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Motherboards are the backbone of building a PC and it is worth considering if you really need all the features that come with a full-size motherboard. If you’re not looking to load up the PCIe slots or push for some crazy overclocking, then you’ll find that micro ATX motherboard will do the trick just fine.
It even costs a fraction of the price of a full-length motherboard. There are several advantages to having a micro ATX motherboard such as building a compact gaming rig or desktop pc for one.
We have picked the top 10 Micro ATX motherboard with options from AMD and Intel processors. Each of these boards are unique with some features only specific to them like the additional PCIe ports or SATA slots or even more RAM support.
Some of the boards here are budget-friendly while others will be great for high-end builds. This article will help you narrow down your search to finding the perfect matx motherboard for you.
Our Top Picks
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Is Micro ATX Motherboard Good For Gaming?
It depends, if you’re looking for a great budget gaming PC then micro ATX is your best option.
Micro ATX offers all the main features that are available on other full-sized motherboards. These are great for entry-level to mid-level gamers.
The difference between a micro ATX and a full ATX board are the additional PCIe slots and VRM heatsinks that enables overclocking. So if you’re not looking for these, then invest in a micro ATX motherboard.
Related:
Can ATX motherboard Fit In micro ATX Case?
Yes. It is possible to fit an ATX motherboard into a micro ATX case, however, there is a disadvantage to that. When you fit the ATX board into a micro ATX case, your board will either be too loose or too tight. It is suggested that you look into the dimensions of the case and the motherboard before making a purchase.
Best Micro ATX Motherboard List
1. GIGABYTE GA-A320M-S2H
The gigabyte GA-A320M-S2H supports 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen Ryzen core processors. It comes with a Radeon Vega graphics which is powerful than the integrated graphics cards available in its predecessor’s boards. The board has several fan headers which are hybrid meaning they can support water-cooling systems as well.
Ports and Slots
The Gigabyte GA-A320M-S2H comes with 2 DIMMs slots for DDR4 RAM capable of supporting up to 32GB. It has 3 PCI slots for expansion, one PCIe 3.0 x16 to hold your graphics card, and the other two a PCIe 2.0 x1 to hold your drives or other components you wish to add to your system.
The motherboard offers a single M.2 slot with PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds which is recommended for connecting an SSD to it. It also comes with 4 SATA 6Gbps ports for connecting your HDDs and optical drives. There are 2 USB 2.0 and a single USB 3.0 1st generation port for internal use.
Audio Codec
The Gigabyte GA-A320M-S2H has gone for implementing the Realtek ALC887 audio codec supporting a 7.1 audio channel. It has its signature audio noise guard technology that reduces static and other interruptions. The components are all gold audio capacitors since they are good conductors.
Rear I/O Components
At the rear I/O, you will find 3 audio jacks and 2 PS/2 ports for connecting your keyboard and mouse in case you don’t want to use the USB ports for that. The board comes with a LAN port with a traffic management application that helps in reducing the latency maintaining low levels of ping at all times.
There are also 2 USB 2.0 type A and 4 USB 3.0 Type-A 1st generation ports for connecting all your devices to it. The board does come with ample video outputs like a single DVI-D, one VGA, and a single HDMI output that is capable of supporting 4K video outputs.
Our Thoughts
It is the best micro ATX motherboard on this list in terms of pricing, quality of the product, and connectivity options. The board does not lose its focus from providing several different connectivity options in a tiny space at a relatively cheaper price point. It also shines in the durability department.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with AMD Ryzen & 7th Generation
- 2DIMMs DDR4 Memory support
- Ultra-Fast PCIe and M2 slot
- Great quality audio components for an immersive experience
- Realtek Gigabit LAN
2. ASRock B450M PRO4 AM4 AMD
The ASRock B450M Pro4 AM4 AMD is the best AM4 micro ATX motherboard and deserves to be number two on our list. It holds a lot of features that can be found in many full-sized motherboards and supports AMD core processors. The board has many headers for fan and RGB connectivity.
Ports and Slots
This is where the ASRock B450M Pro4 AM4 shines. There are many PCI slots available on the board like PCIe 3.0 x16, PCI 2.0 x16, and PCIe 2.0 x1 allowing gamers to use two GPUs with the crossfire configurations. Users can connect their modems, audio cards, or other devices in one of the PCIe ports too.
The board comes with 4DIMMs capable of supporting DDR4 memory RAM up to 64GB. It also features a single M.2 slot with 4 SATA 3 ports enabling users to connect all their storage options or drives (HDDs, SDDs, optical drives, and more). Internal I/O consists of 2 USB 2.0 and a single USB 3.1 which is sufficient considering that this is a micro ATX board.
