Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4.16. microATX specification 1.2 motherboard dimensions.
Smaller form factor (called SFX or TFX) power supplies have been defined for optional use with
microATX systems, although the standard ATX supply also works fine because the connectors are the
same. The smaller size SFX/TFX power supplies encourage flexibility in choosing mounting
locations within the chassis and allow for smaller systems that consume less power overall.
However, SFX/TFX power supplies may lack sufficient power output for faster or more fully
configured systems. Because of the high power demands of most modern systems, most third-party
microATX chassis are designed to accept standard ATX power supplies, although microATX
systems sold by vendors such as Compaq, HP, and eMachines typically use some type of SFX or TFX
power supply to reduce costs.
See the
Chapter 18
section, “
Power Supply Form Factors
,
”
p.
849
.
The microATX form factor is similar to ATX for compatibility. The similarities include the
following:
• Standard ATX power connectors
• Standard ATX I/O panel
• Mounting holes and dimensions are a subset of ATX
These similarities ensure that a microATX motherboard can easily work in a standard ATX chassis
with a standard ATX power supply, as well as the smaller microATX chassis and SFX/TFX power
supply.
The overall system size for a microATX is small. A typical case is only 12-14 inches tall, about 7
