Thread: Form factors

We understood that the motherboard only works to be supplied energy and this is provided by the power supply. The power supply presents different characteristics as it has been classified a feature is the form factor.

We must clarify that the term of the form factor describing the physical dimensions of the power supply the types of power connectors to supply power to and the type of motherboard as it is defined by the type of connector it contains.

Before this came form factor called the form factor PC / XT where the name is received by IBM but approximately in 1984 and based on this model step to be AT form factor, the difference with the previous features is their new physical dimensions as this last was more limited due to their greater integration into its components, but they are compatible.

There understand that the outline of the connector consists of two separate connectors from the power supply and used to supply power to AT type motherboards. Normally called P8 and P9.

We also have to mention that has a remote switch, this is what led to the user can turn on your computer from part front and no side or back of the computer. In this type of plate is common to find the connector for the keyboard fat.

If now today no longer believe this is because they were appearing with the time the new types of connectors that moved substantially to the AT form factor. After this came the baby AT form factor.

The form factor specification Baby-AT is essentially the same as that of the plate IBM XT, and is named only by the fact that it is a shorter version original AT type the Baby-AT presents changes in the position of the screw holes to be able to fit into an AT-type housing.