If you’re building a system in 2025, m-ATX boards deserve a serious look. They’re not just about saving space anymore – many now rival full ATX boards in features, whether that’s PCIe Gen 5 slots, high-speed DDR5 support, or strong VRM designs for handling top-tier CPUs. The days when mATX meant “budget only” are gone.
In this guide, I’ve rounded up the best options for both AMD AM5 and Intel LGA1851. That way, whether you’re pairing a Ryzen 9 with a compact case or dropping in Intel’s latest chips, you’ll know exactly which boards can keep up without cutting corners.
Best mATX Motherboards: Quick Comparison
| Motherboard | Socket | PCIe Support | Price (Amazon) |
| MSI MAG B850M Mortar | AM5 | PCIe 5.0 GPU + PCIe 5.0 NVMe | $240 – Buy Now |
| GIGABYTE B850M | AM5 | PCIe 5.0 GPU + PCIe 5.0 NVMe | $179 – Buy Now |
| GIGABYTE B650M AORUS Elite AX | AM5 | PCIe 4.0 GPU + PCIe 5.0 NVMe | $179 – Buy Now |
| ASRock Z890M Riptide | LGA1851 | PCIe 5.0 GPU + PCIe 5.0 NVMe | $220 – Buy Now |
| MSI B860M Gaming | LGA1851 | PCIe 5.0 GPU + PCIe 5.0 NVMe | $222 – Buy Now |
Best mATX Motherboards: Top Picks
MSI MAG B850M Mortar (AM5)
Quick Highlights
- Socket: AM5 (Ryzen 7000/9000 ready)
- Chipset: B850
- Memory: 4x DDR5 slots, up to 192GB, up to 8000+ MHz (OC)
- Expansion: 2x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x1
- Storage: 2x PCIe 5.0 M.2, 2x PCIe 4.0 M.2, 6x SATA
- Networking: 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 7
- Power: 14+2+1 VRM, 80A smart power stages
- Price – $240 – Buy Now
The MAG B850M Mortar is aimed at builders who want high-end Ryzen support without jumping into full ATX boards. The standout here is the PCIe 5.0 coverage – both GPU and dual M.2 SSD slots get Gen5 lanes, which is a big deal for futureproofing. With AM5, you also get full DDR5 support, and MSI has gone with strong memory overclocking capabilities (8000 MHz+ if your kit can handle it).
Power delivery is handled by 12 Duet Rail Power System with 60A SPS with 8-layer PCB. That’s more than enough for Ryzen 9 chips like the 9950X, so you won’t be limited if you upgrade later. Networking is also modern with Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5G LAN, which is rare on smaller form factor boards. The storage options are stacked too—dual PCIe Gen5 drives plus more Gen4 slots and SATA for bulk storage. If you’re planning a compact but high-end AM5 build, this board makes sense.
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 support for both GPU and dual M.2
- Strong 14+2+1 VRM handles Ryzen 9 CPUs
- Wi-Fi 7 + 2.5G LAN included
- 4 M.2 slots total with heatsinks
Cons
- No PCIe 5.0 x4 slot for additional expansion cards
- Overkill if you’re only running midrange CPUs
GIGABYTE B850M (AM5)
Quick Highlights
- AM5 socket, Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 support
- 19+2+2 phase digital VRM design
- One PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot
- Four DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 192GB @ 8000+ MHz
- One PCIe 5.0 M.2 + two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
- Price – $179 – Buy Now
The GIGABYTE B850M is aimed at builders who don’t need overkill features but still want solid AM5 performance. Its 10+2+2 VRM setup is weaker than the Mortar, but still enough for Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 if you don’t plan on heavy overclocking. The board includes a PCIe 5.0 slot for next-gen GPUs, plus decent DDR5 support topping out around 8000MHz.
Storage options are slightly trimmed compared to higher-end boards, with one Gen 5 M.2 and two Gen 4, but for most gaming setups that’s plenty. Gigabyte also includes Smart Fan 6 and solid thermal armor, so even under load the board won’t run hot. It’s a good choice if you’re sticking to Ryzen 7 or want to save a little without losing future support.
Pros
- Affordable compared to other AM5 micro-ATX boards
- PCIe 5.0 GPU and M.2 support
- Strong DDR5 memory support (8000+ MHz)
- Smart Fan 6 helps with cooling
Cons
- VRM weaker for Ryzen 9 under load
GIGABYTE B650M AORUS Elite AX (AM5)
Quick Highlights
- AM5 socket, Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 support
- 12+2+1 phase VRM design
- PCIe 4.0 x16 GPU slot
- Four DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 192GB @ 6666+ MHz
- Three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN
- Price – $179 – Buy Now
The B650M AORUS Elite AX is a safer mid-range AM5 option if you’re not chasing PCIe 5.0. With a 12+2+1 VRM setup, it’s strong enough for Ryzen 7 but not ideal for Ryzen 9 under heavy stress. The big win here is integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN, which makes it a good all-rounder for gamers who don’t want to fuss with add-on cards.
