Downside to Micro-ATX?

d3moliti0n

d3moliti0n

d3moliti0n

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Hi

Basically about a year ago I upgraded my computer and bought a Micro-ATX board (by accident, I just then couldn't be bothered to return it for the full size ATX board).

My question is, is there a big negative to owning a Micro-ATX instead of the full size ATX board?

This is the board I currently own: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-098-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=326

Is that a good board? My current spec is:

Pentium Dual-Core E2180 @ 3GHz (I'm probably going to try to OC it a bit further, about 3.2GHz, when I get my new PSU).
2GB DDR2 Corsair TwinX PC2-6400 (I'm also upgrading my memory to 4GB DDR2 Corsair soon, as 4GB is the max that the mobo can handle)
Radeon HD 3850 256MB (I'm upgrading the GPU aswell, to either a GTX 260 216 core or 4890 1GB)

So, is there a massive downside to owning this motherboard compared to a normal size ATX? And if so, is it worth upgrading atm?

Thanks for your help.
 
Well the biggest is the size, so you only have 4 expansion slots instead of the 7/8 you normally get on a full ATX board.

Also you don't tend to get the proper full chipsets on mATX like X58, P45, X48 etc. - obviously there are exceptions to this rule like the DFI boards, the Gene, and the like but generally the mATX boards have less overclockable integrated graphics chipsets like the G33/G35/G43/G45.

My final point is that working in a mATX case is a lot harder because space is limited, but obviously if you put it in a full sized case that's a moot point. :)
 
Well, I have only ever used full size cases, or midi towers, I was just generally wondering if there was a big downfall to owning a Micro-ATX motherboard, but I don't really need a load of expansion slots or anything like that, like I don't have an abundance of components in my PC, just the basic stuff to run games etc.
 
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