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Topic 2b Motherboard Form Factors

This document discusses motherboard form factors. It describes motherboard components and types, including integrated and non-integrated motherboards. It then covers the main motherboard form factors: AT, Baby AT, ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX, Flex ATX, LPX, Mini LPX, and NLX. For each form factor, it provides details on size, features, and compatibility with components. The document is intended to provide an overview of motherboard technical specifications and design considerations.

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Theo Ndeda
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91 views5 pages

Topic 2b Motherboard Form Factors

This document discusses motherboard form factors. It describes motherboard components and types, including integrated and non-integrated motherboards. It then covers the main motherboard form factors: AT, Baby AT, ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX, Flex ATX, LPX, Mini LPX, and NLX. For each form factor, it provides details on size, features, and compatibility with components. The document is intended to provide an overview of motherboard technical specifications and design considerations.

Uploaded by

Theo Ndeda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Course Code :

BISF 1104

Course Description:
Installation and Customization
Lesson 2b : Motherboard Form factors

Lecturer Name: Eric G Kariuki


Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0721487915
Topic 2a – Technical Analysis of a PC

Motherboard Form Factors

Description
• A small or large circuit board inside a cabinet containing most of the electronic
components.
• Everything connected to the computer is directly or indirectly plugged into motherboard.
Components like CPU, BIOS, ROM, RAM, chips, and CMOS setup information.

• Expansion slots for installing different cards like video, sound, graphics, and NIC.
• Also contains RAM slots, system chipset, controllers and underlying circuit to tie it
together.

Types of motherboard

Non-integrated:

• Assemblies such as I/O port connectors, hard drive connectors, CD drive connectors etc
are installed as expansion boards.

• Takes lot of free space inside the case because of expansion slots.
• If something goes wrong such as bend or broken pin or defective controller, it can be
repaired with minor cost.

• They are cheap and easy to produce.

• Most of the older motherboards were non-integrated.

Integrated:

• Assemblies are integrated or built right onto the board.

• Serial and parallel ports, IDE, CD drive are directly connected to the motherboard.

• This tends to free some space inside case and better accessibility to the components.

• Cheaper to produce but are expensive to repair.

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Topic 2a – Technical Analysis of a PC

• Fast, powerful, feature rich motherboard at reasonable price.

Motherboard form factors:

• Determines general layout, size and feature placement on the motherboard.


• Form factors such as physical size, shape, component placement, power supply
connectors etc.
• Various form factors of motherboards are AT, Baby AT, ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX,
Flex ATX, LPX and Mini LPX and NLX.

1) AT (Advanced Technology):

• Oldest and biggest form factor and popular until Baby AT.

• Capable of using 386 processor.

• 12' inch size and was difficult to install, service and upgrade.

2) Baby AT:

• Standard in computer industries and still being used in Pentium class products.

• CPU socket is placed in such a way that it can interfere with longer bus cards.

• Limitation over peripheral card installation.


• I/O ports are connected to pin-outs near the floppy drive which results in jumbling of
ribbon cables.

3) ATX (Advanced Technology Extended):

• Improvement done in easy to use, support for current and future I/O, and also to current
and future technology.

• New mounting configuration for power supply.

• Processor relocated away from expansion slots to allow full length add-in cards.

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Topic 2a – Technical Analysis of a PC

• Provides air-flow through chassis and across the processor.

4) Mini ATX:

• Commonly same as ATX.

• Just change in size from ATX= 12" x 9.6" to Mini ATX= 11.2" x 8.2".

5) Micro ATX:

• Supports current and new processor technologies.

• AGP (Accelerated graphics port) to have high performance graphics.

• Smaller in size and less power supply.

6) Flex ATX:

• A subset of micro ATX.

• Gives chance to system developers to create new personal computer design.

• Enhanced flexibility to allow custom case and board design to be manufactured.

• Small motherboard size and supports current processor technology.

7) LPX (Low Profile Extension) and Mini LPX:

• Based on design by western digital.

• Usually found in desktop PC's.

• Case are slim-line, low profile case with riser card arrangement for expansion cards.

• Riser card arrangement means expansion boards are parallel rather than perpendicular.

• This make smaller case but limits number of expansion slots to two or three.

• High quality product at low cost but makes difficult to upgrade and repair.

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Topic 2a – Technical Analysis of a PC

8) NLX (New Low Profile Extended):

• Supports current and future processor technologies.

• Also supports new AGP and tall memory technology.

• Installing and upgrading the system is easy.

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