Mini-ITX Addendum Version 2.0
To the microATX Motherboard
Interface Specification Version 1.2
October 2010
IMPLIED, ORAL OR WRITTEN,
1. INTEL CORPORATION (“INTEL”) MAKES NO WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS
SPECIFICATION (“SPECIFICATION”), AND IN PARTICULAR DOES NOT WARRANT OR
REPRESENT THAT THIS SPECIFICATION OR ANY PRODUCTS MADE
IN
CONFORMANCE WITH IT WILL WORK IN THE INTENDED MANNER. NOR DOES
INTEL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERRORS THAT THE SPECIFICATION
MAY CONTAIN OR HAVE ANY LIABILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS FOR DAMAGES
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHETHER ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THE USE OFTHIS SPECIFICATION IN ANY WAY.
2. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE MADE THAT ANY PRODUCT
BASED IN WHOLE OR IN PART ON THE ABOVE SPECIFICATION WILL BE FREE FROM
DEFECTS OR SAFE FOR USE FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. ANY PERSON MAKING,
USING OR SELLING SUCH PRODUCT DOES SO AT HIS OR HER OWN RISK.
3. THE USER OF THIS SPECIFICATION HEREBY EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
THE SPECIFICATION
IS PROVIDED AS IS, AND THAT INTEL MAKES NO
REPRESENTATIONS, EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR
INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY OR
REPRESENTATION THAT THE SPECIFICATION OR ANY PRODUCT OR TECHNOLOGY
UTILIZING THE SPECIFICATION OR ANY SUBSET OF THE SPECIFICATION WILL BE
FREE FROM ANY CLAIMS OF INFRINGEMENT OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
INCLUDING PATENTS, COPYRIGHT AND TRADE SECRETS NOR DOES INTEL
ASSUME ANY OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE
SPECIFICATION OR SUCH PRODUCTS.
4. YOU MAY COPY AND REPRODUCE THIS SPECIFICATION FOR ANY PURPOSE
PROVIDED THIS “IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMERS” SECTION
(PARAGRAPHS 1-4) IS PROVIDED IN WHOLE ON ANY COPIES YOUR MAKE. NO
OTHER LICENSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY ESTOPPEL OR OTHERWISE, TO ANY
OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IS GRANTED HEREIN.
Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Copyright ®2010 Intel Corporation
2
Contents
Revision History ..................................................................................................................... 4
1
2
3
Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 5
1.1
Terminology ........................................................................................... 6
Reference Documents .............................................................................. 6
1.2
Benefits to Users .................................................................................... 6
1.3
1.4
Benefits to Manufacturers ........................................................................ 6
Layout .............................................................................................................. 8
Board Dimensions ................................................................................... 9
2.1
Mounting Hole Placement ......................................................................... 9
2.2
Connector Placement .............................................................................. 11
2.3
2.3.1
Thin Mini-ITX Back Panel I/O ...................................................... 11
Height Constraints ................................................................................. 11
Mini-ITX: Primary (Component) Side Height Constraints ................ 11
2.4.1
Thin Mini-ITX: Primary (Component) Side Height Constraints ......... 12
2.4.2
2.4.3
Secondary (Bottom/Solder) Side Height Constraints ..................... 14
Thin Mini-ITX System Considerations .......................................... 14
2.4.4
2.4
Power Supply Information .................................................................................. 16
Figures
Tables
Figure 1. Example Mini-ITX Layout for SFF Desktop .............................................. 8
Figure 2. ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX Mounting Holes.......................................... 9
Figure 3. Mini-ITX Board Diagram ...................................................................... 10
Figure 4. Thin Mini-ITX Back Panel I/O ............................................................... 11
Figure 5. Mini-ITX Maximum Component Height Restrictions ................................. 12
Figure 6. Thin Mini-ITX Maximum Component Height Restrictions .......................... 14
Table 1. Mini-ITX Addendum Feature Summary .................................................... 5
Table 2. Compares ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX Board Dimensions ........................ 9
Table 3. Motherboard Mounting Hole Locations .................................................... 10
3
Revision History
Revision
Number
Description
Revision Date
2.0
Added Thin Mini-ITX definition.
Oct, 2010
1.1
Minor corrections made. Title changed to:
Feb, 2009
‘Mini-ITX Addendum Version 1.1 To the microATX
Motherboard Interface Specification Version 1.2’
to reflect full name of mATX document name.
1.0
Initial release.
