When you're picking out a gaming motherboard that will serve as the backbone of your gaming PC, it's worth thinking about whether or not you need all the extras that come with a full-size ATX motherboard. Unless you're planning to load up on PCIe add-in cards or do some wild overclocking, you'll likely find that a Micro ATX motherboard has everything you need to complete your build while also costing a good deal less than an ATX board. The smaller size also affords you the opportunity to build a more compact gaming PC. This means you can go for a sleeper or a more portable design.
We've picked out a variety of Micro ATX motherboards, giving you options for AMD and Intel CPUs. You can even find boards with multiple PCIe x16 expansion slots ready for dual-GPU builds, models with PCIe 5.0, and some with truly stunning memory support. From budget builds to high-end rigs, you'll find a compact motherboard that can do the job here.
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: Z690 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 5,333MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes), 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 3 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
If you’re looking for the latest and greatest Intel motherboard that’s also not going to break the bank, the Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4 is it. This hardware offers up the latest LGA1700 socket and PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen connectivity. With that full-speed PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, you can slot in a graphics card or other peripherals that benefit from this high bandwidth. And somehow, this mATX board still manages to squeeze on a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for additional add-in cards.
The Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4 provides some other convenient features as well. You can pack it with tons of RAM and clock it up to 5,333MHz. And, you can enjoy quick load times and boot-up speeds with the three M.2 SSD slots running at PCIe 4.0 x4. Plus, there are a bunch of options for connectivity, including higher-speed options like a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C with 20Gbps transfer rates, a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, and Thunderbolt 4 support. It's also loaded with headers for some awesome RGB lighting possibilities.
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: Z690 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR5 6,000MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes), 1 x PCIe 3.0 x 1 | M.2 Slots: 3 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (M Key) | Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6E
Going small doesn’t mean you miss out on the premium features a full-sized motherboard can offer. The Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E comes packing support for the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core processors. You can take advantage of the insane bandwidth thanks to the PCIe 5.0 support. Plus, with three M.2 slots using PCIe 4.0 x 4, you get speedy load times. This rig even comes toting DDR5 memory slots, so you’ll be overclocking the RAM at a wild 6,000MHz, all while using less voltage.
The Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E brings some advanced connectivity to the table too. Beyond a plethora of high-speed USB ports ranging from 5Gbps to 20Gbps, Asus has loaded in support for some blazing fast internet. You can go for a wired connection with 2.5Gb Ethernet or you can max out on Wi-Fi, as it supports Wi-Fi 6E – hence the name. Though it may be a bit pricier than some of our other picks, this mATX motherboard is loaded with all the capabilities of a full-size motherboard, so it's worth the investment.
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: H670 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 4,800MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
The H670 platform offers modern perks at a strong value, and the ASRock H670M Pro is a solid example of this. It costs just under $140, but it’s providing support for the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core processors. Once you’ve got a processor slotted in, you’ll experience faster and more efficient gaming. This motherboard doesn't come toting the latest PCIe 5.0 slot, but the PCIe 4.0 slots still provide loads of bandwidth. Your graphics card should be plenty comfortable with that bandwidth in the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
The ASRock H670M Pro is packed with tons of add-ons despite its small size. ASRock managed to squeeze in an extra PCIe x16-length slot and a PCIe x1 slot for more add-in cards. Plus, there are two speedy M.2 slots for SSDs, so your build will have loads of storage. This motherboard doesn't have Wi-Fi built-in, but it'll be easy to add thanks to the Key E M.2 slot.
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: H610 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 3,200MHz up to 64GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 4, 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 2 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
If you’re building a PC on a budget, the last thing you need to do is get stuck buying a motherboard that costs more than your processor. The Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM is an affordable Intel build option that still comes loaded with the latest technology. It’s ready for 12th-Gen Intel Core processors, but if you want to keep prices down the LGA 1700 socket can support Pentium Gold and Celeron. Though, you’ll probably want to stick with a 12th Gen to get the best gaming experience and take full advantage of all this mATX motherboard has to offer.
