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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFiThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850I Edge TI.
Check price for ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Wired Network Speed
MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFiThe fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps).
Best for: Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Check price for MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEOThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port.
Best for: Buyers who want a rear USB 20Gbps port and can spend more than the B850I Edge TI costs.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850I Edge TI. | Check price for ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi on Amazon (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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port. | Buyers who want a rear USB 20Gbps port and can spend more than the B850I Edge TI costs. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850I WiFi NEO on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi
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 than into the B850I Edge TI.
Skip if
- Pass on it if only 2 M.2 slots 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. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the B850I Edge TI the next step up.
Key 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)
The catch
What it gives up: wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, behind the B850I Edge TI (5Gbps); by contrast, the B850I Edge TI offers 5Gbps.
Fastest Wired Network Speed2 of 3
MSI MPG B850I Edge TI WiFi
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 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
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 a rear USB 20Gbps port and can spend more than the B850I Edge TI costs.
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. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. 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.
Key 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)
The catch
The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the B650I Lightning offers 2.
How We Chose These Mini-ITX Motherboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and form factor from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 5 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the B650I Lightning to the TUF B850I, state M.2 slot count, wired network speed and wi-Fi and share AM5 socket.
- Who each pick suits
- The B650I Lightning for the lowest price of the group at our last check; the B850I Edge TI for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps); the TUF B850I for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a rear USB 20Gbps port.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B650I Lightning ($150 to $250) to the TUF B850I ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Mini-ITX Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Wired network speed across these picks
The B850I Edge TI tops wired network speed at 5Gbps and the TUF B850I sits lowest at 2.5Gbps. The B850I Edge TI is the pick for wired network speed.
Features beyond the spec table
The B650I Lightning: the older B650 chipset at a lower price. The B850I Edge TI: a white finish. The TUF B850I: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the B650I Lightning; $250 to $500 buys the B850I Edge TI and the TUF B850I at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850I Edge TI: the B650I Lightning. Buyers who put wired network speed first: the B850I Edge TI. Buyers who want a rear USB 20Gbps port and can spend more than the B850I Edge TI costs: the TUF B850I.
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.
How to Choose a Mini-ITX Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850I Edge TI | 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 a rear USB 20Gbps port and can spend more than the B850I Edge TI costs | 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
The B850I Edge TI leads on wired network speed at 5Gbps, ahead of the B650I Lightning at 2.5Gbps.
| 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
At our last check the cheapest pick, the B650I Lightning, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the TUF B850I at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | B650I Lightning |
| About $250 to $500 | B850I Edge TI, TUF B850I |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest wired network speed: the B850I Edge TI or the B650I Lightning?
Between the top two, it is 5Gbps on the B850I Edge TI against 2.5Gbps on the B650I Lightning, a 100% difference.
What makes the B850I Edge TI the Fastest Wired Network Speed?
The label rests on the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). The B650I Lightning is next on wired network speed at 2.5Gbps, so this pick's 5Gbps is 100% further out. The B650I Lightning, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts wired network speed first.
Do the B650I Lightning and the B850I Edge TI differ on wi-Fi?
The B650I Lightning and the TUF B850I use Wi-Fi 6E; the B850I Edge TI uses Wi-Fi 7.
Beyond the specs, what sets the B650I Lightning and the B850I Edge TI apart?
The B650I Lightning: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The B850I Edge TI: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. The TUF B850I: a rear USB 20Gbps port.
Should I pick the B650I Lightning or the TUF B850I?
The B650I Lightning suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850I Edge TI; the TUF B850I suits buyers who want a rear USB 20Gbps port and can spend more than the B850I Edge TI costs.
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.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best B850 Motherboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Motherboards Under $120
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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