You’re limited to PCIe 4.0 for GPUs and storage, but realistically that’s fine for current-gen hardware since even high-end GPUs don’t max PCIe 4.0 bandwidth. The three Gen 4 M.2 slots give you great flexibility for SSDs, and the board runs stable even when fully populated. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable.
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN
- Three M.2 Gen 4 slots
- Reliable VRM for Ryzen 7
- Good thermal design for compact builds
Cons
- No PCIe 5.0 for GPU or storage
- Limited VRM for heavy Ryzen 9 use
ASRock Z890M Riptide WiFi (LGA 1851)
Quick Highlights
- LGA 1851 socket for Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPUs
- 16+1+1+1+1 power phase VRM with 80A Dr. MOS stages
- PCIe 5.0 ×16 for GPU, plus one Gen 5 and two Gen 4 M.2 slots
- Supports DDR5 memory up to 9466+ MT/s (OC), 256 GB max
- Dual Thunderbolt 4, 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and Killer 2.5G LAN
- Price – $220 – Buy Now
The Z890M Riptide WiFi is ASRock’s Micro-ATX powerhouse for Intel’s LGA 1851 platform. Its VRM configuration is robust and copes well with high-core-count Core Ultra CPUs—even under sustained loads, the VRM temps stay impressively low thanks to heavy-duty heatsinks. Storage flexibility is a highlight: you get one blazing-fast PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for next-gen SSDs, plus two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for additional drives. The inclusion of dual Thunderbolt 4 ports is rare in micro-ATX, giving you high-speed docking, display, and storage options out of the box.
Memory support goes all the way up to DDR5-9466+ when overclocking, making it a compelling board for memory-hungry workloads and future upgrades. Networking includes both Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN, offering flexible connectivity for modern setups. Overall, if you’re building a compact Intel rig and care about next-gen features like Gen 5 storage, high-speed I/O, and solid power delivery, the Riptide WiFi stands out.
Pros
- Excellent power delivery design for demanding CPUs
- High-speed storage with PCIe 5.0 and multiple M.2 slots
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports add great versatility
- DDR5 support to nearly 9500 MT/s for overclockers
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN give strong networking options
Cons
- No onboard Wi-Fi 7 (only 6E)
- Three M.2 slots can be cramped if using a tall GPU and SSDs
MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (LGA 1851)
Quick Highlights
- Socket: Intel LGA 1851 – ready for Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs
- Power Delivery: 12-Duet Rail Power System with 8+4-pin connectors and robust VE-MOS design
- Memory: 4× DDR5 slots, up to 256 GB and 8,800 MT/s (OC)
- Expansion & Storage: PCIe 5.0 ×16 GPU slot, three M.2 slots (1× Gen5, 2× Gen4), plus SATA 6Gb/s
- Connectivity: Full Wi-Fi 7, Intel Killer 5G LAN, Thunderbolt 4, 7.1 HD Audio
- Price – $222 – Buy Now
This mATX board is designed for compact Intel builds that still need high-end capabilities. Its 12-Duet Rail VRM system handles CPU power demands cleanly, making it a great match for Core i7 or i9 processors. PCIe 5.0 support for GPUs is included, along with multiple M.2 options—including super-fast Gen 5—so you’re covered now and for future upgrades.
Cooling-wise, everything from VRMs to M.2 slots has a robust heatsink (MSI’s Frozr Guard tech), which means even under heavy loads, temperatures stay controlled. Throw in cutting-edge networking like Wi-Fi 7 and Killer 5G LAN, plus convenience features such as Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C, and this board hits all the key marks for a modern, compact gaming or content build.
Pros
- Ready for high-end Intel builds with LGA 1851 and strong VRM
- PCIe 5.0 + Gen 5 M.2 ensures future-proof expandability
- High-speed DDR5 support (8,800 MT/s OC)
- Premium connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Killer 5G LAN, Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- Only one Gen 5 M.2 slot—others are Gen 4
- mATX form limits total expansion compared to ATX (e.g., fewer PCIe slots)
Conclusion
Micro-ATX motherboards in 2025 have truly stepped up, offering PCIe 5.0 lanes, DDR5 speeds, and VRM designs that rival full ATX boards. Whether it’s AMD’s B850 lineup or Intel’s new LGA1851 options, you can now build compact systems without losing out on performance or futureproofing.
For high-end Ryzen 9 or Intel i9 builds, boards like the MSI MAG B850M Mortar and GIGABYTE Z890M Gaming deliver serious power. If you’re on a tighter budget, options like the GIGABYTE B650M AORUS Elite AX or MSI B860M Gaming still bring excellent features at a lower cost, proving that mATX can now suit almost any type of build.
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