With the Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM, you get a PCIe 4.0 expansion slot that comes with loads of bandwidth for your graphics card and an additional PCIe 3.0 x 1 for more add-in cards. Unfortunately, PCIe 5.0 slots are not offered, but at this price, it's understandable. A home for your SSDs is provided by two dedicated M.2 slots running on PCIe 3.0. This should be plenty to provide your SSDs with decent load times. And, you can add in Wi-Fi with the M.2 Slot in Key E. And, supposing you skip a dedicated graphics card to aim for a smaller, more affordable build, you can still run multiple displays, as the motherboard features an HDMI port and a DisplayPort connection on the rear.
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: X570 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 4,466MHz up to 128 GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes) | M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M)
Whether you’re trying to gear out a Ryzen 3000 series or Ryzen 5000 series system, the ASRock X570M Pro4 lets you take full advantage of the latest and greatest AMD chips as well as the PCIe 4.0 capabilities they provide. It has a 10-phase power delivery to give your processor stable power. And, with support for RAM speeds beyond 4,466MHz, you can feed your processor with high-speed memory.
Add-in cards and peripherals get a boost, too. You can enjoy a ton of support for PCIe 4.0. You’ll find a pair of PCIe x16 slots that’ll let you run one at full PCIe 4.0 x16 bandwidth and the second at x4 bandwidth. There’s a PCIe 4.0 x1 slot as well. ASRock tops it off with a pair of PCIe 4.0 x4 capable M.2 slots for the fastest storage support. There are even multiple 10Gbps USB ports on the rear I/O to plugin even more. You can’t ask for much more on a Micro ATX board.
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: B550 | Memory Slots: 4 x DDR4 4,400MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M), 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 4 (Key M)
If you want support for the latest AMD processors on a slightly more affordable motherboard, grab the MSI MAG B550M Bazooka. Sure, you lose out on a few PCI lanes, but mATX motherboards often focus less on offering a bunch of expansion lanes. You still get one PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot that provides loads of bandwidth for your graphics card, and you can slot in other add-ins on the two PCIe 3.0 x 1 lanes.
What you get from the MSI MAG B550M Bazooka is a straightforward and compact foundation for your Ryzen rig. It supports four sticks of RAM and will even let you run them at over 4,000MHz. You also get one high-bandwidth PCIe 4.0 slot for a speedy SSD. MSI even includes a few headers to support RGB lighting.
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: B550 | Memory Slots: 4 x DDR4 4,866MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M), 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 2 (Key M)
Are you looking to pair the latest Ryzen 5000 processor with a motherboard on the cheap? Enter the Asus Prime B550M-A AC. You can snag it for a little over $100, but it won't leave you lacking much. The B550 chipset ensures you get the support of PCIe 4.0 on the x16 slot for capable add-in cards as well as an M.2 slot with PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds for a fast SSD. Plus, you can give your processor some high-speed memory with the support of RAM speeds well above 4,000MHz.
Surprisingly, the Asus Prime B550M-A AC also has you covered for extra connections. Two extra PCIe slots are on board, so you can add in a Wi-Fi adapter or an extra-fast networking card. There are also two additional M.2 slots for more SSDs. And, you'll find no shortage of USB ports on the back or headers to front-panel ports.
Micro ATX motherboards might be great for saving you a bit of space and being cheaper than full-sized ATX motherboards, but you should know you're making a few sacrifices. Chiefly these smaller boards often come with fewer PCIe slots—or even just one on certain models. So, you should think about how many graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, and other PCIe cards you want to install when deciding which mATX motherboard is right for you. Also, be sure you're grabbing a board with at least one PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot, so you can take advantage of that high bandwidth. Some of the Intel boards even come toting support for PCIe 5.0.
The smaller printed circuit board you get with mATX motherboards also means you're probably going to have fewer M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA SSDs. The good news is most boards of this size have a least two M.2 slots, but don't expect there to be four or five like on some of the most premium ATX parts.
Other important factors to consider are the same as what you'd look for on traditional motherboards. You want CPU sockets that support the latest processors. For Intel boards, you should look for LGA1700 sockets. While on AMD boards, you should seek out AM4. Also, be sure to look for speedy memory support. You want a board that can support your RAM.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Continue reading...
