Many potential buyers are sure that minimized computers of the Micro- and Mini-ITX format are inferior and prefer ATX-systems or laptops. Just by purchasing a full-format case and corresponding components, none of the owners can explain why 90% of the system unit is empty. It turns out that somewhere the buyer made a mistake.
In this article, the reader is given the opportunity to get acquainted with a very attractive format of a personal computer, or rather, with its basic element - the system board. The buyer will learn not only the technical characteristics of the device, but also get acquainted with the best models and see a brief overview of the basic functionality. After all, Mini-ITX are motherboards that are today considered the most popular in the computer market, which means that this format will remain in trend for the next decade.
Specialized Segment
There is nothing unique in the small size of the system unit. If you look at personal computers ten years ago, you will find that the Mini-ITX format was quite in demand on the world market. Personal computers of this size were used as office workstations, multimedia centers and found themselves in home use.
And you don’t need to think that the form factors of the miniature motherboard somewhat limit the owner. In fact, on the basis of Mini-ITX you can even assemble a gaming computer. Inconvenience can only be felt by enthusiasts who prefer to overclock the components of the system unit. Yes, there can be problems with cooling in a miniature case.
Kernels - Pure Emerald
And you do not need to believe reviews in the media that miniature motherboards are created only for the Intel platform and have a limited series in the context of a single chip or core. As practice shows, in the domestic market Mini-ITX (motherboards) with an AMD processor are much more common than the chips of the main competitor.
As for the platforms, there are no restrictions on Socket: 775, 1150, 1151, AM1, FM2. Also on the market you can find integrated solutions from Intel, which offer a processor soldered to the motherboard. Naturally, the platform has support for both single-core processors and crystals with multiple cores.
Entry-level segment
A fully integrated system will definitely be the most affordable on the market, regardless of the chip that Mini-ITX (motherboards) are equipped with. Size does not play any role here, as well as the power consumption of all components in the assembly. The low price is explained quite simply - the computer is difficult to improve. In fact, the user can only increase the amount of RAM and the size of the hard disk. This is where the upgrade ends. The reader will agree that such a solution resembles a laptop.
On the other hand, the power of the Mini-ITX-board tends to zero, so the purchase of a personal computer with such a motherboard allows the user to save money well. The maximum consumption of such a computer will not exceed 150-200 watts.
Office solutions
In the low-cost segment, integrated motherboards based on the Intel Celeron processor with two cores have worked well. Personal computers of this class are used in medium and large businesses and belong to the class of printing office equipment. The Mini-ITX case, at the request of the buyer, is equipped with a horizontal or vertical chassis, and can also be accompanied by an integrated optical drive.
As for brands, the choice here is quite large: AsRock, MSI, Gigabyte and Asus. There are no special differences between the products, the difference can only be in the number and type of memory modules. So manufacturers allowed themselves to use the SO-Dimm controller to save space on the motherboard. You can understand the negative reviews of the owners of such systems - the memory for laptops is more expensive than the usual bracket for desktop systems.
Available Component Market
Some Mini-ITX - motherboards based on the AMD chip - many customers attribute to the budget segment. The fact is that devices have an attractive cost. However, the potential of such boards is much higher, because the manufacturer tried to make a product that can satisfy even a demanding customer.
It’s better to start with the fact that, along with integrated network, sound and video adapters, the company's technologists placed a full-fledged PCIex16 bus on the board. And this means that you can install a modern gaming video card in a small device case. Naturally, the potential of such a computer will directly depend on the processor in the system. There are no restrictions - you can even install a crystal with eight cores.
Home media server
Compactness, quiet operation and low power consumption - these are the three basic requirements that home users make to the seller in the market of portable systems for creating a multimedia center. If the small Mini-ITX case is able to satisfy the first two wishes, then there are often problems with consumption, as most users try to purchase a productive motherboard and a powerful processor.
For multimedia, it is more important not the speed of the chip, but rather the reaction of the hard drive to events and a large amount of RAM, for operating data in real time. Mini-ITX format board should be the cheapest. But, together with integrated components, several modern memory controllers and an ultra-fast SATAIII interface should be provided on board.
The fight for the mobile device market
Yes, gaming laptops have no competitors in terms of mobility, but when it comes to portability, many buyers have doubts. It is easy to guess that the whole problem lies in decent cooling and the possibility of improving the basic components (processor and video card). So, miniature Mini-ITX - motherboards 1150 (Socket) - are focused precisely on solving such problems.
Naturally, the buyer will have a question regarding the potential of full-format ATX systems that have better cooling and can be improved without problems. However, consumers will have to give up mobility. Therefore, it is so difficult to determine the form factor before buying. As practice shows, Mini-ITX (motherboards) are a kind of compromise between a full-fledged computer and laptop.
Expert Advice
Everything is clear with the multimedia center - the minimum size, the economical processor and the minimum components in the device will allow the buyer to achieve their goals when buying. But lovers of demanding games, paying attention to compact personal computers, will have to worry about the correct layout of the device. It is important here not to pile up Mini-ITX-format motherboards with extra components so that the cooling system completely purges the system unit.
It is better to give preference to modern processors with low power consumption (up to 65 watts), as well as pay attention to the requirements of the video adapter. Do not forget about modern technologies in the form of SSD-drives, as well as the presence of external optical drives, which are available in the domestic market. The main task of any player who wants to purchase an ITX system is to increase the free space inside the computer case and reduce energy consumption together with heat generation.
Finally
There is no need to build the illusion that the form factors of the motherboard are segmented by performance. This is a misconception. Reducing the size of the system unit is caused only by ease of use, because often most desktop computers misallocate space on the table or under it. This is where all the differences end.