Are you building a small form factor gaming PC? You will need the best mini ITX motherboard to go with it!

Compact gaming PCs have absolutely blown up as a trend in the past few years. More and more gamers, creators, and even professionals are shifting to small form factor PCs that don’t take up a lot of space.

The components in our PCs have gotten quite a lot more efficient, therefore it is possible to build a powerful PC in a small chassis. This is where mini-ITX motherboards come in.

Modern mini-ITX motherboards have a lot of high-end features such as robust VRM design, excellent connectivity, multiple M.2 storage drives, etc.

However, they require a lot of research and development, and their tooling cost is pretty high. Therefore, these are often expensive products.

We have curated the best mini-ITX motherboards for different popular Intel and AMD platforms. Let’s get started.

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

Best AMD Mini-ITX Motherboards

• 3. GIGABYTE A620I AX – Best Budget AMD Mini ITX Motherboard
• 2. ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFi -Best Premium AMD Mini ITX Motherboard
• 1. GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra – Our Top choice

Best Intel Mini ITX Motherboards Review

• 3. GIGABYTE B760I AORUS PRO – Best Budget Intel Mini ITX Motherboard
• 2. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming – Best Premium Intel Mini ITX Motherboard
• 1. ASRock Phantom Gaming Intel Z790I – Our Top choice

Why Should You Trust Us?

At Best Motherboard Zone, we are driven by a singular passion for technology, a deep-seated enthusiasm for gaming, and a commitment to providing our readers with the most accurate and comprehensive information. Our author, Konstantinos Chiotis, embodies this ethos.

With over a decade of experience in the tech industry and a lifelong dedication to understanding and discussing the intricacies of components like motherboards, GPUs, and processors, Konstantinos brings a wealth of knowledge to our reviews and recommendations.

When it comes to Mini ITX motherboards, we understand that the stakes are high. These compact powerhouses are the heart of your small form factor gaming PC, and choosing the right one can make a world of difference. That’s why we’ve poured countless hours into researching, testing, and comparing the best Mini ITX motherboards on the market.

We’ve considered everything from power delivery and connectivity options to aesthetics and value for money. So, when we say these are the best Mini ITX motherboards, you can trust that we’ve done our homework.

How We Chose the Best Mini ITX Motherboards

We approached the selection of Mini ITX motherboards by focusing on the features and technical aspects that matter most to compact PC builders. Rather than just relying on brand reputation or raw specifications alone, we looked at a combination of power delivery design, thermal solutions, connectivity, and real-world user considerations. Below is a concise breakdown of the key factors we weighed—referencing points already highlighted in our reviews—to ensure each board on this list offers solid value and usability in small form factor builds.

1. VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) Design and Power Delivery
   • Why It’s Important: Mini ITX boards can be prone to overheating since all components are packed tightly together. A robust VRM design, which you’ll see in models like the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I (10+2 phases) or the ASRock Phantom Gaming Z790I (14+1+1 phases), ensures a stable power supply to the CPU even under demanding workloads.
   • What We Looked At: We paid attention to phase count, amp rating (e.g., 55A vs. 105A stages), and the size and placement of VRM heatsinks. This indicates whether a board can handle high-power CPUs like AMD’s Ryzen 9 or Intel’s Core i9 without pushing temperatures into uncomfortable territory.
2. Efficient Thermal Management in Tight Spaces
   • Why It’s Important: Mini ITX builds naturally restrict airflow, so the motherboard’s ability to dissipate heat is crucial. Features like finned or heatpipe-connected heatsinks help keep VRMs and M.2 drives cooler.
   • What We Looked At: We compared how different boards place their M.2 slots and how large or strategically placed the heatsinks are (e.g., the GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra has a thick heatsink covering multiple M.2 drives). Boards that manage to stay within safe temperature ranges, even in SFF (Small Form Factor) enclosures, stood out positively.
3. Connectivity and Expansion Options
   • Why It’s Important: Despite the smaller size, you still want ample room for storage, a discrete GPU, and a strong network interface.
   • What We Looked At: We favored boards offering multiple M.2 slots (like the three available on the B650I AORUS Ultra). Although budget models like the GIGABYTE A620I AX provide only one M.2 slot, we factored in whether that limitation aligns with a lower price point. We also assessed the availability of Wi-Fi 6/6E modules and 2.5 Gb LAN, which are quickly becoming standard for modern gaming and productivity.
4. Memory Support and DIMM Slot Configuration
   • Why It’s Important: Most Mini ITX boards are limited to two DIMM slots, so the highest possible RAM speed and capacity can be critical for gaming or content creation.
   • What We Looked At: We compared DDR4 vs. DDR5 offerings. For example, the GIGABYTE B760I AORUS Pro DDR4 variant supports up to 5333 MHz, while premium boards like the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming can handle speeds of 7600 MHz or higher in DDR5. The practical impact of these speeds and whether the layout obstructs larger RAM heatsinks were also taken into account.
5. Layout and Ease of Installation
   • Why It’s Important: Mini ITX layouts vary significantly. A poorly placed CPU power connector or a crowded DIMM slot can make building or upgrading more frustrating.
   • What We Looked At: Boards that have easily accessible connectors and sturdy PCIe release mechanisms (like GIGABYTE’s EZ-Latch) can save you from headaches during assembly. We also considered clearance around the CPU socket so you can fit a decent air cooler or an AIO (All-in-One) liquid cooler without hassle.
6. Price vs. Feature Set
   • Why It’s Important: Mini ITX motherboards often cost more due to specialized design and lower production volumes. However, features like PCIe Gen5 for GPUs or M.2 storage, or unique add-ons such as ASUS’s ROG Strix HIVE, can justify a higher price.
   • What We Looked At: Whether boards that skip Gen5 (like most B650I or B760I models) are realistically priced lower. Likewise, top-tier boards (e.g., the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming) must offer tangible advantages, like premium VRMs, Gen5 PCIe slots, advanced USB connectivity (Thunderbolt 4/USB4), or exceptional memory support to warrant their higher cost.

By zeroing in on these specific details—robust VRM design, thorough cooling, diverse connectivity, and a balanced feature set relative to price—we can more confidently determine which Mini ITX motherboards truly excel in small form factor scenarios. This meticulous approach also highlights trade-offs in more budget-friendly boards, ensuring you can choose the perfect balance of performance and features that fits your use case and budget.

Our Evaluation Method at a Glance

Factor	Criteria	Importance Level
Power Delivery (VRM)	Quality of phases, heatsinks, efficiency, overclocking potential	High
Layout & Design	Placement of slots, headers, ports, and ease of cooler installation	High
Connectivity	LAN/Wi-Fi performance, number of USB ports, audio solution, Thunderbolt/USB4	Medium-High
Thermals	Stress-test performance, heatsink design, built-in fans, stable temps	High
Memory Support	Speed (DDR4 or DDR5), max capacity, overclocking profiles (XMP/EXPO)	Medium-High
Aesthetics	Build materials, RGB (if any), overall styling	Medium
Value for Money	Price-to-feature ratio, future-proofing, brand reliability	High

Comparison Table

Comparison Tables

AMD Mini ITX Motherboard Comparison

	GIGABYTE A620I AX – Best Budget AMD	ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFi – Best Premium AMD	GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra – Our Top Choice
Chipset	A620	X670E	B650
VRM Design	5+2+1 (55A)	10+2	8+2+1 (105A)
Main PCIe Slot	1 ×16 (Gen4)	1 ×16 (Gen5)	1 ×16 (Gen4)
M.2 Slots	1 (Gen4)	2 (1× Gen5, 1× Gen4)	3 (Gen4)
LAN	RealTek 2.5 Gb	2.5 Gb	Intel 2.5 Gb
Wi-Fi	RealTek WiFi 6E	WiFi 6E	RealTek WiFi 6E
Max DDR Speed & Capacity	Up to 6400 MHz, 128 GB	Up to 6600 MHz (Dual Channel)	Up to 6400 MHz, 128 GB
USB Ports	11 total (6× USB 3.2, 5× USB 2.0)	Multiple USB 3.2, 2× USB4 (via ROG Strix HIVE)	14 total (7 on rear I/O, 7 via internal headers)
PCIe Generation (GPU)	Gen4	Gen5	Gen4
Overall Rating	8/10	9/10	9/10