We've picked out a variety of Micro ATX motherboards, giving you options for AMD and Intel CPUs. You can even find boards with multiple PCIe x16 expansion slots ready for dual-GPU builds, models with PCIe 5.0, and some with truly stunning memory support. From budget builds to high-end rigs, you'll find a compact motherboard that can do the job here.
TL;DR – These are the Best Micro ATX Motherboards:
- Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4
- Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E
- ASRock H670M Pro
- Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM
- ASRock X570M Pro4
- MSI MAG B550M Bazooka
- Asus Prime B550M-A AC
1. Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4
Best Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: Z690 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 5,333MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes), 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 3 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
If you’re looking for the latest and greatest Intel motherboard that’s also not going to break the bank, the Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4 is it. This hardware offers up the latest LGA1700 socket and PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen connectivity. With that full-speed PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, you can slot in a graphics card or other peripherals that benefit from this high bandwidth. And somehow, this mATX board still manages to squeeze on a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for additional add-in cards.
The Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4 provides some other convenient features as well. You can pack it with tons of RAM and clock it up to 5,333MHz. And, you can enjoy quick load times and boot-up speeds with the three M.2 SSD slots running at PCIe 4.0 x4. Plus, there are a bunch of options for connectivity, including higher-speed options like a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C with 20Gbps transfer rates, a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, and Thunderbolt 4 support. It's also loaded with headers for some awesome RGB lighting possibilities.
2. Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E
Best High-End Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: Z690 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR5 6,000MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes), 1 x PCIe 3.0 x 1 | M.2 Slots: 3 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (M Key) | Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6E
Going small doesn’t mean you miss out on the premium features a full-sized motherboard can offer. The Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E comes packing support for the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core processors. You can take advantage of the insane bandwidth thanks to the PCIe 5.0 support. Plus, with three M.2 slots using PCIe 4.0 x 4, you get speedy load times. This rig even comes toting DDR5 memory slots, so you’ll be overclocking the RAM at a wild 6,000MHz, all while using less voltage.
The Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E brings some advanced connectivity to the table too. Beyond a plethora of high-speed USB ports ranging from 5Gbps to 20Gbps, Asus has loaded in support for some blazing fast internet. You can go for a wired connection with 2.5Gb Ethernet or you can max out on Wi-Fi, as it supports Wi-Fi 6E – hence the name. Though it may be a bit pricier than some of our other picks, this mATX motherboard is loaded with all the capabilities of a full-size motherboard, so it's worth the investment.
3. ASRock H670M Pro
Best Midrange Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: H670 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 4,800MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
The H670 platform offers modern perks at a strong value, and the ASRock H670M Pro is a solid example of this. It costs just under $140, but it’s providing support for the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core processors. Once you’ve got a processor slotted in, you’ll experience faster and more efficient gaming. This motherboard doesn't come toting the latest PCIe 5.0 slot, but the PCIe 4.0 slots still provide loads of bandwidth. Your graphics card should be plenty comfortable with that bandwidth in the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
The ASRock H670M Pro is packed with tons of add-ons despite its small size. ASRock managed to squeeze in an extra PCIe x16-length slot and a PCIe x1 slot for more add-in cards. Plus, there are two speedy M.2 slots for SSDs, so your build will have loads of storage. This motherboard doesn't have Wi-Fi built-in, but it'll be easy to add thanks to the Key E M.2 slot.
4. Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM
Best Budget Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: H610 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 3,200MHz up to 64GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 4, 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 2 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
If you’re building a PC on a budget, the last thing you need to do is get stuck buying a motherboard that costs more than your processor. The Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM is an affordable Intel build option that still comes loaded with the latest technology. It’s ready for 12th-Gen Intel Core processors, but if you want to keep prices down the LGA 1700 socket can support Pentium Gold and Celeron. Though, you’ll probably want to stick with a 12th Gen to get the best gaming experience and take full advantage of all this mATX motherboard has to offer.
With the Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM, you get a PCIe 4.0 expansion slot that comes with loads of bandwidth for your graphics card and an additional PCIe 3.0 x 1 for more add-in cards. Unfortunately, PCIe 5.0 slots are not offered, but at this price, it's understandable. A home for your SSDs is provided by two dedicated M.2 slots running on PCIe 3.0. This should be plenty to provide your SSDs with decent load times. And, you can add in Wi-Fi with the M.2 Slot in Key E. And, supposing you skip a dedicated graphics card to aim for a smaller, more affordable build, you can still run multiple displays, as the motherboard features an HDMI port and a DisplayPort connection on the rear.
