A Micro ATX (mATX) motherboard is a smaller form factor for computer motherboards than the standard ATX form factor. It is a popular choice for budget-friendly PCs and small form factor (SFF) builds. mATX motherboards typically have fewer expansion slots and features than ATX motherboards, but they are also smaller and less expensive.
Micro ATX Motherboard Specifications
- Dimensions: 244 mm (9.6 inches) x 244 mm (9.6 inches)
- Expansion slots: 4 to 6 PCIe slots, 1 to 2 PCI slots
- Memory slots: 4 DIMM slots
- SATA ports: 4 to 6 SATA ports
- M.2 slots: 1 to 2 M.2 slots
- USB ports: 4 to 10 USB ports
- Audio: Realtek ALC887 codec or similar
- Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi (optional)
- Power connectors: 24-pin ATX power connector, 4-pin or 8-pin CPU power connector
- Form factor: Micro ATX
THE Micro ATX Motherboard Features
- Support for a wide range of processors, including Intel Core, AMD Ryzen, and VIA Nano processors
- Smaller size than ATX motherboards, making them suitable for SFF builds
- More affordable than ATX motherboards
- Support for fast storage technologies, such as NVMe SSDs
- A variety of USB ports for connecting peripherals
- High-quality audio codecs for superior sound quality
- Gigabit Ethernet for reliable wired internet connectivity
- Wi-Fi (optional) for high-speed wireless connectivity
Micro ATX Motherboard Limitations
- Fewer expansion slots than ATX motherboards, which may limit the future upgradeability of your PC
- May not have as many advanced features as some ATX motherboards
Overall, Micro A TX motherboards are a good choice for budget-friendly PCs and SFF builds. They offer a good balance of features and affordability, making them a popular option for home and office use.
Here are some popular Micro A TX motherboards:
- ASUS Prime B550M-K
- MSI MAG B560M Mortar Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard
- Gigabyte B460M DS3H