Tuesday, January 5, 2010

ATX In FX

By Myer Thompson

Computer hardware is the last bastion of the hardcore computer aficionado. Hardware makes or breaks the computer geek. It separates the techies from the boys and works as a kind of de facto demarcation line. Only the knowledgeable may cross over. Only those who know can ever truly know. You can't fake it in the computer world -- so don't even try.

So it goes. If you want to gain entry, you have to know the quirks and traits of various computer hardware pieces. It's like chess -- to play you have to know what each pieces does and what it is called. You can't savvy strategies if you don't know the basics. The same is painfully true for the hardware world. You either have what it takes, or you don't.

One of the perennial pieces in this computer chess world are micro ATX motherboards. These motherboards -- hopefully you know what one is in theory, if not on sight -- are small form factor boards. This means, they are used in desktop models that tend to be smaller and lighter than traditional PC towers. No, they're not sexy, but they get the job done.

You only have to know about Apple's Mac Mini to understand why people are hip to micro ATX boards. It's all about size. People need space on that desktop. The trend has always been -- and will always be -- towards saving more and more space. The Micro ATX, then is very trend. Sure, it's not as small as some of the other micro motherboards, like the ITX, but it still packs a punch, so to speak.

The size of the ride is crucial in computing circles. The average micro ITX is about 25% smaller than it's full-sized grandmother. It's only about 6 inches long by six inches wide. Furthermore, they use the same chip sets as their bigger relatives, which means they can run all the same peripherals and operating systems. The only drawback is that it cannot accommodate as many expansion slots - 22787

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