Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
consume less power overall. Although the smaller supplies can be used, they may lack
sufficient power output for faster or more fully configured systems. Because of the high
powerdemandsofmostmodernsystems,mostthird-partymicroATXchassisaredesigned
toacceptstandardATXpowersupplies,althoughmicroATXsystemssoldbyvendorssuch
as Compaq, HP, and eMachines typically use some type of SFX or TFX power supply to
reduce costs.
See
“
Power Supply Form Factors
,”
p.
837
(
Chapter 18
).
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
ThesesimilaritiesensurethatamicroATXmotherboardcaneasilyworkinastandardATX
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 inches wide, and 12 inches deep. This results in a kind of micro-tower or desktop
size. A typical microATX motherboard is shown in
Figure 4.17
.
Figure 4.17
A typical microATX motherboard's dimensions are 9.6 inches×9.6 inches.
