Best small factor motherboards 2023: Picks for Intel and AMD

You’d wish to construct a small form-factor PC, however you need that “big” efficiency? No sweat, the Asus ROG Strix Z790-i Gaming WiFi brings you precisely that. Make no mistake, at $469 MSRP, that is an enthusiast-focused premium providing. 

What do you get in change? From the second you open the tiny field, you’ll admire the included equipment and premium really feel of the expertise. You’ll get your typical fare of SATA cables and stickers, however there’s extra! You’ll additionally get a neat exterior sound machine, referred to as the “ROG Hive,” which acts as a bit hub. This is nice for small builds that may’t match sound playing cards or extra enlargement internally. The “FPS II” card additionally provides you extra SATA ports and headers when linked to the motherboard, a intelligent method of conserving the essential elements unaffected whereas including extra utility in a small bundle. 

The equipment are enjoyable, however you’ll be actually impressed with the efficiency. Robust VRMs with 10+1 energy levels ought to simply deal with even the mighty Intel i9 13900Okay. Keep in thoughts that you simply’ll want some heavy-duty CPU cooling for the i9 CPUs, which can be a problem in a small form-factor construct. (You’ll possible need to pair this with a barely much less power-hungry Intel CPU, such because the i7 13700Okay, if solely to avoid wasting area on cooling.) 

Adding to its pedigree is the inclusion of next-generation tech. DDR5 RAM is customary, however be mindful you’ll be restricted to simply 2 DIMM slots and 64GB of RAM. That’s one disadvantage compared to bigger Micro-ATX or ATX motherboards that usually permit for 4 DIMM slots and 128GB. 

The newest PCIe can be right here—with a PCIe Gen 5 16x slot on your GPU. Theoretically you can too get Gen 5 speeds on one of many M.2 slots, with some drawbacks: You’ll should share these PCIe Gen 5 lanes for that to occur, which means your GPU received’t have entry to all 16x. The finest resolution is to maintain the GPU at 16x, and simply run the M.2 slots each at Gen 4, which is then high quality. (Hard to saturate Gen 5 proper now because the {hardware} is so new.) 

The excellent news continues with the onboard options. Need USB ports? You’ll get a complete of 9 rear ports! That’s an awesome quantity that rivals even some ATX motherboards. If that wasn’t sufficient, they’re mighty quick, too. You’ll even get two of the rarified Thunderbolt 4 ports for 40Gb/s goodness. They may even function display-out ports for displays, together with the only HDMI-out out there on the rear. 

For networking, you’ll get 2.5Gb LAN together with Wi-Fi 6E. Bluetooth can be customary, permitting for versatile connectivity. This is akin to many ATX motherboards, so there are just about no compromises on the networking entrance. With the included Asus “ROG Hive” exterior machine, you may have a quantity dial at arm’s size for fast adjustment.

So it’s feature-packed and performs nice—however how concerning the design aesthetics? It’s a pure-breed ROG, or Republic of Gamers, high-end fanatic design from Asus. With attractive styling, tasteful RGB implementation, it’s one candy bundle. While it’s possible you’ll not see it a lot in a small Mini-ITX PC case, the seen components are positive to impress. 

Are there any drawbacks to pay attention to? First, it’s definitely a dear choice at $429 for some. You’re additionally paying for some options that players might not at all times want (corresponding to Thunderbolt 4). It’s additionally restricted considerably by its dimension, in comparison with a Micro-ATX motherboard or ATX. Fewer RAM slots, PCIe slots, and SATA ports, primarily. Otherwise, it’s a incredible motherboard for the fitting consumer.

It’s not low cost, however for those who’re aiming to construct one of many quickest Mini-ITX gaming PCs identified to players, this can be a key element that can assist accomplish that activity. 

If you’re after a small form-factor construct and need a good steadiness of options for the value, The Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is a worthy alternative. Coming in at $219, it’s considerably cheaper than its Z790 counterpart, however with some notable drawbacks. 

