Mini-ITX Board Size: Dimensions, Standards, and Design Considerations

Table of Contents

Introduction to Mini-ITX Boards

Over the past two decades, Mini-ITX motherboards have become foundational to compact computing. Originally developed by VIA Technologies in 2001, this form factor has found success in everything from industrial automation to gaming PCs. You probably appreciate Mini-ITX boards for their standardization and wide availability of accessories.

Growing Use Cases

  • Industrial control panels needing low-profile enclosures
  • Digital signage systems with limited mounting depth
  • Edge computing applications requiring small footprints
  • Home theater PCs combining performance and silence

Market Growth

Recent studies (*Embedded Systems Market Report 2024*) indicate Mini-ITX adoption is increasing at an annual growth rate of 11% as companies pursue smaller, more efficient designs.

“Compact form factors like Mini-ITX have redefined embedded computing by combining standardized connectivity and robust mechanical interfaces.” — Senior Engineer, MiniITXBoard

In this guide, I will help you understand dimensions, standards, integration challenges, and future trends in detail.

Mini-ITX Board Size Specifications

The Mini-ITX board’s popularity stems largely from precise dimensional standards, which make it easy to integrate into a variety of enclosures and chassis.

Standard Dimensions

MetricSpecification
Width170 mm ±0.5 mm
Depth170 mm ±0.5 mm
PCB ThicknessTypically 1.6 mm
Mounting Holes4 holes, 6.35 mm pads

Mounting Hole Patterns

Mounting holes are precisely located 6.35 mm from the edges to ensure compatibility with ATX and SFX cases.

Torque Recommendations

Screw TypeTorque (N·m)
M30.5 – 0.6
6-320.8 – 1.0

Layer Stackup Considerations

  • 6-layer PCB common for signal integrity
  • 1 oz or 2 oz copper layers improve current carrying capacity
  • Dielectric spacing typically ~0.15 mm

Tip: For high-power designs, consider 2 oz copper layers to improve heat dissipation.

Height and Z-Dimension Considerations

While footprint defines compatibility, the board’s height profile determines whether components can fit inside low-profile cases.

CPU Cooler Clearance

  • Standard clearance in compact cases: 40–55 mm
  • Popular low-profile cooler: Noctua NH-L9i (37 mm)

Practical Example

If you plan to use a 1U rackmount chassis, ensure your heatsink is <40 mm tall, including fan.

Memory Module Height

Memory TypeMax Height (mm)
DIMM31
SO-DIMM30

Clearance above memory modules can be restricted by the power supply.

PCIe Card Heights

Card TypeMax Height
Full-height120 mm
Half-height69 mm
Low-profile64 mm

Always verify card brackets are properly matched to your enclosure.

Mechanical Integration Dimensions

Mounting, weight distribution, and connector placement affect reliability and serviceability.

Board Weight

  • Bare board: ~350g
  • Fully populated: ~600g

Antenna and Front Panel Connectors

Wireless modules require 2–3 cm clearance around antennas, while front-panel connectors must be accessible without cable strain.

Case Example

A digital signage integrator at MiniITXBoard routed antenna cables along the chassis edge to prevent EMI with the power delivery plane.

Electrical and Thermal Design Considerations

Power delivery and heat dissipation determine system stability and lifespan.

Power Connectors and Current

ConnectorPin CountMax Current per Pin
24-pin ATX246 A
4/8-pin EPS4/88–10 A

Thermal Management

  • Passive heatsinks are silent but may limit thermal margin.
  • Active coolers improve performance but add noise.

Cooling Method Comparison

MethodNoise LevelThermal Efficiency
PassiveSilentModerate
ActiveLow–ModerateHigh

Impact of Board Size on System Integration

Compact boards create specific challenges when integrating storage, cables, and cooling.

Expansion Card Limitations

Most Mini-ITX boards have only one PCIe slot, sometimes electrically limited to x4 lanes.

Clearance Constraints

  • Vertical clearance often <60 mm in 1U cases
  • Cable bend radius requires special attention

Mechanical Interference Example

One client found their SATA cables obstructed airflow, raising CPU temperatures by 15°C. Proper routing resolved the issue.

Comparison with Other Form Factors

Mini-ITX offers an ideal balance of size and expandability.

Form FactorDimensionsExpansion Slots
Mini-ITX170×170 mm1 PCIe
Micro-ATX244×244 mmUp to 4 PCIe
Nano-ITX120×120 mm1 Mini-PCIe
Pico-ITX100×72 mm1 Mini-PCIe

Selecting the Right Mini-ITX Board

Your choice should align with your power, performance, and I/O requirements.

CPU Options

  • Intel Atom for low power
  • Intel Core for higher performance
  • AMD Ryzen Embedded for balanced workloads

Memory and Storage

Memory TypeMax Capacity
SO-DIMM64 GB
DIMM64 GB

Consider M.2 NVMe for fast storage.

Design Best Practices for Mini-ITX Systems

Follow these principles for reliability:

  • Use CFD tools to model airflow.
  • Choose PSUs rated for peak loads.
  • Route cables to minimize EMI.

Expect more integration in the same form factor:

  • Wi-Fi 6E and 10GbE onboard
  • Edge AI accelerators
  • Enhanced regulatory compliance

Q&A Section

Q1: Can I build a gaming PC on Mini-ITX?

A: Yes, but ensure cooling and GPU compatibility.

Q2: What about RAID support?

A: Many boards support RAID 0/1 via SATA or NVMe.

Q3: How much power does a build consume?

A: Typically 50–150W depending on components.

Q4: How do I choose a power supply?

A: Flex-ATX or SFX PSUs are recommended.

Q5: Are there expandability limits?

A: Yes—usually only one PCIe slot.

Q6: Is cooling difficult?

A: Not with proper planning and airflow.

Conclusion

Mini-ITX remains the gold standard for compact systems. By understanding the dimensions, thermal considerations, and power delivery, you can design reliable embedded and industrial solutions. For help choosing the right board or customizing your design, visit MiniITXBoard.

wen D
wen D

I studied computer engineering and have always been fascinated by circuit boards and embedded hardware. I love digging into how systems work at the board level and finding ways to make them run better and more reliably.

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