How Big is a Mini-ITX Motherboard?

A Mini-ITX motherboard measures 170mm × 170mm (6.7in × 6.7in), making it the smallest mainstream form factor for PCs. Designed by VIA Technologies in 2001, it prioritizes compact builds while retaining core functionalities. Its standardized size ensures compatibility with small cases, making it ideal for portable gaming rigs, home theater PCs, and space-efficient workstations.

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How Does a Mini-ITX Motherboard Compare to Other Form Factors?

Mini-ITX is significantly smaller than ATX (305mm × 244mm) and Micro-ATX (244mm × 244mm). Unlike larger boards, it typically has one PCIe slot, two RAM slots, and fewer SATA ports. However, advancements like integrated Wi-Fi and USB-C have minimized performance gaps. For example, the ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming supports PCIe 4.0 and dual M.2 slots despite its size.

Form Factor	Dimensions	PCIe Slots	RAM Slots
Mini-ITX	170mm × 170mm	1	2
Micro-ATX	244mm × 244mm	4	4
ATX	305mm × 244mm	7	4

How Has Mini-ITX Evolved in the Last Decade?

Modern Mini-ITX boards now support DDR5 RAM, PCIe 5.0 (e.g., Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra), and Thunderbolt 4. Manufacturers like ASRock integrate 10Gb Ethernet into boards like the X299E-ITX/ac. The rise of SFF (small form factor) communities has driven innovation, with 3D-printed case mods and custom water-cooling loops becoming common in enthusiast circles.

In recent years, Mini-ITX has seen groundbreaking advancements in connectivity and power delivery. USB4 support became mainstream in 2022, enabling 40Gbps data transfers and dual 4K display outputs. Voltage regulator modules (VRMs) have also improved, with boards like the MSI MEG Z790I Edge featuring 105A power stages for overclocking 13th Gen Intel CPUs. Additionally, Wi-Fi 6E integration eliminates the need for external adapters in streaming setups. The introduction of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots allows next-gen GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 to operate at full bandwidth, though thermal management remains critical. These developments position Mini-ITX as a viable platform for both extreme gaming and professional workloads.

Can Mini-ITX Support High-End Gaming and Workstation Tasks?

Yes. Boards like the MSI MEG Z590I Unify handle overclocked Intel i9-11900K CPUs and RTX 3090 GPUs when paired with adequate cooling. For content creation, the 64GB RAM capacity of boards like ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming-ITX enables 4K video editing. NVMe RAID configurations achieve 7,000MB/s read speeds, rivaling larger workstations.

High-end Mini-ITX builds now rival traditional towers in performance. Custom loop cooling solutions using 240mm radiators can dissipate 350W of heat, allowing stable operation of components like AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X. Storage configurations have also evolved – the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra DDR4 supports four NVMe drives via PCIe bifurcation, achieving sequential read speeds over 28GB/s in RAID 0. For GPU-intensive tasks, cases like the FormD T1 accommodate triple-slot cards up to 325mm long. Benchmarks show properly cooled Mini-ITX systems scoring within 5% of ATX counterparts in 3D rendering and 4K gaming tests, proving size no longer dictates performance ceilings.

“Mini-ITX has transcended its niche status,” says PC build architect Lena Voss. “With PCIe bifurcation and USB4, these boards now drive 8K video production setups. The thermal limitations remain, but phase-change materials and vapor chambers are pushing boundaries. In 2023, we’re seeing Mini-ITX systems outperform many mid-towers in benchmark tests when properly configured.”

FAQs

Does Mini-ITX Work with Standard ATX Power Supplies?

Most Mini-ITX cases require SFX or SFX-L PSUs due to size constraints. ATX units only fit in larger ITX cases like the Cooler Master Elite 130.

Are Mini-ITX Motherboards Compatible with All CPUs?

Yes, provided the socket matches. For instance, the AMD AM5 socket on ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I supports Ryzen 7000 CPUs, while Intel LGA 1700 boards accommodate 12th/13th Gen Core processors.

How Many Fans Can a Mini-ITX Case Support?

Typical cases support 2-4 fans. The SSUPD Meshlicious holds two 140mm fans, while the DAN Cases A4-H2O includes mounts for a 240mm AIO radiator and one 92mm exhaust fan.

The 170mm² Mini-ITX form factor continues to redefine compact computing, blending portability with cutting-edge performance. While build complexity and costs are higher than standard ATX, the result is a potent system fitting in backpacks. As cooling solutions and component integration improve, Mini-ITX is poised to dominate the next era of personalized, space-conscious computing.