Home > Motherboard > Motherboard Buyer's Guide

Best mini-ITX motherboard – high-end, budget and gaming

Here are some of the best mini ITX motherboards.
Ussamah Mehmood
Last Updated on
Best mini-ITX motherboard – high-end, budget and gaming
PC Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More

Table of Contents

Motherboards come in all shapes and sizes, and if you're short on space or have an ITX PC case, your best bet is to look for mini ITX motherboards. This is the smallest size available for a motherboard, and because of that, they can be easily installed in any PC case, but they are preferred for low-profile builds.

That being said, due to their size, you don't get the full specifications, as there are limited RAM and M.2 slots and fewer VRMs. Since the components are cramped together, good airflow must be ensured to keep everything cool. 

Like every component, mini ITX boards have pros and cons, but we've selected a couple of motherboards with different chipsets and budgets to ensure there is an option for everyone. Here are some of the best mini ITX motherboards. 

Products at a glance

How we picked

Several key factors were considered when selecting our recommendations for the best Mini ITX motherboards. Performance is paramount, especially regarding chipset capabilities, memory support, and PCIe slots. Compatibility with current and future components, such as processors and storage options, is also crucial.

We also considered the quality of onboard audio and networking features, as these are essential for a seamless computing experience. Additionally, aesthetics and build quality were considered, as a well-designed motherboard can enhance the overall look and durability of your PC build. All this to help you get the right motherboard.

Here at PC Guide, we also conduct hands-on motherboard testing for different motherboard reviews, which gives us priceless insight into their real-world performance and helps us select and recommend only the best options. 

Our top picks

Best mini ITX motherboard overall
01

GIGABYTE X870I AORUS PRO ICE

Specifications
  • Socket : AM5
  • Chipset: X870
  • Form Factor: Mini ITX
  • PCIe Version: PCIe 5.0
  • Memory Speed: 8,400 (OC) MT/s
  • Memory Capacity: 128GB DDR5
Reasons to Buy
  • It has USB 4 support
  • Features a high-end chipset
  • Good power delivery system
Reasons to Avoid
  • The upgrade to DDR5 is expensive
  • Not a pocket-friendly option

If you want the best of the best when it comes to mini ITX motherboards, check out the Gigabyte X870I Aorus Pro Ice. This is an AM5 motherboard with a high-end X870 chipset. 

This motherboard has an 8+2+1 VRM design, which might seem less than ideal, but each VRM has a 110A capacity, meaning it can provide more power to the CPU, resulting in better performance. 

In addition, you can also use AMD Expo with this and easily overclock the RAM, as this board has a maximum speed support for 8,400 (OC) MT/s. However, since it only has two RAM slots, the maximum capacity is 128GB, which, realistically, is more than enough for any level of productivity and gaming. However, you can opt for 2 x 16 or 2 x 32 GB RAM kits to keep costs low. Keeping this in mind and the maximum memory speed, your system should have excellent efficiency and performance. 

This motherboard also comes with a 5-year warranty, which means that, depending on the policy, you can get it repaired or replaced. This is a great safety net for any PC component you get. 

Overall, this motherboard is an excellent option as it features the high-end AM5 chipset, which should keep your options relevant for years to come, and you should be able to easily upgrade to future AM5 processors.

Best runner-up
02

ASUS ROG Strix B850-I Gaming WiFi

Specifications
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: B850
  • Form Factor: Mini ITX
  • PCIe Version: PCIe 5.0
  • Memory Speed: 8,400+ MT/s (OC)
  • Memory Capacity: 128GB DDR5
Reasons to Buy
  • WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support
  • Premium build quality
  • Excellent VRM design
Reasons to Avoid
  • B850 has limited overclocking capabilities
  • Priced high for a mini ITX motherboard
  • Limited to two RAM slots

If you're looking for more mini ITX AM5 motherboard options, we recommend you check out the ASUS ROG Strix B860-I Gaming WiFi. This is an AM5 motherboard with a mid-range B850 chipset, which should enable decent overclocking output but not anything extreme. 

Besides that, it comes with great features such as WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, a 2.5G LAN port, 20 Gbps USB Type-C, and a robust VRM design of 10+2+1. This means that you should be able to have a smooth working and gaming experience with this motherboard as the foundation of your system.

