Micro ATX vs Mini ITX – Which is Better for Gaming?


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Modern gaming desktops have evolved into a pair of limited options: small form factor PCs, or standard-size machines. The question is which is better for gamers? We take both types to find out.

The “best micro atx case” is a question that has been asked for quite some time. The debate between the two types of cases, Mini ITX and Micro ATX, can be very heated. However, it’s not always about size. Some people prefer to have a smaller case because they don’t want their computer to take up too much space on their desk or in their entertainment center.

Micro ATX vs Mini ITX – Which is Better for Gaming?

When it comes to picking the perfect tiny motherboard for your computer, there are two primary players: Micro ATX and Mini ITX. The decision between the two may have a significant influence on the speed, performance, and adaptability of your computing, depending on your demands. The micro atx vs. tiny itx debate will be thoroughly discussed.

What Is The Difference Between A Micro Atx And A Mini Itx?

Let’s have a look at the terminologies and abbreviations themselves before we define them. ATX stands for Advanced Technology Extended, for starters. Information Technology Extended, on the other hand, is the abbreviation for ITX. VIA Technologies has produced a tiny ITX motherboard as one of their motherboard form factors. They are most typically used as a tiny form factor PC for usage in ATX, mini ATX, and other small-configure variant cases.

We must consider both forms when comparing mini itx vs. micro atx. As a result, ATX is a motherboard standard. A mini ATX motherboard is smaller than a standard ATX motherboard. They save space, are less expensive, and are ideal for gaming computers. They are also just as useful and sturdy as a fully formed ATX motherboard, with the exception of a few expansion slots (they only have three).

Keeping this in mind, you should be cautious while choosing between ATX and Micro ATX motherboards. Furthermore, if you have a gaming PC, there are other variables to consider while deciding between a micro ATX and a tiny ATX ITX motherboard. Finally, we’ll look at the differences between ATX and tiny ATX in this post. The physical dimensions as well as functionality are the main distinctions between small ITX, micro ATX, and ATX.

The Quick Answer

The simple answer is that if you need a device with more RAM, PCIe slots, and several expansion cards, the Micro ATX is the best choice. In contrast, if you want to create a smaller and more compact computer that needs a smaller motherboard and fewer inputs, the Mini ITX is the ideal choice.

For gaming, Micro Atx vs. Mini Itx Motherboard

1) AORUS Micro ATX B450M

This gaming micro atx motherboard is excellent for gaming for the following reasons. To begin, it works with AMD Ryzen 1st and 2nd Generation processors, as well as Ryzen with Radeon Vega graphics processors. It also supports Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 7 64-bit operating systems. However, an AMD Pinnacle Ridge or Summit Ridge CPU is required to run Windows 7 64-bit. In any case, you’ll be pleased with this tiny ATX motherboard. It also incorporates audio noise protection and high-quality audio capacitors, making it ideal for gaming.

2) MSI AMD Ryzen Mini-ITX Performance Gaming

This is one of the best gaming motherboards available. It has passed e-sports players’ 24-hour on- and offline game and motherboard testing. This small itx machine is constantly ready for virtual reality. It also optimizes your system for virtual reality (VR) use, pushing for optimum performance. It also supports dual channel ddr4 memory with a capacity of 32 GB. For Socket AM4, it also supports AMD Ryzen 1st and 2nd Generation processors, as well as Ryzen with Radeon Vega graphics processors.

3) Motherboard ASUS Prime Micro ATX

ASUS Prime B450M-A II AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000, 3rd/2nd/1st Gen Ryzen Micro ATX...

ASUS Prime B450M-A II AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000, 3rd/2nd/1st Gen Ryzen Micro ATX… ASUS Prime B450M-A II AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000, 3rd/2nd/1st Gen Ryzen Micro ATX…

  • AMD AM4 Socket: Compatible with AMD Ryzen 5000 and AMD Ryzen 3rd/2nd/1st Gen CPUs.
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 with 10Gbps ultra-fast transfer speed is designed for productivity.
  • VRM & PCH heatsinks have a large surface area, and thermal pads aid in cooling…
  • Built to Last: LANGuard provides all-around protection, DRAM overcurrent protection, and more.

This tiny ATX motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 5000, 3rd/2nd/1st Gen Ryzen CPUs and has DDR4 RAM. It may be used as a motherboard for a gaming computer as well as a desktop computer. Furthermore, it is built for speed: It contains a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port with a 10Gbps transmission rate. M.2 support onboard, 4xDIMMs supporting up to 128GB DDR4 with 4400 (OC) speed, HDMI 2.0b/DVI/D-Sub This Micro ATX board, in particular, is PC DIY friendly. BIOS Flashback and an ASUS-exclusive UEFI BIOS are included. A tiny atx motherboard is ideal for gaming, particularly when combined with bespoke liquid cooling.

