What is an ATX Case?
An Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX) case is a computer case made to ATX industry standards. The ATX standard is a format for manufacturers of computer hardware that ensures interoperability. The ATX case will accommodate an ATX power supply and ATX motherboard. The ATX case grew out of shortcomings of prior standards, namely the AT and Baby AT standards. As technology has improved, many significant changes have been made in hardware that required a newer style case. The ATX case is the natural evolution in computer case design. For example, component-laden computers require more power today than they did in the early 1990s, and more cooling capability. Power supplies and power schemes have become more powerful and efficient. An ATX case often comes with a power supply, or the consumer can purchase an ATX power supply separately, knowing it will work in any ATX case. The back of the ATX case has also changed to accommodate ATX motherboards with built-in ports that drop into place to f
First off, make sure your case IS one. It will make your life much simpler. An ATX Factor case orients the motherboard so that more room is available for component expansion.It also places the parts that produce the most heat, namely the memory and CPU next to the power supply for better cooling. You’ll also need an ATX case to take advantage of the advanced power management features found in todays computers. Basically all computers sold today are of the ATX variety. AT cases are only available as surplus, sold to Do-It-Yourself bargain hunters, or used as Bait-and-Switch fodder to help unscrupulous dealers push a more expensive system. All cases sold at BuildYourOwnComputer.Net are of the ATX variety.
