Full ATX vs Mini ITX

[Dude]

Hey guys,

 

I am considering moving down a few form factors to Micro ITX. Here's why:

 

- I find Mini ITX more aesthetically pleasing

 

I don't know why but I would love a Mini ITX build in an Obsidian 250D.

 

- Portability

 

My PC is moving rooms soon so it would be nice if I could more easily move my PC from one place to another or next to my TV when I am ill.

 

- Size

 

I would like a bit more room what with my desk itself being so tiny

 

- Price

 

Mini ITX is naturally cheaper from what I have seen. Cases and motherboards and some Mini ITX based GPUs are cheaper than their Micro ATX and Full ATX counterparts so upgrades generally are cheaper.

 

But I do love the look of giant cases such as 900D's and water cooling is something I want to do soon so Mini ITX might be questionable as such.

 

What do you think guys? Mini ITX or ATX?

[LukaP]

mITX. there is a certain appeal in supermini but powerful builds

[prolemur]

Mini ITX only supports one graphics card. So if you wanted to watercool only a 240mm radiator would be necessary to cool both processors.

Maximum of 16GB RAM, with 8GB DIM's.

Other than that they are very similar to ATX boards and it's just those physical limitations "holding them back".

 

I'm about to finish up my ITX build and am very excited

[Speedyv]

Less features and not as OC friendly.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Hey guys,

 

I am considering moving down a few form factors to Micro ITX. Here's why:

 

- I find Mini ITX more aesthetically pleasing

 

I don't know why but I would love a Mini ITX build in an Obsidian 250D.

 

- Portability

 

My PC is moving rooms soon so it would be nice if I could more easily move my PC from one place to another or next to my TV when I am ill.

 

- Size

 

I would like a bit more room what with my desk itself being so tiny

 

- Price

 

Mini ITX is naturally cheaper from what I have seen. Cases and motherboards and some Mini ITX based GPUs are cheaper than their Micro ATX and Full ATX counterparts so upgrades generally are cheaper.

 

But I do love the look of giant cases such as 900D's and water cooling is something I want to do soon so Mini ITX might be questionable as such.

 

What do you think guys? Mini ITX or ATX?

ATX. I built in a BitFenix Prodigy for my first build. I cried (seriously, it was so damn frustrating, I even have small hands!) and had to quit for a few minutes and look up a few vids on how to fit everything in there...

 

Building in ATX is much more relaxing, honestly. I like the looks of the Fractal Arc Midi and NZXT everything so ATX goes my vote. 

 

I do have size restrictions myself (small desks) but I wouldn't go less than Micro ATX as everything gets cramped and kinda limited in upgradeability.

[-TesseracT-]

I've thought about this a lot. But I've decided against it as things are right now.

A mini ITX build is not as cool to show off to your friends.

You can't have to GPU's. 295x2 is watercooled and AMD (want nvidia, yeah bring on the hate), and titan z is expensive, doesn't perform the same as two 980's and isn't as efficient overall.

I don't need to have a small build when you're talking about space constraints.

It wouldn't be quiet.

[Deli]

Not everyone has the same need. I don't understand why some people try to talk the OP out of building the machine he desires. 

 

If someone has no plan to run triple monitors or 4K(at this moment). A Gigabyte GTX970-mini can run almost any game really well at 1080p. I'd say this to OP,"Go ahead, build your dream PC." 

[Dude]

Not everyone has the same need. I don't understand why some people try to talk the OP out of building the machine he desires. 

 

If someone has no plan to run triple monitors or 4K(at this moment). A Gigabyte GTX970-mini can run almost any game really well at 1080p. I'd say this to OP,"Go ahead, build your dream PC."

LTT needs more people like you.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Personally I love mITX though if you go for portability I mean my 250D is pretty heavy with my stuff. I'm pretty sure a full atx C70 would be more portable imo.

[ROK]

mATX is always there for in-between

I'd go mATX unless you're building in the ncase M1/EVGA hadron air.

[prolemur]

mATX is always there for in-between

I'd go mATX unless you're building in the ncase M1/EVGA hadron air.

woot woot

[Anaphor]

I'd go MITX, I really love my system and it does take up a lot less room so you can keep it on your desk and off of the floor. IMO it's pretty cool having a small rig with great performance.