Audio Codec
ASRock B450M Pro4 AM4 has great audio components like the ELNA audio caps and gold capacitors for better conductivity. It has based its audio board on the Realtek ALC 892 codec which supports 8 channel HD audio. It provides great surround sound experience for those looking to hook up some speakers to the board.
Rear I/O Components
The rear I/O features a lot of different components like the Realtek RTL8111H LAN port for high speed internet. It has a single PS/2 port where you can either connect your mouse or keyboard. The USB connections are spread across 2 USB 2.0, a single 2nd gen Type A USB 3.1, a single 2nd gen Type C USB 3.1 and 4 1st gen USB 3.1.
These are sufficient for an average user and their daily computing requirements. You will also find a couple of audio jacks for connecting your speakers or a microphone. There are many different video output options like HDMI, DVI, and VGA.
Our Thoughts
The ASRock B450M Pro4 is a solid buy for those looking for an extensive list of connectivity options while requiring a micro ATX motherboard. It has sufficient USB ports, although USB 3.0 would’ve been great, the option to have a crossfire configuration makes this a stunning choice for gamers looking to build a small gaming system.
Technical Specifications
- Great power support
- 4 DIMMs for Memory support
- PCIe with crossfire capabilities
- SATA 4 and SATA 3 ports
3. MSI Pro series B450M PRO-VDH Max
The MSI Pro series B450M Max is a great motherboard with some really standout features. It supports up to Ryzen 9 series core processors. The board has several headers for fans and also water-cooling. Gamers can also connect RGB with these headers to give the board a gamer’s identity.
Ports and Slots
MSI Pro series B450M Pro has 3 PCIe ports, one PCIe x16 and the other two PCIe x1. Since there are no PCIe x4, one cannot use crossfire or SLI configurations. It has 4 SATA 3 ports which are the standard with a micro ATX board enabling users to connect SSDs and HDDs.
There is a single M2 slot which can be used to connect your SSD, the M2 slots are faster than the SATA meaning the SSD on that slot will perform great. The board comes with 4 DIMMs slots allowing for a maximum of 128 GB of DDR4 RAM.
This is great since many boards in this category do not have support for 128GB. It comes with 2 1st gen 3.2 type A USB ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports. This is again more than what other boards offer on the market.
Audio Codec
The board uses the Realtek ALC 892 codec which is a standard with an AMD micro ATX motherboard. The MSI audio boost a feature signature to their brand, is capable of delivering studio quality audio through its premium audio components and capacitors. These help in reducing distortion allowing for a crisp clear sound.
Rear I/O Components
Here you will find a couple of audio jacks to help connect a speaker system or other audio devices to get the most out of the MSI audio boost. There are 4 1st gen type A USB 3.0 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports giving more connectivity options to users.
There is a LAN port run by Realtek 8111H technology which allows for high-speed internet and also smooth connection. The board has three different video output options like the HDMI, DVI, and VGA.
Our Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with MSI products. The company has invested millions into their research and development to deliver some of the best products and the MSI Pro-VDX Max is one of their best b450 motherboards.
It supports RAM up to 128GB and has several headers for RGB connectivity. It even has a lot of internal and external USB ports making it the best maTX motherboard aimed at gamers.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen
- Radeon Vega Graphics
- Supports ddr4 memory
- Turbo M.2 slot
- More power supply to the core for extreme performance
4. GIGABYTE B365M DS3H
The Gigabyte B365M DS3H supports 8th and 9th generation intel core processors. The board comes with multiple temperature sensors that allow users to control fan speeds in different parts of the board. There are a couple of headers that are hybrid technology allowing users to use it for system fans, CPU fans, and water-cooling systems.
Ports and Slots
The board has a primary PCIe 3.0 x16 for graphics card installation and 2 PCIe 3.0 x 4 and x1 for expansion slots. Users can connect their modems, audio cards, and more into these slots. It comes with 4 DIMMs for DDR4 RAM with support up to 64GB. There is a single M.2 slot for high-speed SSDs and 4 standard SATA 6Gbps ports for HDDs, optical drives, and more.
Audio Codec
The audio codec used on this board is the Realtek ALC 887 codec which supports 8 channels. The board is fitted with high quality capacitors and noise guard that reduces distortions caused by electrical signals.
