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We have seen so many fan boy threads / flame wars going on and on in almost every other thread.
I thought I'll start some discussion that might be useful to some of us.
I would like to talk about Micro-ATX vs ATX systems.
I have been building computers for my self and friends for more than 12 years.
I would have built atleast 200 + systems.
I have some unique tastes and ways of building my systems (compared to what every one does).
I always use Micro-ATX motherboards for several reasons.
I always use no add-on cards. Micro-ATX mother boards have every thing
on board and I don't see a need for any add-on card. May be an occasional
wireless card and that's about it.
I don't play games. so, onboard graphics has always served me well. I have
never felt the need for add-on graphics. If I have to, all boards have 16x
slot and I can always add a graphics card. I understand there is no SLI or
cross fire available in Micro-Atx, but then how many of us here run 2 gfx cards
any way?.
I also don't spend money on high end audio cards with 7/8 channel output.
All we need is a digital audio out (coax or spdif) and let your
audio receiver do all the processing. Exception cases may be people who have
multi channel speakers that doesn't have any DD / DTS processing. How many of us have
multi channel speakers connected to our main PC?.
I do over clocking just for fun to see how far I can take the processor and generally
set it back to stock with every possible power saving feature enabled. I have even
underclocked my HTPC. With this, the processor fan spins at less than 1000 RPM or even switches
off lot of times. And you know what, for my needs, the stock HSF does a great job.
One reason we don't see MATX boards with good overcloking features is because the MATX market is not
as big as ATX market and the motherboard manufacturers don't dedicate as much resources
for MATX. If more people start using MATX, I am sure we'll start seeing MATX boards
with better overclocking features. Besides, how many of us run our over clocked processors
at 100% load 24/7 ?.
I just use one DVD drive. I never understood the concept of having 4 / 5 / 6 external
5.25 inch drive bays. how many of you use more than 2 DVD drives?. Most MATX cases have
2 5.25 drive bays.
I have 4 750GB drives in a MATX case. How many of us need more than 3TB of storage ?.
If you have only one or two hard drives there are even small / compact desktop style
cases which are even more space saving.
I pay a lot of attention to cable routing inside the PC and air flow has never been a
problem. In fact I even close the side vents with packing tape and the ony way air enters
is through the front of the case. Most of the times I don't even have rear exhaust fans
and leave the system with just the power supply's exhaust and that has been more than enough.
I also the mod the power supply fan to run on 7v to have a silent system. And the power supply
that comes free with the case (around 300w) has served me well too. I have had just one case
where the power supply failed after 3 years in one of my friend's system.
All of these also saves me lot of money and still I have the processing power when needed.
Why not try a compact / powerful / silent / good looking / cost saving
MATX system for your next build?.
Let us see what you guys have to say on this.
should be on the motherboard section...