While each boards are Mini-ITX, this motherboard is wrapped within the B760 Intel chipset as a substitute of Z790. That means an absence of actual overclocking assist—we’d keep away from many of the “K” Intel SKUs such because the 13900Okay. You’re possible to make use of one thing like an Intel i5 13600, which could have much less energy draw and warmth. Both are advantageous in a small form-factor construct! 

B760 additionally provides you much less VRM cooling typically, to go in keeping with the extra environment friendly CPUs. You’re additionally extra restricted with theoretical PCIe lanes, SATA ports, and USB ports. This isn’t as a lot of an element since Mini-ITX already units a cap of lots of this stuff on account of dimension. 

If a few of these drawbacks are acceptable to you, there are numerous constructive options to search out right here. While the included equipment don’t embody novelties such because the “ROG Hive,” in addition they add to the associated fee. You’re nonetheless getting all of what you want right here, like a Wi-Fi antenna, SATA cables, and many others.—and nothing that you simply don’t. 

Most importantly, efficiency with most CPUs will nonetheless be stellar, even with the 8+1 energy stage VRMs. You’re nonetheless having access to DDR5 RAM, albeit the identical two-slot restrict as on any Mini-ITX motherboard at 64GB. 

PCIe Gen 5 can be right here however restricted to simply the 16x GPU slot. That’s greater than acceptable, as functionally even the dearer Z790 model affords related capabilities. While you may by no means do PCIe Gen 5 on the NVMe slots, Gen 4 is greater than adequate for nearly any drive you throw at it. You’ll get the identical two onboard NVMe slots on the dearer Z790 model, too. 

The rear I/O is one other space of comparability: As anticipated, you’re not getting Thunderbolt 4. That’s high quality—many players received’t make the most of these speeds. You nonetheless get 20Gb/s USB 3, nevertheless, which is greater than adequate for many customers. 

You’ll get the identical 2.5Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth as with all different choices. This makes it just about similar to dearer varieties. Audio is okay too. 

This motherboard additionally has one of many neatest designs we’ve seen—it’s very colourful. With high-quality supplies, the premium really feel is carried all through. It additionally incorporates wonderful design components which are very purposeful, just like the built-in I/O defend. You’ll discover the Asus Q-latch, which helps you to come out your M.2 with a screwless design. 

Overall, for those who’re okay with the constraints of B760—corresponding to the dearth of overclocking—you’re getting an awesome set of options right here and saving a big amount of cash. 

If you need to avoid wasting more money whereas going Micro-ATX and nonetheless pack a punch, the MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi is simply the ticket. With an MSRP of $199, it can have some tradeoffs—the identical B760 chipset limits famous above, corresponding to lack of overclocking, and fewer VRM grunt as properly. 

You do get 12+1+1 duet rail VRMs, so that you’ll be prepared for nearly any Intel CPU. We advocate avoiding the overclockable Okay SKUs right here to avoid wasting coin—you’ll do nice with even the usual i9 13900. With its decrease wattage, it may be a boon for small form-factor builds that will lack correct CPU cooling. 

The more and more mainstream DDR5 RAM can be supported, with quicker and cheaper kits out there as time goes on. You not have to carry onto DDR4 motherboards to avoid wasting money, DDR5 is the pattern going ahead. You’ll additionally get 4 DIMM slots with a 128GB restrict—higher than Mini-ITX, which affords two slots and 64GB. (A great purpose why those that run heavier RAM workloads ought to take into account Micro-ATX for a workstation-style construct.) 

PCIe Gen 5 is generally a advertising and marketing spec, with much less real-world viability at this time limit. You’ll have the GPU 16x lane as PCIe Gen 5, however every little thing else is PCIe Gen 4. This contains the 2 onboard M.2 slots, that are greater than enough for many customers. 

The remainder of the I/O is okay, with eight rear USB ports. Sure, you’re solely getting as much as 20Gb/s USB 3 speeds, however Thunderbolt 4 efficiency is far pricier than most can be prepared to spend on. You do get 4 USB 2.0 ports, which is definitely a bit disappointing for these anticipating USB 3. Rounding off the options are the networking inclusions, with the usual 2.5Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth. Audio is okay right here too, no points to report for the value. 

