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What Is A Mini-ITX Motherboard? The Portable PC Motherboard!
ByAnna Bonilla- Read Time6 mins
What Is A Mini-ITX Motherboard?
When it comes to building a computer, you’ve likely heard of the motherboard. It’s what makes your hardware work. But did you know that there are different types of motherboards? A mini-ITX form factor is one of them. Mini-ITX boards don’t look like full ATX motherboards, which are the most common type used in desktop PCs and servers today. They are smaller and have fewer components—but don’t be fooled by their size: Mini-ITX boards can still pack a punch when it comes to performance!
It can be used in small form factor computers, servers, workstations, desktop computers, and more. Mini-ITX motherboards are typically much smaller than most other types of motherboards, which makes them ideal for use in small PC cases since they take up less space.
The Mini-ITX form factor allows for a much smaller board that is still powerful and can fit into the smallest of Computer Cases. While not as common as the ATX form factor, it’s still used in several applications where space is at a premium. Mini-ITX motherboards are also sometimes used in desktop computers because they allow for more customization than an ATX motherboard would allow.
Specifications Of A Mini-ITX Motherboard
Mini-ITX is a standard that defines the physical dimensions of a motherboard. It is designed to be as small as possible but still includes all the essential components necessary for a computer system to function. It has fewer expansion slots and ports. However, they can still support high-end Processors of up to 130W TDPs and Graphics Cards up to 7 inches (17 cm) long or even longer ones as long as it has a bigger case.
You can use a Mini-ITX motherboard in an HTPC and still have access to USB 2.0 ports, audio jacks, and other outputs on the back of your computer case instead of having them all jammed together on your tower’s single motherboard header.
The following are standard specifications for a Mini-ITX motherboard:
Advantages Of A Mini-ITX Motherboard
A Mini-ITX motherboard is smaller, lighter, and more efficient than the standard ATX motherboard. This means it uses less power, which saves you money on your energy bill and makes it easier to move around in case you need to transport your computer from place to place. The smaller size also makes them more durable because they’re less likely to break as easily, while their light weight means that they’ll be easier for you to carry around if needed.
They’re also more secure and reliable than their bigger counterparts, thanks to features like TPM 2.0 support. It also has Intel’s Anti-Theft Technology which helps protect against theft when left unattended at an airport or coffee shop without any physical damage done besides battery removal).
There are other advantages to using a mini-ITX motherboard. One is that they’re cheaper than full-size ATX boards. Also, you won’t need to worry about getting a gigantic case just to fit everything in correctly. This can save you money both in terms of hardware costs and electricity usage over time as well. Another advantage is flexibility. Mini-ITX motherboards are compatible with many different types of cases due to their small size compared with ATX boards which often have very specific dimensions they must be installed into (i.e., full towers).
Disadvantages Of A Mini-ITX Motherboard
As said, the Mini-ITX has fewer expansion slots, which is good if you really do not need it. But that can also be a disadvantage. A Mini-ITX has fewer expansion slots, USB ports, SATA ports, PCI slots, and PCI Express slots than its larger cousins. This means that they are not well suited to use in high-performance machines such as gaming PCs or video editing workstations. You can be restricted with plug-in add-in cards (adapters) like graphics cards and network adapters. The fewer slots you have, the fewer possibilities for upgrades to your computer. Also, if you want extra ports for things like keyboards and mice or even external storage devices such as flash drives, you’ll need to either buy separate USB hubs or upgrade your motherboard down the line.
You do need to remember that there is also another disadvantage: Mini-ITX motherboards are much more expensive than their larger counterparts. Because of their small size and higher demand for them (due to their compact size), manufacturers charge significantly more for these boards than those designed for other form factors.
Average Price For A Mini-ITX Motherboard
Mini-ITX motherboards are typically more expensive than ATX and micro-ATX motherboards. The reason for this is that mini-ITX boards have high-quality parts that were designed to be cooled with a large heatsink or water cooling block. They are also still using the same Intel CPU sockets as their taller brethren, so you need to pay a premium for the smaller form factor.
While most motherboards are already expensive, the Mini-ITX can be even more expensive. The average price for a Mini-ITX motherboard is around $150 (a budget Mini-ITX motherboard), while full-size ATX boards can be priced as high as $150 too, and that is also a budget ATX motherboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrap Up
To summarize, a Mini-ITX motherboard is a small form factor that allows you to build a computer in a very small space. They’re perfect for use in small cases or even as an addition to a larger computer system. They can offer some of the same features as regular ATX motherboards but with less room for expansion cards and other add-ons like graphics cards. Overall, they’re great options if you want something small and portable!
We hope this has been helpful. Now, go build yourself an awesome Mini-ITX-powered PC!