To get the best gaming experience and low latency, ensure you have a wired connection or the best WiFi 7 router to make use of this board’s WiFi 7 capabilities. The 10+2+1 VRM should ensure a good and clean power supply to the CPU, memory, and SoC, respectively, but remember that it isn't enough to accommodate high overclocking. 

It also has a maximum memory capacity of 128GB, but you only get two RAM slots. This means you'll have to get a 64GB DDR5 RAM kit, which can be quite expensive. Overall, this motherboard should serve you well, and since it is compatible with Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 processors, you have plenty of CPUs to choose from.

Best LGA 1851
03

ASUS ROG STRIX B860-I GAMING WIFI

Specifications
  • Socket: LGA 1851
  • Chipset: B860
  • Form Factor: Mini ITX
  • PCIe Version: PCIe 5.0
  • Memory Speed: 9066+MT/s (OC)
  • Memory Capacity: 128GB DDR5
Reasons to Buy
  • Compatible with all Arrow Lake processors
  • Good thermal and VRM design
  • Has WiFi 7 and Thunderbolt 4
Reasons to Avoid
  • The B860 chipset doesn't support overclocking
  • Limited I/O connectivity
  • The LGA 1851 platform isn't the best to go for right now

If you want a PC built for productivity, we recommend you check out the ASUS ROG Strix B860-I Gaming WiFi motherboard. This board has a mid-range B860 chipset and is based on the LGA 1851 platform, which is only compatible with Arrow Lake processors. 

It isn't surprising that the Arrow Lake processors aren't the best for gaming, but when it comes to multi-threaded output or productivity, they are certainly in the race as one of the best. We've reviewed all of the Arrow Lake processors, such as the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K, and the Core Ultra 5 254K, and saw the same result across the entire family. 

The ASUS ROG Strix B860-I has a maximum memory capacity of 128GB with a maximum memory speed of 9066+MT/s (OC). This should be more than enough for gaming and work; some might even consider it overkill. 

The B860 chipset doesn't support overclocking, which might be a deal breaker for some. Besides that, it has a 10+1+2+1 (80A) VRM design, which should ensure a clean and stable power supply to the CPU, memory, and other components even at base settings, resulting in good performance and efficiency. 

It also features good VRM and M.2 heatsinks, which should keep its overall temperature cool, as that is a major concern when it comes to mini ITX boards. Overall, this is a feature-rich motherboard and also comes with a WiFi Q-Antenna, which should work great combined with its WiFi 7 capabilities.

Best LGA 1700

GIGABYTE Z790I AORUS Ultra

Specifications
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z790
  • Form Factor: Mini ITX
  • PCIe Version: PCIe 5.0
  • Memory Speed: 8000 (OC)
  • Memory Capacity: 128 GB DDR5
Reasons to Buy
  • You can overclock the CPU and the memory
  • PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support for the GPU and storage device
Reasons to Avoid
  • Priced extremely high
  • Doesn't have WiFi 7

The previous generation of Intel processors is still alive and kicking. If you want to upgrade to or from the 12th, 13th, or 14th-generation CPUs, the Gigabyte Z790I Aorus Ultra should provide everything you need to start. 

This motherboard has an LGA 1700 socket, which means it is compatible with the aforementioned generations of Intel processors. It also features a Z790 chipset, which supports high overclocking efforts, and it has a 10+1+2 (105A) VRM design, which should ensure that the CPU gets all the power it needs. 

It has PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 connectivity for the graphics card and storage devices, respectively, so you can pair any of the latest RTX 50-series or Radeon 9000 GPUs and get full access to the 5.0 x16 slots bandwidth. 

The board also has decent thermals to ensure CPU, chipset, and SSD stability for enhanced performance and efficiency. A great aspect of this board is that it has plenty of I/O connectivity options, which aren't generally found in mini ITX mainboards due to the shortage of space. 

That being said, it only features WiFi 6E, but that should also keep you up and running for various tasks as it has the 6GHz bandwidth for high speeds and low latency. So, if you're someone who stays a generation or two behind the latest, this motherboard should be a good upgrade, but the only downside is that it costs more than the latest motherboard options.