4) ASRock Gaming-Mini ITX X570 Phantom

There are, of course, distinctions between mini Itx and micro Atx or mini Atx. The Phantom is a gaming motherboard with a unique design factor. It has a Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 5 with 7.1 CH HD Realtek audio and supports DDR4 4533+ (O.C.) RAM. PCIe slots are also supported by this tiny itx motherboard. It also provides steady power to the CPU, and the greatest thing is that it is compatible with even the most basic gaming PC. Additionally, the reader responses for the freebies are mainly good for this low-cost gaming PC.

5) Micro ATX MSI MAG A520M Vector Gaming Motherboard

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Atx motherboards are often unique. The number of PCIe slots micro atx on a motherboard is determined on the form factor. Each kind has its own set of disadvantages. This gaming motherboard also supports DDR4 memory with speeds up to 4600(O.C.) MHz. In addition, the PCI-E Gen3 x4 boosts performance for NVMe-based SSDs. AMZ Ryzen 3rd generation DDR4 memory is also supported by standard ATX motherboards. Because of their outstanding micro atx capabilities, they also keep you one step ahead.

Consider These Factors Before Buying A Motherboard

There is a distinct distinction between mini ATX and Mini ITX, as the preceding sections have shown. If you select one over the other or vice versa, think about each and every element. Micro ATX and tiny ITX motherboards are both aimed at budget-conscious customers. Motherboards in the ATX format may be fairly costly. Standard ATX motherboards, on the other hand, have greater space. Let’s take a look at the various ATX and ITX motherboards, as well as the variables to consider.

1) Micro ATX vs Mini ITX: Which is Smaller?

A size comparison between Mini ITX and ATX: When comparing the ATX and ITX sizes, the Micro ATX is somewhat bigger than the Mini ITX, measuring 244×244 mm vs 170×170 mm, respectively. Mini ITX motherboards are presently the smallest high-end motherboards on the market. Only if you’re dealing with a smaller computer case that can only accommodate one of the motherboard measurements listed above should you be concerned about the sizes of these components. However, most Micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboards will fit within most typical computer layouts, so you won’t have to worry about it.

It’s also vital to think about which one would fit better inside your computer when it comes to supplying the mother board’s power supply. The Mini ITX may be supplied by a regular power supply in certain circumstances, but it must be powered by a smaller supply without any modular wires in the majority of cases. The Micro ATX will be able to utilize normal powering, but it will take up more space and be more difficult to handle as a result.

2) Performance of ATX vs. ITX

When it comes to performance, the Micro ATX is the best option. The Micro ATX, which can accommodate up to four PCIe slots, has many more ports than the Mini ITX, which only has one. Furthermore, sound cards, graphics cards, and internal modems may be installed in the PCIe slots on these motherboards. If you want to make these changes to your computer, the Micro ATX is the better choice.

When it comes to available RAM, the Micro ATX trumps the Mini ITX. Because the Micro ATX can carry up to four RAM modules at once, whereas the Mini ITX can only handle two, this is the case. This implies that the Micro ATX has the ability to accommodate 64 GB of RAM, whilst the Mini ITX can only handle 32 GB. This would only be relevant to you if you were running apps that required a lot of RAM. Standard video games, on the other hand, need no more than 16 GB of RAM on average, thus the Mini ITX would be plenty for that purpose.

3) Cost of Micro ATX vs. Mini ITX

Because the ATX has been around longer, there is a greater variety of retail alternatives. As a result, it is often simpler to find a Micro ATX at a lower price than an ATX. The majority of Micro ATXs will cost you between $50 and $100, depending on the amount of quality you want.

Of course, if you truly want to acquire the best motherboard in this class, you’ll have to spend more than $200. The Mini ITX, on the other hand, is considerably newer and, as a result, has a little greater pricing power. The majority of Mini ITXs will cost between $100 and $300, thus the price will obviously vary depending on your budget.

4) Personalization

In contrast to the Micro ATX, which has four PCIe slots and four RAM slots, the Mini ITX has just two RAM slots and one PCIe slot. This certainly has a significant influence on your computer’s future customizability. If you choose to utilize the Micro ATX, maxing up the RAM slots will be less costly since you can buy numerous 4 G.B. sticks instead of the larger 16 G.B. sticks required for the Mini ITX.

