Can you install mATX motherboard into ATX tower case?

Montek

Member
Jun 1, 2007
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Can you install mATX motherboard into ATX case (without modification at case of course), if yes then what are disadvantages of using mATX board comparing to ATX board for Tower cases?
 

Montek

Member
Jun 1, 2007
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Isnt there disadvantage in cooling because components are to close to each other on mATX board?
 

Trashman

Platinum Member
Jan 31, 2000
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As long as you have good airflow, your cpu and video card will still pump out same amount of heat in any case regardless, just depends on cooling fans to dispense the heat, with a tall case you may need extra exhaust fan in rear of case as well as an extra intake in front.



 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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"Isnt there disadvantage in cooling because components are to close to each other on mATX board?"

There's not enough spacing difference to make any cooling difference.
 

Kirby64

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2006
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The reason the mATX boards are smaller isn't so much as the components are placed closer together, as the fact that there's far less PCI slots available to the user.
 

coolpurplefan

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Mar 2, 2006
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I wish I knew why they make more of them with integrated video rather than full ATX with integrated video. It would be cheaper to build a system for someone else for example.
 

Montek

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Jun 1, 2007
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Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
I wish I knew why they make more of them with integrated video rather than full ATX with integrated video. It would be cheaper to build a system for someone else for example.

Same question, maybe they assume mATX is used mostly in Desktop cases which are usually slow pc's, because this integrated video is crap as hell, its about grade of GeForce 2 MX video cards.
 

oldman420

Platinum Member
May 22, 2004
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Originally posted by: Montek
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
I wish I knew why they make more of them with integrated video rather than full ATX with integrated video. It would be cheaper to build a system for someone else for example.</end quote></div>

Same question, maybe they assume mATX is used mostly in Desktop cases which are usually slow pc's, because this integrated video is crap as hell, its about grade of GeForce 2 MX video cards.

I think they market these boards to the HTPC market and integrated vga works fine for watching movies and listening to music.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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The mATX made for general purpose by major Mobo brands are ATX case compatible.

mATX that are made for manufacturers use, like Dell, Gateway,HP, etc. are many times Not compatible with standard ATX cases.

mATX is designed for small compact cases, so putting it in a Regular ATX case is a good thing, cause there is much more space to dissipate heat.

mATX are inexpensive solution for computer builders that sell commuters to regular used that do not care about the "Rig" and whats in it as long as it does well regular chores, like Internet, email, and word processing. These type users are by far in greater numbers than enthusiasts.