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Intel Mini ITX Motherboard Comparison

	GIGABYTE B760I AORUS Pro – Best Budget Intel	ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming – Best Premium Intel	ASRock Phantom Gaming Z790I – Our Top Choice
Chipset	B760	Z790	Z790
VRM Design	8+1+1 (90A)	10+1+1 (~1050 A total)	14+1+1 (~1540 A total)
Main PCIe Slot	1 ×16 (Gen4)	1 ×16 (Gen5)	1 ×16 (Gen5)
M.2 Slots	2 (Gen4)	2 (1× Gen5, 1× Gen4)	2 (Gen4)
LAN	Intel 2.5 Gb	2.5 Gb	RealTek 2.5 Gb
Wi-Fi	Intel WiFi 6 (not 6E)	WiFi 6E	WiFi 6E
Max DDR Speed & Capacity	Up to 5333 MHz (DDR4), 64 GB total	Up to 7600 MHz (DDR5), 96 GB total	Up to 8600 MHz (DDR5), 128 GB total
USB Ports	12 total	12 total (9 on rear I/O, 3 via internal headers)	10 total (6 on rear I/O, 4 via internal headers)
PCIe Generation (GPU)	Gen4	Gen5	Gen5
Overall Rating	8.5/10	9/10	8.5/10

Best AMD Mini-ITX Motherboards Reviews

Number 3. GIGABYTE A620I AX – Best Budget AMD Mini ITX Motherboard

If you are looking for a cheaper option to enter into the AM5 experience, the A620 chipset is the one to go for. The A620 chipsets do not offer any room for CPU overclocking, but there’s memory overclock present in the form of AMD EXPO, which is what most users use anyway. The GIGABYTE A620I AX is a budget mini-ITX board that lets you enjoy the AM5 chipset, and offers features that allow you to make the most out of it.

When it comes to the design it follows a gray and black theme, with reasonable VRM and chipset heatsinks that also cover the M.2 slot on the board. The heatsinks have a striped design in gray, along with Gigabyte branding on the bottom. That said, the board is definitely not going to win any design contests, but such things don’t really matter much especially in mini-ITX boards since most of it is covered by your components anyway. For memory, it uses a 2 DIMM slot configuration, with a single locking mechanism at the top. For CPU power, there’s an 8-pin EPS connector present at the top-left corner, along with a header for your CPU fan.

In terms of VRM design, the board uses a digital 5+2+1 phase configuration, which is expected from an entry-level motherboard. Eventhough, Gigabyte marketing suggests that it can even handle a Ryzen 9 7950X, that’s quite a long shot. While this board may be able to support a high-end processor like this, I wouldn’t recommend using it for that. For power delivery, there are 55A power stages for the vcore, which should technically be enough for a processor like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Looking at the performance metrics, this board has no Gen5 slot. Both the PCIe x16 and M.2 are based on the PCIe Gen4 technology, which is quite fair for a board in the $100 price range. However I would have definitely liked to see more M.2 slots, since there’s only one available. Support for memory speed is good, with a max speed of 6400 MHz, with a total capacity of 128 GB. This has become a common configuration that is present across all motherboards now.

What’s not common is the network connectivity here. Along with a RealTek 2.5 GbE LAN chip, the Gigabyte A620I AX also comes with built-in WiFi support, using a RealTek WiFi 6E module. In terms of USB, you get a total of 11 ports, out of which six are USB 3.2 and the remaining five are USB 2.0.

Considering the VRM design, the thermal efficiency is as good as can be expected. It certainly does not blow off the charts, and I really wouldn’t recommend using a processor that draws a lot of power on this board, but does a fine job for entry-level processors, and you can at max push it to processors like Ryzen 7800X, with a strong cooling implementation. Anything above that would be overkill for this board.

