Mini ITX PC Build Guide for 2025
Mini ITX motherboards I would say are gaining popularity even though they have been a favorite for a while now with PC builders who want to build very small, compact systems. I think in 2025, there have never been better options for building a mini ITX PC. There have been many great new motherboard designs that are very rewarding to build with, better cooling solutions, and even more compact GPUs. So, if you are looking to build a gaming rig, silent workstations, or if you are wanting to build a compact home lab node, mini ITX builds are great. Let’s look at a guide to building a modern mini ITX PC and talk about considerations.
Disclosure: The links below are monetized by the Amazon affiliate programs and I earn a small commission from those clicking on those links. Note that prices may change from the prices and/or discount rates noted, and this post only shows the prices available when the article was published.
Why Choose Mini ITX in 2025?
We have already alluded to some of the appeal of Mini ITX boards. Manufacturers have caught on to the popularity of Mini ITX form factor. Building with these boards allow you to build with smaller builds which are popular (think mini PCs), and you get usually better power and thermal performance.
Below, take note of just a few of the reasons that mini ITX builds are appealing:
- Saves space: If you are looking to save space, these deliver due to their small size
- They look good: They help with the aesthetic part of your build, they are small and are easier with cable management, etc
- They often perform just as well as full ATX boards: With the right components for your build, Mini ITX systems can rival full ATX builds
- Power efficiency: Smaller builds often use less power and produce less heat.
Use Cases for a Mini ITX PC
Mini ITX isn’t just for gamers, even though that is a popular build for mini ITX. Note the following use cases.
Gaming Rig
As an example of a great combinations, you can pair the BD790i X3D and an RTX 5070 OC, and you can have killer gaming performance in a small form factor.
Home Lab
Small form factor builds are the sweet spot for home lab nodes that don’t take up a lot of space and still pack a punch for processing power and overall perfromance. This makes them a great choice for lab virtualization with something like Proxmox or VMware Workstation running in Windows.
Developer Workstation
Developers will benefit from a large amount of RAM, quiet operation and multiple monitors.
Living Room PC/HTPC
If you use something like a Fractal Ridge case, you can have integrated Wi-Fi with a build. You can also have a low-profile GPU for use with something like a 4K media server.
The Minisforum BD795i SE and BD790i X3D: Ideal ITX Motherboards
In 2025, one of the standout options for Mini ITX builders is Minisforum’s latest ITX motherboard lineup. If you have been following along with some of the builds I have done recently with Proxmox server builds and most recently a build using the newly released X3D motherboard, you have seen just how well these mini ITX builds have come together. I have tested both the BD795i SE and BD790i X3D, and found them to be outstanding little boards to build very powerful home lab systems around as well as graphics workstations.
BD795i SE strong points – https://amzn.to/4jmFmWO
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor
- Excellent power efficiency with adjustable Core Performance Boost
- Support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 4.0
- Integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN
- Compact layout with high-end power delivery
BD790i X3D strong points – https://amzn.to/4csKYN8
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor with 3D V-Cache
- Optimized for gaming and heavy multithreaded workloads
- Same Mini ITX form factor with full support for high-end GPUs
- Excellent thermals and VRM cooling in a small package
If you would like to build a Mini ITX workstation/server with workstation-grade power or gaming-class performance, these boards may be the right fit for your needs as well.
Choosing a Case
This is where you have tons of options due to the small size. With mini ITX, you can often still use a larger case or 2U server chassis as I have done recently, but you don’t have to. With their extremely small size, you can also pick cases that are extremely small if you want to have a minimal footprint.
