The Best mATX Motherboards for 2024

The Micro-ATX form factor motherboard is the mid-way for users who like compact builds but don’t want to sacrifice much on the features. With the best motherboards being mostly ATX, m-ATX is generally forgotten, even though it offers plenty of competitive features for building a mid-range system. In 2024, m-ATX motherboards have evolved drastically through the efforts of board manufacturers that are trying to pack as many features as possible in a compact space.

ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-G GAMING WIFI

Best Overall Intel M-ATX Motherboard
MSI MAG B650M MORTAR WIFI

Best Overall AMD M-ATX Motherboard
ASUS Prime Z790M-Plus

Best Mid-Range Intel M-ATX Motherboard
ASRock B650M PG Riptide WiFi

Best Mid-Range AMD M-ATX Motherboard
Gigabyte B760M Aorus Elite AX

Best Budget Intel M-ATX Motherboard

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With the latest Intel Raptor Lake/Refresh and AMD Zen 4 lineup becoming the norm these days, it’s fair to say that users who are looking for an m-ATX motherboard will settle with either an LGA 1700 or AM5 socket respectively. Fortunately, there are a couple of chipsets present for both platforms, and even though they aren’t powerful enough to break world records, they surely offer plenty of ports and connectors for easy upgrades, a decently capable power delivery system, and satisfactory connectivity options.

Things To Consider When Buying A Micro-ATX Motherboard

Power Delivery: Unlike ATX motherboards, m-ATX motherboards generally don’t come with too many power phases. This is due to their compact design, but it’s always recommended to check the VRM and its components, especially when overclocking is one of the primary goals.

Component Compatibility: Always check for the type of RAM supported on the motherboard. It’s important to understand that with the transition from DDR4 to DDR5, some users might mistakenly buy a DDR4 motherboard which results in slightly lower performance. One should also check for PCI-E Gen 5.0 support and if the motherboard doesn’t lack M.2 connectors.

Connectivity: Connectivity can be divided into two types: Wireless and wired. Wireless connectivity indicates the presence of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while wired connectivity indicates the presence of a sufficient number of ports for peripheral connection. Faster USB ports are always preferred, particularly the Type C Gen2x2, which offers 20Gbps of speed.

Onboard Features: It can be difficult to find onboard troubleshooting features on m-ATX motherboards, but one should opt for the one that has Debug LEDs for easy troubleshooting. If the board also comes with power and reset buttons, then it should be given priority over those that don’t have them.

Cooling: VRM and the chipset should come with a decently sized heatsink for heat dissipation. Some motherboards also come with an M.2 connector shield which is even better. Also, plenty of chassis fans and AIO headers will ensure all-around cooling of the build.

Game Rant’s Picks For The Best M-ATX Motherboards for 2024

ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-G GAMING WIFI

Best Overall Intel M-ATX Motherboard

Asus ROG STRIX Z690-G GAMING WIFI is a killer m-ATX motherboard with unparalleled support for high-end components. Its strong 15-power phase VRM allows overclocking without any worries and the big aluminum heatsink over it makes sure the CPU doesn’t thermal throttles. Made with an 8-layer durable PCB, it’s more reliable than most m-ATX boards out there and boasts beautiful RGB lights.

Brand: Asus
Graphics Card Interface: PCI-E Gen 5.0
Memory Slots: 4
Memory Type: DDR5
Form Factor: Micro ATX
Wi-Fi: Intel WiFi 6E
USB Ports: Rear: 10, Front: 7
M.2 NVMe Connector: 3
CPU Support: Intel 12th/13th/14th gen
Chipset: Z790
Socket: LGA 1700
Power Phases: 14+1
PCI Slots: 2x PCI-E x16, 1x PCI-E x1
Storage: 6x SATA
Audio: ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080
Networking: Bluetooth 5.2, Intel 2.5Gb

Pros

Durable 8 layer PCB for reliability
14 VCore power phases for good overclocking capability
Supports PCI-E Gen 5.0 mode
Plenty of USB ports including fast USB Type C ports

Cons

Doesn’t support Gen 5.0 speed on the M.2 connectors

Not only is it unparalleled in aesthetics, it is also more capable than any other m-ATX motherboard including all the latest chipsets in LGA 1700 and AM5 sockets. Featuring a solid 14+1 power phase design, it can allow overclocking mid-range CPUs like Core i5 14600K without breaking a sweat. While it is not meant for extreme overclocking, users can still experiment with the voltages and multipliers as the board comes with Debug LEDs to troubleshoot any malfunctions. The board has an excellent large heatsink over the VRM components, the M.2 connector, and the chipset. Moreover, they are equipped with RGB LEDs that can be controlled via any popular RGB software.

