In relation to compact, high-performance PCs, mini-ITX motherboards reign supreme. These petite powerhouses provide a compelling mix of efficiency, versatility, and kind issue, making them the popular alternative for fanatics and builders who crave small, but highly effective, PC options.
Whether or not you are constructing a compact gaming rig, a house theater PC, or a transportable workstation, deciding on the precise motherboard will be the cornerstone of your PC mission’s success. On this article, we check out among the greatest mini-ITX motherboards available on the market.
When you’re seeking to end your mini-ITX construct, ensure to take a look at our roundup of the perfect mini-ITX instances.
Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Premium mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
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Gigabyte B760i Aorus Professional
Finest worth mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
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Gigabyte H610I DDR4
Finest funds mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
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Asus ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Premium mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
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MSI MPG B650I Edge Wi-Fi
Finest worth mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
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Asus
Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Premium mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
Execs
- Filled with premium options
- Help PCIe Gen 5
- ROG Strix Hive is fairly helpful
- Wonderful energy supply
Cons
- Costly
- Sure options might sound pointless
Why you can purchase this: Essentially the most function packed mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
Who it’s for: Hardcore players and fanatics who wish to construct a high-performance mini-ITX PC
Why we picked the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I:
In case you are planning to construct a compact PC with ridiculous quantity of energy then you definately may wish to go for the Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi. It helps the newest Intel Thirteenth-gen CPUs (in addition to Twelfth-gen) with high of the road efficiency chops. Obtainable for about $430, it is likely one of the costliest Intel mini-ITX motherboards available on the market, however for that you simply get a variety of options.
Because of its high-performance VRMs and DDR5 assist, one can pair it with a Core i9 CPU with none hesitations. For storage there are two M.2 slots, considered one of which helps the newest PCIe Gen 5 interface which lets you set up SSDs that may provide speeds of over 10,000Mbps. You get loads of ports on the rear together with 9 USB, two of which assist Thunderbolt 4 for tremendous quick USB knowledge switch.
Even within the connectivity division, this motherboard has all of it. You get assist for Wi-Fi 6E, a built-in Intel 2.5GbE LAN together with Bluetooth 5.3. If that is not sufficient, the motherboard comes with a particular accent referred to as the ROG Strix Hive. It is an exterior dock with quite a lot of ports for USB, audio, and even includes a quantity dial. Moreover, it may be used to flash the motherboard BIOS, overclock the CPU with a single push of the button, and join an exterior audio answer.
Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Premium mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
Gigabyte
Gigabyte B760i Aorus Professional
Finest worth mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
Execs
- Sub $200 worth
- 2.5-gigabit Ethernet
- A number of USB ports
Cons
- No diagnostic LEDs
- Customized fan headers
Why you can purchase this: It helps a lot of the newest options on the identical time does not break the bank.
Who it’s for: Those that wish to construct a compact PC with all the newest tech on a restricted funds
Why we picked the Gigabyte B760i Aorus Professional:
For a sub-$200 mini-ITX motherboard, the Gigabyte B760i Aorus Professional gives surprisingly good worth. It helps the newest Intel Thirteenth-gen and Twelfth-gen processors, and is on the market in DDR4 or DDR5 reminiscence variants with XMP assist. Because of dependable VRMs and a strong thermal design, this motherboard gives the perfect efficiency doable, though, since it’s a B760 chipset, you will not have the choice of overclocking the CPU. Thus, this motherboard is best suited to somebody who does not wish to tinker round with voltages and clock speeds.
Other than 4 SATA storage connectors, the motherboard comes with two M.2 SSD storage slots that assist PCIe Gen 4 speeds, which is taken into account to be fairly quick for many customers. You additionally get assist for Wi-Fi 6, built-in 2.5-gigabit ethernet LAN, Bluetooth 5.2 and a number of USB ports together with a Sort-C with a ten Gbps bandwidth. Moreover the board comes with built-in RGB, whereas the Q-Flash Plus function permits customers to replace the BIOS with out putting in the CPU, reminiscence, or graphics card.