A few case recommendations for 2025:
- SSUPD Meshroom S – https://amzn.to/4lnpcyl
- Excellent airflow and GPU compatibility
- Vertical layout ideal for compact desks
- Cooler Master NR200P MAX – https://amzn.to/3FVOeEs
- Comes with pre-installed PSU and AIO
- Roomy interior for a Mini ITX case
- NZXT H1 V2 – https://amzn.to/3Ecz3Gu
- Sleek, console-like design
- Integrated PSU and AIO cooler
- Fractal Ridge – https://amzn.to/4lnq1ae
- Horizontal layout great for HTPC setups
- Discreet appearance for living rooms
CPU and Cooling Considerations
The BD795i SE and BD790i X3D both use desktop-class Ryzen 9 HX chips. And the great thing about these boards is they already have preinstalled coolers from Minisforum, so you don’t have to go out and snag your own coolers. However, there are several great coolers out there if you choose other Mini ITX boards.
Good cooling options:
Keep in mind your cooling will depend on the CPU that is installed in the motherboard and the mount type for the motherboard you choose. Here are just a few examples of mini ITX friendly coolers:
- Noctua NH-L12S: https://amzn.to/4jnPtLd
- Corsair H100i RGB ELITE: https://amzn.to/3R7UdZf
- be quiet! Pure Loop 2 FX: https://amzn.to/3G0zDaR
Also, if you are ok to have less performance out of some of the newer Ryzen 9 chips, you can disable the Core Performance Boost on the Minisforum boards which dramatically affects the thermals of the CPU and power draw. I found that disabling it can reduce power consumption by up to 50%.
GPU Selection for Mini ITX Builds
Modern Mini ITX cases support full-size GPUs, but you need to have good airflow in the case and make sure on cooling.
Good GPU picks in 2025:
Here are just a few options that offer really good bang for your buck in terms of graphics performance and price.
- PNY GeForce RTX™ 5070 ARGB Overclocked Triple Fan: https://amzn.to/3RD4zjV
- AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT: https://amzn.to/4iZPW6m
- Intel Arc A770 Limited Edition 16GB: https://amzn.to/4i7rRJI
Look for dual-fan or short GPUs if your case has space limitations. Make sure your case can handle the GPU’s length and cooling needs.
Memory and Storage
In the case of the BD795i SE and BD790i X3D, you can install fast, low-latency RAM for your Mini ITX PC .
- Crucial RAM 32GB DDR5 5600MHz: https://amzn.to/43KO1On
- 128 GB DDR5 for those building a home lab node or need lots of RAM for apps – https://amzn.to/4i5g5zN
- For storage, having 2x M.2 NVMe SSDs allows you to separate out your OS drive and VMs or apps on separate NVMe. Most Mini ITX boards support dual M.2 slots.
Recommended brands include:
- Samsung 990 Pro – https://amzn.to/40OwtiA
- WD Black SN850X – https://amzn.to/3EoVfNA
- Crucial T500 – https://amzn.to/3RLphhz
Power Supply Choices
SFX and SFX-L power supplies are standard for Mini ITX builds.
Good PSU Options:
- SilverStone SX1000: https://amzn.to/3YnPzdz
- Thermaltake Toughpower SFX 750W: https://amzn.to/4jsUH8x
- Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold: https://amzn.to/4iXeCwh
Make sure to match the PSU form factor with your case. Also, depending on the case that you decide on, some come with the PSU already preinstalled.
Cable Management and Assembly Tips
Cable management is critical for aesthetics but also for airflow as unmanaged cables can block good airflow to your components.
- Use custom-length cables
- Pre-plan your cable runs
- Zip tie cables behind the PSU shroud rails of the case
- Use a modular PSU for using only the cables you need to use
The bottom line is think through your solution and what components, case, and other things you will be using to have a game plan on your cable management.
Wrapping up
Now that we are in 2025, Mini ITX builds are more popular and really more powerful than they have ever been before. I think we are finally at a point where the availability of hardware that we have now is powerful, efficient, and there are several options available for motherboards, CPUs, power supplies, cases, etc.
The Minisforum BD795i SE and BD790i X3D motherboards are good examples of processing horsepower that can be fit in an ITX form factor. If you are looking at gaming, content creation, or virtualization, there has never been a better time to go small form factor with a Mini ITX build.
Let me know in the comments if you are planning on building a Mini ITX build in 2025 and what you are planning on using.
