ATX build — $841
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
- Graphics: Sparkle Arc A310
- Motherboard: Asus B650E MAX Gaming
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB RS - 16GB - DDR5 - 6000MHz
Disclosure: we earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Build recommendations on this page are generated by AI from a compatibility-checked parts catalog, and prices are estimates.
ATX vs Micro ATX: what the smaller board gives up
Updated Sep 13, 2026. Prices come from our catalogue and may have changed.
The Micro ATX median is $92 versus $165 for ATX, a median gap of $73, and the two builds differ by $105. Both spend the same $800 budget, so the ATX build pays for a B650E board and DDR5-6000 RAM but drops to a 256GB P210 SSD, while Micro ATX takes a B550M board and DDR4-3200 to afford a 512GB NX Series SSD, a Peerless Assassin 120 SE, a 650W GN-650, and the same Arc A310 GPU.
ATX vs Micro ATX in our catalogue today
| Metric | ATX | Micro ATX |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest part | $80 (ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4 AC) | $70 (ASRock B550M-HDV) |
| Median price | $165 | $92 |
| Parts in catalogue | 30 | 10 |
| Max memory speed (MT/s) | 4,400–9,200 | 3,200–8,200 |
| M.2 slots | 1–5 | 1–2 |
| PCIe x16 slots | 1–5 | 1–4 |
Same $800 budget, one build each side
Micro ATX build — $736
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600
- Graphics: Sparkle Arc A310
- Motherboard: MSI B550M PRO-VDH
- Memory: G.SKILL RipjawsV - 16GB - DDR4 - 3200MT/s
Micro ATX costs $105 less than ATX on this $800 build.
Cheapest ATX parts
- ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4 AC$80 at Newegg
- GIGABYTE B550 Gaming X V2$90 at Newegg
- MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus$100 at Amazon
Cheapest Micro ATX parts
- ASRock B550M-HDV$70 at Newegg
- GIGABYTE B550M K$70 at Newegg
- ASRock B550M PRO4$90 at Newegg
Frequently asked questions
Are Micro ATX boards compatible with ATX cases and standard parts?
Yes. Micro ATX uses the same mounting holes and rear I/O layout as ATX, so it fits any ATX case, and the builds above share standard ATX power supplies and AM4/AM5 coolers. The trade is fewer expansion slots on the board itself, not a different parts ecosystem.
Which build has the better upgrade path?
The ATX build pairs a Ryzen 5 8500G with an Asus B650E MAX Gaming board and DDR5-6000 memory, which sits on the AM5 platform. The Micro ATX build's Ryzen 5 5600 and MSI B550M PRO-VDH use AM4 with DDR4-3200. Only the specs listed are given here, so weigh future CPU and memory options against the storage, cooler and PSU differences.
Why is the Micro ATX build cheaper if both have the same budget?
Both builds were generated on the same $800 budget, so the Micro ATX build does not pocket the savings. It puts them into a 512GB NX Series SSD instead of a 256GB P210, a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE instead of an ID-COOLING SE-903-XT V2, and a 650W GN-650 instead of a 500W AGV Series.
Who should pick the ATX side?
Pick ATX if you want the B650E MAX Gaming board, DDR5-6000 memory and the wider board selection that the $165 median reflects. In the build above that came at the cost of a 256GB SSD and the ID-COOLING SE-903-XT V2 cooler.
Who should pick the Micro ATX side?
Pick Micro ATX if the $92 median, the 512GB drive, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and the 650W GN-650 matter more, and you accept the B550M PRO-VDH board with DDR4-3200. The smaller board is what makes the $105 build difference possible, not a performance shortcut.
More comparisons
Builds that use this
Customize this build with AI →
Describe your own needs and budget, and get three compatibility-checked builds in minutes.