Being so compact means they have to do without certain features or elements. These motherboards usually only have one PCIe x16 port in most cases, because several such ports are not suitable due to their format. We must point out that the majority of users usually use a PCIe x16 slot for the graphics card and that’s it, therefore, it is not a major problem for the vast majority of users.
They usually include a Rear M.2 NMVe SSD slot of the motherboard, although on some models it is on the front (very little). The number of slots for RAM memory is also reduced, with only two. The number of SATA ports and front USB ports supporting this type of motherboard is also reduced.
There is one thing that was usually included on these motherboards and not on other models, and that is the Wi-Fi connectivity. Currently, many mid-range and high-end ATX motherboards already include WiFi, but a few years ago it was the least. While in mini-ITX motherboards, to make them more attractive, WiFi connectivity has been added.
Respect to transero I/O panel, it is no different from other motherboard formats (so each manufacturer puts more or fewer USB ports, etc.). There are no differences in terms of socket and chipset, as they are based on standard formats.
Best Mini-ITX Motherboards
We now have an idea of the main strengths and weaknesses of the mini-ITX base boards. Now we are going to see which are the best models that we can find on the market and what they offer us.
ASUS ROG STRIX X570-I Gaming (LA BESTIA)
If you are one of those looking for the best of the best, then this is the best motherboard for your compact gaming PC. this motherboard ASUS Republic of Gamers It has the same functionality as an ATX format, but in a super compact version. It has an aggressive design, it has RGB lighting and everything we could possibly need in a motherboard.
This motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 5000 processors and earlier models with X570 chipset. It has a robust power phase system that shouldn’t cause any problems, regardless of our processor. 
This motherboard has M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD back slots. One is at the top in an unusual but quite creative setup from ASUS. Basically, it was laid out on the chipset heatsink, which has an active heat dissipation system using a small fan. The second of the M.2 SSD slots is on the back. Both are in M.2 22110 format.
There are few specifics to this ASUS mini-ITX motherboard. It has a shielded PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, to install any graphics card we want. It has two slots for DDR4 RAM with a maximum capacity of 64 GB. This motherboard offers, as if that were not enough, overclocking capacity.
As for connectivity, it supports WiFi 6 AX200, offering similar latency in games to do with cable. It incorporates a large number of USB ports and a USB Type-C port, as well as a DisplayPort 1.4 video port and a HDMI2.0. It has, how could it be otherwise, RGB lighting that we can customize to our liking.
ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3
If you’re one of those people who wants it all but doesn’t want to spend a lot, this ASRock Core Board is a great choice for you. It has similar specs to the previous mini-ITX, but with tweaks that make it a bit cheaper. A great option if we want a motherboard with great features and a good price.
This ASRock motherboard can be one of the best options by supporting since the AMD Ryzen 2000 processors up to the current Ryzen 5000. This motherboard has a robust VRM phase system, which will allow us to overclock the processor we install.
This motherboard has a shielded PCIe 4.0 x16 port, supporting all graphics cards on the market. It also has four SATA ports and a slot M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD located on the back of the motherboard. For mini-ITX base boards, As we mentioned earlier, it’s common for them to add an M.2 socket on the back.
Regarding connectivity, this motherboard offers WiFi 6, to connect wirelessly with the minimum possible latency. Additionally, this motherboard has two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, as well as a Puerto Thunderbolt. On the video connection side, it has an HDMI and a DisplayPort 1.4. The rear I/O panel of this motherboard has one last special feature and that is that it includes a Porto PS/2 for keyboard or mouse.
GIGABYTE X570 I AORUS Pro
This motherboard has some similarities to the first model we saw. Gigabyte has chosen to make it very complete, although one aspect can be improved a little, why lie. The main problem with this mini-ITX base board it is in the processor power phase system.
