal for space-saving, small cases.

• Generally more affordable.

• Great for lightweight gaming and media PCs.

Disadvantages:

• Limited expandability due to fewer PCIe slots (usually only one).

• Not suitable for multi-GPU setups.

• Small RAM capacity, usually limited to two DIMM slots.

• Less effective for extreme overclocking due to compact size and reduced cooling capabilities.

Mini-ITX is an excellent choice if you’re building a compact PC for basic tasks or light gaming. If you're looking to save space without sacrificing too much performance, a Mini-ITX build can still house a decent CPU and GPU, making it perfect for budget-friendly builds.

MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi Gaming Motherboard:

• AM5 Socket

• Compatible with AMD Ryzen 7000 Series

• DDR5 RAM

• PCIe 4.0

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Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P Mini-ITX Computer Case:

The Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P Mini-ITX Computer Case combines compact design with high performance, making it ideal for gamers and content creators. Its versatile interior supports powerful GPUs and multiple cooling solutions, ensuring optimal airflow. With a tempered glass side panel, it beautifully showcases your components while offering a sleek aesthetic. Modular features allow for easy cable management and customization, making it a standout in the mini-ITX market.

• Designed for Mini-ITX motherboards 

• Tempered Glass Side Panel

• Support CPU coolers up to 155mm in height and radiators up to 280mm in length

• Triple slot GPUs are supported with a maximum length of 330mm and maximum width of 156mm allowing the fitment of high-end graphics cards for gaming.

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2. Micro-ATX

Micro-ATX motherboards offer a middle ground between Mini-ITX and the larger ATX boards. They measure 24.4cm x 24.4cm and are designed for smaller builds that still require more expandability than Mini-ITX boards can offer. Micro-ATX motherboards often come with additional PCIe slots and support more RAM, making them ideal for gaming builds on a budget.

Advantages:

• More PCIe slots compared to Mini-ITX, allowing for better expandability.

• Fits in both mid and full tower cases.

• Ideal for single-GPU setups.

• Cost-effective and budget-friendly.

Disadvantages:

• Still limited in terms of expandability, especially for multi-GPU setups.

• Not suitable for extreme overclocking.

• Fewer features compared to ATX and E-ATX boards.

Micro-ATX motherboards are great for budget gaming builds or those who want a compact system without the constraints of Mini-ITX. They strike a good balance between price, performance, and size, making them versatile for various applications.

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• PCIe 4.0 support

• Teamed power stages

• WiFi 6 connectivity

• Dual M.2 slots

• Aura Sync lighting

• DDR4 RAM

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CORSAIR 2500X Micro ATX Dual Chamber PC Case

The CORSAIR 2500X Micro ATX Dual Chamber PC Case features wraparound glass panels for an unobstructed view of your components. Its compact mATX form factor makes it perfect for space-saving builds. The dual chamber design promotes efficient cooling while keeping the interior organized. Additionally, it supports reverse connection motherboards and accommodates multiple fan sizes for optimal airflow.

• Wraparound glass panels

• Dual chamber design

• Reverse connection motherboard support

• Supports multiple fan sizes

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3. ATX

ATX motherboards are the most common form factor for gaming PCs and high-performance builds. Measuring 30.5cm x 24.4cm, ATX boards offer more room for additional components, including multiple PCIe slots for multi-GPU setups, extra RAM slots, and better cooling options. These boards are ideal for gamers and enthusiasts who want to push their systems to the limit.

Advantages:

• Supports multi-GPU setups with multiple PCIe slots.

• Higher RAM capacity, typically supporting four or more DIMM slots.

• Better for extreme overclocking, thanks to enhanced power delivery systems and improved cooling options.

• Ideal for gamers, streamers, and content creators.

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than smaller form factors.

• Requires a mid or full tower case, meaning more space is needed.

• Larger size can limit portability if that’s a priority.