With loads of PWM fan headers, RGB headers, and SATA ports. You’re in good firm with dearer ATX motherboards right here at a lot much less the everyday price. 

Where you do avoid wasting cash is within the good design. No, it’s not low cost feeling—fairly the opposite. The construct high quality is nice, and kind follows operate with an aesthetically pleasing method. You’re simply not paying for fancy RGB results or costly OLED shows—which is welcomed to maintain prices down.

The I/O defend is built-in, too! Not unhealthy for $199. Our solely minor design quibble is that the second M.2 slot isn’t coated by a thermal cowl, one thing we’ve seen in earlier generations of the Mortar. 

Overall, the MSI B760M Mortar is a reliable motherboard for these seeking to keep beneath $200 and nonetheless have a very good set of options. Overclockers received’t be impressed, however most customers will nonetheless get usable efficiency out of this unit. 

Have you ever wished to purchase a giant, beefy motherboard, like from the Asus “Extreme” lineup, however they had been far too huge? Fret no extra, the Asus ROG X670E Gene brings loads of that “over-the-top” goodness to a smaller Micro-ATX kind issue. It’s additionally priced for the premium market—at $599, it’s some of the costly small form-factor motherboards we’ve encountered. 

If you recover from the sticker shock, you’ll be impressed with each aspect of this motherboard. Performance is on par with every other high-end providing, with a 16+2 part design for the VRMs. Indeed, the Ryzen 9 7950X or any of the X3D CPUs have met their match on this overachiever! 

Performance perks proceed with assist for the quickest DDR5 RAM kits that AM5 affords. (Not as quick as Intel, however blazing speeds regardless.) One factor to bear in mind is that you simply’ll be restricted to 2 DIMM slots, as a substitute of the standard 4 on Micro-ATX motherboards. Technically, for those who’re overclocking RAM or pushing the bounds, it’s higher to have fewer DIMM slots for optimum efficiency. That’s precisely what kind of consumer will take pleasure in this motherboard probably the most! You’ll be capable of preserve every little thing cool with seven PWM fan headers, too. 

PCIe Gen 5 is right here too—and since that is the X670E chipset, it received’t skimp on PCIe lanes. The GPU 16x slot offers you PCIe Gen 5, plus an onboard M.2 Gen 5 slot. Don’t fear, you’re going to get two extra M.2 slots on the included accent, the ROG Gen-Z.2 card. One is PCIe Gen 5, and the second Gen 4—however that’s greater than sufficient efficiency. 

Performance metrics are seen in all places, even within the I/O, the place there’s USB4, with speeds as much as 40Gb/s. That completes the 10 USB ports on the rear, a formidable quantity in each amount and high quality of ports. You even get a PS2 port for legacy gadgets, a characteristic aimed toward overclockers. 

Networking choices are customary, with 2.5Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth. This is simply as anticipated, with cheaper motherboards providing related. You’re not getting 10Gb LAN, nevertheless, an choice we’d wish to see on a motherboard of this caliber. 

Audio is powerful with a SupremeFX 7.1 ALC 4080 codec, sufficient for many customers, save demanding audiophiles. 

Aesthetically, the very first thing you’ll discover when unboxing this attractive motherboard is the heft and elegant construct high quality. All components of this motherboard really feel terribly premium, from supplies to design aesthetics. 

The design reveals “ROG” DNA (Gene…) by means of and thru, with lovely RGB in varied areas. If you worth excessive construct high quality and enthusiast-grade aesthetics, you’ll fall in love with the Gene. 

If the $599 worth is appropriate to you, and Micro-ATX is your PC construct/case goal, this can be a mighty high quality alternative.

If premium AM5 choices are too spendy for you, we don’t blame you. With higher-than-ever platform prices, it’s essential to avoid wasting money when you may whereas getting top-notch efficiency. That’s the place the Asrock B650E PG-ITX is available in. With an MSRP of $289, it’s on no account low cost—however you get a well-rounded performer. 

