Micro ATX is the middle size motherboard of size 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm however ITX box is the smallest in the family. It can only support the Mini-ITX motherboard (17cm x 17cm), which means it offers very few motherboard options. It is very small and compact, a feature that has its own pros and cons. Small means it has only two expansion slots, but it also means it is very portable making it the favorite chassis for gamers who like to attend events. Below we discussed some aspects that highlight the differences of Micro ATX Vs Mini ITX:
Hardware Capacity:-
Given the sizes, we must assume that the smaller the motherboard, the lesser components it can hold, which is perfectly true, since there are clear technical barriers that size, cannot overcome. Although many of the micro ATX on the market have some surprises from others.
To compare the maximum hardware they can hold, we scanned the market to see more or less what they can offer us in their highest ranges. Let’s see what each of them offers us:
In this sense, both boards have the same characteristics, as we will have ITX and micro-ATX models capable of supporting Intel Core processors for Socket LGA 1151 processors and AMD Ryzen for AM4 socket, so we can assemble, for example, a Core i9-9900K part in both motherboards.
PCIe Slots:-
The next differential element is PCIe slots and here there is no doubt that a winner is in the ability to connect to expansion cards in PCIe slots.
In ITX, we’ll finish quickly, because they only have the PCIe x16 3.0 slot for connecting a graphics card in it, from the size and power they do. We will not have any PCIe x1 or x4 slot, so we will not be able to connect anything else, like an external Wi-Fi card.
In micro-ATX we even have room to create an Nvidia SLI and CrossFire thanks to two PCIe 3.0 slots. Also, there will be enough space to fit two additional PCIe x1 slots for a total of 4. Of course it will be the decision of each manufacturer to enter the ones they want. So, if you want to add more MATX is best choice for you.
Peripheral & Retinal Connectivity:-
This is something that two motherboards have almost the same thing, with a total of about 18 distribution connections as each manufacturer wants. We can hold the typical 6 audio connectors, two USB 2.0 ports, another 4 or 6 USB 3.1 gen1 / 2 / Type-C ports, HDMI and Display ports and the RJ-45 network port.
The other part that is almost always the same is network connectivity, especially wireless. Manufacturers know that if we want to buy a Micro-ATX board and especially ITX, it’s because we want portability, so the least we can ask for in ITX is that it has a pre-installed Wi-Fi card. In cheap micro-ATX we do not usually have integrated Wi-Fi option.