As an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases you might make if you click any of the links on this page.
Looking for the best micro atx motherboards?
Micro-ATX motherboards come in the middle when it comes to size factors, smaller than ATX boards, but larger than Mini-ATX. It’s like that sweet spot in the middle, allowing you to have a compact case, but not too tiny that it looks like a toy.
In this guide I have compiled a list of the best budget and best value micro atx motherboards, both for AMD and Intel so you don’t have to scour through the dozens of motherboards available in the market.
We will start first with the top AMD motherboards and then the top intel boards.
Before moving on make sure you check the following detailed tutorial on how to choose the best motherboard for you: How To Choose The Right Motherboard For Your Needs: A Comprehensive Guide
Our Top Picks
Intel mATX Motherboards
- Best Budget AMD Micro ATX Motherboard – ASRock B650M-H/M.2+
- Best Value AMD Micro ATX Motherboard – MSI PRO B650M-A
AMD mATX Motherboards
- Best Budget Intel Micro ATX Motherboard – ASRock B760M Pro RS
- Best Value Intel Micro ATX Motherboard – GIGABYTE Z790M AORUS Elite AX
Why Should You Trust Us?
Our hands-on experience in PC building and hardware reviews sets us apart from the sea of generic tech guides you find on the internet. The author, Konstantinos Chiotis, has been immersed in the tech world for over a decade and built his first PC at the age of 14—over 24 years ago. His passion for dissecting motherboards, GPUs, and all things PC-related means every recommendation you see here comes from real-world testing and personal experience rather than recycled marketing fluff.
Konstantinos’s long-standing dedication to exploring new technologies ensures that you’re getting the most reliable and up-to-date advice. His lifelong fascination with motherboards, CPU coolers, and other vital components is what drives him to produce in-depth reviews and thorough comparisons. Rest assured, if an mATX motherboard stands out in this guide, it’s because it’s been carefully vetted for performance, efficiency, and value—so you can build with confidence.
How We Chose the Best Micro ATX Motherboards
When rounding up the best micro ATX motherboards, I looked for the perfect balance of performance, reliability, price, and extra features that matter most to PC builders. Micro-ATX is already a great middle ground between traditional ATX and tiny Mini-ITX boards, so it’s important that these motherboards check off all the right boxes without sacrificing too much in terms of expandability or power delivery. Below is a quick breakdown of the criteria I used to make these picks:
- VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) Quality
- Power Delivery and Stability: A robust VRM design ensures your CPU receives a steady stream of power, which is crucial for handling demanding tasks or even moderate overclocking.
- Thermal Performance: I also looked at how effectively the VRMs stayed cool under load, as overheated power delivery components can lead to system instability or forced downclocks.
- Chipset and Features
- AMD vs. Intel: Both platforms offer different chipsets with unique benefits. For example, AMD’s B650 chipset supports PCIe Gen5 on some boards, while Intel’s newer chipsets like the B760 and Z790 deliver strong upgrade paths for LGA 1700.
- Connectivity Options: I took note of how many USB ports, SATA connectors, and M.2 slots were available. Having multiple M.2 slots (especially Gen4 or Gen5) is key if you plan to expand storage in the future.
- Form Factor Efficiency
- Slot Layout: Even though micro ATX is smaller than standard ATX, many boards still offer multiple expansion slots (PCIe x16, PCIe x4/x1) and a decent number of fan headers.
- RAM Slots: While 4-DIMM configurations are common, some budget boards might limit you to two. I highlighted boards that offer four slots where possible, especially if future memory upgrades are on your radar.
- Overall Build Quality
- PCB Layers and Heatsinks: Multi-layer PCBs are more durable and help with heat dissipation. Decent-sized heatsinks over VRMs and M.2 slots also indicate better thermal performance.
- Extra Reinforcements: Boards with reinforced PCIe slots or memory slots get bonus points for added stability—important if you plan on installing a hefty GPU or frequently swapping components.
- Value for Money
- Price vs. Performance: Some boards may be priced lower but skimp on essential features, while others justify their higher cost with premium VRMs, integrated Wi-Fi 6E, or advanced connectivity. I ensured each recommendation offered enough bang for your buck in its respective category.