The board is wrapped within the B650E chipset—the “E” provides us some PCIe Gen 5 lanes that the usual B650 received’t have. This implies that one of many two onboard NVMe slots may be Gen 5—an awesome choice for many who wish to be on the bleeding edge. You’ll even have the PCIe 16x slot at Gen 5, despite the fact that GPUs presently can’t saturate that. 

PCIe Gen 5 means you get to make the most of every little thing AM5 has to supply, and it will get higher: The beefy 10+2+1 phase-design VRMs have a whopping 10-layer PCB, greater than regular. Translation: This little motherboard will deal with any Ryzen CPU you throw at it, even the mighty Ryzen 9 7950X. We’re positive many players will need to pair this with the brand new 7800X3D, a high quality alternative for optimum gaming efficiency. You’ll simply need to ensure your CPU cooler is as much as activity, as this chips can get spicy-hot. Thankfully, the intelligent design of this motherboard leaves some good room for many CPU coolers to suit. 

Performance perks proceed with DDR5, and the standard restrict of two DIMM slots on Mini-ITX at 64GB. One space that the specs falter barely is within the rear I/O. While you do get eight USB ports, 4 of them are solely USB 2.0, which is a bit historic at this level. You additionally don’t get USB4 like on the pricier Mini-ITX motherboards, so speeds will likely be nearer to 20Gb/s USB 3 as a substitute. That ought to be high quality for many players, however at $289, we really feel the USB implementation ought to be a bit higher.

The design aesthetics of this motherboard are fascinating, beginning with the bizarre M.2 fan. While it could look extra like a VRM heatsink, that is definitely a larger-than-expected fan design, which can be hit-or-miss for some. Aside from that, it seems to be sharp. Functional design such because the built-in I/O defend and easy-to-use M.2 slots are nice to see.

Despite the compromises inherent to a Mini-ITX motherboard, you’re nonetheless getting an awesome companion for quick Ryzen CPUs whereas saving some money in comparison with dearer choices. 

While the $239 worth is much from price range—we’ll have to attend for the A620 motherboards for that—the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi nonetheless delivers nice worth. With a Micro-ATX kind issue, it’s a very good mixture of efficiency and options with out leaving out something important. 

It’s the usual B650 chipset, which means you received’t have PCIe Gen 5, however Gen 4 greater than suffices right here. Both onboard M.2 slots will likely be greater than snappy, and GPUs can’t presently make the most of greater than PCIe Gen 4. Performance is nice, with VRMs packing a 12+2+1 duet rail system. This will make an ideal pairing for one of many customary Ryzen CPUs such because the 7700, and even works properly with the zippy 7800X3D. While you’re not getting the top-tier efficiency of X670E VRMs, try to be inside just a few proportion factors. DDR5 completes the bundle, with quick speeds and an out there 4 DIMM slots. This will likely be a bonus over Mini-ITX, plus you’ll get the next 128GB restrict. 

You additionally get a number of PCIe slots, one other clear benefit over Mini-ITX. This is helpful for these needing so as to add some additional “add-in” playing cards, with an out there 4x and 1x slot together with the GPU 16x slot. 

Showcasing the well-rounded nature of this motherboard, you’ll have loads of USB ports on the rear, together with 20Gb/s USB 3.2. Networking affords the whole 2.5Gb LAN with Wi-Fi 6E. Audio can be good, with a 7.1 ALC 4080 codec and loads of inputs. 

The aesthetics and design are easy, however efficient. You’re not getting RGB or loopy shows, however the motherboard seems to be and feels properly constructed. With a traditional, simple design indicative of different MSI “MAG” motherboards, it can match into nearly any construct theme. Plus, the built-in I/O defend is a superb characteristic that provides to the construct expertise right here. 

While its $239 worth is much from price range, the worth continues to be right here for what you’re getting. Combine that with a smaller Micro-ATX bundle, and it has many of the options and efficiency of ATX motherboards whereas staying inside an inexpensive worth class.