Rear I/O Components
At the back, you will find a single PS/2 socket for plugging in your keyboard or mouse. You will also come across 1st gen 4 USB 3.1 and 2 USB 2.0 ports. There are a couple of audio jacks for connecting your audio system or microphone.
The LAN port is Realtek GbE and achieves speeds up to 100Mbps, more than sufficient for a gamer and an average user. There are a couple of video output options like D-Sub port, DVI, and HDMI port.
Our Thoughts
The Gigabyte B365M DS3H is a superb motherboard that has several video outputs making it stand out than those without any D-Sub ports. It supports enough RAM expansion for daily day to day use and gaming as well. The board also has hybrid headers which are always a welcoming sign for individuals looking to upgrade their systems with RGB, fans, and water-cooler.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors
- Dual-channel DDR4 Memory support
- Great quality audio components with LED
- Turbo M2 slots and fast PCIe slots
5. MSI ProSeries B450M PRO-M2 Max
We did say that the MSI makes some great products and MSI ProSeries B450M Pro M2 max is no exception. It is a solid board with enhanced performance than its predecessors. The board features fully controllable fan headers which are difficult to find with other manufacturers.
Ports and Slots
MSI ProSeries B450M Pro-M2 max comes with a single PCIe 3.0 x16 and 2 PCIe 3.0 x1 port for graphics card and other devices like your sound card, modem, and more. You will also find 4 SATA 3 ports which are a standard with micro ATX boards these days allowing users to connect HDDs, optical drives, and more.
The board features 2 DIMMs slots capable of supporting 64GB of DDR4 RAM. The highlight of ports can be seen with the M.2 slot which is actually turbo, more speed than other manufacturers.
Make sure to connect your SSD here for maximum speed and performance. The board also has 1st gen Type A 2 USB 3.2 and four USB 2.0 which is great considering that most of the devices connected are on the 2.0.
Audio Codec
The Audio codec used on this board is the ALC 887 codec. However, it does come with MSI signature audio boost technology which pumps up the quality of the audio by reducing distortions. The quality of capacitors used on this unit are high grade components.
Rear I/O Components
The back of the board you will find a LAN port that is a Realtek 8111H Gigabyte controller. You will also find a couple of audio jacks for connecting your audio devices. There is a 1st gen type A 4 USB 3.2 ports and 2 USB 2.0. There are also three video output options like HDMI, DVI and VGA.
Our Thoughts
MSI ProSeries B450M Pro-M2 Max is a great addition to the list of best micro ATX motherboards as the board has all sorts of unique features like smart control 5 which controls all the individual headers. It even has MSI signature turbo M.2 slots for fast bootup speeds when connecting SSDs to it.
It is aimed at a gamer looking for a compact solution to a gaming system and can be used by an average day to day users as well. It’s a solid recommendation from us!
Technical Specifications
- Works well with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen
- Radeon Vega Graphics
- Supports DDR4 Memory with DDR boost
- Audio boost
- High grade steel slots
6. Asus Prime B450M-A
The Asus Prime B450M-A is the first entry from the manufacturer Asus on this list. The board is known to have a stylish fanless design, replacing fans with heat sink solutions. This is known as Asus Quiet Thermal solution.
It has a couple of RGB headers for jazzing up your system. The board is known to be really durable with 5 times the protection than ordinary boards making it last longer. It supports 2nd generation AMD Ryzen AM4 core processors. There are a couple of headers available if you’re looking to add cooling solutions.
Plots and Slots
The board comes with a single PCIe 3.0 x16 and 2 PCIe 2.0 x1 for your graphics card and other hardware expansions. It does have a single M.2 slot which enables users to connect their SSDs. The board also has 2 DIMMs slots that can support DDR4 RAM up to 64GB. It features 4 Standard SATA 3 ports for your HDDs, optical drives, and more. In the internal I/O, you will come across a single USB 3.2 and 3.1 and 2 USB 2.0.
Audio Codec
The audio codec used on this board is the Realtek ALC 887 which is pretty standard on these micro ATX boards, however the components used and the technology around is not. The board has audio shielding allowing for precision analog reducing interference. It has a different PCB layers and uses Japanese audio capacitors ensuring warm immersive sound through 8 channels.
Rear I/O Components
At the back of the board there are 2 PS/2 ports for connecting your mouse and keyboard. You will also find 2 2nd gen USB 3.1, and 4 1st gen USB 3.1. There is also a LAN port for seamless online connectivity. You will find a couple of audio jacks and also 3 different video output options like DVI-D, D-sub and HDMI.