- Future-Proofing: PCIe Gen5 compatibility, DDR5 support, and flexible BIOS updates can extend the lifespan of your build and save you money in the long run.
- User Experience and Ease of Installation
- BIOS Features: A well-structured BIOS can make a huge difference, whether you’re overclocking or simply fine-tuning fan curves. Boards with BIOS Flashback or Q-Flash Plus are especially handy for easy firmware updates.
- Clear Documentation and Layout: Micro-ATX boards can feel cramped, so a thoughtful component layout and comprehensive manual can go a long way for first-time builders or those looking to upgrade quickly.
- Aesthetics and Design
- Color Scheme and RGB: While looks don’t impact performance, it’s still nice to have a board that visually complements your build. Some boards feature sleek, minimalist designs, while others come loaded with RGB lighting.
- Heatsink Designs: Chunky or stylish heatsinks not only help keep VRM temps in check but also give the board a premium vibe.
Comparison Table: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | ASRock B650M-H/M.2+ – Best Budget AMD | MSI PRO B650M-A – Best Value AMD | ASRock B760M Pro RS – Best Budget Intel | GIGABYTE Z790M AORUS Elite AX – Best Value Intel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VRM Phases | 6+1+1 | 8+2+1 | 7+1+1 | 12+1+1 |
| PCIe Gen5 (GPU Slot) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Max RAM Speed | 6400 MHz | 7200 MHz | 7400 MHz | 7600 MHz |
| Notable Features | – Gen5 M.2 SSD support – Cheapest AM5 entry point | – Solid VRM & thick heatsink – Wi-Fi 6E option | – Gen5 GPU slot – Budget-friendly LGA 1700 solution | – Robust VRM design – Gen5 GPU slot – Wi-Fi 6E built-in |
By carefully considering all these factors—especially VRM design, connectivity, and value for money—I’ve compiled a lineup of boards that strike the right balance for anyone in the market for a micro ATX form factor. Whether you’re leaning towards AMD or Intel, aiming for a budget build, or seeking the absolute best value, you’ll find a motherboard in this roundup that perfectly fits your setup.
Ultimately, the “best” micro ATX motherboard depends on how you plan to use your PC—whether that’s gaming, content creation, or day-to-day productivity. After going through each recommendation, you should have a clear idea of which board aligns with your specific requirements. And remember, if you’re torn between two options, consider future-proofing features like PCIe Gen5 or the number of M.2 slots, as they can make a difference in the long run.
Best AMD Micro ATX Motherboards
Best Budget AMD Micro ATX Motherboard – ASRock B650M-H/M.2+
The ASRock B650M-H/M.2+ is an entry-level motherboard for the AMD B650 chipset that offers a good balance between performance and price. This Micro-ATX board features decent VRMs, along with adequate connectivity options and sufficient networking. It is a great board if you are on a tight budget, and are looking for a no nonsense board that is reliable, and performant.
Looking at the board, there are no fancy design aesthetics going on. It follows a simple, to the point implementation with no thick VRM heatsinks, or any flash of RGB. Actually it is quite plain from a design standpoint, with the only sight of ASRock branding on the lower heatsink. It uses a matte gray finish with a little complement of black patterns. A single 8-ping EPS connector is provided in the top-left corner to power the processor. Contrary to the typical 4-DIMM slots, this board houses 2-slots for memory that are not reinforced, along with a single locking mechanism at the top which supports a maximum of 128GB RAM memory with speeds of 6400 MHz.
It goes without saying that a budget motherboard has to make compromises, and VRMs are one of the areas that were adjusted for this. The board uses a 6+1+1 phase VRM design, which is definitely not the best, but it does the job. Still, I wouldn’t recommend using it for any high-end AM5 processor or you are going to run into thermal trouble.
In terms of performance, the board offers a single PCIe x16 Gen 4 slot for your graphics card. For storage, you do get Gen5 support for your M.2 SSD which is certainly nice to see, along with an additional Gen4 slot as well. You also get 4 SATA connectors offering speeds of up to 6Gb/s, so there are plenty of options for storage. There’s also support for AMD EXPO which should allow you to take advantage of your memory’s max speed.