This motherboard uses the X570 chipset, which allows the installer AMD Ryzen 2000 processors up to the current Ryzen 5000. To power the processor, a robust 8-phase digital VRM system was used, but without a heatsink. This causes them to get hotter which can affect the performance and quality of the supplied voltage. However, we should be able to install any Ryzen processor on this motherboard, although overclocking is not recommended.
Mimics the ASUS solution of putting a drive M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD about the chipset. In addition, this motherboard has an M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD on the back. The good thing about this system is that we can install two high-speed storage units for better performance. We also have four SATA ports, in case we want to connect other units or devices.
On the connectors of this motherboard, we see that it has Wi-Fi connection 6, something normal in this motherboard format. It has four USB 3.0 ports (including one for updating the BIOS) one USB 3.1 port and one USB 3.1 Type-C. The peculiarity is in the video connections and is that it has a DisplayPort 1.4 And two hdmi. RGB could not be missing on this gaming-focused motherboard.
ASUS ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
We have already seen RoG with the most powerful chipset on the market offered by AMD, and now this is the version that is remembered. East mini ITX is based on the B550 chipset, whose performance is slightly lower, but not worse for that. It retains the overclocking capability, the two M.2 SSD slots, and some of the connectivity.
Due to the chipset, which is a bit reduced, this motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 3000 processors up to Ryzen 5000. The motherboard reduces the CPU power phases a bit, but it still supports any CPU we install and overclocking. It retains the two M.2 SSD slots, but in this case they are PCIe 3.0, losing a bit of performance. It’s really not too bad either, as the speed difference between Gen3 and Gen4 isn’t too noticeable in games.
He keeps the Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, to be able to play with low latency without the need for a network cable. We lose a bit of USB connectivity, leaving only three USB 3.2 ports and one USB 3.2 Type-C. What is interesting is that there is a port USB black forupdate the bios and a button to restore the factory BIOS. Regarding the video connector, we have an HDMI and a DisplayPort 1.4.
RGB lighting cannot be missing on a Republic of Gamers motherboard.
GIGABYTE B550I AORUS Pro AX (best value for money)
It’s basically the same motherboard as the Gigabyte X570 AORUS, but with a slightly inferior chipset. The good thing is that a fan is no longer needed for the chipset, as is the case in the other model. Note that X570 motherboards require a fan on the chipset heatsink, as it gets very hot.
This mini-ITX motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 3000 processors until the present Ryzen 5000. We can install the processor that interests us, thanks to its robust phase system and, in addition, it offers support for overclocking. An excellent motherboard for the most demanding gamers who want something compact.
Contains both slots M.2 SSDbut in this case they are PCIe 3.0, due to the chipset that incorporates this motherboard. The PCIe x16 socket is still Gen4 and is shielded, to provide more robustness. Note that the sockets for DDR4 RAM memories also have shielding, to improve their robustness.
Regarding the connectors of this motherboard, we see that it has a WiFi 6 connection, which is normal in this format of motherboards. It has four USB 3.0 ports (one for BIOS update), one USB 3.1 port and one USB 3.1 Type-C. The peculiarity is in the video connections and is that it has a DisplayPort 1.4 And two hdmi. RGB could not be missing on this gaming-focused motherboard.
ASUS PRIME A320I-K Mini ITX (cheapest)
This can be a great option if you want to build a mid-range PC for gaming in the living room and save some cash. East ASUS base board it doesn’t support the latest AMD Ryzen processors, but it does support “older” models that can be found for very little money. We could even choose to install a Ryzen APU, instead of a dedicated graphics card.
According to ASUS specifications, this mini-ITX motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 2000 and Ryzen 3000 processors. It has a fairly simple VRM phase system, it is not designed for multi-core processors. Additionally, the chipset does not offer overclocking support, so there is no need for excessive CPU power system either.
It has only one location M.2 SSD on the front based on the PCIe 3.0 interface, which sits above the chipset. It also has four USB 3.1 Gen1 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, as well as a DisplayPort port and an HDMI port. Doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivityas if they had all the models that we have seen before.
