Hey everyone! I'm currently building a new PC and I'm trying to decide between a micro-ATX and an ATX motherboard. My build includes a Ryzen 9 7900X, a Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE cooler, Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB RAM, a Patriot P400 NVMe 1TB SSD, and a Gigabyte Windforce RTX 5070. I know micro-ATX boards usually come at better prices; I found a GIGABYTE B650M GAMING PLUS WIFI AM5 with free Corsair Vengeance RAM that looks tempting. But does going with an ATX board actually make a significant difference in terms of performance, airflow, or looks? What should I take into consideration?
4 Answers
For most setups, it really won’t matter much. If you’re not utilizing the extra features that ATX boards provide like extra slots or audiophile connectors, then go with the mATX for space and ease. If your GPU is large, just be aware of how it might cover headers on the motherboard too.
When choosing between them, think about what you need. If you're in it for gaming and don't require tons of expansions, mATX works well. But if you want an overclock-friendly setup or plan on using multiple GPUs, ATX might be the better bet because of its superior VRM cooling and additional slots.
The main advantage of ATX over mATX is usually the number of connectors and slots. If you plan on adding more cards or storage, ATX boards typically have more PCIe slots and M.2 ports. But if your needs are standard, mATX is just as good. Just ensure your choice has decent cooling for the VRMs, especially for high-performance CPUs.
Honestly, the difference is mostly about size. If you're just looking for a basic build, a micro-ATX board will work just fine. I've used them in budget setups, but if aesthetics matter to you, keep in mind that there might be an awkward gap in ATX cases when using mATX boards.
Absolutely! mATX boards can be great, but just double-check their cooling capabilities and the number of headers available for fans.