Our Thoughts
This board is a perfect solution for those who do not wish to be disturbed by constant fans whirring causing distractions. It is also suited for average gamers too but those looking for upgrades or additional features might feel that the USB ports are quite limited when compared to other options on this list. However, at this price point, the board is a steal and a solid recommendation.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with 2nd generation AMD Ryzen AM4 processors
- NVMe M.2 slots
- USB 3.1 Gen2, DDR4 and Gigabit LAN
- 5X Protection III
- Fortified Pie slot
- ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
7. EVGA Z370 Micro ATX
The Evga Z370 Micro ATX board is the first on this list from the manufacturer and stand out like the rest of these boards. The board supports 8th generation intel core processors.
It has a couple of hybrid fan headers for running system fans, CPU fans, and also water-cooling systems. What makes this board stand out is that it has Wi-Fi which is not found in many other motherboards on this list.
Ports and Slots
The Evga Z370 Micro ATX board has a PCIe 3.0 x16 and an x4 enabling users to have two graphics cards running on SLI configuration.
It also has PCIe x1 ports for all your expansive needs. The motherboard comes with 2 DIMM slots capable of supporting up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. It has 2 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 on its internal headers. The board stands out with 6 SATA ports which is more than the standard 4 on other boards. It features a single M.2 slot for SSD purposes.
Audio Codec
The board steps up its audio game with the Realtek ALC1220 8 channels chip rather than the ALC887 standard chip. It makes a loud impression with its bold audio solution creating immersive user experience.
Rear I/O Component
The back panel has all sorts of ports and connectivity options. You will find 6 USB 3.1 type A and 2 USB 2.0. There is a LAN port besides the on-board Wi-Fi. You will also find a PS/2 port for connecting either your keyboard or mouse.
There are also a couple of audio jacks for connecting your audio devices, however, there is no video output option. This might be a hindrance for those looking to use internal graphics card for their screening solution.
Our Thoughts
The Evga Z370 Micro ATX board is a superb board with powerful performance. It has all the necessary features for a gamer or a graphic designer such as more SATA ports, USB ports, SLI configurations and a Wi-Fi. It is the first micro ATX motherboard with Wi-Fi on this list and a solid buy for those looking to get something extra for the price point.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with i3, i5, and i7 Coffee Lake processors
- Temperature sensors for monitoring
- Superb build quality reinforced slots
- RGB headers support
- Great and efficient VRM
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Intel Optane Memory Ready
8. Gigabyte B450M DS3H
Another one from the Gigabyte on this list and this one is called Gigabyte B450M DS3H. The board works well with 1st and 2nd generation AMD processors and comes with their latest graphic technology known as Radeon Vega graphics. This is a step up from its previous graphic chip in terms of performance. You will also find a few fan headers around the board to keep certain parts cool.
Ports and Slots
The board has a single PCIe 3.0 x16 and a single PCIe 2.0 x4 slot. Gamers can use two graphics cards on this board at the same time using crossfire configuration. There is also a single PCIe 2.0 x1 for users’ expansive needs. You will find 4 DIMM slots with support up to 64GB DDR4 RAM.
It comes with two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 internal headers with a front panel audio connector. The board does have an M2 slot for SSD connection. There are 4 SATA 3 ports for connecting HDDs, optical drives, and more.
Audio Codec
The board features high quality audio capacitors and comes with Gigabyte signature audio noise guard which reduces distortions. The audio chip is a Realtek ALC887 which is a standard among micro ATX boards.
Rear I/O components
At the back, you will find all the standard connections like audio jacks and LAN port. You will also come across a couple of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. There are two video output options like DVI D port and HDMI enabling users to have a multi-screen setup.
Our Thoughts
Gigabyte B450M DS3H has all its standard features across most of its boards. What sets it apart are the connectivity options which differ from one board to the other. The Gigabyte B450M DS3H has more USB ports than other variant and more RAM support.
It is a solid buy for anyone looking for substantially durable hardware that will last them a long time. Gigabyte does durability perfectly.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with AMD 1st & 2nd Generation Ryzen
- Radeon Vega graphics processors
- DDR4 Memory support
- Multiple display outputs
- PCIe and M2 slots
- Audio noise guard
- RGB fusion
- Realtek Gigabit LAN
- Smart fan 5 with fan stop
9. GIGABYTE B450 AORUS M
Gigabyte B450 Aourus M is another superb entry by the manufacturer Gigabyte. It aims at the gamers with their RGB headers for aesthetics and multiple hybrid fan headers for all sorts of cooling options during stress performance.
