Best Mini ITX Motherboard
Small Form, Seismic Power
In a globalized world where more often than not bigger means better, technology swims against the current. Physicalities in computing are forever shrinking, whether it’s the process node of a GPU or the form factor of a motherboard, discrete gaming systems are becoming more and more prevalent.
Sure, it can be fun to build a huge super-powered gaming station with all the bells and whistles, but seeing how powerful you can make a build with an incredibly small footprint is far more of an interesting prospect.
To begin your adventure as a computer miniaturist, you’ll need to decide on a Mini ITX motherboard. So, to fast-track this exciting new project, we’ve reviewed five of the best Mini ITX boards in the business.
Our Top Picks
In-depth Review
Asus ROG (X570) Crosshair VIII Impact AM4 Motherboard
Asus ROG (X570) Crosshair VIII Impact AM4 Motherboard
This motherboard may be small, but it’s by no means for the faint-hearted. Running on AMD’s finest, the X570 chipset with PCI-e 4 support, the dialogue between components is inconceivable fast, ensuring the smoothest, most responsive gaming experience possible.
In addition, The VRM is composed of ten, count ‘em…TEN power stages, making CPU voltage stable enough to overclock like you’ve never overclocked before. Both the VRM and the chipset are supported by an integrated heatsink which in turn is supplemented by an aluminum backplate, making this the perfect stage for a Zen 3 Ryzen CPU to strut its stuff.
As well as supporting RAM speeds up to 2400MHz, the Crosshair VIII features wifi 6, so if you’ve got a wifi 6 router, you’re set to enjoy upload and download speeds of 9.6GBps, 250% faster than wifi 5.
It’s not technically a Mini ITX board, but an ITX variation known as Mini DTX that’s only one inch longer, but don’t worry if you’ve already bought a case because it fits in all Mini ITX enclosures.
Asus ROG Strix (Z490) Gaming LGA 1200 Motherboard
Asus ROG Strix (Z490) Gaming LGA 1200 Motherboard
Even though AMD runs the micro board market, this Strix is giving them a run for their money. It’s an LGA 1200 board, which means it’s only compatible with 10th Intel CPUs, so you have to be prepared to spend some money on the build, but holy cow is this thing powerful.
To make up for the fact that Mini ITX boards only ever have two RAM slots, it supports memory speeds up to 4800MHz, 1800Mhz more than you’ll need for optimal gaming performance.
It also steps up to the AMD board’s connectivity with wifi 6 support, making it a great match for a high-powered, hyperthreaded Intel CPU capable of shouldering parallelizing workflows, like the i9 10900K. Should you prefer or need to wire directly to your router, it has 2.5GBps LAN for uber-fast ethernet connections.
The Strix’s thermals are on point too. Featuring an 8+2 power stage VRM design with its own integrated Superflo cooling fan and heatsink, it ensures voltage stability as you push your CPU to its limits.
AS Rock X570 Phantom Gaming Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
AS Rock X570 Phantom Gaming Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
The Phantom has far more than AMD’s flagship X570 chipset to boast about. It’s the first motherboard on our list to feature Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. Even though we’re onto Thunderbolt 4 now, 3 is still almost four times faster than anything USB brings to the equation.
Of course, it’s an AM4 socket, compatible with any of the 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 Ryzen CPUs, so there are plenty to choose from. The 10-phase power design is magnificent, and while it doesn’t have its own fan, it’s perfect for overclocking powerful Ryzen CPUs.
In addition, it’s an AMD CrossFireX design, which means despite the size of this board, you can double up and link graphics cards for an even more visceral and enthralling gaming experience.
The height of the heatsink does limit your options in terms of CPU coolers, which is a little irritating as space is valuable enough in MINI ITX cases anyway, but there’s still enough clearance to fit a low-profile fan in nicely.
Gigabyte X570 AM4 Aorus Pro
Gigabyte X570 AM4 Aorus Pro
While the Aorus Pro isn’t a Mini ITX board, it will suit those trying to kit out a small mid-tower. It boasts that shiny X570 AMD chipset with PCI-e 4 expansion slots for peak intersystem communication, and the infamous AM4 socket can accommodate any 2nd or 3rd gen Ryzen CPU.
Featuring the most advanced power design of any board on our list, taking advantage of the 12+2 phase VRM for some aggressive overclocking is a must, especially considering the VRM is supplemented by a fin array and direct touch heat pipes.
If you’re looking for something to compliment a wifi 6 router, the Pro has the goods. It also boasts a Gigabit LAN ethernet port, which is a bonus, and it can support an insane 128GB RAM too.
It only has 2 fan headers in total, which is a little disappointing for a board that’s clearly designed to push CPU performance, and the POST keeps you hanging for around 20 seconds, but if you can deal with those small issues, it’s an epic board.
Gigabyte X570 AM4 Aorus Pro
Gigabyte X570 AM4 Aorus Pro
Running on AMD’s B550 chipset, which isn’t quite as advanced as the X570 format, the only real difference is the lack of PCI-e 4 lanes off the chipset. This won’t impact gaming whatsoever, so don’t sweat it and save yourself some money.
The 8-phase VRM is crafted with premium components that ensure a stable CPU voltage so you can engage in some manic overclocking. Backed up by an extended heat sink, you have a huge amount of thermal headroom, a definite boon for enthusiasts.
It comes locked and loaded with wifi 6 for all of you network speed freaks out there, and if you prefer a direct connection, it features 2.5GB LAN as well.
Despite the AM4 socket, this board is only designed to support Ryzen 3000 CPUs out of the box. You can do some tweaking in the BIOS to accommodate a 5000 series processor, but 2000 CPUs are strictly out of the question.
Final Word
Looking over these Mini ITX boards makes you wonder how ATX ever became the standard form factor. You can fit so much power and versatility into the ITX footprint that it’s a shame they aren’t a more celebrated design.
The best Mini ITX board around at the minute is definitely the Asus X570 Crosshair. So densely packed with features and potential is this miniature marvel, that you’ll never want for ATX ever again, but this kind of performance comes at a steep price.
Even though Intel isn’t renowned for small-scale builds, the Z490 Strix shows us that they’re still in the game. In fact, at nearly half the price of our Asus AMD champion, it offers far more performance per dollar; however, the AS Rock Phantom ensures you can also enjoy AMD’s premium chipset for a realistic fee.
If you’re not interested in PCI-e 4 everything, we highly recommend the Aorus B550. There’s very little difference between B550 and X570 chipsets besides the price tag. Failing that, if you’re not completely sold on the Mini ITX format, we advise you to check out the Aorus X570. It’s a force to be reckoned with!