In comparison, the Gigabyte B650I AX performs even worse in thermals even though it is a much more expensive motherboard. From a features standpoint, both the boards basically go head to head, with the B650I AX slightly gaining an overhead with more USB ports, but nothing groundbreaking.

To summarize, the GIGABYTE A620I AX is a board that will get you started with the AM5 chipset and experience, allowing you to make the most out of it with an adequate features set, and performance.

To sum up, what I like is…

• Great network connectivity
• Priced reasonably

On the downside

• Only one M.2 slot
• No Gen5 support

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 7.5/10
• Connectivity: 8.5/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Features: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

Number 2. ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFi -Best Premium AMD Mini ITX Motherboard

ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-I GAMING WIFI is a motherboard that demonstrates impressive features in a compact Mini-ITX form factor.

The first thing to note is how ASUS optimizes the available space, raising the VRM and M.2 heatsinks. This smart design not only manages the thermal loads well but also ensures that this compact board can host all the critical components without compromise.

Around the CPU socket, you’ll find ample space to install your desired CPU cooler, whether that’s a hefty air cooler or an AIO liquid variant. The two memory DIMM slots are available here for DDR5 memory, and they support up to 6600 MHz, ensuring your PC will have access to high-speed memory.

The motherboard features two M.2 slots, following the design trend of its predecessor, the X570E-I. One of these slots is capable of operating at the high-speed PCIe Gen 5.0, enabling faster data transfers. Along with this, the VRM design has been improved to a 10+2 configuration, a step up from the 8+2 setup seen in older boards.

The X670E-I Gaming WiFi offers a PCIe Gen 5 x 16 slot. While it’s the only PCIe slot available on this board, given the mini-ITX form factor, it’s a fair trade-off. ASUS makes up for the limited connectivity options inherent in a mini-ITX motherboard by providing the ROG FP-II card, offering extra SATA ports and headers.

What really sets this motherboard apart is the addition of the ROG Strix HIVE. This magnetic extension brings in more features, including a volume dial, debug LEDs, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and a BIOS flashback button. Importantly, the HIVE is equipped with two USB 4.0 ports, providing impressive 40 Gbps data transfer speeds.

Price-wise, it’s on the higher end, but considering the features and the quality you’re getting, it’s a justified cost. Also, while the two DIMM slots might be limiting for some, they should be more than enough for most users who typically run with dual-channel memory.

In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFi strikes a great balance between offering high-end features, a reliable VRM setup, and a practical design in a compact form factor. For users looking for an X670 board that provides these qualities in a small form factor, this motherboard is the ideal option.

Number 1. GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra – Our Top choice

The Gigabyte B650I AORUS Ultra is an exceptional mini-ITX board for AM5 processors, offering a great feature set at its small size factor. On top of that its mid-range price point makes it stand out. From good connectivity options to a capable VRM configuration, this board surely ticks all of the important checkboxes along with some goodies.

Starting off with the design, right off the bat, you can tell the board is filled with heatsinks, which is a good sign since it is getting tougher by the day to keep up with the increasing power requirements of modern components. It comes in the typical matte black theme along with some accents of silver on the heatsinks. The heatsinks are branded with AORUS, and the bottom heatsink covers both the M.2 slot and the chipset. On the top-left corner, you will find an 8-pin EPS connector for the CPU.

As for memory, the board uses a two DIMMs slot configuration present with a locking mechanism on the top. The left DIMM slot is tightly packed with the bottom heatsink, so you will need to make sure your RAM module is not too thick.

Coming to power delivery and VRMs, the board has an 8+2+1 phase VRM design along with a 105Amps power stages for the Vcore. All of this is present on the 12-layer PCB design, and it really does perform well at high power draw for a mini-ITX motherboard. More on this later.

