The 30 best mini itx brands
ASUS, ASRock and GIGABYTE lead our ranking of 30 mini itx brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Mini Itx brands, ranked
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1
ASUS
ASUS is a multinational company founded in 1989 and specialized in consumer electronics and hardware. It is considered people's first choice regarding motherboards and gaming products. The brand snatched its claim to fame in 2007 when it refurbished the PC industry with its creation of the Eee PC. Recently, it even created a smart home robot, Zenbo, to make the lives of households more convenient. As of today, it has won multiple accolades.
Website: asus.com |Brands like ASUS
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
ASRock
ASRock Inc. is a global leader in the motherboard business. It was founded in 2002 and had a more significant edge in motherboards. Every product they manufacture is driven by the objective of "Bringing Enjoyment 'n' Quality." With their users, it has been quickly spreading over the world. They will become the greatest in the world with your help. They strive for maximum quality perfection, excellence, and the quest for innovation in the motherboard sector.
Website: asrock.com |Brands like ASRock
Popularity 9.0/10
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3
GIGABYTE
GIGABYTE believes in improving the future and wants to deliver a better tomorrow to the public. Technology is something that is around us all the time now. They make our life easier. GIGABYTE helps you upgrade your lifestyle with the technological products they manufacture. A lot of effort and science goes into the making of these items. You can find motherboards, laptops, mini-PCs, and so much more here. They are the bright future of this world.
Website: gigabyte.com |Brands like GIGABYTE
Popularity 8.2/10
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4
Intel
Who hasn’t heard about Intel, the world’s renowned technology company? Over the years, the company has undertaken corporate responsibilities for various firms boosting global technology. Intel has instilled its state-of-the-art AI in smart devices, participating in the digital revolution. The majority of laptops possess the intel core and graphics today! It is unequivocally shaping the future and making a global impact. Their focus is on how imperative it is to have an idea that uplifts lives and modernizes living.
Website: intel.com |Brands like Intel
Popularity 7.7/10
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5
Supermicro
Supermicro is a worldwide cloud server market leader, offering complete end-to-end data center solutions geared for performance, efficiency, and flexibility. They bring innovation to the world's most innovative organizations with their wide variety of servers, storage solutions, and strong collaborations with industry giants such as Intel. They deliver innovative solutions and sophisticated infrastructure to assist businesses worldwide in achieving maximum performance and agility while minimizing power and cooling expenses.
Website: supermicro.com |Brands like Supermicro
Popularity 7.1/10
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6
MSI
Gaming is becoming one of the leading mainstream activities of the modern world. It's fun, creative, innovative, and most of all, it feels real. To play perfectly, you need a system that does not collapse or heat up when you play. That is why world-class gamers choose MSI as their partner. They are among the best developers of gaming laptops and computers, along with other gaming accessories. The Titan GT series is the most popular.
Website: msi.com |Brands like MSI
Popularity 6.7/10
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7
VIA
The VIA platform consists of hardware, software, and cloud Building Blocks that can use to create novel embedded systems. VIA's ecosystem allows you to construct smart devices connected to the cloud using an easy-to-use drag-and-drop toolchain. VIA's technology provides the control and intelligence needed to build cutting-edge embedded systems. Industry-leading CPUs, platforms, application software, and sophisticated connectivity solutions are part of the portfolio, giving you everything you need to create exceptional products. With a high-performance, low-power architecture suited to customer needs, the VIA Embedded Platform provides a complete solution that reduces time-to-market.
Website: viatech.com |Brands like VIA
Popularity 4.2/10
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8
iBASE
iBASE provides factory automation solutions for a wide range of applications. They include items such as embedded computation, which comprises a motherboard with features such as Celeron processors, a watchdog timer, and an 8th generation intel core, making it the best-selling gadget in the world. The panel PC is nearly utilized in all devices to carry out day-to-day operations. One frame panel is widely offered with adaptations such as the expected capacitive touch.
Website: ibase.com.tw |Brands like iBASE
Popularity 2.8/10
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9
Advantech
Advantech was established in 1983. Over the years, they have worked to provide their services to their customers. The company is dealing with advanced technologies to make life easier. They are involved in a variety of sectors. Advantech well knows...
