How "thick" can ATX motherboards be?
How "thick" can ATX motherboards be?
When building ATX systems with bulky parts like IO shields, VRM heatsinks, and decorative covers, there are typical height constraints based on board design and airflow needs. Most manufacturers set limits to ensure proper cooling and prevent overheating. Check the specific model’s documentation for exact specifications.
Retrieve the ATX standard and examine the hardware... it should reach at least the top of the IO shield plus a few millimeters. The IO shield fits inside a rectangular area, requiring a small metal enclosure around it. The next dimension would match the low-profile height of PCI/PCI-e cards; however, if you don’t intend vertical standing cards or any other cards, your system could be shorter. Some builders design boards for 1U racks, allowing placement in cabinets... 1U measures 1.75 inches or 44.45 mm.