Moving on to the performance, the board offers a single PCIe x16 Gen4 slot for your graphics card. I would have liked to see Gen5 here, but this isn’t really a dealbreaker. An EZ-Latch is present for the x16 PCIe slot making it easier to unmount your graphics card on this small board. Along with that, you get 3 M.2 slots, all of which are also based on PCIe Gen4. A good thing here is that all of these M.2 slots are present under a thick heatsink, so you get ample cooling for all of your NVMe drives. The board is able to support max memory speeds of 6400 MHz, supporting up to a total of 128GB via the 2 DIMM slots.

The numbers are also great when it comes to thermal performance. Under extensive workload, and with a power rating of more than 200W, the board is able to maintain an acceptable temperature of 76 degrees celsius. This is better than competitors like the MSI MPG B650I Edge WiFi, which also falls behind when it comes to storage options, offering only 2 M.2 slots, compared to the 3 slots on this board.

For connectivity, you are looking at a total of 14 USB ports, which are equally divided between the rear and front. Out of the seven on the back, three ports are USB 3.2 Gen2, two being USB 3.2 Gen1 and the last two are the older USB 2.0 ports. For the front, you get 4 USB 2.0 ports, and a single USB 3.2 Gen2 port, while the rest are based on USB 3.2 Gen1. Finally, network performance is also great with support of 2.5 Gb ethernet via an Intel network chip, along with built-in WiFi 6E support that uses RealTek modules.

In summary, the GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra is a board that has very little to no compromises, great thermal efficiency, and overall great connectivity options for a mini-ITX board.

To sum up, what I like are…

• Great thermals
• Great value for the price
• Solid storage options

On the downside

• No Gen5 support
• No debug LEDs

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9/10
• Connectivity: 9/10
• Aesthetics: 9/10
• Features: 8/5/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Best Intel Mini ITX Motherboards Review

Number 3. GIGABYTE B760I AORUS PRO – Best Budget Intel Mini ITX Motherboard

If you are someone who cannot pay a premium price for a mini itx motherboard and want more than what entry-level motherboards offer, the GIGABYTE B760I AORUS Pro is the board for you. It has a nice set of features and supports the latest gen Intel processors, all of which come at an affordable price. This might sound too good to be true, but there’s a catch. More on this later.

First up, the design. There is a black and silver theme going across the board, which is more prominent on the thick heatsinks that occupy most of the area. The heatsinks have AORUS branding that flows from the VRM heatsink to the chipset and M.2 heatsink at the bottom, a subtle touch that is nice on the eyes. Below that is the PCIe x16 expansion slot, which uses the standard Durable Armor for reinforcement. At the top, you will find a single 8-pin connector for power supply to the processor, along with a 2 DIMM slot configuration to the right for memory. A plus point here is the addition of native RGB, which even more expensive motherboards seem to leave out in this form factor. All of this sits on a 10-layer PCB design.

For VRMs, the board uses a digital 8+1+1 phase VRM configuration with 90Amps current per phase, which may not sound like a lot, but it is capable of handling even high-end processors like the Intel Core i9-13900K. That said, I wouldn’t recommend performing any overclocking on this board, as that can lead to potential thermal trouble, which is never a pleasant experience.

From a performance perspective, you get 2 M.2 NVMe slots that are Gen4. I would certainly have liked to see Gen5 support here, at least for storage units. The same story goes for the PCIe x16 slot, also based on Gen4. This is still completely fine, but if you really want to future proof a build, Gen5 can become important. However, at this price range, it is a rare sight.

Moving on to memory, this is where things might get a little unexpected. There is no support for DDR5, and the board is limited to DDR4 RAM modules only. As such, the board is able to support a maximum memory speed of 5333 MHz, with a total capacity of 64 GB. That said, there is a DDR5 variant of this motherboard available as well, but that costs around 50 USD more.

The thermal efficiency is quite good, considering the 10-phase VRM configuration. The board is able to match the thermal performance of even full-sized ATX motherboards. This is amazing to see since mini-ITX boards are more limited in functionality than full-sized boards. The board is able to maintain an average VRM temperature of around 86 degrees celsius during an intensive Cinebench R23 stress test.

