WTX (for Workstation Technology Extended[citation needed]) was a motherboardform factor specification introduced by Intel at the IDF in September 1998, for its use at high-end, multiprocessor, multiple-hard-disk servers and workstations. The specification had support from major OEMs (Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intergraph, NEC, Siemens Nixdorf, and UMAX) and motherboard manufacturers (Acer, Asus, Supermicro and Tyan) and was updated (1.1) in February 1999. As of 2008[update], the specification has been discontinued and the URL www.wtx.org no longer hosts a website and has not been owned by Intel since at least 2004.
This form factor was geared specifically towards the needs of high-end systems, and included specifications for a WTX power supply unit (PSU) using two WTX-specific 24-pin and 22-pin Molex connectors.
The WTX specification was created to standardize a new motherboard and chassis form factor, fix the relative processor location, and allow for high volume airflow through a portion of the chassis where the processors are positioned. This allowed for standard form factor motherboards and chassis to be used to integrate processors with more demanding thermal management requirements.
Bigger than ATX, maximum WTX motherboard size was 14×16.75in (356×425mm). This was intended to provide more room in order to accommodate higher numbers of integrated components.
WTX computer cases were backwards compatible with ATX motherboards (but not vice versa), and sometimes came equipped with ATX power supplies.
See also
eATX: a version of ATX which has a form factor of 304.8×330.2mm (12×13in).
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A single-board computer (SBC) is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with microprocessor(s), memory, input/output (I/O) and other features required of a functional computer. Single-board computers are commonly made as demonstration or development systems, for educational systems, or for use as embedded computer controllers. Many types of home computers or portable computers integrate all their functions onto a single printed circuit board.
ATX is a motherboard and power supply configuration specification developed by Intel in 1995 to improve on previous de facto standards like the AT design. It was the first major change in desktop computer enclosure, motherboard and power supply design in many years, improving standardization and interchangeability of parts. The specification defines the dimensions; the mounting points; the I/O panel; and the power and connector interfaces among a computer case, a motherboard, and a power supply.
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LPX, originally developed by Western Digital, was a loosely defined motherboard format widely used in the 1990s.
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In computing, the form factor is the specification of a motherboard – the dimensions, power supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc. Specifically, in the IBM PC compatible industry, standard form factors ensure that parts are interchangeable across competing vendors and generations of technology, while in enterprise computing, form factors ensure that server modules fit into existing rackmount systems. Traditionally, the most significant specification is for that of the motherboard, which generally dictates the overall size of the case. Small form factors have been developed and implemented.
Mini ATX or Mini-ATX is a generic name used by motherboard manufacturers to describe a small motherboard.
The Dell XPS 730x is an eXtreme Performance System for gaming and high-performance computing released November 16, 2008 and ended life in August 2009. The XPS 730 series was unique in that they had user-serviceable non-proprietary standard ATX-size computer components that allowed the user to upgrade the components through an Exchange Program.
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