When building a custom PC, one of the first choices you’ll face is selecting the motherboard size — and with it, the overall system form factor. The three most common standards are ITX, Micro-ATX, and ATX. Each has its own strengths and trade-offs, making it important to pick the right one for your needs.
Let’s break down the key differences.
🖥 ITX (Mini-ITX)
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Size: 170mm x 170mm (the smallest standard).
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Pros:
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Ultra-compact, perfect for small desks, minimalist setups, or portable rigs.
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Great for gamers and creators who want power without taking up space.
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Cons:
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Limited slots (usually one PCIe for GPU).
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Fewer RAM slots (commonly 2).
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Can run hotter if not paired with good cooling.
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👉 Best for: Small form factor enthusiasts, portable builds, and stylish minimalist PCs.
⚡ Micro-ATX (mATX)
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Size: 244mm x 244mm (mid-sized).
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Pros:
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Balanced option with more expansion than ITX.
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Usually cheaper than ATX boards while still offering strong features.
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Supports multiple GPUs or add-in cards (depending on the model).
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Cons:
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Slightly larger footprint, so cases are less compact.
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Sometimes fewer premium features compared to full ATX.
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👉 Best for: Budget-friendly builds, mainstream gaming PCs, and users who want some expandability.
🚀 ATX
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Size: 305mm x 244mm (the standard full-size board).
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Pros:
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Maximum expansion — more PCIe slots, RAM slots (up to 4 or 8), and storage options.
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Usually includes advanced features for overclocking, connectivity, and high-end builds.
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Best airflow and cooling options due to larger case sizes.
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Cons:
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Requires a larger case.
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Less portable and takes up more space.
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👉 Best for: High-performance gaming, professional workstations, and future-proof setups.
✅ Which One Should You Choose?
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Go ITX if you want a small, portable, or minimalist setup.
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Choose Micro-ATX if you want the best balance of price, size, and expandability.
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Pick ATX if you’re building a powerhouse gaming rig or workstation with lots of components.
At Wattec, we build custom PCs across all form factors — from compact ITX beasts to full-size ATX workstations — designed to match your needs as a gamer, creator, or professional.
For Detail Watch Tech Guided 👇