Moving to connectivity, you get plenty of USB ports. From a total of 12 ports, 8 are accessible on the rear through the IO shield while 4 are available for the front panel via internal headers. Out of the 8 on the back, there are only 2 USB 2.0 ports while the rest are USB 3.2 Gen2 and Gen1. The front panel ports are, however, equally divided between USB 2.0 and USB 3.2. Lastly, networking is also good here with a 2.5 Gb LAN chip from Intel along with a built-in Intel Killer WiFi 6 module.

Unfortunately, this isn’t WiFi 6E which would’ve been a nice little boost.
The GIGABYTE B760I AORUS Pro offers better thermal efficiency than competitors like the ASUS ROG STRIX B760-I Gaming WiFi and MSI B760I Edge WiFi. Not only that, it is also priced much lower than its competitors, which is a huge plus for a budget motherboard. .

In conclusion, the B760I AORUS Pro is a great entry-level motherboard that offers just the right set of features. If you are looking for DDR5 support, the motherboard has a separate variant that supports it, which is the only real concern. On top of that, a lower price point makes it more desirable on a budget-build, while offering solid performance overall.

To sum up, what I like is…

• Lower price from competitors
• Plenty of USB ports
• Built-in RGB

On the downside

• No DDR5 support

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8/10
• Connectivity: 9/10
• Aesthetics: 8.5/10
• Features: 8/10
• Value for Money: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Number 2. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming – Best Premium Intel Mini ITX Motherboard

The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming is the premium mini-ITX board to go for if you can afford it. While it costs quite the buck, it is the only mini-ITX board that comes with PCIe Gen5 support for both your storage and graphics card, along with ticking all of the other boxes that you would expect from a premium motherboard.

To begin with the design, it follows the traditional matte black theme on a high-quality PCB. The VRM heatsink has vent lines that allow for maximum airflow to circulate, which is further complemented by two fans under the heatsink. On the bottom, you will find a partial ROG logo that covers the M.2 and chipset heatsink, along with a nice sheen that really makes it stand out. Below the chipset heatsink is the reinforced PCIe x16 slot that ASUS calls a Safeslot, along with two DIMM slot configurations in the top right for memory. For CPU power, you get to see the typical 8-pin connector in the top-left corner. If you are looking for RGB, you will have to bring your own since the board does not come with any native RGB, which is a surprise given the premium price.

Looking at the VRMs, you get a 12-phase configuration in a 10+1+1 design, out of which 10 are dedicated to Vcore. The total 1,050Amps current is more than enough to power even flagship processors from Intel, including the i9-14900K. On top of that, there is plenty of room for overclocking as well, should you want to push your processor even further.

The performance standpoint of this board is actually insane. The board offers a single PCIe x16 Gen5 expansion slot for your graphics card, along with 2 M.2 slots for NVMe storage. Out of the two, one is based on PCIe Gen5 while the other uses Gen4. Additionally, there are two SATA headers available, if you want extra storage for your PC. Moving on to the memory specifications, the board supports a max speed of 7600 MHz, with a total capacity of 96 GB. The total capacity here is a bit of a surprise since most boards are able to support 128 GB of memory via their 2 DIMM slot configuration.

What is unique about the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming is the implementation of the audio solution. This has been moved to a separate external device that ASUS calls the ROG Strix HIVE and they claim it brings the essential I/O control within arms’ reach. This device uses the typical RealTek audio codec, along with some additional USB ports, and a bunch of control buttons like a BIOS flashback button, AI overclock button, and more.

The board also doesn’t lag behind in thermal efficiency and performance. It is able to handle high workloads with quite ease, maintaining a low temperature of around 60 degrees Celsius under the AIDA64 stress test.

Connectivity is also great with a total of 12 USB ports, out of which 9 are available via the rear IO shield and 3 for the front panel. This division might disappoint some if you are looking for more options in the front panel, but honestly, this really does the job quite well. Two of the nine USB ports on the back are USB 2.0, with 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the rest USB 3.2. On the other hand, all of the front panel ports use USB 3.2, which is nice to see considering the low availability. Now, for network connectivity, you get the typical 2.5 Gb ethernet chip and a WiFi 6E module that comes with antennas in the box.

The ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming completely blows its competition from other manufacturers like the MSI MPG Z790I EDGE WiFi and GIGABYTE Z790I AORUS ULTRA, offering superior storage options with PCIe Gen5 support, along with better USB connectivity, and even thermals.

All in all, while it comes at a premium price, this board does offer the best set of features that you are going to get out of any mini-ITX boards.

To sum up, what I like is…

• PCIe Gen5 support for storage and GPU
• Excellent thermals
• Great USB connectivity

On the downside

• No built-in RGB

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9/10
• Connectivity: 9/10
• Aesthetics: 9/10
• Features: 9/10
• Value for Money: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Number 1. ASRock Phantom Gaming Intel Z790I – Our Top choice

The ASRock Phantom Gaming Intel Z790I is among the best mini-ITX motherboards that you can buy. It is based on the Z790 chipset, and it made its entry to the market quite late, with support for the Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th generations. The board offers great memory support, along with sufficient storage options, and an overall fast networking solution. Overall, it really does provide a great experience, so let’s jump into it.

Looking into the design, it sits on top of an 8-layer PCB design with a matte black finish. At first sight, it comes off as another plain black motherboard, but what’s unique here is the VRM heatsinks. They are connected through a heat pipe which is actively cooled. The heatsinks have the standard Phantom Gaming branding on them, and there’s a total of 3 if you count the heatpipe-connected heatsinks as separate.

Glancing at the top, you get a standard 8-pin power connector for the processor in the top left corner rated at 12V. On the right side there are two DIMM slots for your memory with locking mechanisms on both ends. There is no RGB, so if you want to add, you will need to install your own via the headers.

For thermal design, the board uses an excellent 14+1+1 phase VRM design and it actually does an excellent job with the 14 phases dedicated to Vcore. There’s a total of 1,540Amps power stages, which is the most you will likely see in a motherboard of this size. This allows the board to handle even high-end flagship Intel processors quite easily with plenty of room for overclocking as well.

Moving on, it offers a single PCIe x16 Gen5 slot for your GPU. Gen5 support is quite nice to see here, and it is something most motherboard manufacturers compromise on. Along with that, you get 2 M.2 slots but they are both based on Gen4, instead of Gen5. You also get three additional SATA headers that support speeds of up to 6 Gbps. Memory performance and overclocking are where this board really shines, with support for max speeds of 8600 MHz, which is absolutely insane. With the 2 DIMM slots, you get a max capacity of 128 GBs.

Moving on to the thermal efficiency and performance, it is no surprise that the Phantom Gaming Z790I is able to remain cool even under intensive workload and high power draw. You will be able to install any flagship processor on this board without any thermal trouble, thanks to the extensive VRM design employed by the board.

Where this board lacks a little is USB ports and connectivity. There are a total of 10 USB ports, out of which 6 are present on the rear and 4 are accessible through the internal headers. Fortunately, there are no USB 2.0 ports on the back, with two of the six based on USB 3.2 Gen2 and the remaining using the 3.2 Gen1 technology. On the front, you get 3 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and a single USB 2.0 port. For network connectivity, the board offers solid options in a 2.5 Gb ethernet chip from RealTek along with a built-in WiFi 6E module.

When comparing it to competitors like the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi, the ASRock Phantom Gaming variant offers superior memory performance and storage options, while being significantly cheaper than the former. Not only that, the VRM configuration in the ASRock Phantom Gaming Z790I is also better as the ASUS variant only offers a 10+1+1 phase configuration.

All in all, the ASRock Phantom Gaming Z790I is an amazing mini-ITX motherboard and it is able to offer superior performance and thermals than its rivals that are priced much higher. Great thermals, good storage, and overall excellent performance are what make this board stand out.

