What is an STX Motherboard?
The STX motherboard form factor is a small form factor that stands for Small Form Factor Technology eXtended. It was developed by Intel to address the needs of small form factor PCs and compact devices.
STX motherboards are smaller than traditional ATX motherboards, typically measuring around 6 inches by 6 inches, making them ideal for small form factor PCs and other compact devices. They are designed to support the latest Intel processors and chipsets and offer a range of connectivity options.
One of the main advantages of STX motherboards is their small size, which allows them to be used in a wide range of applications where space is limited. They are also more energy-efficient compared to larger motherboards, which can help to reduce power consumption and extend battery life.
Overall, the STX motherboard form factor is a compact and energy-efficient solution for small form factor industrial PCs and other compact devices. It offers a range of connectivity options and support for the latest processors and chipsets, making it a versatile and powerful solution for a wide range of applications including robotics, automation and intelligent transport.
Mini STX vs Micro STX
The main difference between Mini STX and Micro STX motherboards is the size of their form factor. Micro STX motherboards are larger, measuring 6.7 inches by 6.7 inches (170mm x 170mm), while mini STX motherboards are smaller, measuring 5.8 inches by 5.5 inches (147mm x 140mm).
Mini STX
Mini STX (147mm x 140mm) motherboards are designed to support the latest Intel processors and chipsets and offer a range of connectivity options such as USB, HDMI and Ethernet. They do not have an MXM slot, which limits the use of discrete graphics card which limits graphical performance and machine learning acceleration.
Micro STX
On the other hand, Micro STX (170mm x 170mm) motherboards are slightly bigger and have an MXM slot, which allows the use of discrete graphics card, providing improved graphical performance and machine learning acceleration, making them ideal for applications such as gaming and medical imaging.
Where Would you use an STX Motherboard?
STX motherboards are well-suited for industrial use because of their small form factor, low power consumption and wide range of connectivity options. Here are a few examples of industrial applications where STX motherboards can be used:
- Robotics: STX boards can be used in robotics applications, such as industrial robots and autonomous vehicles. They are small and compact and can support a wide range of connectivity options, making them ideal for controlling the movement and actions of robots.
- Industrial Automation: STX boards can be used in industrial automation systems, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. They are small and energy-efficient and can support a wide range of connectivity options, making them ideal for these applications.
- Intelligent transportation systems: STX boards can be used in intelligent transportation systems, such as traffic control systems, GPS tracking systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems.
- Building Automation: STX boards can be used in building automation systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting control systems and security systems.
- Medical equipment: STX boards can be used in medical equipment such as diagnostic imaging equipment, patient monitoring systems and surgical robots. Micro STX motherboards with MXM slot can provide improved graphical performance and machine learning acceleration, making them ideal for these applications.
- Industrial IoT: STX boards can be used in industrial IoT applications, such as sensor networks, remote monitoring systems and predictive maintenance systems. They are small, energy-efficient and can support a wide range of connectivity options, making them ideal for these applications.
In summary, STX motherboards are well-suited for industrial use due to their small form factor, low power consumption and wide range of connectivity options. They can be used in a wide range of industrial applications such as robotics, industrial automation, intelligent transportation systems, building automation, medical equipment and industrial IoT.
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If you’re looking for a small form factor motherboard solution for your next design project, look no further! At BVM, we offer a range of STX boards to fit your specific needs. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology and improve your design project. Click here to view our range of STX boards and see how we can help you achieve your goals.
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