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8 best compact PC motherboards
Small motherboards at the best price!
Author: Vladislav Samoshkin
Now reduced popularity of computer cases are becoming more popular. They simply do not fit the standard motherboard belonging to the ATX form factor. In this regard, many companies produce their smaller versions (microATX, mini-DTX and mini-ITX). The best representatives of this form factor will be discussed in this article.
| Category | A place | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best ASUS Motherboards | 1 | ASUS A88XM-PLUS | 9.9 / 10 | 4 650 |
| 2 | ASUS B85M-G | 9.6 / 10 | 4 950 | |
| 3 | ASUS J1800I-C | 9.5 / 10 | 5 076 | |
| Best MSI Motherboards | 1 | MSI B85M-G43 | 10 / 10 | 5 076 |
| 2 | MSI B75MA-E33 | 9.5 / 10 | 5 185 | |
| 3 | MSI H97M-E35 | 9.4 / 10 | 5 076 | |
| Best ASRock Motherboard | 1 | ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX | 9.5 / 10 | 6 250 |
| Best Gigabyte Motherboard | 1 | GIGABYTE GA-G41M-Combo (rev. 2.0) | 9.4 / 10 | 5 585 |
Best ASUS Motherboards
|
4 650
This motherboard takes full advantage of the microATX form factor. The device is not only that has four slots for RAM, you can also find eight SATA 6Gb / s connectors on it! This is due to the high cost of this model. But not only ASUS ASUS A88XM-PLUS is surprised by this. It supports the installation of two ATI video cards, as evidenced by support for CrossFireX technology. It is extremely surprising to see such an opportunity in such a small motherboard. FM2 + is used as a socket here. Everything is in order with USB ports - there are six such connectors on the back panel, two of them belong to the USB 3.0 standard. Eight more ports can be brought to the front panel of the computer case.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.9 / 10
Rating
|
|
4 950
Even a very small case can accommodate a video card, so that the user has the opportunity to play serious projects. This proves the existence of a motherboard ASUS B85M-G, made in the microATX form factor. It has four slots for RAM, due to which its volume can be increased to 32 GB. This will allow you to take up video editing or work in a graphic editor. Well, to install the video card is a standard slot PCI-E x16. To connect USB devices, there are six ports on the rear panel. Two of them belong to the high-speed standard 3.0. Another six USB connectors are displayed on the front panel. In short, for such a form factor, the capabilities of the motherboard are impressive. It remains to add that it received at its disposal a socket LGA1150, designed to connect an Intel processor.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.6 / 10
Rating
|
|
5 076
This is one of the smallest motherboards on the market today. This is evidenced by belonging to the mini-ITX form factor. The chipset used here is a low-power Intel Celeron J1800. Its main feature is low power consumption and minimal heat dissipation. As a result, the ASUS J1800I-C motherboard does not require a cooler - it lacks its own passive cooling system. It is clear that the massive and high-speed connectors had no place on such a baby. But the available slots are enough to install decent components and build a good office machine.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
|
Best MSI Motherboards
|
5 076
MSI has used all the know-how available at its production. She tried to place the maximum number of slots on the device. She did not succeed (competitors showed it on the example of their products), but the result deserves praise. Four slots for RAM allow you to bring its volume up to 32 GB. Six SATA connectors help connect multiple hard drives and SSDs. It is a pity that only four of them can boast a speed of 6 Gb / s, but this will be enough for most users. But most of all MSI B85M-G43 is surprised by the support of CrossFire, thanks to which two video cards from the ATI Radeon series can fit inside the computer case. Built on the basis of socket socket LGA1150.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 10 / 10
Rating
|
|
5 185
This model has a reasonable price. A rare office PC assembler will want to spend more. However, the cost indicates certain limitations. The board received at its disposal only four SATA connectors to which the drives are connected, and only one of them is capable of processing information at a speed of 6 Gb / s. Also, there was a place on the board for only two slots for RAM (the maximum frequency is 2400 MHz). MSI did not try to squeeze the maximum out of the microATX form factor. But they offered the user the opportunity to build a budget system. However, they did not forget about a pair of USB 3.0 ports and four USB.2.0, which can be found on the rear panel. Of course, there is also support for installing a video card. Built on the basis of socket LGA1155.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
|
|
5 076
A very powerful processor can be connected to this motherboard. That is why it does not have the lowest cost. Unfortunately, the MSI H97M-E35 was a bit too clever when designing. The creators placed on board six SATA 6Gb / s connectors, but only two slots for RAM (the frequency is also limited to 1600 MHz). It would be better if a pair of connectors turned out to be less speedy, but there would be two additional slots for RAM - after all, not every computer owner uses five or six drives. The device has a LGA1150 socket and is made in the microATX form factor. On this basis, you can build a small office computer and use it as a server for a small company. The board is also suitable for creating a home system - in this case, four USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0, located on the rear panel, are very useful.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.4 / 10
Rating
|
Best ASRock Motherboard
|
6 250
This board is an excellent option to build the most budget computer. For very little money, the customer receives a motherboard with a pair of slots for me RAM (the frequency should not exceed 1866 MHz), a built-in video adapter and four SATA 3Gb / s connectors. Such capacity is enough for office computer use. However, the AM3 + socket will also contribute to the assembly of a home PC. A powerful processor paired with a good graphics card will help you enjoy movies and games. But in this case, it may seem strange to you that there is no USB 3.0 and the minimum number of less high-speed ports (on the rear panel they are placed in an amount of four, as many can be brought to the front wall of the case).
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
|
Best Gigabyte Motherboard
|
This is not the budget option, but this motherboard is primarily intended for the assembly of an office PC. GIGABYTE GA-G41M-Combo (rev. 2.0) is reliable - you can disable it only by installing a faulty power supply. LGA775 is used as a socket, under which not the most powerful processors are sharpened. But the system will delight with its energy efficiency! Theoretically, you can even build a silent computer - in this case, you need the appropriate chip and passive cooling system.
Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.4 / 10
Rating
|
4
Updated: 29.01.2016
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