"Walter R. Worth" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> On Monday, January 17, 2000 10:17 AM,  "Conor McNessa"
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > What form factor is the ASUS P3B-F? Is it ATX? Are all modern motherboards
> > ATX?
> >
>
> ATX vs. AT:  These two terms refer to form factor or overall design of a
> system. You must select the components that belong to either the ATX or the
> AT form. Remember the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the determining
> component the
> decides whether you are using an ATX or AT form. Basically, if you choose
> either an Intel Pentium II, III or the AMD K7 Athlon CPU's you must use an
> ATX motherboard and case. Intel Celeron CPU's come as slot 1(ATX) or a
> socket 370 (motherboards are available as AT or ATX). All other CPU's use an
> AT motherboard and case. HTH. :-)

In reality, the CPU doesn't care a bit if it is AT, ATX, or some other form
factor. It is just that ATX is the newest and most popular form factor for
modern PC's, so motherboards are designed almost exclusively in the ATX form
factor.

ATX provides several benefits over AT..

1.) Software control over power on/off. You will notice that an ATX system will
shut off the power after you do a shutdown from Windows.

2.) All of the common I/O connectors are integrated on the motherboard, serial,
parallel, USB. Instead of having to mount these connectors to the chassis and
run plug-in cables to the motherboard.

3.) The mounting of the motherboard is more standardized and more rugged.

4.) They are designed to improve cooling air flow around the CPU.


--
Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: [log in to unmask]
1601 Technology Drive
San Jose, Ca. 95110             Voice: (408)437-5254  FAX: (408)437-5246

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