EATX vs. ATX Motherboards: What’s the Difference & What Do You Need?
When building a PC, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the size and type of motherboard that will fit your needs. Among the different types of motherboards available in the market, EATX and ATX are the most common ones.
EATX (Extended ATX) motherboards are usually larger than standard ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) motherboards. They are designed to accommodate extra components, such as additional PCI-E slots, memory slots, and SATA connectors. EATX motherboards are the best choice for people who need maximum performance and expandability.
ATX motherboards, on the other hand, are smaller and usually cheaper. They are designed for standard workstations and gamers who don’t need to run multiple graphics cards or lots of extra peripherals. In general, ATX motherboards are a better choice if you are on a budget, as they can be much cheaper than EATX motherboards.
When it comes to the differences between EATX and ATX motherboards, the most important ones can be found in their sizes, connectors, and expansion slots. As EATX motherboards are larger, they usually offer more expansion slots for graphics cards, memory, and storage drives. They also commonly feature more SATA and M.2 connectors for drives, which allows for more storage capacity and faster data transfer rates.
While EATX motherboards may sound like the clear winner here, there are some downsides to consider when choosing one. For one thing, they will not fit into standard PC cases, which means that you’ll need to look for a case that specifically supports EATX boards. Additionally, EATX motherboards can be much more expensive than their ATX counterparts.
Ultimately, the choice between EATX and ATX motherboards depends on your individual needs and budget. For most gamers and casual users, an ATX motherboard is more than enough to handle their needs. If, however, you are a power user who needs to run multiple graphics cards, additional storage, or high-end processors, an EATX motherboard may be the better choice.