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There are plenty of connectivity options at the I/O and on the PCB itself, which lets users connect to several peripherals at the same time. There is also a Type C Gen 2×2 port that is blazing fast in transfer speed. Furthermore, the motherboard BIOS can be reset or upgraded through the buttons present in the I/O. Except for the absence of Gen 5.0 support for the M.2 connectors, there aren’t any major complaints, particularly when the primary PCI-E x16 slot already supports Gen 5.0 bandwidth. Surely, it is a premium motherboard but will help future-proof the build for several years.

MSI MAG B650M MORTAR WIFI

Best Overall AMD M-ATX Motherboard

MSI MAG B650M MORTAR WIFI brings a powerful delivery system with each power phase rated at 80A. The thermal solution is top-notch with dedicated heatsinks for each section. Plenty of USB ports are offered at the I/O along with WiFi 6E to make sure users can benefit from their high-speed internet. The B650M Mortar WiFi is the ultimate solution for Ryzen 7000 CPUs without breaking the bank.

Brand: MSI
Graphics Card Interface: PCI-E 4.0
Memory Slots: 4
Memory Type: DDR5
Form Factor: Micro ATX
Wi-Fi: AMD WiFi 6E
USB Ports: Rear: 6, Front: 7
M.2 NVMe Connector: 2
CPU Support: Ryzen 7000 series
Chipset: B650
Socket: AM5
Power Phases: 12+2+1
PCI Slots: 2x PCI-E x16, 1x PCI-E x1
Storage: 6x SATA
Audio: Realtek ALC4080 Codec
Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Realtek RTL8125B 2.5Gbps

Pros

Impressive power delivery with 80A current support per phase
EZ Debug LEDs for troubleshooting
WiFi 6E and latest Bluetooth 5.3 support
BIOS Flash button at the I/O

Offering plenty of connectivity options, the MAG B650M Mortar WiFi ensures no user goes without a wireless internet connection and Bluetooth support. For those who like wired connections, they can opt for the fast 2.5G LAN and the USB ports at the rear. Whether users want to connect simple peripherals or fast USB devices, there are USB ports for every purpose, including USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2, and Type C Gen 2×2 with 20Gbps speed. Furthermore, the onboard headers provide support for up to 7x USB ports, including a Type C connector for cases that come with a Type C port on the front panel.

Moving towards the most crucial areas, its VRM has sufficient potential to overclock mid-range Ryzen CPUs. Thanks to the 12 VCore power phases where each phase is rated at 80A, stability at higher clock speeds won’t be the issue. This is further enhanced through the two dedicated heatsinks on the VRM that are grooved for ample airflow. For the GPU, there are 2x PCI-E x16 slots with the primary one being strengthened using steel armor and, for the storage, users can either opt for the dual M.2 connectors or the SATA connectors.

ASUS Prime Z790M-Plus

Best Mid-Range Intel M-ATX Motherboard

ASUS Prime Z790M-Plus belongs to the affordable Prime series but, despite that, it doesn’t fail to impress. With a robust power design and good support for storage and expansion cards, it stands out in the mid-range category. Being compact in size doesn’t stop it from providing ample connectors/ports for various devices and has a rich I/O for connectivity.

