There are a lot of cases where you may want to make a small and compact computer for use at your home or office. Not only do such computers take less space on your desk, look quite elegant, but also allow you to take them from one place to another if needed.
To make such a compact computer, you have to use something like the best mini ITX motherboards stated down below because of their small form factor and other features like these:
- Socket: To get a compatible motherboard for your CPU, both of them need to have the same socket. While modern AMD CPUs and motherboards use the AM4 socket, Intel uses the LGA1200 socket in its offerings.
- Chipset: You should also check the chipset of your motherboard since some while some chipsets may not offer compatibility at all, others may have missing features. Starting with AMD, it has budget offerings like A520 and B450 as well as higher-end B550 and X570 chipsets with its motherboards. On the other hand, Intel primarily focuses on its high-end Z490 chipsets with its motherboards.
- Warranty: Whether you are making a high-end system or an entry-level one, you would want either of those to last for as long as possible. Even though computer works perform the same even after multiple years, it is still a great idea to check the included warranty. Fortunately, most mini ITX motherboards offer a 3-year warranty.
We also have a thorough “Buying Guide” allowing you to get the best mini ITX motherboard by the end.
Best Mini ITX Motherboards
| Mini ITX Motherboards | Socket | Chipset | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Mini ITX Motherboard | AM4 | B550 | 3 years | Check the Price |
| MSI MPG Mini ITX Motherboard | AM4 | B550 | 3 years | Check the Price |
| Gigabyte Mini ITX Motherboard | AM4 | A520 | 3 years | Check the Price |
| MSI MEG Mini ITX Motherboard | LGA 1200 | Z490 | 3 years | Check the Price |
| ASRock 3rd Gen Mini ITX Motherboard | AM4 | B550 | 1 year | Check the Price |
| GIGABYTE Mini ITX Motherboard | LGA 1200 | Z490 | 3 years | Check the Price |
| ASRock Mini-ITX Motherboard | AM4 | B450 | 1 year | Check the Price |
| GIGABYTE Pro Mini ITX Motherboard | AM4 | X570 | 3 years | Check the Price |
| ASUS ROG Strix Mini ITX Motherboard | AM4 | X570 | 3 years | Check the Price |
Best Mini ITX Motherboards Reviews
1. ASUS Mini ITX Motherboard
Asus and its Rog lineup of products are known to offer excellent performance and high versatility which is to be expected from such premium offerings.
The Asus Rog Strix B550-I Gaming mini ITX motherboard is present in the 1st position in this list since it is the most powerful option stated here. Despite having a B550 chipset, this AM4 motherboard can easily work with high-end chips thanks to its excellent overclocking performance. You can also use PCI-E gen 4 GPUs and SSDs with this motherboard. Being a B550 chipset board, it offers the support for Ryzen 2000 series to 5000 series processors.
Speaking of support, you get 2 memory slots with it that can handle up to 64 GB of memory even at 5100 MHz or higher. When combined with its dual M.2 slots, 4 SATA 3 ports, USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and audio ports, you can expect this motherboard to be highly versatile. Since it is a premium offering from Asus Rog, you also get a 3-year long warranty with it.
Best Features:
- B550 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 4.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Excellent overclocking support
- Multiple connectivity options
- Dual M/2 SSD slots
Cons:
- Not an X570 chipset
2. MSI MPG Mini ITX Motherboard
You can also consider MSI and its computer components if you want a fairly feature-rich motherboard for your next computer build.
MSI’s MPG B550-I Gaming Edge mini ITX motherboard is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as it can be a great versatile option for your next computer. Since this AM4 motherboard uses the latest B550 chipset, you can use it with AMD Ryzen 2000 series to 5000 series of processors. As for its GPU support, you get PCI-E gen 4 support with it.
For the given mini ITX form factor, you get a decent number of port options in this motherboard that includes 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB memory at 4600 MHz, dual M.2 slots, 4 SATA3 ports, USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, PS2, and audio ports. MSI also includes a 3-year long warranty with its motherboards.
Best Features:
- B550 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 4.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, PS2, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Quite a versatile motherboard
- Decent performance
- Supports latest GPUs and CPUs
Cons:
- Chipset fan is a bit loud
3. Gigabyte Mini ITX Motherboard
Gigabyte can be another viable option if you are looking for computer components for your next system including its budget-friendly mini ITX motherboard.
