Buying Guide
The Best Mini-ITX Motherboards
From the B650I Lightning to the TUF B850I: three motherboards ranked on M.2 slot count and wired network speed, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Mini-ITX boards build the smallest PCs. Every pick is Mini-ITX, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Wired Network Speed
MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFi
The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps).
Best for: Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Our take Check price for MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEO
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEO (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). | Buyers who put wired network speed first. | Check price for MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEO (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650I Lightning uses the older B650 chipset at a lower price, keeping a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and Wi-Fi 6E.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Pass on it if only 2 M.2 slot rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits budget small builds with a mid-range CPU. It matches the TUF B850I on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). Like the TUF B850I, it has a wi-Fi 6E, while the B850I Edge TI uses a wi-Fi 7.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. As a Mini-ITX board it has one PCIe x16 slot and two memory slots, so plan for a two-stick memory kit and check the case's cooler and GPU limits. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the B850I Edge TI the next step up. What it gives up: wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, behind the B850I Edge TI (5Gbps); by contrast, the B850I Edge TI offers 5Gbps.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 2
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 8+2+1
- Form factor: Mini-ITX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- The older B650 chipset at a lower price
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, behind the B850I Edge TI (5Gbps)
Fastest Wired Network Speed2 of 3
MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850I Edge TI is the only board here with 5Gbps Ethernet, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and two M.2 slots.
Best for
- Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: only 2 M.2 slots.
Why we like it
Its white finish suits light-themed small builds. Nothing else here matches its 5Gbps wired network speed; the B650I Lightning comes closest at 2.5Gbps. It is the only pick here with a wi-Fi 7; the B650I Lightning has a wi-Fi 6E instead.
It also offers a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. As a Mini-ITX board it has one PCIe x16 slot and two memory slots, so plan for a two-stick memory kit and check the case's cooler and GPU limits.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. When we checked, only the B650I Lightning cost less, and the TUF B850I cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 2
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: Mini-ITX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
- White finish
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Costs more than the B650I Lightning at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF B850I brings a rear USB 20Gbps port and two M.2 slots, with Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: only 2 M.2 slots.
Why we like it
On wired network speed it ties with the B650I Lightning at 2.5Gbps. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B650I Lightning; the B850I Edge TI goes with a wi-Fi 7. You also get a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. As a Mini-ITX board it has one PCIe x16 slot and two memory slots, so plan for a two-stick memory kit and check the case's cooler and GPU limits. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the B850I Edge TI and the rest. The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the B650I Lightning offers 2.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 2
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Form factor: Mini-ITX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- Rear USB 20Gbps port
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Wired network speed trails the B850I Edge TI (5Gbps)
How We Chose These Mini-ITX Motherboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power delivery
- We noted power stage layouts where the maker lists them.
- Platform
- We checked socket, chipset and form factor from each listing.
- Connectivity
- We compared Wi-Fi, wired LAN speed and USB4.
- Storage
- We counted listed M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support.
What to Look for in a Mini-ITX Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the chipset to your plans
On AM5, B850 covers most gaming builds with PCIe 5.0 for at least one slot. X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes and USB4 for heavy expansion.
Features, not frame rates, separate the chipsets.
Check BIOS support and Flashback
A board may need a BIOS update before it runs a newer CPU. BIOS Flashback lets you update without a working CPU installed.
Power delivery for high-end CPUs
Boards with more and stronger power stages run hot 16-core chips more comfortably. For eight-core gaming CPUs, most current boards are enough.
Count M.2 slots
Most games now install to NVMe drives. Count how many M.2 slots you need now and later, and check which ones share lanes with other ports.
Networking matters for daily use
Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps Ethernet help only if your router supports them, but built-in Wi-Fi saves a PCIe card.
Check the rear and front I/O
Count USB ports you use every day and confirm a front USB-C header if your case has a USB-C port.
How to Choose a Mini-ITX Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | B650I Lightning | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who put wired network speed first | B850I Edge TI | The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | TUF B850I | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Form factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B650I Lightning | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Mini-ITX |
| B850I Edge TI | 2 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Mini-ITX |
| TUF B850I | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Mini-ITX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | B650I Lightning |
| About $250 to $500 | B850I Edge TI, TUF B850I |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these motherboards compare on wired network speed?
The B850I Edge TI leads at 5Gbps, ahead of the B650I Lightning at 2.5Gbps; the TUF B850I sits at the other end with 2.5Gbps.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The B650I Lightning cost the least when we checked, and the TUF B850I sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
What size motherboard should I buy?
ATX fits most mid-towers and has the most slots. Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX suit smaller cases with fewer expansion needs.
Do I need PCIe 5.0?
Current graphics cards barely benefit. PCIe 5.0 matters more for the fastest SSDs.
Is built-in Wi-Fi worth it?
Yes if you cannot run a cable. Otherwise wired Ethernet is more consistent.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the B650I Lightning, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the B850I Edge TI for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) and the TUF B850I for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port if those matter more to you.
Check the cooler's height and the RAM clearance; Mini-ITX sockets sit close to everything.