ATX motherboards are a go-to for anyone building a high-performance gaming PC or workstation. With better support for overclocking, larger GPUs, and more storage options, an ATX board gives you the flexibility to create a powerful rig with room to grow.

ASUS ROG Strix B760-F Gaming WiFi ATX Motherboard

• 16+1 power stages for stability

• DDR5 memory support for speed

• PCIe 5.0 SafeSlot for security

• WiFi 6E and 2.5G Ethernet

• AI noise cancellation technology included

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Corsair Tempered Glass, Alloy Steel 4000D Airflow Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX Case

The Corsair 4000D Airflow Mid-Tower ATX Case offers exceptional build quality and innovative cable management for high-performance PCs. Its optimized steel front panel ensures maximum cooling, while the RapidRoute system allows easy cable organization with 25mm of space behind the motherboard. The case includes two 120mm AirGuide fans for enhanced airflow and supports up to six 120mm or four 140mm cooling fans, as well as multiple radiators, including a 360mm in the front.

• Exceptional airflow design

• Tempered glass side panel

• Spacious interior layout

• Cable management options

• Versatile cooling support

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4. E-ATX

E-ATX (Extended ATX) motherboards are larger than standard ATX boards, measuring 30.48cm x 33.02cm. These boards are designed for enthusiasts and professionals who need maximum performance, whether for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive tasks. The larger size allows for better airflow and more components, such as extra PCIe slots, multiple GPUs, and increased RAM capacity.

Advantages:

• Increased space for multiple GPUs and high-capacity RAM.

• Excellent for overclocking and high-performance cooling solutions.

• Ideal for competitive gamers, content creators, and extreme enthusiasts.

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than other form factors.

• Requires a full tower case or a compatible mid-tower case.

• Overkill for standard users or those on a budget.

E-ATX motherboards are built for those who demand the best performance and maximum expandability. If you’re planning a high-end gaming PC, a content creation powerhouse, or a workstation with multiple GPUs, E-ATX gives you the flexibility and power to handle anything.

GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master

• Twin 16+2+2 VRM phases.

• Compatible with Ryzen 7000.

• Quad M.2 PCIe 5.0.

• Intel WiFi 6E connectivity.

• DTS Ultra audio support.

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Thermaltake Core P3 Pro E-ATX Tempered Glass Gaming Computer Chassis

The Thermaltake Core P3 Pro E-ATX Chassis features an open frame panoramic design for an impressive view of your components. It supports GPUs up to 450mm, providing flexibility for high-performance builds. The cooling mounting bracket ensures optimal airflow for efficient cooling. Additionally, it offers rotatable PCI-E slots and three versatile placement options: wall mount, vertical, or horizontal.

• Open frame panoramic design.

• Supports GPUs up to 450mm.

• Cooling bracket for airflow.

• Rotatable PCI-E slots available.

• Three placement options available.

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Which Form Factor Should You Choose?

When deciding which motherboard form factor is right for you, consider these key factors:

• Size of your PC case: Ensure the motherboard will fit inside your case. Smaller form factors like Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX are suited for compact cases, while ATX and E-ATX boards require larger cases.

• Expandability: If you plan to use multiple GPUs, extra RAM, or additional storage, an ATX or E-ATX motherboard will give you the flexibility to expand in the future.

• Budget: Smaller form factors tend to be more affordable, while ATX and E-ATX boards often come with premium features that increase the price.

• Purpose: For basic tasks and light gaming, a Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX board should suffice. However, for serious gaming, streaming, or professional content creation, ATX or E-ATX boards are better suited.

Conclusion

Understanding motherboard form factors is essential when building a gaming PC or upgrading your current setup. Each form factor has its unique strengths and weaknesses, from the compact and budget-friendly Mini-ITX to the feature-packed and performance-driven E-ATX. The form factor you choose will significantly impact your system’s expandability, cooling, and overall performance, so make sure to select one that aligns with your needs and future plans.