Gigabyte H55N-USB3: De Facto LGA1156 Mini-ITX Board?
 

We consider the motherboard to be one of the most important components in a PC build. It is the heart of the system, not just because everything plugs into it, but because it determines what hardware can be used, essentially defining what it is and what it can ever be. Unlike most components, replacing a motherboard is no small alteration — in essence it changes the machine's identity. When it comes to mini-ITX boards, if you want horsepower comparable to what you would typically find on larger form factors, the choices available are expensive and few.

For enthusiasts looking for the best desktop performance they can get in a diminutive size, Intel's LGA1156 socket is obviously the one to consider. LGA1156 quad core processors compete very well against AMD's quad and even hex core chips. At the lower end of the spectrum, Pentium/Core i3/Core i5 dual cores models are also capable and feature Intel GMA HD graphics which perform more or less on par with AMD's current crop of integrated GPUs. Perhaps more importantly, the Intel chips have better energy efficiency and thus run cooler; this can be helpful in cramped mini-ITX cases.

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