Plus, I recon you could get a pretty sweet custom loop in a 250d if you're interested in water cooling.

[I/O]

IMHO Mini ITX is ridiculous as you have to sacrifice to many features and future upgrade paths all to have a smaller size. I think Mini ITX is an extremely niche product and superseded by Micro ATX which is really as low as you should go without sacrificing to much on features and upgrade paths.

[79wjd]

IMHO Mini ITX is ridiculous as you have to sacrifice to many features and future upgrade paths all to have a smaller size. I think Mini ITX is an extremely niche product and superseded by Micro ATX which is really as low as you should go without sacrificing to much on features and upgrade paths.

The only sacrifice you truly make by going mITX is you lose the ability for multiple GPU configs, which a LOT of people never do. 

 

Although, I will agree; I'd opt for mATX over mITX as mATX can be quite small and still leave you with the option to go SLI/XFIRE. 

[I/O]

The only sacrifice you truly make by going mITX is you lose the ability for multiple GPU configs, which a LOT of people never do. 

 

Although, I will agree; I'd opt for mATX over mITX as mATX can be quite small and still leave you with the option to go SLI/XFIRE. 

They got some pretty cool little ITX cases um makes me want to do an ITX build now just cause LOL

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811205011

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112406

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139047

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112434

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112348

[Hansell]

Actually ITX motherboard seems little bit expensive then ATX or mATX with same features,

on the other hand I choose ITX because its smaller size and I do not plan to to SLI or fit 360mm rad in my rig

so it depends on your planning

[I/O]

Actually ITX motherboard seems little bit expensive then ATX or mATX with same features,

on the other hand I choose ITX because its smaller size and I do not plan to to SLI or fit 360mm rad in my rig

so it depends on your planning

With standard sizes at leased you would have the opinion should you so choose to change you mind.

[Hansell]

They got some pretty cool little ITX cases um makes me want to do an ITX build now just cause LOL

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811205011

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112406

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139047

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112434

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112348

Love them, I also like the looks of slim cases one , but my concern is how hot it can be in there without proper design slim cases can be disaster

I still prefer cube case with it's better airflow , on the other hand I believe Lian-li will be releases one kind of slim cases with open-air design (can't find them)

[I/O]

Love them, I also like the looks of slim cases one , but my concern is how hot it can be in there without proper design slim cases can be disaster

I still prefer cube case with it's better airflow , on the other hand I believe Lian-li will be releases one kind of slim cases with open-air design (can't find them)

The tall Lian Li is really classy looking with a hint of understated modest quality. I love modest and I love quality.

 

Linus looked like he was on a crack binge in this video LOLO.

[Sicarius]

I think mItx is too limited in terms of upgrade choices. If you don't plan to upgrade this at all and it is for general web browsing etc then sure; but what happens if you fancy more RAM, or a second GPU?

[Hansell]

With standard sizes at leased you would have the opinion should you so choose to change you mind.

grrrr...... so many typo my brain hurt try to read it 

on the other hand, you have a point

[79wjd]

I think mItx is too limited in terms of upgrade choices. If you don't plan to upgrade this at all and it is for general web browsing etc then sure; but what happens if you fancy more RAM, or a second GPU?

Well, most people never go with more than one GPU anyway, plus you can just upgrade to a single better card down the road. As for ram, its just not a big deal, 8gb will be enough for a decent bit longer, and 16gb will be more than enough for long after the rest of the rig needs updating anyway. And you can just get a single 8gb stick leaving you room to add a second one.

[Sicarius]

Well, most people never go with more than one GPU anyway, plus you can just upgrade to a single better card down the road. As for ram, its just not a big deal, 8gb will be enough for a decent bit longer, and 16gb will be more than enough for long after the rest of the rig needs updating anyway. And you can just get a single 8gb stick leaving you room to add a second one.

Suppose you're right; although I always like having the option just in case. All comes down to how OP is about upgradeability etc.

[Dude]

Suppose you're right; although I always like having the option just in case. All comes down to how OP is about upgradeability etc.

 

I do like to upgrade whenever necessary and possible to be honest. For example, there was a great deal on an 840 EVO and now it's my boot drive =)