mATX Systems

~D~ · 20 Jun 2011 at 11:07

I think it's time for me to upgrade again and I've gone off the full size cases it seems, so I'm thinking a mid or a mini case (for the latter most likely the Fractal Define Mini).

I just wanted to get your thoughts on mATX systems as I know nothing about them. I assume they'll take the same size PSUs and the same CPUs and GPUs, so all my concern would be is to get a good enough motherboard? Is that correct?

I'm very out of the loop as far as ATX motherboards are concerned, let alone mATX ones, so what would be your opinions? (opinions that argue that mATX systems aren't a great idea are also welcome)

95thrifles · 20 Jun 2011 at 11:54

mATX systems are fine, you can get just as much power out of them nowadays as well, your only limitations compared to full size ATX tends to be not as many expansion slots of one sort or another, but for a basic set up there shouldnt be any issues
Be aware of gfx card length and to a lesser degree PSU length, ensuring both will fit in the case, and also cooler size, cant really get a full tower cooler in most mATX cases, but other than that youll be fine

fruman23 · 20 Jun 2011 at 12:21

I found with my last matx board, my gpu covered every single sata port, so had to use an expansion card for my hdd's and optical drives.

something to watch out for.....

IPAddis · 20 Jun 2011 at 14:31

I have an Antec Fusion Black for my HTPC and have built a few newer ones in Moneual cases.

Issues compared with ATX are:
1) Choice of mobos much smaller
2) Need to be careful about size of CPU cooler
3) Cannot fit in long graphics cards (had to use a dremel to fit in a 5850).
4) Fewer expansion slots (always short of the one you need!)
5) Cabling is much more fiddly
6) Heat management requires more thought.

I would always choose ATX unless there were pressing reasons for going mATX.