This Gigabyte A520I AC mini ITX motherboard is present in the 3rd position in this article because it can be a great option for budget buyers. Being the cheapest mini ITX motherboard here, you get the A520 chipset with this AM4 motherboard that lacks overclocking support. Fortunately, you can still use a wide range of CPUs with it ranging from AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series.
Unlike other budget options, its dual memory slots can work with up to 64 GB 5100 MHz RAM. Because it is a fairly budget mini ITX motherboard, it lacks a bit in terms of its connectivity options because you only get USB type A, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, ethernet, dual HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports with it.
Best Features:
- A520 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 3.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 1 M.2 slot and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type A, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, ethernet, dual HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Quite an affordable motherboard
- Supports decent memory speeds
- Easily connect multiple displays
Cons:
- Lacks overclocking support
4. MSI MEG Mini ITX Motherboard
Apart from its AMD platform motherboards, MSI also offers a few motherboards made for Intel processors that offer very similar performance if not better in some cases.
If you are going with a high-end Intel processor, then this mini ITX motherboard can be a great option. With this Z490 motherboard, you get the LGA 1200 socket that makes it a great option for Intel 10th Gen CPUs. Unfortunately, unlike AMD, this Intel motherboard does not support PCI-E gen 4 for GPUs or SSDs.
Talking about SSDs, you will find dual M.2 slots, 4 SATA3 ports, and dual DIMM slots that can take up to 64 gigs of RAM at 5000 MHz. This MSI motherboard offers a wide range of input and output ports including Thunderbolt 3, USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports. As seen with the AMD one, this Intel platform MSI motherboard also comes with a 3-year long warranty.
Best Features:
- Z490 motherboard with LGA 1200 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports Intel 10th Gen CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 3.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides Thunderbolt 3, USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Excellent port selection
- Decent amount of storage options
- Great for latest Intel CPUs
Cons:
- Not an X570 chipset
5. ASRock 3rd Gen Mini ITX Motherboard
If you are on a tight budget, then you should consider Asrock since most of its computer components including this mini ITX motherboard are fairly affordable.
Those of you who are on a tight budget can go with the highly affordable Asrock B550M mini ITX motherboard. Even at its given price tag, you get the latest B550 chipset, the AM4 socket, and support for AMD 2000 series to AMD 5000 series processors making it highly versatile. You also get support for overclocking as well as PCI-E gen 4 along this motherboard.
For a budget offering, the connectivity options of this motherboard are quite decent which includes up to 64 GB 4733 MHz RAM via its dual DIMM slots, M.2 SSD slot, 4 SATA3 slots, USB type C, type A, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4,2, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, as well as audio ports. But because it is such an affordable option, you only get a 1-year long warranty with.
Best Features:
- B550 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 4.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 1 M.2 slot and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4,2, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 1-year long warranty
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Supports latest AMD CPUs and PCI-E gen 4
- Decent connectivity options
Cons:
- Only a 1 year long warranty period
6. GIGABYTE Mini ITX Motherboard
Just like MSI, Gigabyte also offers a few motherboards that are designed for the Intel platform in mind while offering similar features to other AMD motherboards out there.
With this Gigabyte Z490I Aorus Ultra mini ITX motherboard, you get almost everything that you would expect from such a premium option. Starting with its compatibility, this Z490 mini ITX motherboard from Gigabyte uses the LGA 1200 socket allowing you to use the latest Intel 10th Gen CPUs with it. Although, you should go for AMD if you want the support for PCI-E gen 4.
Moving to other connectivity options, you get dual memory slots for up to 5000 MHz 64 GB memory, 2 M.2 SSD slots, and 4 SATA3 connectors with this compact motherboard. You also get various other ports like USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports making it quite a practical motherboard.
Best Features:
- Z490 motherboard with LGA 1200 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports Intel 10th Gen CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 3.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Works with latest Intel 10th gen CPUs
- High-speed networking connectivity options
- Ideal for overclocking CPU and RAM
Cons:
- Does not support PCI-E gen 4
7. ASRock Mini-ITX Motherboard
Asrock also offers slightly older chipset motherboards that can be still a great option for those who want something highly versatile in terms of processor compatibility.