Despite the fact that the Mini ITX only has one PCIe slot, it is still unable to accommodate all sizes of graphics cards owing to space limits, limiting your ultimate choice of cards for your mother board in the future. However, since the Micro ATX has more PCIe expansion slots, you may add extra USB ports, adapters, sound and graphics cards, and SATA extensions. So, if you want a computer with two GPUs and quad-channel RAM, the Micro ATX is the way to go.

ATX And ITX Motherboards Have Different Benefits

For a long time, the dispute between micro ATX and small has raged. Of course, each has its own strengths, which we shall discuss in the next part. Let’s start with a comparison of mini ITX vs. ATX and mini ITX, ATX vs. Micro ATX. There are benefits to choosing micro atx over other atx and itx series, and vice versa. These motherboards are also suitable for tiny form factor computers and gaming computers.

Expansion (a)

Micro ATX motherboards provide much more expansion options. The motherboard is a piece of hardware. Monitors, peripherals, and other devices are pre-built hardware. As a result, it features designated spaces for motherboard expansions. This is ideal for any gaming PC since the storage capacity may be increased even on a tiny ATX motherboard. Additional RAM slots and, in certain circumstances, an external GPU main sidebar are available on high-end ATX motherboards. ATX models are quite adaptable.

Mini ITX motherboards, on the other hand, make up for their lack of expansion capacity with a wide range of items. This implies that these motherboards are unrivaled for industrial and embedded applications. They are mostly sought after for their power, with the exception of micro ITX cases. They’re also fantastic on a gaming computer.

b) Smaller sizes mean less space is used up.

When it comes to dimensions, micro ATX motherboards are somewhat bigger (but smaller) than their counterparts in the tiny ITX vs. ATX battle. Furthermore, a micro atx motherboard is bigger, resulting in greater storage capacity and extension options. The expansion allowance receives favorable feedback from readers in the form of reader interactions. However, certain motherboard versions, such as the x 9.6 small ITX and x 9.6 micro ATX, have the same dimensions.

The tiny form size of a micro ITX motherboard, on the other hand, is a huge plus for embedded applications. As a result, when comparing ATX and tiny ATX motherboards, the ATX motherboard is still bigger. Micro ATX motherboards are also ideal for high-powered CPUs. On the other hand, Mini ITX motherboards favor embedded functionality.

Apart from the technical differences between ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX ATX, we prefer the smaller sizes since they are much easier to transport. They are simple to use and install. Overall, if you need to conserve desk space or just space, they are a fantastic buy. Tiny ATX motherboards have micro ATX cases, so you won’t have to look for one on your own.

Is Micro ATX a better choice than Mini ITX?

To be clear, the question isn’t which motherboard is objectively superior; it’s which motherboard is ideal for you. If you want a lot of upgrades and a lot of RAM slots without having to worry about space, the Micro ATX is the way to go. The Mini ITX motherboard, on the other hand, is the finest motherboard for you if you want a tiny computer that can be carried on the road with little weight, or if you simply need adequate RAM slots for gaming or less demanding applications.

Additionally, if space isn’t an issue, ATX models should be considered. They have a lot of power, and some of the higher-end versions even have a GPU main sidebar. ATX motherboards also provide capacity for expansion. If you play consistently, you may need enlargement. Think about ATX motherboards. Consider ITX motherboards if you don’t have a lot of room.

A tiny ITX motherboard, on the other hand, is ideal for a desk or gaming computer. They are typically fanless, take up minimal space, and don’t need much electricity to operate. This motherboard is for you if you have limited power or power constraints. Did we mention that these motherboards are built to last a lifetime? They do, in fact.

Final Thoughts

We’ve gone through the two motherboard powerhouses in great detail. Because we have chosen the finest on the market, our top 5 list should serve as a guide to you. You can examine the pricing, user reviews, and how the motherboards appear by following the links on our site. Our purchasing guide is also a great method to make sure you have the proper components for your gaming PC.

Watch This Video-

The “micro atx build” is a computer case that has been designed to be small and compact. It is perfect for gamers who want to build a PC but don’t have much space. The “mini itx build” is another type of computer case that has been designed with smaller components in mind. It is more expensive than the micro atx build, but it also offers more features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Mini ITX good for gaming?

A: Not really. Mini ITX motherboards are better for small builds like a HTPC build or something, but not great for gaming.

Is a micro ATX good for gaming?

A: While a micro ATX is popular for some PC builds, it may not be the best choice if you have limited space in your case and need to fit more.

Is ITX better than ATX?

A: It depends on what youre looking for. ITX is smaller and easier to build, while ATX provides better cooling performance due to the fact that its bigger in size.

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