The document discusses different motherboard form factors including ATX, Micro ATX, Flex ATX, NLX, and BTX. It provides details on the size and key features of each form factor. For example, it states that ATX motherboards measure 305x244x10mm while Micro ATX measures 244x244x10mm. It also explains that newer form factors like BTX were designed for better airflow and easier component access compared to older styles like AT.

1. A+ HardwareSection 1.2 Motherboard Form FactorMade By : Gagandeep Singh

2. What you learn todayCompTIA A+ 220-701 , Section 1.2Explain motherboard components, types and features - Form factorsATX/BTXMicro BTXNLX

3. MotherboardIf processor is the brain of the computer, the motherboard is the heart of the computer.

4. The Motherboard is the main circuit inside the computer.

5. All the components and peripherals are attached to it.

6. Most of the compute features like scalabilty,upgradeablity, depends on Motherboard.Motherboard

7. Motherboard Key Assessable Parameters of the motherboardForm Factors

8. Chipset

9. CPU Support

10. Video Support

11. Memory Support

12. Audio Support

13. Memory Slots

14. Ports and SlotsMotherboard Form FactorsPhysical Size - Case SizingBasic Layout - Room for small changesPower - Standard ConnectorAirflow - Increasingly importantWikipedia : There are 26 different motherboard types categories.

15. Form FactorThere are two commonly known form factors AT and ATX.

16. In AT “Baby AT” and in ATX “Mini ATX”, “Micro ATX” and “Flexi ATX” are different variants available.

17. They differ mainly in size, type of power connector and switch. There are three parameters to be taken care.

18. First is the size of the motherboard should be compatible with Cabinet.

19. Second, the motherboard should have suitable power socket to match the power supply.

20. Third, the size of the Power supply should fit into the cabinet and have suitable power switch.Types of FORM FACTORSAT (Advanced Technology).ATX(Advanced Technology Extension).LPX.NLX.BTX(Balanced Technology Extension).

21. Form Factor ComparisonNLX motherboard ( 340*230*10mm)BTX motherboard ( 325*267*10mm)ATX motherboard (305*244*10mm)Micro BTX motherboard (264*267*10mm)Micro ATX motherboard (244*244*10mm)

22. AT (EXTRA)Earlier IBM PC/XT used large Motherboards.AT replaced PC/XT by reducing its size.Its size is 12 inches (305 mm) wide and 13.8 inches (350 mm) deep.It belongs to family class 386 or earlier.The AT had only a keyboard connector .Expansion slots for add-on card backplates.

23. AT Motherboard

24. Power Supply

25. P8 and P9

26. ATX form factorAdvanced Technology ExtensionStandardized by Intel in 1995. - See many update over the yearsPower - 20 pin connector - 24 pin connector, additional 4/8 pin connector.Port Type - Optional I/O back plate. - Add and remove as needed.90 degree

27. ATX Specifications Integrated I/O Port Connectors.Integrated PS/2 Mouse Connector.Reduced Expansion Card Interference. Better Power Supply Connector."Soft Power" Support.3.3V Power Support: Better Air Flow.Improved Design for Upgradability.

28. ATX ConnectorsPS/2 port Connector.25-pin Parallel port. 9-pin serial port.On-board peripheral ports are Ethernet FireWire e-sata, audio (both analog and S/PDIF), Video (analog D-sub, DVI, or HDMI), USB ports.

29. ATX Motherboard

30. Mini-ATX"Mini ATX“ slightly smaller than ATX specification.It use same ATX form factor power supplies and cases.Main difference is in their size.Its size is 11.2"x8.2“.Dimensions, and the placement of mounting holes.It is mainly intended for mini-PCs.

31. Mini-ATX Motherboard

32. Micro-ATXIt is same as ATX but differ in size.Its size is 9.6"x9.6". Limited expansion slotsBackward Compatibility – Mounting holes.One AGP slot.2 PCI slots.

33. Micro-ATX Motherboard

34. Flex-ATXIt is same as ATX but differ in size.Flex-ATX motherboard have maximum dimensions of just 9"x7.5“.lower-cost PC .One AGP slot.2 PCI slots.

35. Flex-ATX

36. Power Supply for ATX

37. LPXLPX stands for Low Profile extension.Most distinguishing feature: The riser card that is used to hold expansion slots.It has been updated and modernized to allow support for the latest technologiesIts size is 9’’ wide and 11-13“ long.

38. LPX

39. Advantages of LPXInbuilt video display adapter cards .Their cost is low.They have onboard components like ATX.Adaption of raiser card.

40. Disadvantages of LPXNon-standardization. Poor expandability. Poor upgradability. Poor cooling . Two or three expansion slots.Restricted air-flow

41. NLXNLX stands for New Low Profile Extended.NLX still uses the same general design as LPX.It is designed to support larger memory modules and modern DIMM memory packaging. Support for the newest processor technologies, including the new Pentium II . Support for AGP video cards. Better thermal characteristics.Easy to maintain – Motherboard replacement without screws.

42. NLXMore optimal location of CPU on the board to allow easier access and better cooling. More flexibility in how the motherboard can be set up and configured. Enhanced design features, such as the ability to mount the motherboard so it can slide in or out of the system case easily. Cables, such as the floppy drive interface cable, now attach to the riser card instead of the motherboard itself, reducing cable length and clutter. Support for desktop and tower cases.

43. NLX

44. NLX

45. BTXIt stands for Balanced Technology Extended .design strategies arePower dissipation, Structural integrity, Motherboard design.Many straight lines.Good Airflow.

46. ATX vs BTX

47. Advantages of BTXEmerging technologies such as Serial ATA, USB 2.0, and PCI Express.In-line airflow layout allows many of the main board components (i.e.: processor, chipset, and graphics controller).Allows fewer and/or less expensive heat sinks.

48. Chipset The chipset handles the data transfer between devices connected to motherboard.The architecture of chipsets evolving time to time based on increasing user requirement to connect different devices with increasing data transfer rate.It consists of two integrated circuits (IC) known as Northbridge and Southbridge. The chipset is designed as two parts to categorizes the data transfer between various devices.

49. Chipset Chipset will maximize the performance as one part of the chipset takes care of the data transfer in processing area where as the other part the chipset take care of the transfer between peripheralsThe names of the bridges are different and they are paired to come under a collective name of chipset.For example, the names of the bridges in Intel 945 chipset are 82945 the Northbridge and 82801 the Southbridge.

50. NorthbridgeThe Northbridge is also called as memory controller chip (MCC) or memory controller hub (MCH) in Intel systems whereas AMD,VIV, SIS and other systems called as Northbridge.Some of the Northbridge integrated with Video controllers are known as graphics and memory controller hub (GMCH). It handles the data transfer between main memory, processor, AGP port/PCI Express and Southbridge.

51. Northbridge This bridge deals with faster data processing components it is known as Fast bridge also.It interacts with Southbridge known as slow bridge to handle the data from the slower devices like hard disk, CD-ROM drive etc.

52. Southbridge The Southbridge is called as I/O controller hub. Unlike Northbridge, the Southbridge do not interact with CPU and RAM directly, rather interacts with NorthbridgeIt handles the data transfer between slower devices like ports, PCI bus, ISA bus,IDE,bios, interrupt controller usb and other ports.