Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a new PC and I'm considering switching from an ATX case to an mATX for easier portability in case I move to a new apartment or even a different country. I've put together a list of parts I'm looking at, but I'm having trouble finding the right mATX motherboard that fits my needs. Specifically, I need WiFi connectivity, at least two M.2 slots for SSDs, one PCIe slot for a capture card, and ideally a Thunderbolt port for an external sound card. If Thunderbolt isn't available, then a USB-C port would be great too, along with some USB-A ports for good measure. I couldn't find a Thunderbolt filter on PC part picker, so I'm looking for your suggestions! Also, if you have any case recommendations, I'm a fan of Lian Li cases and would love to keep it white. My budget for the motherboard is around €180-220 and I'm okay with buying from France, Germany, or Spain.
3 Answers
Finding a Thunderbolt port on mATX boards, especially for AMD systems, can be tricky. You might have better luck with USB4 ports, which are available on some X870 and X870E boards. External sound cards typically don't need Thunderbolt, so if your sound setup just requires USB-A, you might be fine without it. I suggest checking Intel boards as they generally offer more mATX options. Also, if you're moving your setup around a lot, consider using an AIO cooler for easier transport.
USB4 is probably your best bet since finding Thunderbolt 3 in mATX is rare, especially on AM5 boards. If you need USB4 and a capture card, you might want to think about an ATX case as they often provide more flexibility for your needs. Compact ATX options can work well too!
mATX isn't that much smaller than ATX. If you're looking for a truly portable option, consider ITX. However, keep in mind that Thunderbolt isn't typically available on AMD boards. USB4 is still a good alternative for speed!
I disagree! There are some smaller mATX cases, like the JONSPLUS Z20, that can fit a lot while still being compact. Just because some ATX cases are big doesn’t mean all mATX cases lack portability!
Thanks for the heads up! I didn’t think ITX would give me enough capacity for everything I want to use.
Wait, is Thunderbolt really just a higher-speed USB? I thought they were the same thing at first, but now I'm confused.