Micro VS Atx

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: Skott
Why pay $200-$300+ for a ATX mobo that is a high overclocker when you can pay $100-$150 for a mATX mobo thats a also a high overclocker?

To get those fancy faux copper heatpipes and chipset/MOSFET heatsinks :laugh:.

Curious that not one of the Intel mb's on newegg uses chipset heatpipes.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: seemingly random
Curious that not one of the Intel mb's on newegg uses chipset heatpipes.

Yeah, Intel boards tend to use some nice, big heatsinks. Plain, cheap and works.

 

[Skott]

With the cost of copper these days rip them suckers off and trade them in to the recyclers for cash!

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Zap
WTF more does one want in a mATX board?

Actually, I would like WiFi built-in. I knew there was something nagging in the back of my mind when you asked that semi-hypothetical question, and it took me two weeks to finally remember what it is . Yep, I would like WiFi. There are plenty of ASUS regular ATXs with it, I don't know why their board-chopped mATX versions don't have it.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Actually, I would like WiFi built-in.

Well, I suppose a company can do that if they wanted to. AFAIK Asus (as you pointed out) is the only one, and only with certain top end boards.

How about built-in Bluetooth? I know about as many people using Bluetooth peripherals (mostly wireless keyboards/mice) as those that use WLAN.

 

[gorobei]

built in BT and Wifi might be nice, but why would you want to be locked into a wireless standard with no option to upgrade?

I waited a bit for 802.11G to come out and got a couple of usb key adapter types. They're easily transferable in case someone brings a laptop or pc over and wants some net access. Eventually I'll get a 802.11N, and it'll be a usb key or usb module with actual antenna. If the board is locked into say wirelessG, you'll have to buy an adapter or upgrade the board. Plus what kind of reception will you get if the module is inside a case?

 

[Zap]

Well, wireless standards don't change as often as, say, GPU performance. As for reception they would have an external antenna. If you look at the available Asus boards with WiFi they all come with an antenna. If it were internal to the case, LOL, the metal chassis would contain the wireless signal (just like it does EMI).

 

[AmberClad]

Surprisingly enough, one ASRock board has it too (4Core1600P35-WiFi). And it's not all that expensive, just a bit more than $100, which is still less than the top end mATX boards.

Edit: Ok, maybe not all that surprising - I just remembered that ASRock is an ASUS subsidiary...