Small form factor
Small form factor ( SFF ) is a term for computers that are operated in cases that are smaller than normal computer cases. Although the term is not based on a precise definition, it typically includes cases that are smaller than computers that are operated with an ATX mainboard. Typically, this includes so-called racks , blade servers and industrial computers that were designed for use in data centers and factories, rather than for use in residential and office environments.
The size of such computers is very different and can range from a volume of 1 liter to 30 liters, but typically such a PC currently has the volume of a shoe box. The housing shapes also vary widely and include, for example, cubes, small tower housings and housings that are reminiscent of home theater / audio electronics such as AV receivers or video recorders (so-called HTPCs ) due to their size and design .
use
Since SFF PCs only use small motherboards, they can be significantly smaller than ordinary computers and are therefore often operated in places with limited space. They are also increasingly used as HTPC in the living room. They are also used as easily transportable computers for LAN parties . Many users appreciate the aesthetic and ergonomic advantages of small computers, which, in contrast to ordinary computers, can also be stored on desks .
properties
SFF PCs usually have the same functions as other modern desktop computers , but there are limitations due to their small size. Mostly they are based on an x86 system , use normal CPUs .
In the 2000s, were still normal memory , 3.5-inch hard drives and optical frequently SlimLine - drives (CD and DVD drive ) in use. In contrast , SoC processors, space-saving SODIMMs and 2.5-inch hard disks or even smaller designs such as M.2 are common at the end of the 2010s . A SlimLine drive (128 × 129 mm) can no longer be installed in a cube shape with external dimensions of 130 mm. There are USB ports for connecting an external optical drive and other external storage media.
Restrictions mostly concern the upgrade options; often only a single optical drive and only one hard disk can be installed.
Furthermore, cooling is regularly a problem, since ordinary CPU fans do not always fit in such a PC, and the number of expansion slots is usually limited to one (1) to four (4), and these are often smaller than ordinary ones Be expansion cards. For this reason, processors with low thermal power dissipation TDP such as 10 or 15 watts are popular.
Although a non-standardized format is mostly used for the motherboard, the dimensions and mini-ATX shown above are more common.
Types of computers with SFF
At present, various small-sized computers are common. The best known include:
- Nettop class PCs
- XPC series of Shuttle Inc. and imitation products, usually with mini-ATX boards and often inaccurate as barebones referred
- Depending on the definition, the Micro-ITX housing based on it in cube form (e.g. Thermaltake Lanbox) can also be counted as SFF.
- Raspberry Pi
- Apple Mac mini
- Intel NUC, Next Unit of Computing