Key Points
- Our #1 choice for the Best Overall Mini-ITX Motherboard is the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi LGA 1700. It’s a great option for gamers or anyone who wants to build a compact PC without sacrificing power.
- With a Mini-ITX motherboard, you are able to build a PC that saves you a significant amount of space, as Mini-ITX motherboards are a small form factor. These motherboards are the perfect choice for space-saving systems.
- Mini-ITX motherboards are more power-efficient and often cheaper than their ATX counterparts, so they make great choices for energy-efficient builds.
- When shopping for a new motherboard, always make sure you are using a motherboard compatible with your CPU. You will also want to ensure that you have enough connectivity and storage options.
- The best motherboards feature plenty of connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and Thunderbolt 4 connections.
The best motherboards offer a variety of features to help you build a powerful and reliable computer. Whether you’re building a gaming computer, home theater system, or video workstation, you need to have a good motherboard.
If you want your PC to be as small as possible, then you’ll need to look for a Mini-ITX motherboard. So, after reviewing dozens of options, here is our ranking of the best Mini-ITX motherboards of 2023.
Just take a look at our roundup of the 5 Best Mini-ITX Motherboards:
- #1 Best Overall Mini-ITX Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming
- Best Premium AM5 AMD Mini-ITX Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I
- Best Price-to-Performance Intel Mini-ITX: Gigabyte B760I AORUS PRO
- Best Price-to-Performance AMD Mini-ITX: Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra
- Best Budget Option: Gigabyte H610I
#1 Best Overall Mini-ITX Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming
- Thick heatsinks with integrated I/O
- PCIe5.0 M.2 and PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
- 7000 MHz memory clock speed
- Wi-Fi 6E
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming takes our top spot for the best Mini-ITX motherboard thanks to a wide range of connectivity options, solid reliability, and an LGA 1700 socket. Despite its small size, it is perfect for running the best 12th- or 13th-generation Intel CPUs on the market.
The motherboard features two DDR5 memory slots that operate at a maximum speed of 7600 MHz. You also get multiple PCIe ports, Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, and USB Type-A connectors. There is even an included Wi-Fi connection alongside a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. So, you don’t need to worry about connectivity.
ASUS has attempted to pack everything it could onto this tiny motherboard. But as a Mini-ITX, it does have its drawbacks. There’s only one PCIe slot available. But, thankfully, it supports a PCIe 5.0 connection for the newest GPUs.
As with many Mini-ITX form factor motherboards, the connections can be hard to reach. ASUS has included the Strix Hive accessory with this motherboard, which aims to make harder-to-reach connections easier.
It’s a useful accessory but, in our opinion, it isn’t necessary. Still, it’s nice to have it included with the motherboard for free.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes the ROG Strix hive. This controller includes audio connectors, a S/PDIF optical output, a volume nob, USB expansion ports, a Q-LED troubleshooting interface, and a BIOS flashback feature. | Only one PCIe expansion lane, meaning you will only be able to install a graphics card and no other expansion accessories. Thankfully, this motherboard does include Wi-Fi, so there is no need for a Wi-Fi expansion card. |
| Two PCIe M.2 slots, so you can install sizable amounts of storage. | There are only TWO DIMM slots, so you will be somewhat limited in terms of memory capacity and speed. |
Check out the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming on Amazon.
Best Premium AM5 AMD Mini-ITX Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I
- Active VRM heatsink with high-conductivity thermal pads
- Overclocking technologies: Dynamic OC Switcher, Ryzen Core Flex, and PBO Enhancement
- On-board Wi-Fi 6E
Our second spot is another ASUS motherboard, this time for buyers who are looking to use an AMD CPU with the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi. It’s the AMD version of our overall #1 pick, and it features the exact same M.2 setup and the same RAM slot configuration for DDR5.
However, AMD-based systems handle RAM differently, and this motherboard only has a maximum speed of 6400 MHz. You do, however, get the same networking capabilities with both a 2.5 GbE Ethernet port and built-in Wi-Fi.
You also get the same wide-ranging connectivity options in terms of USB-C ports and USB-A ports. Ultimately, this is a great motherboard that has everything you will need to build a powerful PC within a small form factor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Two PCIe M.2 slots, so you can install plenty of storage. | Similarly to our #1 pick, there are only TWO DIMM slots, so you will be somewhat limited in terms of memory capacity and speed. |
| Like the Intel version, this board also includes audio connectors, a S/PDIF optical output, a volume nob, USB expansion ports, a Q-LED troubleshooting interface, and a BIOS flashback feature. | At over $400, this is one of the more expensive Mini ITX boards you can get. |
Check out the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I on Amazon.
