Computer motherboard history
Listed below are the important events in history relating to computer motherboards, including release dates for many popular and widely-used computer processors. Not all computer processors are listed, as there are too many to list.
1981
The first motherboard, originally called a "planar," was used in the IBM Personal Computer.
1984
The AT (advanced technology), or Full AT, motherboard form factor was introduced by IBM in August 1984.
1985
IBM introduced the Baby AT motherboard form factor in 1985.
1987
The LPX (low profile extension) motherboard form factor was developed by Western Digital in 1987.
1995
Intel released the first version of the ATX (advanced technology extended) specification for motherboards in July 1995.
1997
Intel, in a joint effort with DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) and IBM, developed the NLX (new low profile extended) form factor in March 1997.
The first motherboards with AGP (accelerated graphics port) support were released in August 1997 by Intel and November 1997 by FIC.
The microATX motherboard and specification was introduced by Intel in December 1997.
1998
Intel introduced the WTX motherboard form factor in September 1998.
1999
Intel introduced the FlexATX motherboard form factor in 1999.
2000
Kontron introduced the ETX (Embedded Technology eXtended) motherboard specification in early 2000.
2001
The UTX motherboard form factor was introduced by TQ-Components in 2001.
The Mini-ITX form factor was developed and introduced to the market by VIA Technologies in November 2001.
2003
The PCI Express standard was introduced in 2003 by the PCI-SIG (Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group). Motherboards with a PCI Express slot were released later the same year.
The Nano-ITX form factor for motherboards was introduced in March 2003.
2004
NVIDIA introduced its SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology in 2004, allowing the ability to link two video cards together on a motherboard.
Intel released the BTX (balanced technology extended) form factor and specification for motherboards in February 2004. The microBTX and PicoBTX form factors were also released the same year.
The Mobile-ITX form factor for motherboards was introduced in March 2004.
2005
The PICMG (PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group), a group of over 150 companies, introduced the COM Express form factor in 2005.
The XTX motherboard form factor and specification was released in 2005.
2006
Using two video cards with a microATX motherboard became possible in 2006 for computer gamers.
Supermicro released the SWTX (Server / Workstation Technology eXtended) motherboard form factor in 2006.
2007
The Pico-ITX form factor for motherboards was introduced in April 2007.
AMD developed the DTX form factor in January 2007. AMD also developed and released the Mini-DTX form factor in 2007.
2010
EVGA released the HPTX motherboard form factor in 2010.