How to Know if a Motherboard will Fit in your Case?

People usually overlook the dimensions when building a PC. They have a misconception in mind that all motherboards can fit into all cases. They think that the size of motherboards is universal full stop but this is not true. So when people find out about this problem then they are worried about how to know if a motherboard will fit in your case.

Well, the simplest way to get the answer to this question is to check the form factors that your case and motherboard support. To know about form factors in detail read the information given below.

The Importance of the Right Form-Factor

A motherboard is one of the most essential parts of a system. No system can function without a compatible motherboard. So before you buy one make sure to know the following things:

● Form Factor:

The most important step in buying a motherboard is choosing the right form factor. The most popular form factor is ATX. Moreover, Micro-ATX has also gained much popularity among users. The main difference between both these form factors is that Micro-ATX is shorter and comes with less number of expansion card slots. Make sure to check the compatibility of the ATX form factor of your motherboard with your case when buying one.

● Processor Socket:

Another important factor to consider during a motherboard purchase is choosing the right processor socket. To figure out if your processor socket is good for purchase look at the CPU that you want to rule with your motherboard. Different types of sockets are designed for specific types of CPUs.

● RAM:

It is also important to take care of the RAM of your motherboard when making up purchases. It is good to buy a board that has at least 16 GB RAM support. Moreover, look for a motherboard that has at least 4 or even more memory sorts. This will allow you to install two RAM modules along with saving some space for memory upgrades later.

● PCI Express:

PCI Express is also an important factor to keep in mind when buying a motherboard. If you are an extreme gamer and require some extra cards then you must make sure that there are extra slots in your motherboard. At least one full-speed x16 slot is a must to meet your basic gaming needs.

For add-ons like connection extensions, sound cards, and internal Wi-Fi adapters there are smaller PCI Express ports and normal ports in motherboards. If your board has built-in functions there is less requirement for expansion. In most cases, the motherboard has an onboard audio feature that shows good compatibility with mid-range headphones or speakers.

You can also get the benefits of Bluetooth and Wifi facilities in premium versions. Though you will have to pay a little extra for these features, ultimately, you will be less likely to need expansion cards.

● SATA:

SATA is also an important feature of a motherboard that you must consider when buying one. One free SATA port is the requirement for each storage or optical drive. So you must check that there are enough drives for your motherboard. In case you are planning to use solid-state drives make sure that your motherboard is compatible with the latest SATA 3.0 also called as 6GB standard.

How to know if your motherboard will fit in a case?

The most common form factors for a motherboard include the Micro-ATX, ATX, and Mini-ITX. The form factor is an important aspect when deciding on the right motherboard for yourself.

Knowing the proper form factor of your motherboard will help you decide the right case size for it. The form factor is the design and shape of a motherboard. It also affects the state of the case of your computer and the location of individual parts that are present in it.

There are some main structure factors that are present in most computers and are helpful in fitting them in standard cases. The structure factor is only a single factor out of the multiple important factors that you must consider for a motherboard. Other types of factors to consider are:

● The type of CPU compatible with your motherboard is dependent on the socket for the chip.

● Considering the logic system of the motherboard the chipset is an important element. It has two main sections the Southbridge and the Northbridge. The purpose of both these bridges is two build a good connection between different parts of the computer with the CPU.

● To control the most important elements of your system the BIOS chip is also very important. Every time you turn it on it performs self-testing for good performance of your system. Out of the main features, double BIOS is an important one. It is helpful to manage and deal with shortages or errors during refreshing.

● A battery is present to run the real-time clock chip. This battery has basic system time and settings for giving a standard performance.

Now let’s talk about the main form factors in detail:

● ATX:

The most commonly used form factor is the ATX motherboard measuring 12 by 9.6 inches. These motherboards are helpful in building gaming PCs or high-power workstations. The best thing about these motherboards is that they can practically fit in almost all cases.

● Mini-ITX:

It is the smallest motherboard form factor having a measurement of 6.7 by 6.7 inches. You can easily use, these motherboards for making desktop PCs to fit in small spaces. Moreover, this form factor is very economical and easy to carry around. But it is not very commonly used.

Suppose you have an ATX motherboard but your case is only compatible with the Mini-ATX or Micro-ATX form factors. In this case, your motherboard will not be appropriate to fit in your case. So you will have to get a new case or a new motherboard.

● Micro-ATX:

It is also small in size and measures 9.6 by 9.6 inches. But there may be slight variation in the length of this motherboard. Also, it is not very popularly used but is suitable for small desktop PCs.

You can use it for HTPC or Linux servers and other low-cost PCs. The connectivity options available in this motherboard are quite similar to those provided by a conventional ATX motherboard.

Conclusion: How to Know if a Motherboard will Fit in your Case

It is a challenging task to buy the right type of case for your motherboard. But you can consider the form factor of your board to ensure that the case you are purchasing is perfect for you.

FAQs: How to Know if a Motherboard will Fit in your Case

● Can you fit any motherboard into any case?

No, you cannot fit any motherboard into any case. Motherboards work the same as phones and their cases are just like phone covers. This means that a particular model of motherboard will have a specific shape and design which is only compatible with its relative case. Each form factor of a motherboard has different dimensions so their cases are also different.

● How to find out if my case is good for my motherboard?

To find out if your case is good for your motherboard measure the dimensions of your motherboard and the case. If they match each other then they are highly compatible. You can also check the compatibility by considering the form factor of your motherboard.