Best Motherboards for i5 Processors – These are the best motherboard for i5 9400f you can get in 2021. If you prefer aesthetics with the performance I would recommend you to get B365 Phantom Gaming 4. This motherboard is affordable and looks good but limits upgrade options.
After getting to know the most suitable pairs for your motherboard, you still need to know what features make a mobo worth buying. Without knowing these features, there are high chances that you make the wrong decision to purchase the best compatible motherboard for your i5 processors.
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If you manage to get the right one, you will amazingly enjoy a most smoother and memorable experience with your PC.
back to menu ↑1.GIGABYTE B365M DS3H
Features
- Supports 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors
- Dual channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4
OUR TAKE
The H370/B365/B360 Platform supports Intel’s latest Optane technology. Optane fuels storage performance by acting as a cache drive giving users a significant boost compared to traditional mechanical drives.
With Smart Fan 5 users can ensure that their gaming PC can maintain its performance while staying cool. Smart Fan 5 allows users to interchange their fan headers to reflect different thermal sensors at different locations on the motherboard.
Not only that, with Smart Fan 5 more hybrid fan headers that support both PWM and Voltage mode fans have been introduced to make the motherboard more liquid cooling friendly.
back to menu ↑2.GIGABYTE B450M
Features
- Supports AMD 3rd Gen Ryzen/ 2nd Gen Ryzen/ 1st Gen Ryzen/ 2nd Gen Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics/ 1st Gen Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics/ Athlon with Radeon Vega Graphics Processors
- Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
OUR TAKE
The last of GIGABYTE’s launch day motherboards comes via the B450M DS3H which hails from the Ultra Durable range. With the shift here from gaming to a more subtle theme, the styling choices opted here by GIGABYTE come across as less ‘in your face’ without RGB LEDs built into the heatsinks, but users looking to make use of rainbow-colored RGB can do so through a single RGB LED strip header.
Without a lot of the bells and whistles of the B450 Aorus motherboards, what the B450M DS3H does focus on is providing value without sacrificing too much on the overall quality. The general controller choice does put this board in the lower range of AM4 boards available, but the Realtek ALC887 audio codec still does a decent job of providing onboard audio.
With a Realtek GbE LAN controller present also, the DS3H is admirable for users on a strict budget, but who also require a smaller microATX form factor.
back to menu ↑3.Gigabyte Z370M
Features
- Brand GIGABYTE, Model Z370M DS3H
- CPU Socket Type LGA 1151 (300 Series), CPU Type Core i7 / i5 / i3 (8th Gen, LGA1151), Chipset Intel Z370, Onboard Video Chipset Integrated Graphics Processor-Intel HD Graphics support: 1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60Hz,
OUR TAKE
The Z370M DS3H is based on the Intel Z370 chipset and incorporates a slew of advanced features, making it a solid foundation for the latest 8th generation Intel Core Processors in LGA 1151 packaging.
This micro ATX motherboard comes with four DIMMS with XMP and DDR4 3866(O.C.) support, a PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 port that’s Intel Optane ready, and a PCIe x16 slot plus two PCIe x1 slots. This Ultra Durable motherboard is built using top quality components for supreme quality, durability and longevity, plus high quality audio capacitors that make studio-class sound possible from your desktop.
back to menu ↑4.GIGABYTE Z490
Features
- Supports 10th Gen Intel Core processors
- Direct 12 Phases Digital VRM with 50A Smart Power Stage
OUR TAKE
Manual overclocking went on without a hitch, reaching a thermally limited 5.2 GHz with the VRM handling our stress test without issue (and without fans).
So what do you get for the additional cost over Z390? For starters, the Z490 Master uses socket LGA1200, which you’ll need to support Intel’s latest 10th Generation CPUs (and perhaps Rocket Lake later this year).
Outside of that obvious point, this board offers a more robust 14-phase 90A VRM, a premium Realtek audio solution, three heatsinked M.2 slots, Intel-based 2.5 GbE LAN, the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, and PCIe 4.0 support (x16 slots and M.2 slot), among other features. Additionally, the aesthetics have (to our eyes at least) improved with a more slick chipset/M.2 heatsink implementation.
back to menu ↑5.ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E
Features
- Intel LGA 1200 socket: Designed to unleash the maximum performance of 10th Gen Intel Core processors
- Robust Power Solution: 14+2 power stages with ProCool II power connector, high-quality alloy chokes and durable capacitors to provide reliable power even when push the CPU performance to the limit
OUR TAKE
The Z490-E Gaming we have for review performed well overall across our testing suite. While it tended to be a bit on the slower side in the Office tests (the performance difference isn’t noticeable), it did well in tests for compression/decompression (7-zip), encoding (LAME) and rendering (Cinebench).