It comes with a thermal guard to keep the ports from the heat generated by other components so that performance does not lag. It supports 1st and 2nd generation AMD Ryzen processors and comes with Radeon Vega graphics processor.
Ports and Slots
There is a single PCIe 3.0 x16 and a PCIe 2.0 x4 allowing gamers to run two graphics cards on crossfire configurations. The board has an additional PCIe x1 for connecting either a sound card, a modem, or other devices.
The board has 6 SATA 3 ports, more than the standard with a micro ATX board allowing for more storage upgrades. It even has an M.2 port for connecting your SSDs. It is capable of supporting 64GB of DDR4 RAM through its 4 DIMMs slots.
Audio Codec
The audio codec used with the board is a Realtek ALC892 which is capable of 8 channel audio immersive sound. The codec is supported by high grade material components and gold capacitors that reduce distortions. It even has its signature audio noise guard.
Rear I/O Components
At the back, you will find a single PS/2 port for either your keyboard or mouse and a Realtek 8118 Gigabit LAN port. There are six audio analog jacks for connecting all your audio devices. You will also find 6 USB 3.1 and 2 USB 2.0 which is more than enough for an average user or gamer. There are two video output options and they are HDMI and DVI D port.
Our Thoughts
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus M does it again with their superb build quality, durability, connectivity options and also a crossfire configuration capability. It has more SATA and USB ports than the standard board and comes with solid connectivity options. It even has a smart control fan 5 to monitor and control individual fan headers to maintain stable temperatures across the board. A stunning board for a stunning price!
Technical Specification
- Works well with AMD 1st & 2nd Generation Ryzen
- Radeon Vega Graphics Processors
- PCIe and M2 slots with Thermal Guard
- Audio Noise Guard
- GIGABYTE 8118 LAN port
- Multiple display ports
- RGB Fusion
- Smart Fan 5
10. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G gaming is a strong contender in the gaming motherboard department. It has some unique features and solid RGB lighting to give it that gamers feel. The board has a robust power solution capable of pushing the CPU to its limit. It is designed for the 10th generation intel core processors making it one of the few micro ATX boards to stand tall in this department. It has many different fan headers and heat sinks to maintain the temperature spread. It even has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity which is not seen with many other boards on the market.
Ports and Slots
The board has a PCIe 3.0 x16 and a PCI 3.0 x4 allowing gamers to have two GPUs at the same time with the crossfire configuration. It does have an additional PCIe 3.0 x1 for other devices like modem, soundcard, and more. The board comes with 4 DIMM slots that support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory.
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G gaming features 6 SATA ports and 2 M.2 slots, above the standards and what other manufacturers offer in the micro ATX department. The internal headers have 4 USB 2.0, 1st gen Type A, 2 USB 3.2, and 2nd gen Type C 2 USB 3.2.
Audio Codec
The audio codec used on this board is a high end S1220A with supreme FX shielding technology. It has premium Japanese audio capacitors capable of supporting 8 channel immersive audio. The distortions on this is as minimum as it can get.
Rear I/O Components
The rear I/O includes the standard audio analog jacks and a LAN port. It has 2 USB 2.0, 4 1st gen Type A USB 3.2 and 4 2nd gen Type C USB 3.2 ports. There is also a single DisplayPort and an HDMI enabling users for a multi-screen setup.
Our Thoughts
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G gaming is a great performer and a solid motherboard aimed at gamers. It doesn’t lack any ports or slots but offers more by providing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There are more RGB headers, USB ports, SATA ports, and M2 ports than other options on the market. This is a serious gamer’s motherboard and is hands-down the best mATX motherboard with Wi-Fi on this list.
Technical Specifications
- Works well with 10th Gen Intel Core processors
- Robust Power Solution
- Optimized Thermal Design
- High-performance Gaming Networking
- Best Gaming Connectivity
- Industry-leading Gaming Audio
In Conclusion
Before you buy a Micro ATX motherboard, know that it might be cheaper than a full-length motherboard but you’re also making a couple of sacrifices. These boards often come with lesser PCIe ports than their full-sized counterparts. With fewer PCIe ports you need to make a decision on what is important, a soundcard, a modem, or any other PCIe cards.
Due to the lack of space on the board, expect to have fewer M.2 slots and SATA ports. There is a good point here and that is that some of the boards on this list have 2 M.2 slots. So, if you’re looking for more M.2 slots in a Micro ATX board then this article has something for you.
In the end, it comes down to what you are actually looking for, what features do you want to have in a board. This list of top 10 best Micro ATX motherboards has something for everyone and will be your guide to narrowing down your search helping you save time.
