Homework Assignment
•Read Chapter Four - Form Factors,
Power Supplies, and Working Inside
a Computer.
•Complete the Chapter Four
homework handout. Due next week.
Today’s Agenda
•Lecture and discussion on desktop
Form Factors.
•Lab 2 – Installing Windows 7 on
your HP lab computers (Due Jan 27)
•Lab 3 – Installing Windows XP on
your white box lab computers (Due
Jan 27)
Desktop Form Factors
Microcomputer Hardware
Class Two
January 13, 2011
Form Factors
• Standards to ensure compatibility
between motherboards, power supplies,
and chassis.
What is Standardized?
• Motherboard – the dimensions (actually the
maximum size) of motherboards and the
location and spacing of mounting holes.
• Power Supply – the output voltages,
connectors, and mounting hole locations.
• Computer chassis - chassis architecture and
provisions for mounting motherboards and
power supplies.
Mainstream Desktop Form Factors
ATX
(1995)
MicroATX
(1997)
FlexATX
(1999)
Mini-ITX
(2002)
Evolution of Form Factors
ATX
MicroATX
FlexATX
Mini-ITX
9.6 x 12
7
9.6 x 9.6
7.5 x 9
6.7 x 6.7
4
3
1
Smaller
Newer
Dimensions Max Number of
(inches) Expansion Slots
Form Factor
I/O Shield
6.25”
Evolution of Form Factors (Cont)
Mini-ITX
6.7”
x
6.7”
FlexATX
MicroATX
61%
Smaller
7.5”
x ATX
9.0”
9.6”
x 9.6”
41%
Smaller
20%
9.6”Smaller
x 12”
Evolution of Form Factors (Cont)
1997
1999
2002
1995
2004
2004
1999
2010
Form Factor Documentation
ATX Specification Version 2.2, 2004 (Intel)
microATX Motherboard Interface
Specification Version 1.2, 2004 (Intel)
FlexATX Addendum Version 1.0 to microATX
Specification Version 1.0, 1999 (Intel)
Form Factor Documentation (Cont)
New Mini-ITX Mainboard
Specification White Paper, 2002 (Via)
Mini-ITX Addendum Version 2.0 to
the microATX Motherboard Interface
Specification Version 1.2, 2010 (Intel)
formfactors.org
Backwards Compatibility
Form
Factor
Standard
ATX
Form Factors
Mother
Power
board
Supply
Chassis
ATX
ATX
ATX
Backwards
Compatibile
ATX+
ATX
MicroATX microATX SFX/TFX microATX
ATX+
ATX
FlexATX FlexATX SFX/TFX FlexATX
ATX+
ATX
Mini-ITX Mini-ITX SFX/TFX Mini-ITX
Older ATX
Modern - ATX
ATX Layout
IO Ports
Power
Connector
Expansion
Slots
microATX
Flex-ATX
ATX versus Flex-ATX
Mini ITX
ATX Versus ITX
ATX Versus BTX
BTX Case
BTX Case (cont)
BTX Case (cont)
NLX Motherboard
NLX Motherboard (Cont)
Labs
• Lab 2 – Installing Windows 7 on your HP lab
computer
• Lab 3 – Installing Windows XP on your white
box lab computer.
Lab Teams
1
Ball
Aybar
Diaz
2
Smith
Cardwell
Hughes
5
Jones
Murphy
Nelson
3
4
Mathieu Brooks
Crozier Schubert
Parker
Leech
6
Magras
Iwanski
Miller
7
Kemp
Snow