Thermal performance is not the best when paired with the top of the line AM5 processors, like the Ryzen 7950X, as expected, where the VRM thermals reach 107 degrees Celsius. However, for entry-level AM5 processors like the 7600X and even the 7700X, you should not have to worry about it. Nonetheless, this board matches the thermal efficiency of boards like Gigabyte B650M D3H which comes at a much higher price point.
You also do not have to worry about network connectivity since the board supports upto 1 gigabit speed with its RealTek LAN chip. Alongside this, you can also choose to use WiFi via the M.2 (Key E) slot that is available. That said, the WiFi module is not included in the board. For connectivity, you are looking at 6x rear USB ports with four USB 3.2 Gen1, and two USB 2.0. On top of that, you also get 6x front USB ports, four of which are USB 2.0, and 2 USB 3.2 Gen1.
All in all, the ASRock B650M-H/M.2+ is the cheapest entry-level motherboard that you can buy to take advantage of the AM5 chipset, with support for DDR5 memory, and more. It is in no way a great motherboard, but it certainly does the job quite well for its price.
To sum up, what I like is the…
- PCIe Gen5 support
- Cheapest AM5 motherboard
On the downside
- No RGB headers
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 7/10
- Connectivity: 7.5/10
- Aesthetics: 7/10
- Features: 7.5/10
- Value for Money: 8/10
- Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Best Value AMD Micro ATX Motherboard – MSI PRO B650M-A
The MSI PRO lineup of motherboards has proven to be a reliable choice for simple office or workstation PCs and the B650M-A follows this tradition. With the introduction of the new Ryzen 7000 CPUs, MSI has made notable improvements to the VRMs and this is apparent in the PRO B650M-A.
Still by current standards, the VRMs on this board are considered modest yet capable. It features a set of 8-phase VRMs that are effectively cooled by a thick heatsink. As a result, even under an all-core load with a stock 7950X, the VRMs only reach a maximum temperature of 78 degrees Celsius. Of course, I do not recommend anyone to get a 7950X for this motherboard, but this does go to show the premium quality even on a budget-friendly motherboard.
Performance is an overall advantage of this board and even the RAM support is excellent. Usually, MSI boards do not clock memory much higher than 6400 MT/s, but this board does support up to 7200 MT/s DDR5 RAM.
If we take a look at the rear I/O, MSI has kitted the PRO B650M-A with 8 USB type-A ports where 4 of them are running at USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 4 of them at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds.
Sadly, there isn’t a single USB type-C port on the rear I/O. Also, MSI should have added at least 2 USB 2.0 type-A ports because now you’ll have to use two USB 3.2 type-A ports for peripherals like a mouse and keyboard.
Thankfully, the front I/O has 4 USB 2.0 type-A, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-C, and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 type-A ports which does alleviate some of my concerns. The rear I/O also has a BIOS flashback button which is fantastic for upgrading the BIOS without needing to install a compatible CPU. Other than that, everything else you get is pretty standard like HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2.5 gig LAN, and a standard 3 port array of audio jacks.
When it comes to aesthetics the MSI PRO lineup of motherboards has a simple all-black design. It’s not for showing off your PC but rather something with a tried and true formula and a look that won’t clash with anything else.
Being a micro ATX board there aren’t going to be as many PCIe slots as one would expect from a full-sized ATX board. In total, you get 2 M.2 SSD slots and 3 PCIe slots for expansion. The first PCIe slot is a proper x16 PCIe 4.0 slot that is connected directly to the CPU. The other two slots are just simple PCIe 3.0 x1 and PCIe 4.0 x4 slots.
It would make sense to go with this board’s bigger brother, the MSI PRO B650-P WIFI, if you really want an extra PCIe slot and a stronger VRM if you have a much bigger budget to spend on the motherboard.
In terms of competition, the most interesting alternative is the ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi which is very similar to this motherboard in many ways. The reason why I prefer the MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi is that for just $10 more, you get a neater design, an extra PCIe slot, and much better USB ports.
The ASRock is a good choice if you’re looking to squeeze as much of your budget as possible and really want a USB type-C port on the back, but it is clear that the B650M-A WiFi is hard to pass especially given how similarly priced they both are.
