ATX -> Micro ATX?

Mez

Active Member
Hi everyone! I Have a big question before i buy the supplies for my new rig. I was just wondering if you could use an ATX power supply with a Micro ATX motherboard.
-Thanks, Mezna
 
yes and no.

the power connectors are the are the same size for both forms, but you have to make sure that you have all the right connectors. ATX/mATX boards come with a 20 or 24 pin main connector and a 4 or 8 pin secondary. so as long as the ATX power supply has matching connectors it will work. also there are power supply with 20+4 connectors that will work with both 20 and 24 pin main connectors. also 4+4 connectors, which work with 4 and 8 pin secondary connnectors.
 
MMezna said:
sorry for asking this, but then, how come they have Micro ATX power supplies?

the difference is the physical size of the power supply case. ATX power supplies are typically 6x3.5x5.5in while mircoATX are 5x3x4in. this would only be important if you have a small case that an ATX power supply wouldn't fit.
 
yes, and the reason they make those micro atx psu's is because they are designed to fit into micro atx cases(most well known case manufacturers still allow you to fit an atx psu into a micro atx case though)
 
yeah for tower cases its generally fine, but micro atx cases for media centres etc... generally need the smaller PSUs
 
Back
Top