Brand: Asus
Graphics Card Interface: PCI-E Gen 5.0
Memory Slots: 4
Memory Type: DDR5
Form Factor: Micro ATX
Wi-Fi: Key-E slot available
USB Ports: Rear: 8, Front: 7
M.2 NVMe Connector: 3
CPU Support: Intel 12th/13th/14th gen
Chipset: Z790
Socket: LGA 1700
Power Phases: 10+1
PCI Slots: 2x PCI-E x16, 2x PCI-E x1
Storage: 4x SATA
Audio: Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC
Networking: Intel 1Gb

Pros

Several PCI-E slots for expansion cards
Plenty of USB ports for peripheral connectivity
Supports overclocking on a budget
Big heatsinks for the VRM

Cons

No built-in WiFi and inferior LAN
Not meant for enthusiast overclocking

The Asus Prime Z790M-Plus comes from the affordable Prime family but still provides support for overclocking. Even though it isn’t capable of maxing out the sliders, it should be adequate for mild overclocking. With a 10+1 power phase VRM and big heatsinks on top, the motherboard will avoid dropping of the clock speed by eliminating thermal throttle. Of course, a good CPU cooler is mandatory for users who are thinking about overlocking their processors. However, the motherboard will play a good part in maintaining stable temperatures.

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There are plenty of USB ports on the I/O that are handy for connecting several input devices without the need for any USB hub. From USB 2.0 to 3.2 Gen 2×2, every port is available at the I/O. The only thing missing is the built-in WiFi adapter, which can be a dealbreaker for some. However, the motherboard does provide a Key E connector for installing a WiFi module or users can simply opt for a PCI-E WiFi card and plug in any of the PCI-E x1 slots. Apart from this, it is an ideal board with great memory support and comes with PCI-E Gen 5.0 speed for the primary PCI-E x16 slot.

ASRock B650M PG Riptide WiFi

Best Mid-Range AMD M-ATX Motherboard

ASRock B650M PG Riptide WiFi is an excellent mid-range m-ATX board with a 15-power phase VRM that delivers satisfactory overclocking capability. The built-in WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 prepares it for fast internet and peripheral connection wirelessly out of the box. The PCI-E Gen 5 support for the M.2 connector is another impressive feature that is rare on B650 chipset motherboards.

Brand: ASRock
Graphics Card Interface: PCI-E Gen 4.0
Memory Slots: 4
Memory Type: DDR5
Form Factor: Micro ATX
Wi-Fi: WiFi 6E
USB Ports: Rear: 8, Front: 9
M.2 NVMe Connector: 2
CPU Support: AMD Ryzen 7000 series
Chipset: B650
Socket: AM5
Power Phases: 12+2+1
PCI Slots: 2x PCI-E x16, 2x PCI-E x1
Storage: 4x SATA
Audio: Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec
Networking: Dragon RTL8125BG 2.5G

Pros

15 power phases with good-sized grooved heatsinks
WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 support
Multiple PCI-E slots for GPUs and expansion cards
PCI-E Gen 5.0 support for primary M.2 slot

Cons

No PCI-E Gen 5.0 support for PCI-E x16 slot
Fewer storage connectors compared to other similarly priced boards

It’s difficult to find an affordable mid-range m-ATX motherboard that features a B650 chipset while offering PCI-E Gen 5.0 support for the NVMe SSD. The B650M PG Riptide WiFi stands out for the same reason, but this isn’t the only reason why it is worthy for Ryzen CPU owners. With a strong 15-power power delivery, it can provide satisfactory overclocking on mid-range processors like Ryzen 5 7600X. The board supports up to 192GB of RAM capacity and a frequency of up to 7200MHz, which is another reason why it is a better choice.

Perhaps the most notable specification is its connectivity. Apart from the WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.5G LAN, it also brings more than a dozen USB ports in total. At the rear, there are 7x Type A and 1x Type C ports, and the onboard USB headers can power up to a whopping 9x USB ports in total. Moreover, there is a BIOS Flashback button at the rear that can come in handy anytime. The only thing it lacks is the Gen 5.0 bandwidth for the PCI-E x16 slot, which is totally understandable and won’t be a drawback particularly when we don’t have Gen 5.0 GPUs yet.

Gigabyte B760M Aorus Elite AX

Best Budget Intel M-ATX Motherboard

Gigabyte B760M Aorus Elite X AX looks absolutely stunning with those grey accents on the heatsinks and I/O shroud all over the place. It is also equipped with RGB lighting on the chipset, further enhancing its looks for enthusiasts. It’s perhaps one of the rarest budget motherboards that come with an onboard feature and plenty of USB ports.

