People who understand computers must know the importance of the motherboard to a computer, right? The motherboard is a very important component of a computer. It is the "nerve center" of a computer, responsible for connecting and coordinating the normal operation of all core components such as the CPU, memory, graphics card, and storage devices. It also determines the size of the chassis, the speed of storage devices and even the scalability of the entire system. Of course, apart from computers, motherboards are also widely used in industrial control systems, home media centers and other devices. However, different motherboards vary greatly in structure and function. With so many types of motherboards on the market, do you know how to choose a suitable one?
Today, we will explain it from three aspects: form factor, chipset and slots. Whether you are hesitating about ATX, Micro ATX and Mini-ITX, or comparing between the B760 and Z790 chipsets of Intel motherboards, this article can provide you with certain references.
What is a motherboard? - Take the Computer as an Example
The motherboard is the main printed circuit board in a computer, responsible for connecting key components such as the CPU, memory, graphics card, and hard disk. The motherboard integrates CPU slots, RAM slots, chipsets, power interfaces, and various expansion slots (such as PCle slots for graphics cards or storage devices). In simple terms, the motherboard coordinates communication among all hardware components, ensuring the system functions properly.
Among them, it is very important to understand the different types of motherboards. A clear understanding of motherboard types helps ensure the right choice for your system needs. Choosing a good motherboard can ensure hardware compatibility, enhance system performance, reserve space for future upgrades, and match the case and cooling system.
Types of Motherboard
Motherboards can be classified according to their form factors, chipsets and slots.
1. Types of Motherboard (Form Factor)
The form factor of the motherboard determines in which chassis it can be installed and how many expansion slots it has. Common motherboard form factors include:
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Motherboard Type
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Approx. Size
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Application Scenarios
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Key Features
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ATX
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305mm x 244mm
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Desktop PCs, high-performance gaming
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Excellent expandability, multiple slots, mainstream standard
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Micro ATX
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244mm x 244mm
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Office, home, budget systems
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Smaller than ATX, cost-effective, moderate expandability
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Mini-ITX
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170mm x 170mm
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Mini PCs, small workstations
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Compact, energy-efficient, limited expansion
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Extended ATX (EATX)
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305mm x 330mm
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Workstations, high-end gaming rigs
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More slots, suitable for dual GPUs or multi-DIMM setups
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Flex ATX
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229mm x 191mm
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Compact desktops
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Slimmed-down version of Micro ATX, rarely used
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Mini-STX
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147mm x 140mm
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Ultra-compact embedded/DIY systems
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No expansion slots, ideal for custom or integrated solutions
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Nano-ITX
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120mm x 120mm
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IoT, embedded control devices
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Ultra-small, low power, often used in industrial applications
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Pico-ITX
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100mm x 72mm
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In-vehicle systems, mobile/embedded platforms
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Extremely compact, for specific custom systems
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FEMTO-ITX
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Approx. 84mm x 55mm
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Medical devices, sensors, military embedded
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Extremely compact, used only in specialized applications
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3.5” SBC
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146mm x 102mm
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Industrial control, automation, embedded systems
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High stability, long lifecycle, suited for harsh environments
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2. Types of Motherboard Chipset
The chipset of the motherboard manages the data flow among the CPU, memory, hard disk and peripherals. It determines which processors, interfaces and functions the device supports. Common ones include:
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Series
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Common Models
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Positioning
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Key Features
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Intel
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Z Series
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Z790, Z690
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High-End Flagship
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Supports overclocking, PCIe 5.0, multiple M.2 slots; ideal for gamers & creators
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B Series
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B760, B660
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Mainstream Mid-Range
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No CPU overclocking, balanced features, high cost-performance ratio
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H Series
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H610
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Entry-Level
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Suitable for office and everyday use; limited expandability
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W Series
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W790
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Workstation
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Supports Xeon CPUs, high memory capacity, multi-core performance for AI/design
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AMD
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X Series
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X670E, X570
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High-End Flagship
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Overclocking support, PCIe 5.0, multi-GPU ready; ideal for gaming & content creation
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B Series
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B650, B550
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Mainstream Mid-Range
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Balanced performance, compatible with most Ryzen CPUs, great for daily/gaming use
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A Series
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A620
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Entry-Level
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Basic features, suitable for office tasks and light multimedia
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TRX Series
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TRX40
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Creator Workstation
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Designed for Threadripper CPUs, supports multi-core and professional workloads
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3. Types of Motherboard Slots
The slot determines which model of processor the motherboard supports (such as Intel's LGA1700 or AMD's AM5). This is one of the important elements when judging how to choose a motherboard. Common types of slots on motherboards include:
PCI Express (PCIe) slot
The PCIe slot is used to connect high-speed expansion cards, such as graphics cards, SSDs, capture cards and network adapters. According to the differences in bandwidth and length, PCIe slots can be classified as: PCIe x16 (the slot with the highest bandwidth, commonly found in ATX and EATX motherboards), PCIe x8 / x4, and PCIe x1 (a small slot, often used in light-load devices).
