Micro ATX, why is it not used more often?

**saahild** · 08-27-2007, 09:31 AM

I did a search into Micro ATX on this forum. Originaly I was after building a reasonably future proof and upgradable system for my car for quite cheap, This ment a quite expensive Mini ITX Pentium M motherboard and 1.5ghz Celeron M processor with 1gb 533mhz ram and 250gb 3.5" ide hard disk in a reasonably small case to fit in the glove box with room to spare. This was setting me back roughly £450. I thought this would be a decent system to get my Satnav and Multimedia needs going. Then whilst browsing a components website recomended by a friend i found the Micro ATX form motherboard. I did a search in this website and found that if there is space it is a better board but not much more information then that. And even that just a brief sentence in a post. Now personaly this motherboard makes more sence to me becuase I can have a much more upgradable motherboard with 1gb 800mhz RAM, a fantastic onboard 7.1 sound card and multimedia graphics card on board which has got fantastic reviews, a 2 ghz amd x2 processor (dual core) with 500gb sata II hard disk in a case which can fit the glove box with relative ease an all this costing under £200. Now the question is if it is so much cheaper to have a much more powerful system, indeed some would argue too powerful, then why is it not used more by people building car computers as there is not that much difference in size. Is there something i have forgotten which makes the difference?

**RedGTiVR6** · 08-27-2007, 09:51 AM

1) Powering a board like this with all of the add-ons is usually a problem
2) Needing that much power isn't at all necessary in the car
3) Heat generated is greater (generally)
4) Size is usually a problem for most people. Mini-ITX boards are less than 7" square...micro atx boards are a full 2.6" larger on all sides. Finding somewhere to mount that is much more difficult than a mini-itx board. Yes, 2.6" can make all the difference in the world
5) many of the mini-itx boards people are using are industrial boards, hardly any of the microATX boards are true industrial boards

If you can fit it, can power it, can cool it, and are ok with knowing that the board isn't built to the same standards as some of the mini-itx boards that many people on here are using, go for it.

**JoeKamel** · 08-27-2007, 09:52 AM

Couple reasons:

1) Space - not everyone has it, and with smaller cars becoming more popular, it gets rarer.

2) Power - Most ITX board/chip combinations are targeted for low power needs and use a lot less than micro-atx ones. Less power also means less heat and cooling inside a car can be a pain.

I myself am going uATX because I've found a good spot in my car for it. If it wasn't going to fit nicely, I would have went ITX.

**2k1Toaster** · 08-27-2007, 10:50 AM

Only benefit to a form factor is size.

Some people dont know but the itx form factor supports everything from a via/P3 to Core 2 duo. Quad too I think from one of Red's recent posts.

uATX actually supports via/P3 up to Duo/Quad. I have a Via board with a "C3 2000+" on a uATX formfactor. It runs cool, and is plenty fast for a print server and basic multimedia. It also cost me $35 I think new off of NewEgg.

So the only thing that matters is size here. Power is negligable because the more expensive the more powerful.

On the size thing as Red said, 2.6" can make a big difference. That is why mini-itx breaks down even farther to nano-itx, and then to pico-itx now! Amazing to me! A mini-itx fits perfectly behind a double din dash area. So you could put your entire PC behind the screen. Less wires to run, all in 1 unit. Was my plan originally, but I am not too good with fabricating!

**saahild** · 08-27-2007, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the replies. I had a feeling it wouldn't be that easy otherwise everyone would be doing it. Power wise I am not too sure how all that works but I have been advised that 400w or so is enough to run the computer. This is not really a big deal I don't think if that 400w at 12v works in the same way as a car amplifier as currently the sound system in the car which is coming out draws alot more then that. I was thinking is there really a point of dual core processor and all that ram inside a car where it will just run music but it is mainly the cost side of things, I can have a computer that puts my home computer to shame for under £200 which is really a very good bargin when compared to some ready made home computers which are more expensive with less power. Luckily there is more then enough space for the bigger case, will need to think through cooling. Thank you for pointing out all of the potential problems that I may face. I did not realise the cooling issue. Probably saved me a good few problems further down the line.

**Skipjacks** · 08-28-2007, 10:53 AM

I run a MicroATX board. The only problem I've ever had with it is that once crashed when I got rear ended. Other than that I've had no problems in 3 years.

Cooling issues haven't been an issue either. Once it's started the processor fan does a fine job. Of course getting it started on a hot day can be a pain, but that's from sitting in a hot car. An ATX, ITX, or old school 8088 board are going to all rise to the same ambient temperature of the car.

**RedGTiVR6** · 08-28-2007, 11:39 AM

The operating temperatures of some of the mini-ITX boards are a wider range than other standard desktop boards. Something to consider.

**Nomader** · 08-28-2007, 11:42 AM

reasons for using a micro ATX
1. you won't ever have to strip down software so you can run it
2. you will be able to put all the nice PCI and USB you desire..
3. you will be able to upgrade more.

sure you will have to combine that with a DSATX or an opus 250, but if you have the space...it is worth it.
just my opinion

**MatrixPC** · 08-28-2007, 12:03 PM

uATX all the way.
Add to Norrmader commend.
Cost, cost, and cost. Much much cheaper. You get 2x performance at 1/2 cost.
cooling: no problem.
space: if you decide the case well, it will fit perfectly under the driver or passenger seat.
power: DSATX or Opus 150 or higher can do just fine.

**SurfGuruJeff** · 08-28-2007, 12:57 PM

I am also running a MicroATX board, and I am so glad I didn't go the whole M1000 MiniITX route! I saved a lot of money, and my system is stable and fast, with the ability to upgrade. I am also using a 400W power inverter. I just flip the switch, then hit the "power on" button for the computer.

This is in my 1999 Toyota Tacoma, standard cab. I am kinda tall, so the seat is all the way back and everything still fits back there.

Oh yeah, I've been running this same computer for 2 years as a Windows MCE PC using a 230W Power Supply and it has always been enough, even with these specs:
ATI Radeon 9600 (AGP)
Athlon XP 2800+ (socket a)
Abit VA-20 MicroATX Motherboard
AverMedia HDTV Tuner
Huappauge PVR-250 TV Tuner
Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro w/External I/O Controller
1GB DDR400
CPU Overclocked to 2.22GHz
400GB Seagate HDD
DVD/RW Drive
Microsoft Bluetooth Receiver
Snapstream Firefly Remote RF Receiver
12-in-1 Media Card Reader
Labtec WebCam