Website: advantech.com |Brands like Advantech
Popularity 2.6/10
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10
BIOSTAR
Biostar is a manufacturer of internal computer hardware and has proved its competence in the market through its design and integrated solutions. The company is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified and continuously develops new products to meet rapid evolution in...
Website: biostar.com.tw |Brands like BIOSTAR
Popularity 2.5/10
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11
Jetway
Jetway Computer helps their client companies become more efficient and climb to new heights by providing computing solutions to them. They sell top-quality industrial motherboards at the most reasonable costs. Their products are highly adaptable and customizable. They use the...
Website: jetwaycomputer.com |Brands like Jetway
Popularity 2.4/10
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12
ECS
ECS is a company founded in 1987 with the ultimate goal of providing technological miracles to the modern world. The company has over 30 years of experience, and they are known to be developed to the changing needs and demands...
Website: ecs.com.tw |Brands like ECS
Popularity 2.1/10
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13
Kontron
Kontron is a leader in Embedded Computing Technology. They have a combined portfolio of hardware, software, and services. The products are all made with state-of-the-art technology that can not be compared to anything else. They ensure that their products are...
Website: kontron.com |Brands like Kontron
Popularity 2.1/10
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14
DFI
The computer is one of the most widely used machines nowadays in the whole world. Without a motherboard, the computer will not work. DFI is a company that provides different types of motherboards along with industrial computers. They provide numerous...
Website: us.dfi.com |Brands like DFI
Popularity 2.0/10
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15
AORUS
AORUS has been in business for a long time. They are a premium brand that delivers a full spectrum of gaming products to its customers. All hardcore gamers are provided with many items that help the gaming experience. Gaming laptops,...
Website: aorus.com |Brands like AORUS
Popularity 2.0/10
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16
Portwell
Portwell, Inc. was created in Taiwan around 1993 and joined the Commercial PC market with single-board computers in 1995. Today, commercial embedded software manufacturers and solutions providers continue to produce cutting-edge technologies, which has resulted in a significant market share...
Website: portwell.com |Brands like Portwell
Popularity 1.9/10
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17
ZOTAC
ZOTAC is a major worldwide innovator, technology provider, and experience provider. Award-winning graphics cards, tiny PCs, mobile devices, wearables, and platforms are among the products they create. ZOTAC innovations combine the most avant-garde PC capabilities to provide the perfect blend...
Website: zotac.com |Brands like ZOTAC
Popularity 1.8/10
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18
MiTAC
Mitac is a computational technology corporation providing technical computing services to the masses. It is a well-recognized and a named firm in the market, extending its experience and professionalism over a span of 30 years. Its products include industrial motherboards,...
Website: mitacmct.com |Brands like MiTAC
Popularity 1.5/10
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19
IEI
IEI is one of the leading industrial PC suppliers and goes to manufactured brainpower and networking edge computing. IEI's items in PC-based applications like production line robotization, PC communication integration, networking machines, security, and clinical instruments. Founded in 1997 in...
Website: ieiworld.com |Brands like IEI
Popularity 1.5/10
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20
Compaq
James Harris and William Murto founded Compaq in 1982 to manufacture high-quality American computers. Its main goal was to build portable computers that could use all software created only for IBM and was, in fact, the first company to succeed...
Website: compaq.com |Brands like Compaq
Popularity 1.3/10
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21
EVGA
EVGA is a leading NVIDIA-approved partner in channel sales across North America. As part of this collaboration, EVGA has worked closely with NVIDIA to guarantee that all EVGA gaming motherboards, including the newest NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards, are customized with...
Website: evga.com |Brands like EVGA
Popularity 1.3/10
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22
Shuttle
Shuttle is a renowned computer firm offering products and solutions for commercial and residential use. They have dominated the P.C. market with tight QA/QC procedures and surface mount technology for equipment production methods. Their cube desktop comes with features like...
Website: us.shuttle.com |Brands like Shuttle
Popularity 1.3/10
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23
Fujitsu
IT is a field of knowledge that is growing at an extreme rate. All the ideas and concepts within the stream are proving to be useful for the development. Fujitsu Global is one of the leading IT services providers across...