Feb, 2009
§
4
1
Executive Summary
The Mini-ITX addendum to the microATX Motherboard Interface Specification details
the use the Mini-ITX form factor standard, developed by Via Technologies Inc, for
compatibility with Intel based platforms. This document defines only the specific
features in Intel’s Mini-ITX based platforms that differ from those of microATX and
should be used in conjunction with the governing microATX specification.
A smaller motherboard layout offers system developers the ability to create new and
innovative system designs. This smaller version of microATX allows and encourages
developers to build within the sub 8 liter chassis volume for a variety of new
applications.
Described within this document are requirements and characteristics of a Mini-ITX
motherboard, so that a motherboard may function and fit appropriately when paired
with a Mini-ITX chassis. Beyond this, it does not detail processor, memory, graphics
or other system features required to meet the Mini-ITX form factor. These items are
left to system designers and integrators within the guidelines of the microATX
specification.
A further refinement of Mini-ITX boards is the Thin Mini-ITX board definition. Its
smaller size enables system integrators to integrate sub-4 liter systems, such as Tiny
PCs and All-In-One PCs, using a standard building block approach.
Table 1. Mini-ITX Addendum Feature Summary
Feature
Benefit
170mm x 170mm motherboard size
Mini-ITX: Standard microATX 1.2 or later I/O
panel
Thin Mini-ITX: A Mini-ITX board targeted for
smaller system form factors with a 20mm tall
PCB and component volumetric, and a 1” back
panel I/O height
Smaller board size enables a smaller system
size.
ATX I/O shield does not need to be retooled.
Motherboard can be used in an ATX, microATX,
or Mini-ITX chassis.
A Thin Mini-ITX board can use a thin back
panel I/O shield when targeted for Tiny PCs
and AIOs. The same board can be used in a
Mini-ITX, microATX, and ATX chassis when
used with a regular ATX I/O shield.
Same motherboard mounting holes as in
microATX
Compatible with microATX chassis. No need to
retool current chassis.
Current processor and future processor
technologies
Chassis will work for multi generation socketed
processor technology.
This addendum does NOT define:
Specific power supply form factors
Thermal design guidance to chassis vendors (covered in TASC guide listed in
Reference Documents)
5
The Mini-ITX Addendum To the microATX Motherboard Interface Specification is a
public document intended for widespread application in many types of systems. It is
available through a public website located at:
http://www.formfactors.org
1.1
Terminology
Term
Description
Small Form Factor (SFF) 8-19 liter chassis (IDC* definition)
Ultra SFF (uSFF)
4-8 liter chassis (IDC* definition)
Tiny PC
Less than 4 liter chassis (IDC* definition)
All-In-One (AIO) PC
An All-In-One is a desktop PC with a display built into the main
computing unit (IDC* definition)
1.2
Reference Documents
The following reference documents are posted on the public web site at:
http://www.formfactors.org
Document
microATX Motherboard Interface Specification Version 1.2
SFX 12V Power Supply Design Guide
TFX 12V Power Supply Design Guide
Thermally Advantaged Small Chassis or TASC [pronounced ‘task’] (Thermal Design Guide)
1.3
Benefits to Users
Trends in the industry indicate that users require a smaller and lower cost solution for
their PC needs. Mini-ITX’s smaller board size and lower height keep-out zones enable
a reduced sized chassis as it sits on the user’s desk, is mounted on a display, or
comes in any other innovative form factor. These changes also enable a PC to be
designed into various aesthetic shapes and sizes. The Thin Mini-ITX board variation
leverages Mini-ITX’s advantages, while enabling even thinner systems.
1.4
Benefits to Manufacturers
By manufacturing to the standard or thin variations of the Mini-ITX specification,
motherboard manufacturers and chassis manufacturers can guarantee a better
6
compatibility between their products. They can also capitalize on the benefits of a
reduction in total system costs because of a reduced system size. This specification
allows chassis vendors to design their product targeting the soldered down, low power
processors all the way up to high performance, multi-core processors. It eliminates
the need for them to design targeted chassis for each platform.
§
7
2
Layout
This section describes the mechanical specifications of the Mini-ITX and Thin Mini-ITX
form-factor motherboards. Size, mounting hole placement, connector placement, and
component height constraints are specified. System components such as hard drives,
disk drives, and power supplies are not specified; however, it is generally
recommended to consider what would facilitate assembly, as well as not place
components such that they block fan inlets. An example layout is depicted in Figure
1.
Thin Mini-ITX is a variant of standard Mini-ITX and shares most of the same
requirements. Requirements are only different where new specifications are
specifically defined for Thin Mini-ITX.
Figure 1. Example Mini-ITX Layout for SFF Desktop
NOTE: Depicted system is approximately 8L with standard desktop components.
8