In the end, there are no concerns with the performance of this motherboard in both the stock configuration as well as when your CPU is overclocked. The Z490-E Gaming took our i9-10900K up to 5.2 GHz at 1.35V, with all cores and threads enabled (no AVX offset); we were only limited by CPU temperature. The VRMs proved more than capable to handle Intel’s current mainstream flagship processor.
back to menu ↑6.MSI MPG Z390
Features
- Supports 9th i9-9900K, i7-9700K, i5-9600K and 8th Generation Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket
- Supports dual channel DDR4 Memory, up to 4400(OC) MHz
OUR TAKE
They’re a necessary means to an end for most PC gamers, and that’s fine. So long as a new motherboard does its job, doesn’t get in the way, and allows you to get the most out of the rest of your expensive PC hardware, that’s all you can ask.
Unless you’re planning on strapping a bunch of graphics cards together, along with an unwieldy RAID array, then most of us PC gamers can get by with a relatively modest motherboard as the base of their PC.
And that’s what MSI’s MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC is looking to offer. But, despite its relatively low price for a top-end chipset board, this MSI Z390 still has the sort of lengthy feature set you’d want for your gaming PC. What’s not to like?
back to menu ↑7.ASRock Motherboard
Features
- LGA1151 Supports 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core Processors
- Chipset: Intel Z390.Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
OUR TAKE
The ITX form factor has a dedicated following, and the ASRock definitely seems to thinks so. With the ever increasing integration of functionality into the chipset, there really isn’t a need for multiple PCIe slots like there has been in years past.
Does a typical gamer need more than one slot for a graphics card? If the board has WiFi, LAN, USB 3.0 and decent audio, most of the core bases are covered.
AMD’s budget Ryzen motherboard chipset, the A520, has largely slipped under the radar. While B350 and B450 motherboards were mostly regarded as being entry level, A320 was strictly seen as resolutely low end.
back to menu ↑8.ASRock Z390 Phantom
Features
OUR TAKE
The Z390 Phantom Gaming 7 might fill a gap in ASRock’s Phantom Gaming portfolio, but a quick overview of its headers shows remarkable similarities to the company’s Z390 Extreme4.
An extra Ethernet port fed by Realtek’s 2.5GbE controller marks its major improvement over the non-Phantom-series board, though the Phantom Gaming 7 also adds a “Port 80” two-digit diagnostic display, onboard power and reset buttons, and a heat spreader for the upper M.2 drive slot.
While users could purchase a separate Reatek 2.5GbE card for the Extreme4 for as little as , those lesser additions could make up the rest of the Phantom Gaming 7’s price premium over its Extreme4 sibling
back to menu ↑9.ASRock Mini-ITX
Features
- Socket AM4, Digi Power design, 8 Power Phase design, Supports 105W Water Cooling (Pinnacle Ridge); Supports 95W Water Cooling (Summit Ridge); Supports 65W Water Cooling (Raven Ridge)
- Chipset: AMD Promontory B450. OS - Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit
OUR TAKE
AMD’s Mini-ITX chipset appears to be an almost-perfect fit for compact gaming motherboards, since its reduced PCIe pathway count doesn’t impact the PCIe 3.0 lanes fed directly from the CPU to the single x16 slot and four-lane NVME interface.
So much of the AM4 platform is fed directly by the CPU that we could almost say “Why even bother adding the B450?” if not for the SATA ports and network controllers connected there.
The B450 Gaming-ITX/ac’s surface features an eight-phase (6+2) voltage regulator with an 8-pin power connector at the rear, its latch exposed between I/O panel connectors.
back to menu ↑10.ASRock X570
Features
- Mad x570 supports AMD AM4 socket
- un-buffered memory AMD Ryzen series CPUs (Picasso) support DDR4 3466+(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 2933/ 2667/ 2400/ 2133 non-ECC, un-buffered memory
OUR TAKE
Looking at the price you can pick this board up at our favorite online retailer for$299, which is not cheap by any means, but looking at X570 boards it is very middle-of-the-road.