Best Price-to-Performance Intel Mini-ITX: Gigabyte B760I AORUS PRO
- Dual-channel DDR4
- PCIe 4.0, Triple NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- 2133 MHz memory clock speed
- Wi-Fi 6
If you’re looking to get the most out of your money with a Mini-ITX motherboard, look no further than the Gigabyte B760I AORUS PRO. It’s an affordable option that comes with support for 12th- and 13th-generation processors with the LGA 1700 socket.
It also supports DDR5 RAM, PCIe 4.0 storage, and has a 2.5 GbE Ethernet port with wireless connectivity included. Perhaps the most apparent drawback is that this motherboard does not offer DDR5.
You can still get by with DDR4, which is enough for most applications, but it might not satisfy your inner gamer if you want the absolute best performance. On the plus side, the rear I/O panel has everything you would need for connectivity, ranging from USB-C ports and USB-A ports to audio connections and an Ethernet port.
Gigabyte hasn’t sacrificed performance to attain a more affordable price with the B760I AORUS PRO motherboard. Still, it is slightly limited in terms of the fact that it only has a single PCIe expansion slot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports the latest Intel processors. | It would have been nice to have a PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slot, but PCIe 4.0 isn’t terrible. |
| Great price-to-performance ratio with decent connectivity options at an affordable budget. | DDR4 only. Does not support DDR5. |
Check out the Gigabyte B760I AORUS PRO on Amazon.
Best Price-to-Performance AMD Mini-ITX: Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra
- Supports AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Processors
- Extended VRM heatsink with heatpipe
- PCIe 5.0, PCIe 4.0 NVMe x4 M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DP-Alt
- 2133 MHz memory clock speed
If you’re in the market for one of the best Mini-ITX motherboards for an AM5 processor, look no further than the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra. This motherboard supports a high-end AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, along with two PCIe M.2 slots.
There are even four SATA ports if you want to install multiple 2.5-inch SSDs in your system. As a more affordable motherboard, there is no PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the newest high-end GPUs, but a PCIe 4.0 is still great for playing games.
It can also handle some of the most powerful graphics cards on the market. This isn’t a great motherboard for overclocking, but neither are most Mini-ITX form-factor motherboards.
It’s not the cheapest nor the most limited, and it hits that sweet spot when it comes to price-to-performance for anyone looking to build a small-form-factor PC with an AMD AM5 processor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An affordable Mini-ITX option that supports high-end Ryzen CPUs. | Barely any overclocking ability due to power efficiency. |
| Solid connectivity options with USB-C connectors, USB-A connectors, and 2.5 GbE Ethernet. | While PCIe 5.0 x16 is preferable to this motherboard’s PCIe 4.0 x16, it won’t have too much impact if you are building a value or budget-friendly gaming PC. |
| DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 M.2 support for high-speed memory and storage options. | This motherboard can be difficult to find at times due to stocking issues. |
Check out the Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra on Amazon.
Best Budget Option: Gigabyte H610I
- Supports 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core Series Processors
- Dual-channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR5
- 2133 MHz memory clock speed
- Audio capacitors and Audio Noise Guard
If you want to build a compact PC, and you’re hoping to keep the budget just as small, then the Gigabyte H610I is the best option for you. While this motherboard doesn’t have the latest technology, nor all of the expansion capabilities of some of the other options, it is still a solid choice if you need something cheap that works.
The downsides are that this board does not offer built-in connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Plus, it is limited to PCIe 4.0 instead of 5.0. But once you get past that, it is not a bad motherboard by any means.
You still get the latest LGA 1700 compatibility, so you can install a powerful Intel processor. Plus, you even get DDR5 compatibility, although it is limited to a lower frequency of just 2133 MHz.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is a highly affordable motherboard compared to the competition. | Does not include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. |
| Comes with standard connectors like USB-A and HDMI. | Only two RAM slots, and they are limited to 2133 MHz. |
| Supports the latest Intel LGA 1700 socket for compatibility with newer CPUs. | It does not come with features we take for granted, like USB-C ports. |
Check out the Gigabyte H610I on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Mini-ITX Motherboard: Step by Step
When choosing a motherboard, you’ll want to look at a few different factors:
- Socket Type
- Expansion Slots
- Form Factor
- Pricing
Let’s review each of these criteria in more detail.
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Socket Type
Motherboard socket types are the most important consideration when building a PC. The socket type determines the compatibility of the motherboard with the CPU. There are several different types of sockets available, including LGA, BGA, and AM4/5.