Gigabyte B760i Aorus Professional
Finest worth mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
Gigabyte
Gigabyte H610I DDR4
Finest funds mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
Execs
- Low worth level
- Sturdy port choice
- Environment friendly energy supply
Cons
- Restricted M.2 slots
- No USB Sort-C
Why you can purchase this: A dependable mini-ITX motherboard for an reasonably priced price ticket
Who it’s for: Anybody who’s planning to construct a mini-ITX PC on a good funds
Why we picked the Gigabyte H610I DDR4:
The Gigabyte H610I DDR4 is an affordable mini-ITX motherboard promoting for simply $120. It comes with the LGA 1700 socket which implies it helps the newest Intel Thirteenth-gen as properly Twelfth-gen processors. Do notice that because it options the lower-tier Intel H610 chipset, it is not really helpful for use with increased tier Core i9 or i7 processors. Basically the motherboard is appropriate for entry-level programs, the place high-performance just isn’t a precedence.
The motherboard falls below Gigabyte’s UD or Extremely Sturdy collection and options strong capacitors to enhance steady energy supply. Due its low worth level, it’s restricted with regards to options. As an illustration, there is a single M.2 SSD storage slot that helps PCIe 3.0, which is not the quickest. However in equity, it ought to provide knowledge switch speeds which are ample for everyday productiveness, particularly when in comparison with a SATA SSD or HDD. As with most mini-ITX motherboards, it function two reminiscence slots, that assist as much as 64GB of twin channel DDR4 reminiscence at 3200MHz. There’s additionally Intel 1GbE LAN for fast wired web, and 6 USB Sort-A ports on the rear, two of which assist USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds. Gigabyte has additionally added a complete of 4 video out ports (two DisplayPorts, one HDMI 2.0 port, and one D-Sub) which makes it appropriate for a multimonitor setup.
Gigabyte H610I DDR4
Finest funds mini-ITX motherboard for Intel
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Asus ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Premium mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
Execs
- Twin USB 4 ports
- ROG Strix Hive exterior dock
- PCIe Gen 5 assist
Cons
- Premium worth
- Not appropriate for novice customers
Why you can purchase this: Essentially the most function packed mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
Who it’s for: Fanatics, players and energy customers planning to construct a potent compact PC
Why we picked the Asus ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi:
The Asus ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi is actually the AMD model of the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi that we have talked about above. Supporting the brand new AM5 socket for Ryzen 7000 CPUs, it gives all of the premium advantages together with overclocking capabilities, assist for the newest DDR5 reminiscence, PCIe Gen 5 assist for each storage and x16 enlargement card slot, together with a sturdy energy answer and an optimized thermal design to deal with high-end CPUs.
It additionally comes with the newest Wi-Fi 6E customary, built-in Intel 2.5-gigabit Ethernet, and the ROG Strix Hive exterior answer for varied functionalities. Whereas it does not include Thunderbolt 4 just like the Intel model, there are two USB 4 Sort-C ports each of which of assist 40 Gbps speeds together with 5 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A ports, and three USB 2.0 Sort-A ports.
Just like the Z790I, this motherboard additionally comes at a premium worth and is really helpful solely to customers who need peak efficiency and entry to all the newest and high of the road options.
Asus ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Premium mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
MSI
MSI MPG B650I Edge Wi-Fi
Finest worth mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
Execs
- Good connectivity choices
- Strong {hardware}
- Energetic cooler for M.2 storage
Why you can purchase this: It’s the greatest cost-effective motherboard for Ryzen 7000 CPUs
Who it’s for: Finances-minded customers who do not want premium options
Why we picked the MSI MPG B650I Edge Wi-Fi:
The MSI MPG B650I Edge Wi-Fi gives nice worth if you happen to occur to be going for a mini-ITX construct with the newest AMD processors. The board comes with a dependable energy supply system and is able to even supporting the top-on-the-line Ryzen 9 7950X. For storage you get two M.2 slots with PCIe 4.0 speeds together with 4 SATA ports and the board helps DDR5 reminiscence of as much as 7200+ MHz (OC).
Now it doesn’t embody PCIe 5.0. Nonetheless, PCIe 4.0 stays greater than able to dealing with the calls for of the newest gaming titles and speedy knowledge switch speeds. Other than the one x16 PCIe slot for graphics playing cards and different enlargement playing cards, there are two M.2 slots additionally assist PCIe Gen 4 speeds. Notably the first M.2 slot on the entrance comes with a heatsink that has a built-in fan for max cooling. Moreover, you get tremendous quick connectivity choices like Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5-gigabit LAN, six USB ports on the rear (together with a USB Sort-C 20 Gbps), and even a handy flash BIOS button.
