The ATX (Advanced Technology extended) standard is a specification for computer power supplies and motherboards. It was developed by Intel and first introduced in 1995. The ATX standard has since evolved, with various revisions and updates over the years. The primary purpose of the ATX standard is to define the form factor and electrical requirements for power supplies and motherboards, ensuring compatibility between different components. Here are some key features and specifications of the ATX power supply standard:
Form Factor: The ATX power supply typically has a rectangular shape with dimensions of approximately 150mm width, 140mm depth, and 86mm height. This form factor allows for easy installation in standard computer cases.
Connectors: The ATX power supply uses several connectors to provide power to different components. The main power connector is a 24-pin ATX connector, which supplies power to the motherboard. Additionally, there are various other connectors, including 4-pin and 8-pin CPU power connectors, SATA power connectors for hard drives and SSDs, peripheral power connectors (Molex), and PCI Express power connectors for graphics cards.
Power Capacity: ATX power supplies come in various wattage ratings, ranging from lower capacities suitable for basic office PCs to higher capacities for gaming rigs and workstations. The wattage rating indicates the maximum power output the power supply can provide to the components.
Voltage Rails: ATX power supplies provide different voltage rails, including +3.3V, +5V, and +12V. These rails supply power to various components like the motherboard, CPU, memory, drives, and peripherals.
Efficiency Rating: ATX power supplies are often rated for efficiency, expressed as a percentage. The efficiency rating indicates how effectively the power supply converts AC power from the wall outlet into DC power for the components. Higher efficiency ratings mean less wasted energy as heat and are generally desirable.
Safety Features: ATX power supplies incorporate various safety features, such as overvoltage protection (OVP), undervoltage protection (UVP), overcurrent protection (OCP), short circuit protection (SCP), and over-temperature protection (OTP). These features help protect the components and prevent damage in case of electrical faults.
It's worth noting that the ATX standard has seen revisions and updates over time, with the latest major revision being ATX12VO (ATX 12 Volt Only). ATX12VO power supplies focus on increasing efficiency and reducing power wastage by eliminating the -12V and 5V standby rails. This revision aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce the overall power consumption of PC systems. Overall, the ATX standard has played a crucial role in standardizing power supplies and motherboards, allowing for compatibility and ease of use in building and upgrading computer systems.