The differences in PCIe slot configurations among different motherboard types:
ATX: Typically provides 2 to 4 PCIe slots (including at least 1 x16)
Micro ATX: Provides 1 to 2 PCIe slots
Mini-ITX: Usually, there is only one PCIe x16 slot
Memory slot (DIMM slot)
Memory slots, also known as DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module) slots, are used for installing system memory. The number of slots determines the maximum supported memory capacity and whether a dual-channel or quad-channel configuration is supported. Usually,
Standard ATX motherboard: Generally provides 4 DIMM slots
Micro ATX motherboard: Usually provides 2 to 4 DIMM slots
Mini-ITX motherboard: Due to size limitations, only 2 slots are provided
Workstation motherboards (such as TRX40): can provide up to 8 or more slots
Some industrial-grade or embedded motherboards use smaller SO-DIMM slots, which are used to install notebook memory.
M.2 slot
The M.2 slot is a common high-speed interface on modern motherboards, mainly used for NVMe solid-state drives, and some also support Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules. It has become the current mainstream storage interface with its compact size and high performance.
M.2 NVMe (PCIe x4): Connects high-speed solid-state drives and supports PCIe Gen 3/4/5
M.2 SATA: An M.2 SSD compatible with the traditional SATA protocol, with a relatively slow speed
M.2 E-Key: It is used to insert wireless communication devices such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules
High-end motherboards usually come with 2 to 4 M.2 slots, while entry-level or small-sized motherboards typically have 1 slot.
SATA Interface
The SATA (Serial ATA) interface is mainly used to connect mechanical hard drives (HDDS) and 2.5-inch SSDS. Although its speed is not as fast as M.2, it is still widely used due to its low price and large capacity.
ATX motherboards: Generally provide 4 to 6 SATA interfaces
Micro ATX: Commonly 2 to 4
Mini-ITX: Limited by space, usually 1 to 2 are provided
Understanding various types of motherboard slots is the basis for assembling, expanding or upgrading a computer system. The following is a quick comparison of common slots and their uses:
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Slot Type
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Primary Use
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PCIe x16 / x8 / x4 / x1
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Graphics cards, RAID controllers, capture cards, network cards
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DIMM / SO-DIMM
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System memory installation
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M.2 (NVMe / SATA)
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High-speed SSD storage, Wi-Fi / Bluetooth modules
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SATA
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Mechanical hard drives, 2.5" SATA SSDs
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Mini PCIe / GPIO, etc.
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Industrial expansion, embedded development boards
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The following table is a summary of some common combinations and their application scenarios based on the motherboard's form factor, combined with slot configurations and chipsets.
