Small form factor

Small Form Factor (SFF or SFX) refers to various computer form factors designed to minimize the volume and footprint of a desktop computer. For comparison purposes, the size of an SFF case is usually measured in litres. SFFs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including shoeboxes, cubes, and book-sized PCs. Their smaller and often lighter construction has made them popular as home theater PCs and as gaming computers for attending LAN parties. Manufacturers also emphasize the aesthetic and ergonomic design of SFFs since users are more likely to place them on top of a desk or carry them around. Advancements in component technology together with reductions in size means a powerful computer is no longer restricted to the huge towers of old. Small Form Factor (SFF or SFX) refers to various computer form factors designed to minimize the volume and footprint of a desktop computer. For comparison purposes, the size of an SFF case is usually measured in litres. SFFs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including shoeboxes, cubes, and book-sized PCs. Their smaller and often lighter construction has made them popular as home theater PCs and as gaming computers for attending LAN parties. Manufacturers also emphasize the aesthetic and ergonomic design of SFFs since users are more likely to place them on top of a desk or carry them around. Advancements in component technology together with reductions in size means a powerful computer is no longer restricted to the huge towers of old. Small form factors do not include computing devices that have traditionally been small, such as embedded or mobile systems. However, 'small form factor' lacks a normative definition and is consequently open to interpretation and misuse. Manufacturers often provide definitions that serve the interests of their products. According to marketing strategy, one manufacturer may decide to mark their product as 'small form factor' while other manufacturers are using different marketing name (such as 'Minitower', 'Microtower' or 'Desktop') for personal computers of similar or even smaller footprint. The acronym SFF originally stood for 'Shuttle Form Factor,' describing shoebox-sized personal computers with two expansion slots. The meaning of SFF evolved to include other, similar PC designs from brands such as AOpen and First International Computer, with the word 'Small' replacing the word 'Shuttle'. SFF originally referred to systems smaller than the Micro-ATX. The term SFF is used in contrast with terms for larger systems such as 'mini-towers' and 'desktops.' Small form factor computers are generally designed to support the same features as modern desktop computers, but in a smaller space. Most accept standard x86 microprocessors, standard DIMM memory modules, standard 8.9 cm (3.5') hard disks, and standard 13.3 cm (5.25') optical drives. However, the small size of SFF cases may limit expansion options; many commercial offerings provide only one 8.9 cm (3.5') drive bay and one or two 13.3 cm (5.25') external bays. Standard CPU heatsinks do not always fit inside an SFF computer, so some manufacturers provide custom cooling systems. Though limited to one or two expansion cards, a few have the space for ​3⁄4-length cards such as the GeForce GTX-295. Most SFF computers use highly integrated motherboards containing many on-board peripherals, reducing the need for expansion cards. Even if labeled 'SFF,' cube-style cases that support full-sized (PS2 form factor) power supplies actually have a microATX form factor. True SFF systems use SFX, TFX or smaller power supplies, and some require a laptop-style external 'power brick.' Some SFF computers even include compact components designed for mobile computers, such as notebook optical drives, notebook memory modules, notebook processors, and external AC adapters, rather than the internal power supply units found in full-size desktop computers. The many different types of SFFs are categorized loosely by their shape and size. The types below are available as of 2013.