In conclusion, the MSI PRO B650M-A is going to be the ideal choice for budget Ryzen machines. Its solid VRM is what mainly makes it a worthy recommendation. It doesn’t go overboard in any shape or form and just gets the job done. All these make it the ideal micro atx motherboard
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 8/10
- Connectivity: 8/10
- Aesthetics: 7.5/10
- Features: 8/10
- Value for Money: 9/10
- Overall Rating: 8/10
Best Intel Micro ATX Motherboards
Best Budget Intel Micro ATX Motherboard – ASRock B760M Pro RS
The ASRock B760M Pro RS is a great option for budget Intel users who want to upgrade to LGA 1700, providing sufficient storage and PCIe options, along with a 4-DIMM slot configuration for memory, which is contrary to the common 2-DIMM slot design found in most Micro-ATX boards. That said, there are certain areas where some users might feel a bit bound, let’s find out.
Starting off with the design, the board has a silver theme with some elements of black, from the VRMs to the heatsink on the M.2 slot, the silver accent is quite dominant. It uses a 6-layer PCB design which is quite common in motherboards these days, however, there is no RGB present. You do get RGB headers on the board, allowing you to bring your own RGB if you want. Pro RS and ASRock branding can be found on the different heatsinks, and they certainly are not a bad look. You get a single 8-pin EPS connector for the processor in the top-left corner, along with 4 DIMM slots for the memory that have a locking mechanism on both sides.
For VRMs, the board uses a 7+1+1 phase configuration, so 7 phases are dedicated to Vcore and this is where some of the compromises were made to keep the price low. Don’t get me wrong, this configuration is not terrible, but it’s certainly not among the best either.. The board should be able to handle even flagship Intel processors just fine, however, there is no room for raising the power limits from the factory defaults.
Coming into the performance, this is where you will be positively surprised. The board offers a single PCIe Gen5 x16 slot for your graphics card, with an additional PCIe Gen3 slot. On top of that, the Gen5 slot uses reinforced steel, providing more support for your card. On the memory side, you are looking at 3 Gen3 M.2 slots and one of them has its own dedicated heatsink. Lastly, the board also offers 4 SATA3 6Gbps connectors.
When it comes to thermal performance, the B760M Pro RS really offers excellent thermal efficiency, even with a limited VRM design. Under intensive workload, the temperatures stay around 50 degrees celsius, which is really great. If you wish to bring the most out of your processor and increase the overall power draw, you are going to need ample airflow along with a good cooling solution.
In terms of connectivity, you get 6 USB ports on the rear, out of which 4 are USB 3.2 Gen1, while two ports are only USB 2.0. On the front side, you are looking at 7 USB ports with three supporting USB 3.2 Gen1 and the rest USB 2.0. The board uses a Realtek 2.5 gigs chip for network connectivity, which should be more than enough for most users.
In comparison, the ASRock B760M PG Riptide comes with no Gen5 slots for your graphics card, and with a memory clock speed of 6800. On the other hand, the B760M Pro RS supports speeds of up to 7400 MHz, along with a Gen5 PCIe slot, and good thermal efficiency.
All in all, the ASRock B760M Pro RS is the best micro-ATX board that you can buy on a budget, offering great features and performance, with no big constraints.
To sum up, what I like is…
- PCIe x16 Gen5 support
- Decent storage options
- Great price to value proposition
On the downside
- Limited rear USB ports (only 5)
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 7.5/10
- Connectivity: 7.5/10
- Aesthetics: 8/10
- Features: 8/10
- Value for Money: 8.5/10
- Overall Rating: 8/10
Best Value Intel Micro ATX Motherboard – GIGABYTE Z790M AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790M AORUS Elite AX is a mid-range motherboard that really shines among its competition, offering plenty of features such as PCIe Gen5, and a great VRM configuration. Not only is it a good option from a performance standpoint, but it also looks quite well, maintaining a nice aesthetic throughout the board that is not overwhelming.