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Form Factor
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Common Chipsets (Intel / AMD)
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Typical Slot Configuration
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Use Case & Features
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ATX
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Intel: Z790 / B760AMD: X670 / B650
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- PCIe x16 ×2–3- DIMM ×4- M.2 ×2–3- SATA ×4–6
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Gaming, content creation, mainstream performanceGreat expandability
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Micro ATX
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Intel: B760 / H610AMD: B650 / A620
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- PCIe x16 ×1–2- DIMM ×2–4- M.2 ×1–2- SATA ×2–4
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Office, home use, light gamingAffordable, compact
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Mini-ITX
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Intel: B760 / H610AMD: B650
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- PCIe x16 ×1- DIMM ×2- M.2 ×1–2- SATA ×1–2
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Mini PCs, HTPC, space-saving buildsLimited expansion
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Extended ATX (EATX)
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Intel: Z790 / W790AMD: X670E / TRX40
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- PCIe x16 ×3–4- DIMM ×4–8- M.2 ×3–4- SATA ×6–10
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Workstations, servers, creator rigsMulti-GPU, large memory setups
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3.5" Industrial SBC
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Custom industrial chipsets (e.g., Elkhart Lake)
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- Mini PCIe / M.2 (1–2 slots)- SO-DIMM ×1–2- GPIO / COM / SATA
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Industrial control, embedded computingHigh durability, long lifecycle
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Nano-ITX / Pico-ITX
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Embedded chipsets
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- SO-DIMM ×1- Optional Mini PCIe / M.2- Custom connectors
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IoT, automotive, roboticsUltra-compact, highly customized
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How to Choose the Right Motherboard?
Choosing the right motherboard is one of the most crucial decisions in assembling or upgrading a computer. So, how to choose a motherboard? You need to make a comprehensive assessment of many aspects before making a decision. The following is the detailed guide we provide for choosing the right motherboard:
1. Clarify the usage requirements
The first step is to clarify your usage requirements. Different usage requirements have different demands for the performance and space size of the motherboard. This will directly affect the selection of the motherboard type. For example, ATX motherboard. It has strong scalability and is more suitable for gaming and high-performance platforms. The Micro ATX strikes a balance between performance and budget, making it more suitable for daily office work or light gaming.
2. Select the appropriate Form Factor
The shape and specification of the motherboard determine its size, layout, expansion capability and compatible case types. The Form Factor of the Motherboard can be selected based on the Types of Motherboard (Form Factor) in the third part. Before purchasing, please make sure that the size of the motherboard you choose is compatible with the case and that there is sufficient space reserved for heat dissipation.
3. Match CPU slots and chipsets
The motherboard must match the selected CPU. Then it is necessary to confirm the compatibility between the processor Socket of the motherboard and the motherboard chipset. For example, the Intel motherboard of the Z790 chipset supports high-performance CPUs, overclocking and PCIe 5.0, while the B760 is more economical and practical and suitable for mainstream users.
4. Check memory and storage support
The number of DIMM slots determines the number of memory sticks that can be installed and the total capacity. The number of M.2 slots and SATA interfaces: Affects how many NVMe SSDS or mechanical hard drives you can connect. If you are a gamer or content creator, it is recommended that you choose a motherboard equipped with 2 to 4 M.2 slots to enhance read and write performance.
5. Scalability and future upgrade considerations
If you need to install multiple graphics cards, multiple SSDS, or high-speed network expansion cards. Then the number of PCIe slots (types of motherboard slots) of the motherboard needs to be considered; Whether the motherboard supports modern interfaces such as USB 3.2, Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt, etc. Does the motherboard support BIOS upgrade to be compatible with future processors? At this point, your choice of motherboard has come out.
Conclusion
From motherboard form factors and sizes to chipsets, slots, and CPU compatibility, every detail will affect the performance, scalability and future upgrade capabilities of the system. In this article, we mainly explained the form factor specifications, chipset and slot types of the motherboard. We also offer you some suggestions on choosing a motherboard, which can help you make a more precise choice. Finally, we suggest that when choosing a motherboard, one should not merely focus on whether it is "big" or "expensive", but rather match their own needs, performance requirements and budget.
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