Website: fujitsu.com |Brands like Fujitsu
Popularity 1.1/10
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24
FSC
FSC is a trusted brand of supplements. FSC has been in the business for more than 50 years, and they continue to provide vitamins, minerals, and superfoods to the people who need them. They have a dedicated team of chemists...
Website: fscsupplements.com |Brands like FSC
Popularity 1.1/10
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25
AOPEN
AOPEN is a prominent Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that has made significant progress with their solutions for healthcare, education, and EV charging technology, with the epicentre on digital signage players and panel PC peripherals. The company is proactively developing solutions to...
Website: aopen.com |Brands like AOPEN
Popularity 0.8/10
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26
Gateway
Since 1997, organizations have relied on Gateway as a reliable supplier of managed services, data centers, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure solutions. They concentrate on their clients' business objectives and collaborate closely with them to support their aims. Network monitoring...
Website: gateway.bm |Brands like Gateway
Popularity 0.6/10
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27
Realtek
Realtek is a Taiwanese IC manufacturer that produces control systems for various IT companies. This brand began as a start-up providing controlling systems to different cyber security companies and has since expanded to be one of the world's leading IC...
Website: realtek.com |Brands like Realtek
Popularity 0.6/10
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28
eMachines
eMachines was an American computer brand and a subsidiary of Gateway, Inc. that supplied desktop and laptop computers to retail and corporate markets. Acer revealed its intention to buy the brand in January 2007. In April 2007, the company completed...
Website: emachines.com |Brands like eMachines
Popularity 0.6/10
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29
iBuyPower
iBuyPower defines the gaming experience with the best-built gaming systems. It focuses on providing the highest quality custom-built computers to its customers. It has closely worked with brands like Intel, Microsoft, Western Digital, MLG, etc. It is a leader in...
Website: ibuypower.com |Brands like iBuyPower
Popularity 0.6/10
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30
Norco
Norco is here for you so that you don’t wander from website to website searching for potent bikes. The properties like ample mud clearance and bent chainstays offer maximum performance chances, and the city bike series has features like a...
Website: norco.com |Brands like Norco
Popularity 0.6/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS | asus.com | /AsusIndia | asusindia | @ASUSindia | – |
| ASRock | asrock.com | /ASRockInfo | – | – | ASRockInfo |
| GIGABYTE | gigabyte.com | /GIGABYTEofficial | gigabyte_official | – | GIGABYTEChannel |
| Intel | intel.com | /IntelIndia | intelindia | @IntelIndia | – |
| Supermicro | supermicro.com | /Supermicro | supermicro_smci | @Supermicro_SMCI | – |
| MSI | msi.com | – | – | – | – |
| VIA | viatech.com | /viatechnologies | viatechnologies | @viatechnologies | VIAmkt |
| iBASE | ibase.com.tw | /IBASETECHNOLOGY | – | @IBASE_Tech | IBASEchannel |
| Advantech | advantech.com | – | – | – | – |
| BIOSTAR | biostar.com.tw | – | – | – | – |
Mini Itx Buying Guide
If you’re looking for a compact and energy-efficient build, the mini ITX form factor may be a great choice for you. A mini ITX motherboard is a small alternative to a standard ATX motherboard, as it's designed for smaller budget builds or for those looking to build a compact system that can be easily transported. However, when it comes to buying a mini ITX motherboard, there are some important factors that you need to consider. In this buying guide, we will discuss what to look for in a mini ITX motherboard, and discuss the best options available in the market.
What is the mini ITX form factor?
The mini ITX form factor was invented by VIA Technologies in 2001 to provide a smaller alternative to the popular ATX format that was being used by computer manufacturers at that time. It is a compact motherboard that measures 6.7 inches by 6.7 inches, which makes it approximately 30% smaller than a standard ATX motherboard. Mini ITX motherboards are designed to fit into smaller cases and are usually used for budget gaming builds or media centers.
Benefits of mini ITX build
The mini ITX form factor has some benefits that make it an attractive option for anyone looking for a compact build:
- Small size: The small size factor means that mini ITX builds are compact and easy to transport.
- Energy efficient: Mini ITX builds require less power than standard ATX builds, which can save you money on your power bill.
- Quiet builds: Mini ITX builds have fewer components and smaller fans, which results in less noise.