These new boards are some of the first to have PCI-Express 4.0 and the new WiFi 6 standard, and that comes at a premium. With all of the features on this board it is definitely one very solid X570 board and one that we would totally recommend.
ASRock dresses for success with a loaded and shrouded X570 Taichi motherboard, enabling most of AMD’s latest platform feature set when paired with a Ryzen 3000-series processor
back to menu ↑Best Motherboards for Intel i5
Features
- CPU: LGA1151, Supports 9th/ 8th Generation Intel Core Processors, CPU up to 95W
- Chipset: Intel B365
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑Best Gaming Motherboards for i5
Features
- Designed for 9th and 8th generation Intel Core processors to maximize connectivity and speed with dual M.2, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.1 Gen2
- Military-Grade TUF Components like TUF LANGuard, TUF Chokes, TUF Capacitors, and TUF MOSFETs maximize system durability
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑Best Motherboards for i5 Processors – BUYER’S GUIDE
back to menu ↑RAM Capacity
The first thing that you must not avoid looking in a motherboard before buying it for your i5 10400 or 10400F processor is the RAM capacity. You have to make sure that you figure out how much space the motherboard offers you to let you enjoy an upgraded performance from it.
For Intel Core i5 motherboards, you must consider buying a motherboard that comes with high-rated RAM capacity. You can consider buying a mobo offering you 64 or a maximum of 128 GB.
back to menu ↑Chipset
The next thing that will help you get the premium performance from the motherboard you are buying is to look out for the most compatible chipset in it for your processors.
For your i5 10400 processor, you should consider buying a mobo that offers you an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 chipset. While on the other hand, for i5 10400F, you can choose between B460 chipset boards, H470 chipset boards, H410 chipset boards, and Z490 chipset boards.
back to menu ↑Storage Capacity
This is another feature that you should consider in the mobo you are buying. Having a mobo that comes with various storage options will give you an edge compared to various other PC users with simpler motherboards.
back to menu ↑BIOS
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System and is used by the computers in the start-up operations. This is an important thing to consider in a motherboard that you are buying for your i5 processors. It will help you enjoy all the features of your motherboard without facing any slight trouble on the way.
back to menu ↑Socket
Not ignoring the type of socket your motherboard offers for your i5 processors is probably the wisest thing to do. The socket that comes with your motherboard should ideally match the one in your processor. If this does not happen, it will deprive you of enjoying many features necessary to have a memorable experience with your PC usage span.
back to menu ↑Ports
The last thing that we suggest you look out for in a motherboard is its connectivity options. You might not want to miss out on a motherboard that offers you highly versatile connectivity options with the help of its ports. So, buying a motherboard that comes with multiple connectivity ports is the right thing to do at the purchase time.
Your motherboard ports should include M.2 slots, USB type C, USB 10 Gbps ports, RAM slots, Wifi connectivity ports, and various others for the purpose. With the choice of multiple connectivity ports, you will be able to enjoy your motherboard’s performance even better than ever.
back to menu ↑Frequently Asked Questions
Is i5 10400F good for gaming?
If you are thinking about playing some casual games, i5 10400F is undoubtedly a great option. Compared to several other processors, this one is further regarded as the best frames-providing processor in most games. This processor can be regarded as one of the best choices for playing most games with hard-core gamers.
Which is better; i5 10400 or 10400F?
Both processors are best in terms of supporting heavy-duty operations. However, if you compare both of them in performance, i5 10400 is considered even better in some regards. The F refers to the CPUs’ inability to do graphics at all, so if you have sound graphics card within your system, then using 10400F would be a great choice.
Which motherboard is best for i5 10400 & 10400F?
While considering the best motherboard for your i5 10400 & 10400F, consider a motherboard that comes with more excellent connectivity support, processor-compatible socket and chipset, updated BIOS, better storage capacity, and features like these.
WRAP UP
Best Motherboards for i5 Processors – Intel has stuck with 14nm technology for the past five years. We know that having higher lithography means more heat production and higher temperatures. You can’t beat the physics behind it, but it seems Intel has some high intellect in their engineers. They have very smartly improved heat transfer from the chipset by reducing the die’s thickness and enhanced heat spreader. It caused the chipset temperatures to remain lower.
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