The Asrock B450 Gaming mini ITX motherboard is the most versatile option stated present in this listicle in terms of supported CPU models. Because this is a small and compact mini ITX motherboard based on the B450 chipset and paired along with the AM4 socket from AMD, it can be used with multiple CPU models from the AMD 1000 series to the AMD 5000 series CPUs without any issues. However, being an older chipset, it does not offer PCI-E gen 4 support to the user.
Taking a look at its connectivity options, you will find 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB 3466 MHz RAM, M.2 SSD slot, 4 SATA3 ports, USB type C, type A, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, PS2, and audio ports which is fairly decent for the price. Although, just like its previous model stated above, Asrock only includes a 1-year long warranty.
Best Features:
- B450 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 1000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 3.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 1 M.2 slot and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, PS2, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Quite a versatile motherboard
- Supports overclocking
- Decent connectivity potions
Cons:
- Short warranty policy
8. GIGABYTE Pro Mini ITX Motherboard
Other than its high-end Intel offerings, Gigabyte also has a few premium motherboards made for the AMD platform like this compact form factor one.
Gigabyte’s X570 I Aorus Pro mini ITX motherboard is a highly feature-rich option for many. As per the name, you get the X570 chipset from AMD with this mini ITX motherboard. This is combined along with the AM4 socket allowing you to use AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series of CPUs. You also get excellent GPU and SSD support thanks to the PCI-E gen 4.0 technology supported by this board.
Being a fairly high-end motherboard from Gigabyte, you can find a wide range of input and output as well as connectivity ports like its dial memory slots for 5100 MHz 64 GB RAM, dual M.2 SSD slots, 4 SATA3 ports, USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G ethernet, dual HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports.
Best Features:
- X570 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 4.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5G ethernet, dual HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Vast connectivity options
- Viable option for high-end Ryzen CPUs
- Works with latest PCI-E gen 4 devices
Cons:
- Only gigabit ethernet
9. ASUS ROG Strix Mini ITX Motherboard
Asus also offers high end but compact mini ITX motherboards that can be great for workstation use and other applications where you need versatile connectivity options.
This Asus Rog Strix X570-I Gaming mini ITX motherboard is one of the most powerful options stated here. Thanks to its AM4 socket and X570 chipset, you can expect this board to work with the AMD Ryzen 2000 series to 5000 series of AMD CPUs. Just like most other modern AMD boards, this one also offers PCI-E gen 4 support for your SSD drives and GPUs.
Asus has also included a wide range of connectivity options like dual DIMM slots for up to 64 GB 4800 MHz RAM, dual M.2 slots, 4 SATA3 ports for HDDs, USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports. And because this is a premium Asus motherboard, you also get a 3-year long warranty with it.
Best Features:
- B550 motherboard with AM4 socket
- Mini ITX form factor
- Supports AMD Ryzen 2000 to 5000 series CPUs
- Offers 1 PCIe 4.0 16x for GPUs
- Offers 2 memory slots for up to 64 GB RAM
- Features 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA3 ports
- Provides USB type C, type A, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports
- Comes with a 3-year long warranty
Pros:
- Great for workstation usage
- Excellent overclocking performance
- Multiple RGB lighting options
Cons:
- A bit on the expensive side
Buying Guide For The Best Mini ITX Motherboards
The motherboard of your computer can be considered as the central hub for connecting the rest of the components. Thus, it is highly important to ensure that you have all of the connectivity options that you need.
This becomes even more important if you are going with something small and compact like the best mini ITX motherboards discussed above. Since they have been mentioned along with their major features and options, picking up the right one for you should be fairly easy. But, if you wish to know each and every detail, simply go through this detailed buying guide for the best mini ITX motherboards:
1. Socket
The CPU socket of your motherboard is responsible for holding the processor and communicating with it. But, this socket will only function when your computer’s motherboard has the same socket as your motherboard.
Hence, it is highly important to match the sockets for compatibility. Some of the common sockets that you will find in modern computer CPUs include AM4 socket for AMD processors and motherboards as well as the LGA 1200 socket for Intel processors and motherboards.