Brand: Gigabyte
Graphics Card Interface: PCI-E Gen 4.0
Memory Slots: 4
Memory Type: DDR5
Form Factor: Micro ATX
Wi-Fi: Realtek WiFi 6E RTL8852CE
USB Ports: Rear: 9, Front: 7
M.2 NVMe Connector: 2
CPU Support: Intel 12th/13th/14th gen
Chipset: B760
Socket: LGA 1700
Power Phases: 12+1+1
PCI Slots: 2x PCI-E x16
Storage: 4x SATA
Audio: Realtek Audio CODEC
Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Realtek 2.5G

Pros

Beautiful design with large heatsinks and RGB lights
WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity
Plenty of USB ports at the I/O

Cons

No PCI-E Gen 5.0 support
No overclocking support

Users who own any locked CPU from the 12th, 13th, or 14th gen lineup have no need to overspend on their motherboard. The Gigabyte B760M Aorus Elite AX is sufficient for handling even higher-end locked Core i7 and i9 CPUs. The B760M Aorus Elite AX boasts a robust VRM with 12 VCore power phases that are sufficient for maintaining stability at boost clock speeds. There are large heatsinks on both sections of the VRM that will take care of the rest and all users need to do is continue their work or admire the RGB lights on the chipset.

The board is pretty durable as it is made up of a 6-layer PCB and has all the features needed to complete a modern gaming/productivity build, including good memory frequency support, several headers for fans and AIO, and a lot of USB ports. It does lack the Gen 5 speed, but except for that, there aren’t any major cons Game Rant found to not recommend it. For a price of around $160, this is a bargain at the moment and should be an ideal choice for gaming builds under $1000.

Gigabyte B650M DS3H

Best Budget AMD M-ATX Motherboard

Gigabyte B650M DS3H is a cheap but decent choice for budget builders who own a budget Ryzen CPU. With its sturdy design, it can last quite a good amount of time. There are multiple heatsinks for passively cooling the components and plenty of connectivity options.

Brand: Gigabyte
Graphics Card Interface: PCI-E Gen 4.0
Memory Slots: 4
Memory Type: DDR5
Form Factor: Micro ATx
Wi-Fi: N/A
USB Ports: Rear: 8, Front: 7
M.2 NVMe Connector: 2
CPU Support: AMD Ryzen 7000 series
Chipset: B650
Socket: AM5
Power Phases: 6+2+1
PCI Slots: 1x PCI-E x16, 1x PCI-E x1
Storage: 4x SATA
Audio: Realtek Audio CODEC
Networking: Realtek 2.5G

Pros

Q-Flash button at the I/O
8x USB ports at the rear including Type C
Supports overclocking on a budget
Great memory frequency support of up to 8000MHz

Cons

No built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
No PCI-E Gen 5. support

The B650M DS3H is an incredibly cheap B650 board that allows overclocking and has everything from heatsinks for cooling to plenty of USB ports for peripheral connection. While not a killer overclocking board, it surely is capable of allowing mild overclocking. From the specs, it might look like it boasts a pretty inferior VRM with only 6 VCore phases, but in reality, all the 6 phases for the VCore are ‘Real’ phases without any doubler. So, it’s anything but bad for Ryzen chips.

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There are big heatsinks over the VRM to provide ample cooling for the chokes and a big heatsink over the M.2 connectors as well. The PCI-E slots and M.2 connectors have a Gen 4.0 speed support out of the box and its RAM frequency support of up to 8000MHz makes it stand out in the budget category. There is also a BIOS Flashback button at the rear which is scarce on sub $150 motherboards.

FAQ

Q: Are Micro ATX motherboards better?

Micro ATX motherboards are generally better than mini-ITX motherboards but lack the high-end specifications of ATX motherboards.

Q: Should I buy a Micro ATX motherboard?

If you want to build a compact build, then a micro-ATX motherboard will be a decent option considering that you carefully analyze the features to not miss out on the crucial features or specifications.