5. ASRock X570M Pro4
Best AMD Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: X570 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 4,466MHz up to 128 GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes) | M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M)
Whether you’re trying to gear out a Ryzen 3000 series or Ryzen 5000 series system, the ASRock X570M Pro4 lets you take full advantage of the latest and greatest AMD chips as well as the PCIe 4.0 capabilities they provide. It has a 10-phase power delivery to give your processor stable power. And, with support for RAM speeds beyond 4,466MHz, you can feed your processor with high-speed memory.
Add-in cards and peripherals get a boost, too. You can enjoy a ton of support for PCIe 4.0. You’ll find a pair of PCIe x16 slots that’ll let you run one at full PCIe 4.0 x16 bandwidth and the second at x4 bandwidth. There’s a PCIe 4.0 x1 slot as well. ASRock tops it off with a pair of PCIe 4.0 x4 capable M.2 slots for the fastest storage support. There are even multiple 10Gbps USB ports on the rear I/O to plugin even more. You can’t ask for much more on a Micro ATX board.
6. MSI MAG B550M Bazooka
Best Mid-Range AMD Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: B550 | Memory Slots: 4 x DDR4 4,400MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M), 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 4 (Key M)
If you want support for the latest AMD processors on a slightly more affordable motherboard, grab the MSI MAG B550M Bazooka. Sure, you lose out on a few PCI lanes, but mATX motherboards often focus less on offering a bunch of expansion lanes. You still get one PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot that provides loads of bandwidth for your graphics card, and you can slot in other add-ins on the two PCIe 3.0 x 1 lanes.
What you get from the MSI MAG B550M Bazooka is a straightforward and compact foundation for your Ryzen rig. It supports four sticks of RAM and will even let you run them at over 4,000MHz. You also get one high-bandwidth PCIe 4.0 slot for a speedy SSD. MSI even includes a few headers to support RGB lighting.
7. Asus Prime B550M-A AC
Best Budget AMD Micro ATX Motherboard
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: B550 | Memory Slots: 4 x DDR4 4,866MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M), 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 2 (Key M)
Are you looking to pair the latest Ryzen 5000 processor with a motherboard on the cheap? Enter the Asus Prime B550M-A AC. You can snag it for a little over $100, but it won't leave you lacking much. The B550 chipset ensures you get the support of PCIe 4.0 on the x16 slot for capable add-in cards as well as an M.2 slot with PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds for a fast SSD. Plus, you can give your processor some high-speed memory with the support of RAM speeds well above 4,000MHz.
Surprisingly, the Asus Prime B550M-A AC also has you covered for extra connections. Two extra PCIe slots are on board, so you can add in a Wi-Fi adapter or an extra-fast networking card. There are also two additional M.2 slots for more SSDs. And, you'll find no shortage of USB ports on the back or headers to front-panel ports.
What to Look For in a Micro ATX Motherboard
Micro ATX motherboards might be great for saving you a bit of space and being cheaper than full-sized ATX motherboards, but you should know you're making a few sacrifices. Chiefly these smaller boards often come with fewer PCIe slots—or even just one on certain models. So, you should think about how many graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, and other PCIe cards you want to install when deciding which mATX motherboard is right for you. Also, be sure you're grabbing a board with at least one PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot, so you can take advantage of that high bandwidth. Some of the Intel boards even come toting support for PCIe 5.0.
The smaller printed circuit board you get with mATX motherboards also means you're probably going to have fewer M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA SSDs. The good news is most boards of this size have a least two M.2 slots, but don't expect there to be four or five like on some of the most premium ATX parts.
Other important factors to consider are the same as what you'd look for on traditional motherboards. You want CPU sockets that support the latest processors. For Intel boards, you should look for LGA1700 sockets. While on AMD boards, you should seek out AM4. Also, be sure to look for speedy memory support. You want a board that can support your RAM.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Continue reading...
