2nd Trinal Assignment # 1: Motherboard Form Factors

Definition of: Baby AT motherboard A smaller version of the original AT motherboard used in the IBM PC/AT. Introduced in 1987, the Baby AT reduced width from 12" to 8.5". Although its maximum length was 13", most boards were only 9" or 10" long. The Baby AT was the first PC motherboard to build in sockets for I/O ports (serial, parallel, etc.), which were cabled to connectors on the back of the case. Widely used in 386, 486 and early Pentium PCs, the Baby AT was superseded by the ATX motherboard.

Definition of: AT motherboard A motherboard that follows the same design and 12x13" form factor that was in the original IBM PC/AT. It was superseded by the Baby AT.

Definition of: ATX motherboard (Advanced Technology EXtended motherboard) The PC motherboard that superseded the Baby AT design. The ATX layout rotated the CPU and memory 90 degrees, allowing full-length expansions to be plugged into all sockets. The power supply blows air over the CPU rather than pulling air through the chassis.Introduced in 1995, the ATX was the first PC motherboard to not only include I/O support (serial, parallel, mouse, etc.), but to place all the connectors directly on the motherboard. Prior to the ATX, only the keyboard connector was attached to the motherboard.Numerous variations of the ATX were subsequently introduced with both smaller and larger form factors, including the microATX, Mini ATX, FlexATX and Extended ATX (see PC motherboards).

Definition of: LPX motherboard (Low-Profile EXtended motherboard) A low-profile PC motherboard for slimline cases, introduced in 1997 by Western Digital. Unlike boards for desktop and tower cases that hold the expansion cards perpendicular to the board, cards plug into a riser card on the LPX and are parallel with the board. Having a 9" width, the Mini LPX version decreased the length from 13" to 11". See PC motherboards.

Definition of: NLX motherboard (New Low-Profile EXtended motherboard) A low-profile PC motherboard from Intel for slimline cases, introduced in 1987. Unlike boards for desktop and tower cases that hold the expansion cards perpendicular to the board, cards plug into a riser card on the NLX and are parallel with the board. See PC motherboards.