To start off, the Z790M AORUS ELITE AX has a 6-layer PCB design with a matte black finish. The thick heatsinks have AORUS branding along with stenciled patterns. The heatsinks have a brushed aluminum surface, which gives it an overall premium feel and look. There is also built-in RGB that can be seen around the chipset heatsink. Power to the processor is provided through the 8-pin and 4-pin connectors in the top left corner. No compromises have been made in the memory department either with full 4 DIMM slots configuration and a dual locking mechanism.
In terms of power delivery, it is using a 14-phase setup with 12 phases dedicated to Vcore. This leads to a total of 720Amps available to the CPU, which means there’s plenty of power even if you wish to overclock the CPU. The 12+1+1 VRM design offers solid thermal efficiency even for flagship processors that are more power hungry.
Moving on to the performance of the board, you are looking at two PCIe x16 slots for your graphics card. The CPU expansion slot is PCIe Gen5, which is a great addition especially when you are looking to future-proof your build. This also includes an EZ-Latch option, which makes mounting and unmounting your graphics card easier. The chipset expansion slot, on the other hand, is based on PCIe Gen4. In terms of storage, there are no Gen5 slots, rather you get a total of 3 PCIe Gen4 M.2 slots. The top M.2 slot comes with a heatsink that Gigabyte refers to as Thermal Guard, which ensures your M.2 SSD is able to perform to its max without any thermal issues. For memory, the card is able to support a max speed of 7600 MHz and this is more than sufficient.
The thermal efficiency of the board is also great, which is to be expected from its 12+1+1 VRM configuration. You can throw any LGA 1700 processor at it and the board will be able to handle it without any issues.
Connectivity is also pretty solid. For rear USB ports, you get a total of 10, out of which only 4 are based on USB 2.0. There are also plenty of front USB options, with a total of 7 USB ports available, that can be accessed through the header. Out of these, 2 ports are based on USB 3.2 Gen1 while a single port uses USB 3.2 Gen2. Finally, in terms of network, the board offers built-in WiFi 6E from Intel, along with a 2.5G LAN chip from Realtek.
Compared to its competition from MSI, the MPG B760M EDGE TI WiFi goes down when it comes to the expansion slots, offering Gen5 and Gen3 options only. In terms of memory and storage, both boards offer the same features and even the same VRM design.
In conclusion, the Z760M AORUS Elite AX is an exceptional board that is not too heavy on the pocket and offers features that should future-proof your build with ease. On top of that, it maintains a nice aesthetic look that is quite pleasing.
To sum up, what I like is…
- PCIe x16 Gen5 support
- Plenty of rear USB ports
- Built-in WiFI 6E
On the downside
- No M.2 Gen5 support
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 9/10
- Connectivity: 9/10
- Aesthetics: 9/10
- Features: 9/10
- Value for Money: 9/10
- Overall Rating: 9/10
FAQs:
Do Micro-ATX Motherboards Have 4 RAM slots?
Many micro-ATX motherboards have 4 RAM slots and decent RAM capacity. However, some budget offerings sometimes only offer 2 DIMM memory slots options so you should do your research about the particular motherboard model beforehand. Especially if you may need more storage devices.
Why Choose Micro-ATX over ATX?
You should choose micro ATX over ATX if you plan to build a smaller-sized gaming PC in a micro-ATX case. You can also save money by going with mini-ATX motherboards since most of the micro-ATX motherboards are cheaper than an ATX gaming motherboard.
Can I Install a mATX Motherboard in an ATX Case?
You can install a micro-ATX fit in an ATX case. However, you will need to install the appropriate standoffs before attempting to install the motherboard in your PC case.
Can I Install an ATX Motherboard in a Micro-ATX Case?
You cannot install an ATX motherboard in micro-ATX motherboards’ cases since the dimensions do not fit. The ATX board is bigger than the motherboard tray of the micro ATX case.
Are Micro-ATX Motherboards Good for Gaming?
All micro-ATX motherboards could make great gaming motherboards if paired with a good Processor and GPU. However, in some mATX board storage options and the number of DIMM slots can limit your gaming experience by a small margin. You may need external storage devices if you are dedicated gamers.
- Top 3 Best CPU Coolers For Intel Core i7 12700k In 2025 - April 17, 2025
- Top 3 Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 9 5900X In 2025 - April 16, 2025
- TOP 3 Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 7 9700X In 2025 - April 11, 2025