2. Chipset
Another factor to consider to ensure that you are getting a compatible motherboard for your computer’s processor. Even if your motherboard and CPU have the same socket type, they may not be compatible with each other if the CPU is not supported by your motherboard’s chipset. While some chipsets may not function at all, others may be limited in terms of the features that you get.
Taking a look at AMD motherboards, a few of the popular chipsets that you will find include budget options like B450 and A520, mid-range options like B550, and high-end options like X570 that offers all of the performance that you would expect. Talking about Intel, it primarily focuses on its high-end Z490 chipset which is mainly found in premium motherboards including the mini ITX ones stated above.
3. Memory Support
Whether you are getting a high-end processor or a mid-range one, it is equally important to have a decent amount of RAM in your computer. This ensures that you can use it for all sorts of multitasking usage. Being small and compact in size, most ITX motherboards come with 2 memory slots in total.
Fortunately, these can still take up to 64 gigs of maximum RAM in most cases. Another factor to consider while getting a motherboard is the maximum RAM speed supported by it. Most modern-day CPUs including both AMD and Intel ones can benefit a lot from faster RAM. Hence, a lot of motherboards support high memory speeds like 3600 MHz, 4000 MHz, 4400 MHz, etc.
4. PCI-E and Expansion Slots
Even though an ITX motherboard lacks quite a bit in terms of its connectivity options and expansion slots, you would still want to have at least one for your computer’s graphics card. Thankfully, all ITX motherboards including the various options stated in this listicle have a 16x PCI-E slot. You can use this to easily install a full-size graphics card which can be highly useful if you are building a compact gaming PC.
5. Storage Options
While an ITX motherboard may not be the best for installing multiple expansion cards, you can still have multiple storage options. This includes both high speed and bulk storage options. Despite being quite compact, a lot of mini ITX motherboards come with dual M.2 slots allowing you to have a lot of fast SSD storage. You can also find 4 or 6 SATA3 ports for connecting traditional hard drives.
6. Ports and Connectivity
Other than the various internal components of your computer, you would also want to connect multiple input and output devices to your computer like a mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, webcam, and others.
Thus, it is quite important to have multiple ports on the back of your motherboard like USB type C, type A, HDMI, DisplayPort, ethernet, PS2, audio ports, and various others. Since mini ITX motherboards are also used for making HTPCs, a lot of them also include WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for ease of use.
7. BIOS
Even though the BIOS of your mini ITX motherboard is a software component and not a hardware one, it is highly important to check. It is always recommended to get a motherboard that receives regular BIOS updates. This is due to the reason that a BIOS update can offer various benefits like improved system stability, increased CPU performance, add motherboard features, and apply security patches to your motherboard and its chipset.
8. Warranty
Any motherboard that comes with a standard 3-year long warranty is most likely going to last for a long time. Even if it does not, you can still expect it to stay functional for a long time since most components offer the same functionality even after multiple years without any performance degradation.
Conclusion
Out of the various motherboard form factors like E-ATX, ATX, mATX, and others, mini ITX is the smallest one available out there. It makes for a great option for those who wish to build a compact computer.
Hence, a few of the best mini ITX motherboards have been mentioned up above in this listicle. In this listicle, you will also come across all their details like specifications and options as well as a proper buying guide. Keeping these things in mind, here are our ideal picks for the best mini ITX motherboards:
- If you want to make a simple desktop for daily usage, then the budget-friendly Gigabyte Mini ITX Motherboard can be a great pick. Even though it does not support overclocking, you can still use any AMD Ryzen 2000 series to 5000 series CPU with it. As for its connectivity options, you get WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, dual HDMI, DisplayPort, and various others with it.
- With the ASRock 3rd Gen Mini ITX Motherboard, you can easily make a great gaming PC with overclocking support without breaking the bank. This B550M motherboard offers USB Type C, HDMI, WiFi, M.2 SSD slot, PCI-E gen 4 support, up to 4733 MHz RAM support, and much more resulting in a high value for money.
- The ASUS ROG Strix Mini ITX Motherboard is still a great option for workstation usage despite its smaller size. This is due to the reason that you get excellent overclocking support, PCIe gen 4 support, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, dual M.2 SSD slots, up to 4800 MHz RAM support, USB type C, type A HDMI, DisplayPort, and various other highly versatile connectivity options.
