Before gaming laptops, my love for small PC gaming systems had me build three different mini-ITX computers. There’s just something awesome about packing the full might of a desktop into the smallest of cases, and if you prefer a petit PC over the towering hulks that are so popular now, you may be wondering why you should, or shouldn’t, take the ITX plunge.
1 Yes: You Want a Console-Sized System With Big PC Performance
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are big for consoles, but pretty darn small for PCs. These systems were designed to go under your TV or next to it, and fit into the entertainment centers people have in their homes all over the world.
A typical PC tower would certainly have to stand next to your entertainment system, and certainly wouldn’t fit inside it. So if you’re trying to build a gaming or HTPC meant for the couch rather than the desk, mITX motherboards and cases are the way to go.
2 Yes:You Like to Travel With Your PC
While the age of the LAN party has sadly passed, there are plenty of reasons to want a portable computer. While you might think a laptop is always the correct solution, the price to performance ratio is much better for an mITX system, and the performance ceiling is above what laptops can achieve as well. So, if your computing needs are from one desk to another, this could be a great solution. One of my own mITX systems used the Corsair Graphite 380t, which has a handy-dandy handle built in.
Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube
The Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube offers good airflow, a flexible build, and a handy way to change out the side panels to customize your look. That it’s also affordable is just a bonus.
3 Yes:You Don’t Need Fancy Motherboard Features
Most people don’t use nearly all of the features offered by full-sized motherboards. Since the motherboard you choose has little effect on performance the real differentiators are extra features such as additional PCIe slots or extra cooling. If you don’t need any of that, why buy a huge motherboard full of components and connections you’ll never use?
4 No:You Need Lots of RAM or Storage
Most mITX motherboards have only two RAM slots in a dual-channel configuration. Not only that, but you’re limited by the maximum RAM module size supported by that board. Typically, mITX boards allow for up to 32GB of RAM (2x16GB), though more modern mITX motherboards will support 64GB (2x32GB) configurations as well. 32GB is still enough for almost everyone, but if you’re trying to build a mini workstation you’ll want to pay special attention to the maximum RAM capacity of your motherboard.
Likewise, mITX boards usually have fewer M.2 SSD slots compared to larger board types, and may also have fewer SATA ports. Without extra high-speed PCIe slots, you usually don’t have the option to add these in later, and even if your mITX board has the slots, if you’ve paired it with a big double- or triple-slot GPU, that won’t work either.
5 No:You Want to Overclock
If you want to push your components past their factory-rated performance, there are certain things you want in your motherboards: Great cooling, a thick PCB, robust power circuitry, and room for high-end cooling solutions. All the things you’re unlikely to find on an mITX motherboard. That’s not to say that you can’t do do any overclocking with an mITX system, just that you’re not likely to get that far, if for no other reason than the cramped thermal conditions of most mITX cases.
6 No:Space Is Not an Issue
Finally, if you don’t have any desire or need to save space when it comes to your computer, then it’s probably better to stretch your legs a bit and go for a larger motherboard and case category.
The bigger systems are easier to work on, offer better cooling, and you can put any components in there you like, within reason of course. The mITX category will always be popular, but it’s probably never going to be quite as mainstream as mid- or full-tower cases, and that’s just fine. The real beauty of PCs is that they come in any shape or size to suit your needs.