The socket type of the motherboard should be chosen based on the CPU you either have or want to use.
We won’t get into the Intel vs. Ryzen discussion here, but this is one of the most obvious distinctions when determining the socket type since each CPU maker offers something different.
For example, if you want to use a 12th or 13th-generation Intel processor, you should only look at motherboards with the LGA 1700 socket. AMD, however, uses a different type of socket. Earlier AMD Ryzen processors used the AM4 socket, while the newer Ryzen processors use the AM5 socket.
Always double-check the processor socket type of the CPU you plan to use. Buy a motherboard based on that information. Ideally, you should pick out your CPU first, and then your motherboard.
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Expansion Slots
Expansion slots are the various connectors that are on the motherboard which allow the addition of expansion cards. Most commonly, this will be where you install your graphics card. This is where ITX motherboards suffer.
Depending on what type of motherboard you want, you’ll get more or less space for additional components. Full-sized ATX motherboards often have multiple expansion slots, allowing you to install multiple GPUs and add-ons like WiFi.
Mini-ITX motherboards, on the other hand, only include the bare necessities due to their small size. You might not be able to add many expansion cards later — make sure you pick a board with everything built-in.
Form Factor
Motherboards come in multiple sizes — this article has only focused on Mini-ITX motherboards. It’s important to choose a correctly sized motherboard for your needs. The most common sizing is ATX. But you will also see even larger motherboards, such as EATX.
Mini-ITX is the opposite end of the spectrum. The motherboards we covered today are the smallest and great for building mini-PCs. But they lack the expansion options found on ATX motherboards.
When choosing a motherboard size, factors such as budget, the size of your case, and the number of expansion and RAM slots you want to make use of come into play.
At the same time, the smaller form factor means that you might not be able to add as much RAM or storage as a larger size. If you’re looking for the tiniest possible board, Mini-ITX is the way to go. Just make sure it has enough M.2 slots for storage, and enough RAM slots to do what you need to do.
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Pricing
This is going to be the most subjective aspect of buying a motherboard. Motherboard prices tend to vary depending on the number of expansion slots available and their use cases. Some motherboards can be found for as cheap as $50, but these will often be extremely limited.
On the other hand, there are motherboards designed for creative professionals that often cost around $500. Many of the motherboards on this list are in the $150 to $300 range, which is typically the range in which you will find most Mini-ITX motherboards.
As a central part of any computer build, we would never recommend that anyone skimp on buying a motherboard. While it’s entirely possible to find a good deal on a motherboard, always be cautious if you think one seems too cheap to be true, as the motherboard is going to be the most important piece of your build.
What to Know Before Buying a Mini-ITX Motherboard
Before you commit to purchasing a motherboard, always ensure you are looking at one that is compatible with the hardware you plan on installing on it.
Additionally, if you already have a case, make sure to take note of the measurements, as this will determine which kind of motherboard will fit into your case. If you have a large PC case, your Mini-ITX motherboard might fit, but it will leave a lot of unused space.
We always recommend referring to one of the many websites online designed to check compatibility between PC components when planning a custom build. Resources like PC Part Picker are ideal for determining compatibility between a wide range of components.
Summary Table
| Motherboard | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming | Includes the ROG Strix hive, Two PCIe M.2 slots | Only one PCIe expansion lane, Only TWO DIMM slots |
| ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I | Two PCIe M.2 slots, Includes audio connectors, a S/PDIF optical output, a volume nob, USB expansion ports, a Q-LED troubleshooting interface, and a BIOS flashback feature | Only TWO DIMM slots, Expensive |
| Gigabyte B760I AORUS PRO | Supports the latest Intel processors, Great price-to-performance ratio with decent connectivity options at an affordable budget | No PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slot, DDR4 only |
| Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra | An affordable Mini-ITX option that supports high-end Ryzen CPUs, Solid connectivity options with USB-C connectors, USB-A connectors, and 2.5 GbE Ethernet, DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 M.2 support for high-speed memory and storage options | Barely any overclocking ability due to power efficiency, While PCIe 5.0 x16 is preferable to this motherboardâs PCIe 4.0 x16, it wonât have too much impact if you are building a value or budget-friendly gaming PC, This motherboard can be difficult to find at times due to stocking issues |
| Gigabyte H610I | This is a highly affordable motherboard compared to the competition, Comes with standard connectors like USB-A and HDMI, Supports the latest Intel LGA 1700 socket for compatibility with newer CPUs | Does not include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, Only two RAM slots, and they are limited to 2133 MHz, It does not come with features we take for granted, like USB-C ports |
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