ATX - What's the difference?
Nicolaus Bartels
Who can tell the difference between ATX- and non-ATX-mainboards and cases?
Do I inevitably need an ATX-case for a P-II mainboard? Is there any way to
make a P-II mainboard fit into a rather big non-ATX 19"-rack-style case?
Keith R. Williams
> Who can tell the difference between ATX- and non-ATX-mainboards and cases?
Looking down from the top of a desktop PC, and AT board will be
about 9" wide and 12" deep. A baby-AT about 9"x9". An ATX board
is 12" wide, by about 9" deep. Along the extra width in the ATX
board are the I/O connectors for the keyboard, mouse (both PS/2
style), printer, com ports, USB, maybe sound, and such. An AT
board will have all sorts of cables going to headers for these
functions.
> Do I inevitably need an ATX-case for a P-II mainboard?
Not necessarily, though I recommend it. There are PII boards out
there in an AT form factor, but your choices are limited.
> Is there any way to
> make a P-II mainboard fit into a rather big non-ATX 19"-rack-style case?
Probably not without a saw, drill, hammer, frustration, and maybe
some not-nice words. Most ATX cases will accomodate AT boards
though. Some AT boards also have ATX supply connections (yes
they're different) and some ATX boards also have AT connections.
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Keith R. Williams
k...@ibm.net