FAQ-Computer-Upgrade

Motherboard-select
Question:

How do I determine if the motherboard I am interested in will fit in my case ?
Answer:

Motherboards designed for upgraders are usually standard AT or ATX style, or called form factor. If

your case is an AT case, tower or desktop, pick an AT-style motherboard. If it is an ATX, pick an

ATX board.
You can determine whether it is of ATX style by looking at back side of the computer without opening the case. The most common standard ATX layout of connectors should match the following picture partially or completely.

The picture on the right shows a similar layout at the bottom labelled as "ATX 2". These are three rear mounting plates side by side, comparing with two other form factors :
There is another old type of ATX layout, labelled as "ATX 1", going from left to right along the motherboard plane in one straight line:
Left: [9-pin serial] [PS/2 mouse] [PS/2 keyboard] [parallel port] [9-pin serial] :Right

For AT layout, labelled as "AT" on the top, there is only one AT keyboard, and sometimes right next to it, a PS/2 mouse, along the motherboard plane. Other connectors like VGA, serial etc. are not on this plane.
Sketch of rear view of an AT computer :

Note that it does not matter that your layout may fit the description just partially.
If it's a proprietary design, you can't


upgrade it without going back to the original manufacturer, to pay for an expensive upgrade, if available at all. In this case, you may well just replace the whole case to a standard ATX (ATX-2) and enjoy many choices of ATX motherboards available in the market.

Page 4


[ Back to home page ]