To sum up, what I like is…

• PCIe Gen5 support
• Amazing price to performance ratio
• Excellent thermal performance

On the downside

• No native RGB
• No Gen5 for storage

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9/10
• Connectivity: 8.5/10
• Aesthetics: 8.5/10
• Features: 8.5/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Best Mini-ITX Motherboard – Buyer’s Guide

If you have a mini-ITX case and are ready to build a mini-ITX compact PC, then you need to consider some factors before buying the right mini itx motherboard for you. Mini-ITX motherboards are a bit more complex to shop for since they have a unique shape and size.

Dimensions

First of all, you need to consider the dimensions of your chassis. Many mini-ITX PC cases come with a standard motherboard tray that can hold any mini-ITX motherboard, but some cases are uniquely designed to only fit certain motherboards. Check the dimensions of all components before making the final decision.

GPU Compatibility

The problem is not with the size of the motherboard itself (which is standard), but with the components you’ll attach to it. Make sure your graphics card fits on the motherboard and does not touch any case components. Make sure the fan headers for the graphics card have access to cool, fresh air.

CPU Cooler Fitment

You should also consider the size and height of your CPU cooler. Many mini-ITX cases will not allow you to install any standard air cooler to cool your AMD or Intel CPU or whatever CPU socket brand you use. There are special SFF CPU coolers that are made for these cases.

Limited Amount of DIMM Slots

Mini-ITX motherboards have to make some sacrifices in order to attain that small form factor. Many of these sacrifices are achieved by reducing the number of storage features.

It is common for mini-ITX boards to have only two DIMM slots. That is understandable, but you must consider that you cannot upgrade your memory down the line if you buy a mini-ITX motherboard.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, you should consider the number of M.2 slots and display port options on the board. It is hard for manufacturers to include more than 2 slots on these boards , and some might only have 1 M.2 slot.

The compact boards might also have fewer connectivity features. Due to their pricing, they may have worse connectivity features than competitive ATX motherboards. So keep an eye out for these sorts of limitations when building your mini-ITX PC.

Cable management, Intel Gigabit ethernet, and things like having eight SATA ports, or even four SATA ports on such a small form factor can be difficult. Most m-ITX motherboards in 2023 include dual channel RAM options and things like Wi Fi.

Expansion Options

Another thing you should consider before buying a mini ITX motherboard is the number of PCIe 4.0 expansion slots. Most mini-ITX motherboards have only 1 full-size PCIe x16 slot which may have PCIe Gen 3 or PCIe 4.0 capability depending on the chipset.

Some motherboards might include one or two 1x PCIe 4.0 slots as well, but it is rare to see that feature. Therefore, if you want to install lots of expansion cards and graphics card options you might want to check the number of expansion slots on your PC hardware beforehand.

FAQs

Why are Mini-ITX Form Factor Motherboards Expensive?

Mini-ITX motherboards are expensive because there is a lot of research and development that goes into making a mini-ITX motherboard. These boards require special tooling and equipment, and they are generally made in smaller numbers, thus pushing the price up.

Can I Install a Mini-ITX Motherboard in a Micro-ATX Case?

A mini-ITX motherboard can be installed into a mATX case. Just make sure to install the appropriate motherboard standoffs that come with your case. The instruction manual of your case should help.

Can You Put a Micro-ATX Motherboard in an mITX case?

You cannot put an mATX motherboard into a mini ITX case. The board itself is physically larger than the motherboard tray of the mini-ITX case. You can put a smaller motherboard into a bigger case, but you can’t put a bigger motherboard into a smaller case.

Is a Mini-ITX Build Worth It?

A mini-ITX board build might not be worth the hassle for most users. Those who need to save on space and get maximum performance from smaller form factors will appreciate the end result.

Are Mini-ITX Motherboards Good for Gaming?

If the users get enough ports and more than M.2 slots for storage, then this form factor can be great for a gaming motherboard. Of course, active VRM fan cooling is quite important. So if you want a high-end gaming motherboard, you need a good cooling system, extended heatsink options, or an optimized VRM heatsink.