Mini motherboard

A Mini-ITX motherboard provides everything you need, only in a smaller than ATX format . We tell you why they are the future.

There are various form factors or motherboard formats that respond to specific needs of the average consumer. In your case, the Mini-ITX motherboard provides more benefits than we think, because this type of motherboard has always been related to the low or medium range.

Today, we are not only going to remove prejudice or cliches, but we are going to give you real arguments as to why they are the future.

Index of contents

Mini-ITX motherboard: same, but smaller

Currently, there are 4 very common form factors: EATX, ATX, Mini-ITX, and Micro-ITX. The first two are characterized by being the largest motherboards, giving endless functions to users. On the other hand, the latter have always focused on more basic or lighter needs.

The truth is that this is not true. The Mini-ITX motherboard can offer the same features as its older sisters, and is usually more expensive. The reason that they are less economical is that manufacturers have to put the same elements on a smaller plate, which involves some difficulty.

That said, this form factor can offer the same features as a high-end ATX. It is true that it plays with the disadvantage of not having much space to play with, which is why components can be installed under the same motherboard.

That is the case of, for example, M.2 hard drives, which are installed under the motherboard because they do not fit on the top.

It is not a form factor, it is a philosophy

We say it is a philosophy because not only are there “Mini” motherboards, but we also find graphics cards, towers, heatsinks or power supplies made in this form factor. For this reason, we say that it is not a simple form factor, but rather a philosophy that pursues efficiency: " more, less ".

In the case of power supplies, we can find the SFX format to refer to their size. It is important that you pay attention to this detail because you can buy a power supply that does not fit in the box.

The towers or PC boxes specify whether they are ATX, Mini-ITX, etc. It must be said that it is usually cheaper to find a good Mini-ITX box than another ATX or EATX because the latter are larger.

Regarding graphics cards, they have smaller models, within the same range, which usually come with a fan or in smaller dimensions. Here we did find a problem because, in general terms, they cost less money, but the value for money is greatly reduced due to low demand.

Heatsinks play an important role here. How many of you have bought a heatsink without looking at the dimensions of your case and then couldn't close it? We will not get rid of this error, if we buy an ordinary heatsink. A priori, there are no specific Mini-ITX heatsinks, but there are smaller ones (low-profile) for these configurations.

It is the future

It is the future because technology has taken the path of efficiency, wanting to offer the same performance in less size. In addition, the Mini-ITX is a solution for those homes that do not have a lot of space to place a tower. Before, the boxes that came in this form factor were not worked, but now we find real delights.

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There has always been some bias with the Mini-ITX motherboard, but that is long over because we have Mini-ITX with the X570, B450, Z390 chipset, etc. We can even find them with armor, as with top-of-the-range E-ATXs.

Therefore, if you choose Mini-ITX you are not giving up technological innovation, but quite the opposite.

Mention that we also found DTX motherboards , a form factor that is focused on HTPC and that they are somewhat larger than a Mini-ITX. Although we also found Mini-DTX, it must be said that it is a standard that has not finished working well and, little by little, it is disappearing.

Conclusion about mini-ITX motherboards

In theory, you don't have to lose any extra functionality or technology by choosing a Mini-ITX motherboard. These components have the same characteristics found in larger form factors within the same range. In fact, they are somewhat more expensive because it requires a more complex manufacturing process.

We believe they are the future because technology always tends to make everything smaller to optimize performance in the smallest possible dimensions. So, get rid of those prejudices and take this form factor into account when you go to buy a PC.

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hope you liked it. If you have any questions about it, share it with us below. Do you have a Mini-ITX motherboard? What have been your experiences?