Pros/cons of MITX vs MATX?

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kedaphy

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I've read that the main difference between MITX and MATX are the limitations of upgrade, and that MITX parts tends to be more pricey. For me personally, I don't really need a super high-end GPU, normal sized is fine for me. Also don't need more than two sticks of RAM, or more than 2 HDD + 1 SSD in the foreseeable future. I'm comparing the two rigs and they're almost the same price, MITX is $20 more expensive.

So in your opinion, what are some pros and cons for MITX vs MATX? :)

These are my two builds, MITX and MATX respectively.

MITX
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($85.00)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers ($33.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $682.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-20 12:36 EDT-0400]MITX[/url]


MATX
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($55.75 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($85.00)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers ($33.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $661.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-20 12:37 EDT-0400]MATX[/url]
 
Solution
Wolfshadw
In general, the Mini-ITX form-factor allows for a smaller case/more portability and a smaller footprint. for limited desktop space. The Micro-ATX form-factor allow for more expansion add-on cards and typically, more drive bays. Of course, it does have a larger footprint and is more difficult to transport.

Beyond that, there's not significant differences that don't come down to specific models.

-Wolf sends
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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In general, the Mini-ITX form-factor allows for a smaller case/more portability and a smaller footprint. for limited desktop space. The Micro-ATX form-factor allow for more expansion add-on cards and typically, more drive bays. Of course, it does have a larger footprint and is more difficult to transport.

Beyond that, there's not significant differences that don't come down to specific models.

-Wolf sends
 
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Solution
K

kedaphy

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Fair point. A better MATX mobo would be like $100ish? but that just turns the tables on price, making the MATX more expensive than MITX by some $30

The reason why I went with z97 on MITX is because it has wifi, a b85 chipset is $75, and I'd have to buy a separate wifi adapter. So obviously the choice is the z97 here. For MATX, my planned build isn't very powerful, I think a B85 is sufficient (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). I just tried to choose the part that saves me the most money while giving me the most bang for my buck.

 
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K

kedaphy

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In that case, I might go for a MITX then. The idea of a tiny shoebox-sized desktop is becoming more appealing to me the more I think bout it.

Do you have any comments on my choice of parts? :)

Ah also, I'm assuming the MITX will be harder to put together? I'm a pretty new builder.
 
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TechyInAZ

TechyInAZ

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MITX is defiantly harder, however the CM 130 Elite is a pretty good case to work with. I've built 2 systems so far with it, here's one of them: http://pcpartpicker.com/b/PKVYcf
 
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kedaphy

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Very nice. Any idea of how it'll go if you had put a GPU in there? How did you optimize cable management?

 
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TechyInAZ

TechyInAZ

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GPU will be easy (make sure it isn't very high), as for cable management you can't do much. But you can attach the wires to the support bars on the case to tidy stuff up as much as you can.

Also ALWAYS get all/semi modular PSU's for Mini ITX. without modular it's an absolute headache to do anything nice in a small chassis.
 
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K

kedaphy

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I see what you mean on the PSU. I originally was gonna go with the CX430 too, it was on discount at 22.50, but I read that Corsair isn't such a great PSU brand anymore? This is how the non-modular SeaSonic PSU I chose looks like, there aren't as many wires as a regular higher wattage PSU, and they seem fairly short:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules/NDReviews/images/SeasonicG360/DSCF7420.JPG

Do you think I might be able to squeeze it in? I'm already over my original budget, so I'm hesitant to pay higher for modular, but I still want a really good efficient PSU.
 
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TechyInAZ

TechyInAZ

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That non modular is still gona be a little tough, Especially for a new builder. I highly suggest just eating the extra cash on the bronze 520W semi modular PSU.

The corsair CX PSUs are good only for extremely low wattage non GPU builds like I did.
 
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