Does Size matter?
Does Size matter?
In your theoretical example, both options turn out identical. However, typically there are reasons why motherboards vary in size—mainly to add features. A larger motherboard offers more surface area, which improves airflow (though built-in active and passive cooling also significantly affects thermal performance).
okay let me resay what i meant derp lol. If you all you need is one PCIe slot 2 slots for ram, 1 sata for a HD and one nvme ssd slot would the size matter then?
You may only require this at the moment; the ATX model is likely to offer additional headers and ports, enabling future expansion or upgrades.
The situation varies by model, and features aren't consistent across all variants. For instance, the B450 Mortar max offers two M.2 slots, whereas the Tomahawk Max provides just one. Adding another M.2 slot might be more valuable than a PCIe connection.
again the main factor besides the minor thermal benefit is not a standard measure for comparing boards. Most full-sized ATX boards offer superior VRM, though some compact models can outperform larger, bulkier ones in certain aspects. It really comes down to specifications—compare the details rather than just size unless it matters for fitting your existing case.
Choose a solid budget CPU like the Ryzen 5 3600X itself for immediate performance.