Best budget
05

GIGABYTE A620I AX

Specifications
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: A620
  • Form Factor: Mini ITX
  • PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
  • Memory Speed: 128GB DDR5
  • Memory Capacity: 6400 (OC)
Reasons to Buy
  • Has an affordable price tag
  • Good connectivity options
  • Works with AM5 processors
Reasons to Avoid
  • The storage options are limited
  • Not the best VRMs

If you're operating with strict spending limits and want a decent mini ITX motherboard, we recommend you give the Gigabyte A620I AX a shot. This is an AM5 motherboard but has the lowest-tier chipset on the AM5 platform, the A620. That doesn't mean it won't support the latest processors; it just means it has no overclocking capabilities and very few VRMs. 

It offers PCIe 4.0 connectivity, WiFi 6E, 2.5G Ethernet port, and one USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C port. This means that it'll get the job done easily, but the lack of ports might be a hindrance as you won't be able to connect many peripherals with it. A workaround is to get a USB port extension and connect it to the fastest port available. 

It has a 5+2+1 VRM design, which means the power gets filtered through 5 stages for the CPU, two stages for the memory, and the SoC gets 1 stage. It is always better to have more VRMs, but seeing it is a budget mini ITX motherboard, it is fine and should supply decent power to the CPU. 

That being said, we don't recommend pairing high-end processors with this board as it'll just hold back their performance. For the best combination and optimal performance, it is better to go with a budget Ryzen 7000, 8000, or 9000 CPU.

How to choose the best mini ITX motherboard

When it comes to choosing the best mini ITX motherboard, there are a couple of aspects that you need to keep in mind. They'll help you cut through the clutter and select an option with good performance and value. 

Compatibility 

Your motherboard option will change depending on the processor you choose, as there is no universal compatibility. Intel and AMD have their specific chipsets that they launch with each generation of CPUs, and the latest from both companies are the 800 series chipsets. 

It can be confusing at first, but to put it simply, AMD has AM5 motherboards compatible with Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 processors, while Intel has LGA 1851 motherboards that are only compatible with the Arrow Lake processors. 

On the other hand, you can move back a generation and go for AM4 or LGA 1700, which are compatible with Ryzen 3000 and 5000 and Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th-generation processors. However, if you want the best of the best, the high-end chipset for AMD is X870E, and for Intel, it is Z890. 

Cooling solution

Since mini ITX boards are small, the connections and components are squeezed together, which can lead to more heat being generated. So, ensure that the motherboard has good thermal protection and, if possible, on-board cooling solutions. You can also install powerful 140mm fans to ensure that there is adequate airflow through the casing, expelling the heat being generated.  

Mini-ITX or microATX?

MicroATX is an option offering many of the benefits of a full ATX-size board but in a smaller form. Meanwhile, Mini-ITX focuses more on size as the primary focus, with basic usefulness rather than fuller feature sets taken into account. MicroATX motherboards are 244 × 244 mm (9.6 × 9.6 inches), while mini-ITX motherboards are 170 mm × 170 mm (6.7 × 6.7 inches).

What are the limitations of Mini-ITX motherboards?

The limitation of mini ITX motherboards is limited expansion slots; for example, there is generally only one PCIe slot and typically two RAM slots. This means that if you want to increase your system memory, you'll have to swap out your RAM sticks for a higher-capacity kit instead of just adding more. 

Besides that, there are limited connectivity options as you don't get many ports on the back. While you might get one or two high-speed USB 3.2 or 4 ports, having more ports opens your options for connecting different peripherals, especially if you're streaming. 

What are the advantages of Mini-ITX motherboards?

Mini ITX motherboards have a couple of advantages. The first is that they are perfect for low-profile builds and don't need a lot of space. They also have lower power consumption, but that also means that they aren't the best for overclocking. In addition, they can be used with any PC case without worrying about compatibility issues. 

Can you overclock a processor with a mini ITX board? 

Some mini ITX motherboards can offer some level of overclocking, but since they have lower power consumption and fewer VRMs, they aren't the best options for overclocking processors, especially power-hungry flagship CPUs.

Verdict

We selected the GIGABYTE X870I AORUS PRO ICE as the best mini ITX motherboard because it has good features, aesthetics, and sports a high-end chipset with robust VRMs that have a 110A limit, which should result in better overclocking and overall performance with any Ryzen 7000, 8000, or 9000 processor.

0
Which mini ITX motherboard would you use in your next build?

About the Author

Ussamah Mehmood

Ussamah works as a content writer and editor at BGFG. He is experienced in tech, hardware, gaming, and marketing.