DifferencesTerms And Technology

Difference Between ATX And ITX | Definition | Table | Updated

What is the difference between ATX and ITX? A motherboard is known as the backbone of a computer system, it is a central circuit hub located inside a CPU. It connects all the internal components of the computer. Different devices connect to a motherboard turning it into a hub.

The design of a motherboard is known as the motherboard form factor. Generally, all boards follow a standard form factor so they can fit on any standard PC. Different sockets on the board have different configurations for the processor.

Motherboards come in different sizes and RAM, but depending on the choice of PC, the most common are ATX and ITX. ATX is a standard size board with enough RAM for almost every type of PC. An ITX is a smaller board that is only compatible with compact PCs and notebooks.

The difference  is that ATX has a standard size and is designed for use in standard PCs, it has a large number of PCI slots and a larger RAM capacity, while an ITX is smaller than the standard size and is used in compact PCs generally intended for travel.

Comparison table between ATX and ITX

ATX ITX comparison parameter

Size ATX has a standard size of 305 * 244mm. They are smaller than the standard size, with a 170 * 170mm plate.
PCI An ATX generally comes with three PCI slots, but high-end models can have up to five slots. An ITX only has one PCI slot.
RAM slot It usually comes with four RAM slots, but the high-end ATX can have up to eight slots. An ITX only has two RAM slots.
Price ATX is comparatively cheaper than ITX. Although ITX is a smaller motherboard, it is more expensive than an ATX.
Used in It is used on PCs for standard use or PCs for games and workstations. It is used only in compact PCs and laptops.

What is ATX?

What is ATXAdvanced Technology eXtended, or ATX, is a standardized PC motherboard and power supply configuration. It is a standard form factor motherboard with a standard size of 305 * 244mm (12 * 9.6 inches).

Intel released ATX in 1995 after working on pre-existing AT designs. It became the first major change in the computer case from the motherboard and power supply. After its release, ATX became a standard form factor motherboard.

An ATX board generally has four RAM slots, but these can be extended up to eight slots. It allows a 64 GB RAM and can be expanded to 128 GB or 512 GB at the time of request. ATX has three PCIe slots that can be extended up to five. ATX boards are inexpensive options for any type of PC.difference between atx and itx

ATX motherboard is the most widely used motherboard. In addition to the standard ATX boards, there are other boards available, namely MicroATX and FlexATX. The MicroATX and FlexATX sizes are smaller than the standard ATX board.

ATX motherboards can fit any standard computer due to their standard size. They are mainly used on gaming PCs and workstations.

What is ITX?

What is ITXInformation Technology extended or ITX motherboards are a family of small form factor motherboards. It has a 170 * 170mm form factor size.

They were released by VIA Technologies in 2001 for use in small configuration computer systems. ITX was designed for the purpose of compact PC use and to reduce the total cost, however in later editions the cost increased.

An ITX board only has two RAM slots and only one PCIe slot. Due to the fewer number of RAM slots, they cannot be used in higher configuration systems. ITX boards come in various sizes, such as MiniITX, NanoITX, and PicoITX. However, MiniITX is the most widely used. Due to the compactness of ITX, they cost more than ATX motherboards.

ITX is used in compact and portable PCs and small form factor PCs. They can also be used in a basic job system.

Key differences between ATX and ITX

  • ATX motherboards are a standard size, whereas an ITX motherboard is comparatively smaller than the standard size and therefore is also known as a small form factor motherboard.
  • The dimensions of the ATX board are 305 * 244mm while those of an ITX board are 170 * 170mm.
  • The advantage of an ITX is that it is more compatible with small form factor cases.
  • An ATX board has four RAM slots, while an ITX board has only two slots.
  • The ATX board has the ability to extend the RAM slots to eight, while an ITX only has a limited capacity.
  • An ATX board generally comes with three PCI slots, while an ITX only has one slot.
  • A high-end ATX offers an extension in the number of PCI slots, whereas this cannot be done on an ITX board.
  • An ATX board is comparatively cheaper than an ITX board.
  • ATX boards are used in standard PCs, gaming PCs, and workstations where an ITX board can only be used in compact PCs and notebooks.

Final Thought

Motherboards are the central unit for running a PC. Both boards have their pros and cons. Neither of them can be a perfect choice for any PC because it mainly depends on the requirements of the user and the PC.

Both ATX and ITX can meet user needs if the choice of options is correct. The two boards can work efficiently based on usage, however an ATX is a better option than an ITX as it has enough RAM and PCI slots for any type of PC use, whether it is for surfing the internet or for heavy games and workstations.

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