MSI MPG B650I Edge Wi-Fi
Finest worth mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
Gigabyte
Gigabyte A620I AX
Finest funds mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
Execs
- 2.4 GbE with Wi-Fi 6E
- Reminiscence overclocking
- Helps high-end AMD CPUs
Why you can purchase this: A reasonable mini-ITX motherboard for Ryzen 7000 collection CPUs
Who it’s for: Informal customers planning to construct an reasonably priced mini-ITX PC powered by AMD
Why we picked the Gigabyte A620I AX:
The Gigabyte A620I AX is value contemplating in case you are seeking to construct on a regular basis PC powered by the newest AMD Ryzen 7000 processors. Whereas it helps high-end processors just like the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Ryzen 9 7950X, it does not have the chops to overclock them. Nonetheless, it does provide assist for DDR5 reminiscence with twin RAM slots and helps AMD EXPO overclocking as much as 6400 and past. There’s additionally a sound VRM answer for correct energy supply together with a 5+2+1 part system. The board additionally options the ‘EZ-Latch’ the place the PCIe x16 slot has a fast launch and screwless design for simple set up.
Notably, the Gigabyte A620I AX gives premium connectivity together with Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE LAN and Bluetooth 5.3. It’s restricted when it comes to storage as you get a single M.2 slot that helps PCIe 4.0 SSDs and two SATA ports. The rear panel gives an ample quantity of ports together with HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-C, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A port, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A port and three USB 2.0 ports. There’s additionally a Q-Flash Plus button to flash BIOS updates conveniently.
Gigabyte A620I AX
Finest funds mini-ITX motherboard for AMD
Often Requested Questions
What’s mini-ITX?
Mini-ITX is a motherboard kind issue and related pc case dimension specification. It is likely one of the smallest standardized motherboard sizes, primarily utilized in small kind issue (SFF) and compact pc builds. Mini-ITX motherboards are sometimes sq. in form and measure 6.7 by 6.7 inches (170 by 170mm).
Regardless of their small dimension, mini-ITX motherboards are designed to accommodate a variety of pc parts, together with a CPU, RAM, storage units, and varied ports. They usually include a single PCIe enlargement slot for including a graphics card or different enlargement playing cards. Mini-ITX motherboards are a preferred alternative for compact and transportable desktop computer systems, house theater PCs (HTPCs), and gaming programs the place area is restricted.
Are mini-ITX motherboards costlier?
Mini-ITX motherboards usually include a better price ticket in comparison with their bigger counterparts for a number of causes:
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Difficult design: Making a compact motherboard structure that matches throughout the mini-ITX kind issue will be technically demanding, necessitating {custom} parts or engineering options. This will enhance manufacturing prices.
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Specialised parts: Mini-ITX motherboards could incorporate specialised or smaller parts. These parts might need a better manufacturing price because of decrease manufacturing volumes in comparison with the standard-sized parts present in ATX or micro-ATX motherboards.
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Function-rich integration: Producers usually try to incorporate a variety of options in mini-ITX motherboards to cater to numerous consumer wants. These options may embody further connectivity choices, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, M.2 slots, or high-quality audio parts, all of which contribute to a better total price.
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Construct high quality: Some mini-ITX motherboards prioritize high quality and sturdiness through the use of premium supplies and superior manufacturing processes. These enhancements can result in a better worth level.
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Area of interest market: Mini-ITX motherboards serve a considerably specialised market of customers searching for compact programs, gaming HTPCs, or particular functions. With a smaller demand and manufacturing quantity, costs could also be barely elevated.
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Compact cooling options: Smaller kind components could require extra superior or specialised cooling options, resembling warmth pipes or custom-designed heatsinks. These options will be costlier than customary cooling strategies.
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Innovation and analysis: Mini-ITX motherboards usually incorporate revolutionary designs and applied sciences to maximise efficiency inside restricted area. The analysis and improvement concerned can contribute to the general price.
Whereas Mini-ITX motherboards could initially seem costlier, they provide the benefit of a smaller kind issue, making them appropriate for compact and transportable PC builds the place area is at a premium. As expertise advances and turns into extra widespread, the value hole between mini-ITX and bigger motherboards could diminish over time.
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