Group 2
MOTHERBOARD
The motherboard is the main circuit board of your computer and is also
known as the mainboard or logic board. If you ever open your computer, the
biggest piece of silicon you see is the motherboard. Attached to the
motherboard, you'll find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots,
and USB ports. It also includes controllers for devices like the hard drive, DVD
drive, keyboard, and mouse. Basically, the motherboard is what makes
everything in your computer work together.
Different types of motherboard
ATX Form Factor (Full ATX)
Probably the most common form factor for a
motherboard is the ATX form factor. The board is
approximately 12″ x 9.6″ (30cm x 24cm).
Image 113.6 – ATX Form Factor
Mini ATX
A mini-ATX motherboard is a slightly smaller variation of the full ATX size that
measures 11.2″ x 8.2″ (28cm x 21cm). The main difference between ATX and
miniATX is the number of buses and possibly memory slots on the motherboard.
Mounting holes for both are located in the same place, making them
interchangeable in most cases. A case that supports an ATX motherboard can
also support mini-ATX motherboard.
Micro ATX
The micro-ATX form factor is an even
smaller version of the ATX standard, with a
maximum size of 9.6″ x 9.6″ (24cm x 24cm).
The faceplate line up to the exact same position
as in all other versions of ATX. System case that
can hold an ATX motherboard can also hold
micro ATX motherboard. The smaller mid or
mini tower cases would likely be too small for a
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full ATX motherboard but should accommodate micro ATX motherboard. The
terms mini-ATX and micro-ATX Image 113.7 – Micro ATX Form are often used
interchangeably.
Flex ATX
The size of Flex ATX is 9” x 7.5” (22,9 cm x
19,1 cm). It is derived from Micro ATX and is
used in small computer cases.
Flex ATX Form Factor
Mini ITX
Going down in size we have a mini
ITX motherboard with a maximum size of
6.7″ x 6.7″ (17cm x 17cm). Notice that there
is a single expansion slot and the
motherboard itself is considerably smaller
than the ATX and even the micro ATX. Also
notice that the faceplate still line-up and the
hole positions still match the ATX
hole positions. Theoretically we could take
this micro ITX motherboard and place it Image 113.8 – Mini ITX Form
inside a full tower case. However, we usually Factor
use a small form factor case for this
motherboard.
Em ITX
Em ITX dimensions are 17 cm x 12 cm.
Em ITX Form Factor
Nano ITX
Measures of Nano ITX are 4.7″ x 4.7″ (12
cm x 12 cm). It is used with smaller devices like
set-top boxes, car PCs, media centers, and
other embedded devices.
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Nano ITX Form Factor
Pico ITX
The size of the Pico ITX is 3.9” x 2.8”
(10 cm X 7,2 cm).
Pico ITX Form Factor
Mobile ITX
Mobile ITX is the smallest form factor with
the size of 2.4” x 2.4” (6 cm x 6 cm).
Mobile ITX Form Factor
DTX Form Factor
DTX form factor is intended for small form
factor PCs, and is backward compatible with ATX
form factor cases. Dimensions are 8” x 9.6” (20,3
cm x 24,4 cm).
DTX Form Factor
Mini DTX
Mini DTX is a shorter version of DTX
form factor. Dimensions are 8” x 6.7” (20,3
cm x 170 cm).
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Mini DTX Form Factor
SSI CEB
SSI form factors were developed by SSI
(Server System Infrastructure) forum, and are
intended for dual or multi-processor
motherboards used in servers and or even
workstations. SSI form factors were derived from
ATX specification, so they have the same rear
panel, IO connector area, and mounting holes.
But, SSI form factors are larger than ATX, so SSI
motherboards will not fit cases designed for
standard ATX. The computer case has to be
SSI CEB Form Factor
designed for larger than standard ATX form
factor.
Three SSI form factors are CEB (Compact
Electronics Bay), EEB (Enterprise Electronics Bay), and MEB (Midrange Electronics
Bay). The smallest of them is SSI CEB, and the size is 12” x 10.5” (30,5 cm x
26,7cm).
SSI EEB (also called Extended ATX or E-ATX)
SSI EEB dimensions are 12” x 13” (30,5 cm x 33
cm).
SSI EEB Form Factor
SSI MEB
The SSI MEB size is 16.2” x 13” (41,1 cm x 33
cm). It is longer in order to provide space for two
additional CPU sockets.
SSI MEB Form Factor
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BTX Form Factor
There are a few main differences with the
BTX form factor. Notice that the faceplate is on
the opposite end. Another difference is that the
hole positions are different. Also, the processor
socket is slightly rotated so that it is at an angle
to the system board. This rotation is to aid in the
airflow across the processor to assist in cooling
the processor. The BTX motherboard will only fit
within a system case that is designed for a BTX
motherboard. In many cases this means that an
ATX system case will not work with a BTX system
board, although there are system cases that are
able to accommodate both the ATX and the BTX
Image 113.9 – BTX Form
form factors. The BTX form factor has not been
Factor
widely adopted despite its improvements over ATX
and related standards. As a result, the availability and variety of BTX-
compatible components is limited.
NLX Form Factor
The NLX is an older style form factor
that is not used very often anymore. We
might see it in some older motherboards but
it’s not likely to encounter it
with newer motherboards.
Image 113.10 – NLX Form Factor
NLX is an older form factor used for
slimline desktop-style computers. NLX is an
improvement over an even earlier LPX form
factor. Notice that this motherboard has no
expansion slots for the PCI or ISA bus. The
NLX form factor is used in slim line cases
that are very short.
Image 113.11 – NLX With Riser
Card
In order to accommodate expansion cards, we use a tab on the edge of the
motherboard. We insert a Riser Card on the end of the motherboard. Riser Card is
then used for expansion cards, so that now expansion cards lay flat rather than
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being perpendicular to the motherboard. The riser card does not have built-in
ports for audio, joystick, USB, network or modem.