CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)HardwareHard
A technician is building a high-performance workstation for video editing. The client specifically requests a motherboard that can support two CPUs for maximum processing power. Which of the following motherboard form factors is MOST likely to support dual-CPU configurations?
- AMicro-ATX
- BMini-ITX
- CE-ATX
- DATX
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. E-ATX
E-ATX (Extended ATX) motherboards are larger than standard ATX and are specifically designed to accommodate more features, including multiple CPU sockets, additional RAM slots, and more expansion slots, making them suitable for high-end workstations and servers.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Micro-ATX is a smaller form factor than ATX, typically for budget or small-to-mid-range systems, and does not support dual CPUs.
- B. Mini-ITX is a very small form factor, designed for compact systems, and does not support dual CPUs.
- D. Standard ATX motherboards are common for most desktop PCs and generally only support a single CPU.
Motherboard Form Factors
Standardized dimensions and layouts for motherboards, determining compatibility with cases, power supplies, and component capacity.
- ATX is common for desktops.
- Mini-ITX for compact builds.
- E-ATX for high-end workstations/servers (often dual CPU).
- Form factor dictates physical size and available features.
Memory trick: Size matters: E-ATX for extra power, compact for less tower.