- Budget builds: Mini ITX builds are an affordable alternative to a full-sized ATX build, perfect for anyone building a budget gaming PC, media center or office machine.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Mini ITX Motherboard
Before purchasing a mini ITX motherboard, there are some important factors to consider. Below are the most important considerations:
CPU Compatibility
Before buying a mini ITX motherboard, it’s essential to ensure that it can support your choice of CPU. Notably, AMD and Intel develop different processors, which requires different motherboard socket types. For example, the Socket AM4 for AMD and Socket LGA 1151 for Intel, are widely used socket types. So, ensure the motherboard has your CPU socket type before making a purchase. Additionally, the motherboard’s CPU socket determines the number of cores and threads that your CPU can handle.
RAM compatibility and speed
Ensure that the mini ITX motherboard is compatible with your preferred RAM type, speed, and capacity. Typically, mini ITX motherboards support DDR3 and DDR4 RAM types. DDR3 is only used by older processors, while DDR4 is widely used in most modern CPUs. RAM speed and capacity are in MHz and Gb, respectively.
Expansion options
Despite the small size factor of ITX builds, some mini ITX motherboards come with limited expansion options. So, it's crucial to consider options like SATA ports, PCIe 3.0/4.0 slots, and M.2 slots for SSDs. For future upgrade plans, consider a motherboard with two or more expansion slots.
Connectivity
Ensure that the motherboard has enough ports for your preferred peripherals. Check for the presence of USB 2.0/3.0/3.1 Type-A and Type-C ports, HDMI/VGA/DVI/DP ports for video output, and audio jacks for audio output.
Audio and Ethernet
Some premium motherboards come with inbuilt high-quality audio components and a built-in Ethernet card, which ensures quality connectivity. If you plan to stream or engage in online gaming, ensure the motherboard has high-quality audio components and a built-in Ethernet port.
Power delivery and cooling options
Mini ITX motherboards have minimal space for components like the VRM, heatsinks, and fans. So, it's essential to choose a motherboard with a powerful VRM (voltage regulator module) and sufficient cooling options. A high-quality VRM ensures that the motherboard can handle heavy loads without the risk of voltage spikes, leading to crashes. The cooling options also ensure that the motherboard’s components don't overheat and damage.
Best Mini ITX Motherboards
Below are some of the best mini ITX motherboards available in the market:
ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I GAMING
The ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I GAMING is the best option if you’re looking for a mini ITX motherboard that is solely dedicated to gaming. This mini ITX motherboard can support Ryzen 3000 and Ryzen 5000 CPUs, making it ideal for anyone looking for a high-power gaming system. It has one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, two M.2 slots, and four SATA ports for expansion options. This mini ITX motherboard comes with onboard Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring great network connectivity.
Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WIFI
The Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WIFI is an excellent option for anyone looking for an affordable mini ITX motherboard that can offer excellent performance. The motherboard can support AMD Ryzen CPUs, making it suitable for gaming but freezes when you overload it with processes. It has one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, one M.2 slot, and two SATA slots. This mini ITX motherboard comes with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, audio boosts, high-quality audio components, and Ethernet connectivity.
ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3
The ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 is an excellent option for any high-end mini ITX build. Its premium features include support for PCIe 4.0, 802.11ax Wi-Fi, USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gb/s) Type-A port, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and audio BOOST features with Nahimic 3. Additionally, this mini ITX motherboard comes with RGB lighting and four SATA ports.
MSI MPG B550I GAMING EDGE WIFI
The MSI MPG B550I GAMING EDGE WIFI is an excellent option for anyone looking for a mini ITX motherboard that can support Ryzen 3000 and Ryzen 5000 CPUs. It comes with PCIe 4.0 support, one M.2 slot, two SATA slots, and one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. This motherboard comes with RGB lighting, built-in Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring excellent network connectivity.
Conclusion
The mini ITX form factor provides numerous options for anyone looking to build a compact, efficient and energy-saving system. Before buying a mini ITX motherboard, it’s crucial to consider CPU compatibility, RAM compatibility, expansion options, connectivity, audio and Ethernet, and power delivery and cooling options to ensure the best overall performance. Finally, we recommend the ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I GAMING for gamers and the Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WIFI for anyone looking for a low priced build with excellent performance.