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Pico-ITX is a small computer motherboard measuring 3.9 inches by 2.8 inches, often used in media centers, car computers, and small home servers. It is the smallest form factor of the ITX family and features integrated components. Pico-ITX systems can be purchased as kits or fully assembled computers and typically cost less than $500. An updated version, pico-ITXe, was released in 2008 with improved features.
Pico-ITX is a size and shape specification for very small computer motherboards. Pico-ITX motherboards measure approximately 3.9 inches by 2.8 inches (10 cm by 7.2 mm), making them many times smaller than the motherboards found in most desktop computers. They are often used in custom media center computers, car computers, and small home servers.
The motherboard, also known as the motherboard, is the central circuit board of a personal computer. Personal computer (PC) motherboards come in standardized shapes and sizes, known as form factors. A form factor also specifies the location of the screws to secure the motherboard to a case.
The pico-ITX form factor is the smallest of a series of form factors developed by Very Innovative Architecture Technologies, a Taiwanese company that manufactures computer chips. The ITX form factor family consists of three standards: mini-ITX, nano-ITX, and pico-ITX. Mini-ITX is the largest of these standards and pico-ITX is the smallest.
This type of motherboard is tiny compared to almost all of its peers. The most common form factor for desktop computers, for example, is the Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) form factor. ATX motherboards measure 12 inches by 9.6 inches (30.5 cm by 24.4 cm) and are often used in traditional tower PCs. A computer with a pico-ITX, however, may be small enough to be hand-held.
Integrated components are used in pico-ITX motherboards. This means that major computer parts, such as the processor, are built into the motherboard and cannot be removed or replaced. Other chips in these systems specialize in video playback, making them popular choices for small home theater PCs.
Pico-ITX systems are often sold as kits and built by hobbyists, but it is possible to purchase a fully assembled computer based on this standard. These systems typically cost less than $500 US dollars. They come in a variety of cases, but usually contain only a few parts other than the motherboard.
In 2008, an update to the pico-ITX standard known as pico-ITXe was released. This release had updated features, such as more memory. Pico-ITXe retains the same small footprint as the pico-ITX form factor.
