Micro ATX Power Supply vs ATX | Power Up Your Computer

The power supply is the most important component of a computer as it provides power to all parts of the computer. It is mandatory that the power supply unit (PSU) needs to be compatible with the motherboard.

All the questions that came up to your head will be clear after reading this article. We have discussed the differences between the micro ATX power supply and the ATX power supply.

Also, you will be able to know whether the micro ATX PSU is compatible with the ATX motherboard or not after reading this article. So, let’s dig into it.

Similarities and Differences Between the Micro ATX and ATX Power Supplies

One thing you should know before differentiating between the ATX and the micro ATX is that all power supplies and motherboards follow the ATX scheme. So, there are no differences between the system of both types of PSU without the dimension.

The general size of an ATX PSU is 6” in width, 3.25” in height, and 5.5” in depth. On the other hand, the general size of a micro ATX PSU is 5” in width, 2.5” in height, and 4” in depth. However, it may vary to different models.

Both PSUs have a 24-pin motherboard connector. The input voltage for both PSUs is 100-240v AC and the total power of both PSUs is 450W.

As now you know the similarities and differences between these PSUs, now let’s see the PSU compatibility with the motherboard.

Compatibility Between the Micro ATX Power Supply and the ATX Motherboard

The manufacturer of power supplies and motherboards follow the most common standard which is ‘Advanced Technology eXtended’ or the ‘ATX’ for short. This is the reason why most of the motherboards are compatible with the power supply units.

ATX motherboards are completely compatible with the micro ATX PSUs. As you have learned from the above, the output voltage and power are the same with both PSUs, a micro ATX PSU can provide power to a bigger motherboard like ATX.

The micro ATX PSU can have 24-pin connectors for example, and your ATX motherboard features a 20-pin slot. You may afraid of connecting your motherboard with the PSU because of this.

We assure you that a 24-pin PSU can work perfectly with the 20-pin motherboard. You only need to buy an additional adapter to connect these two types of slots. Don’t worry, the amount of power will not be decreased using the adapter.

Bonus Tip: Check Whether Your PSU Is Compatible with Your Motherboard or Not

You can easily check if your PSU is compatible with your motherboard or not by going to this website – PCPARTPICKER.COM

What you need to do is:

• First, note the model name of your PSU and Motherboard.
• Then, go to the above website and click on ‘Start Your Build’.
• After that, click on choose power supply and motherboard.
• Now, a large list of power supplies and motherboards will appear before you and you need to select the item that you own or want to check.
• Then, simply scroll down this page and check the compatibility notes.
• Click on “view compatible power supplies”, if you are checking for a motherboard.
• Click on “view compatible motherboards”, if you are searching for a PSU.

You can also check the compatibility of other components of your PC easily with this technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ATX Power Supply Compatible with Micro ATX Board?

Yes, a micro ATX motherboard will work correctly with an ATX power supply and ATX case. ATX case has the standoff mounts which is for holding smaller motherboard as micro ATX. The connectors of the ATX PSU are also compatible with the connectors of the micro ATX motherboard.

Do the Micro ATX Case Needs a Smaller Power Supply?

The answer in short is – Yes and the detailed answer is: that it depends on the model and size of the case and the PSU. Almost all ATX PSU is compatible with the micro ATX motherboard. So, there is no problem with the size of the PSU. But it needs to consider whether the case has enough space to hold the power supply or not.

Can an ATX Power Supply Damage a Micro ATX Motherboard?

The myth that a large wattage power supply forces too much power to the components of a PC that causes overheating and burnout is completely wrong. A power supply only provides the needed wattage and it doesn’t matter whether it is an ATX or a micro ATX power supply.

For example, if you use a 250 watts power supply when your motherboard needs only 50 watts, then it will get only 50 watts from that power supply, not the entire 250 watts.

Which Power Supply Is Perfect for Micro ATX?

Micro ATX – Bronze 450W power supply is the perfect match for a micro ATX case. Again, it is fully compatible with the Intel and AMD CPUs and micro ATX motherboard. It also meets the standard PC configuration and requirements.

Conclusion

Many rookie PC builders often do the mistake of overlooking the power supply unit when it is one of the most critical parts of a computer. If you are planning to upgrade your PC, then you must consider matching the PSU and the motherboard carefully.

We hope you have understood the facts between the micro ATX power supply and ATX from this article. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, about this topic then please leave your precious comment below.