Not only is AMD improving its technologies with time but Intel is also doing the same thing with its current-era processors. For example, Intel Core i5 10400F in 2020 broke all the performance records of its previous-generation processors. It beats the same-tier 9th-gen chip with a 25% performance increment in hyper-threading while testing for different games and especially, content creation. As far as the specifications matter, it comes with six cores twelve threads, and a 12MB Intel Smart Cache to support overall efficiency. In short, this chip is a great combination of everything but at an affordable price.
On the flip side, we can’t overclock this CPU up to its full potential, 4.30GHz, since it’s an “F” variant so comes with a locked multiplier. Still, you can get the most out of your workload by having the best motherboard for i5 10400F on your computer. A motherboard is like a skeleton in a computing device holding pretty much all the important components like CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and more. But finding one in the current complex tech situation may be a boring and time-taking process. Therefore, we have tested and reviewed some best products that are available in the market—read this post to check them all.
Quick shopping tips:
Several factors, aspects, and specifications are there that you must keep in check when choosing a motherboard. For the sake of simplicity, we have mentioned a few of them in this section of the post. Let’s explore the most crucial ones!
Compatibility with the CPU and PC case: Would you like to have a mobo that cannot fit into the PC case? If not, you must consider this factor before going into the market. Like each motherboard has a specific size, every case comes with particular socket dimensions to accommodate the element. Buying an unfit board is totally useless. So, take the socket measurements with you when purchasing the item and match those with the card you’re purchasing.
How much memory can it accommodate? Every mobo has a particular number of sockets to accommodate memory modules and limited memory capacity carried by each memory stick. Generally, your system must have at least 16GB of memory capacity since it’s necessary for gaming purposes. Remember, you may have to increase the memory capacity somewhere in the future. So, besides ensuring a minimum limit, you must clarify that the board can handle more memory.
Overclocking and Cooling: If you’re a tech enthusiast, you would know the relation between cooling and overclocking; both are directly proportional to each other. Despite an optimal cooling performance, every board has certain overclocking headroom, and it can’t breach given limits. Firstly, you have to ensure that the board can maintain an optimal level of cooling either structure-wise or do it in some other ways. Secondly, buy one with immense overclocking headroom.
Motherboard’s chipset: A chipset is like the brain of the motherboard, working the same way a processor works for a system. It also defines the speed of the other components connected to the board and influences the performance, compatibility, and more. As the 10900F allows LGA 1200 socket motherboards, we can choose a board with H410, H470, B460, or Z490 chipset. Remember, the i5 10400F is a locked chip, so we can’t use the Z490 chipset motherboard.
Connectivity: Lastly, you have to check whether the board you choose has enough connectivity options. When I said connectivity, it includes both wired connectivity options and wireless communication. First, make sure that the motherboard has enough USB ports, SATA connectors, M.2 slots, and a LAN Ethernet port for proper utility. Second, ensure that the board has WiFi and Bluetooth if you need these for wireless connectivity.
The Best Motherboards for i5 10400F You Can Buy Today
| Award | Design | Best | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Enthusiast Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View | |
| Best Overall Motherboard for i5 10500F |  | View | |
| Best Flagship Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View | |
| Best Affordable Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View | |
| Best mini-ITX Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View | |
| Best DDR4 Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View | |
| Best high-end Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View | |
| Best mATX Motherboard for i5 10400F |  | View |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WIFI
Best Enthusiast Motherboard for i5 10400F
Brand: MPG | Series: MPG | Chipset: Z490 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 4 DIMMs | Memory Size: 128GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 5000MHz | Onboard WiFi: Intel WiFi 6 | SATA ports: 6 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓Excellent performance/price ratio
✓WiFi 6 AX with 2.5 LAN
✓Attractive design and protection
✓RGB lighting
✓Enhanced power solution
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No Thunderbolt support
✗No VGA port
MSI is very famous among tech enthusiasts for continuously updating its older technologies with the newest ones. We have MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi on our list, being the best seller and affordable motherboard working effectively with the i5 11400F. Knowing the fact that the processor can’t overclock, we need a motherboard to boost RAM running to overcome the performance gap. The XMP profile allows manually tweaking the RAM timings to fetch the peak gaming efficiency.
It seems the MSI Gaming Edge is packed with solid sets of features to ensure the performance it’s made for. It has the same Intel LGA 1200 socket that most of the previous chips have, but the Z490 chipset has been upgraded to feel the change. Using dual-channel memory architecture, you can run 128GB memory with 5000MHz of memory clock. Other specs include PCIe x16 support, PCIe x1 slots, six SATA ports with 6GB/s of transferring speed, a pair of M.2 slots, USB 3.2 (A+C) ports, and USB 2.0 Type-A support with a 2.5G LAN manager and Intel WiFi 6 AX solution.
If we look at the board, it is similar to the premium and expensive boards with an all-black look, rigid design, and rugged build. On top of that, it comprises metal plates with brand badges for protection, MYSTIC LIGHT with attractive RGB lighting, and more in one pack. Further, it has an efficient cooling system, advanced safety, 12+1+1 enhanced power solution, and advanced audio to be the perfect choice for you, especially for gaming.
Gigabyte B460 Aorus Pro AC
Best Overall Motherboard for i5 10500F
Brand: Gigabyte | Series: Aorus Pros | Chipset: B460 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 4 DIMMs | Memory Size: 128GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2933MHz | Onboard WiFi: Intel 802.11ac | SATA ports: 6 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓Overall best performance
✓All-type connectivity
✓Attractive design and RGB
✓Wifi, 2.5 LAN, and Bluetooth 5
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No PCIe 4.0 support
Coming up to something more advanced, the Gigabyte B460 Aorus Pro AC, a mid-tier great B460 chipset motherboard with numerous advancements. If we compare it with its AND counterparts, it offers much more value and a price-to-performance ratio with a lower price tag. One downside is the lack of PCIe 4.0 support, which is okay since PCIe 3.0 works impressively well but is surely lost against PCIe 4.0. If we talk about compatibility, you can connect the latest 10th-generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors via LGA 1200 socket to this ATX mobo.
If we visit the specs sheet, you can enjoy playing games while being free to utilize its all-rounder functionalities. The dual-channel memory architecture allows us to connect four DIMM memory slots to fetch 128GB of memory running with 2933MHz of memory speed. On top of that, it has all types of USB inputs, one PS/2 port, two slots for the antenna, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort input, PCIe x16 x16/x4 support, PCIe x1 slots, and the usual audio ports. Further, the inbuilt WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 are there for wireless connectivity with a 2.5GbE LAN chip for networking.
Further, the dual M.2 slots can achieve 32Gb/s of data transfer speed via PCIe 3.0 x4 bandwidth. Smooth power input is ensured with an 8+2 digital power phases structure along with hybrid fan headers to automatically detect the cooling type. Gigabyte has done exciting work regarding aesthetics, and the board seems attractive with a black and large heatsink design. Moreover, the preinstalled rear IO panel further enhances the look with next-level protection.
ASRock B460 Phantom Gaming 4
Best Flagship Motherboard for i5 10400F
Brand: ASRock | Series: Phantom | Chipset: B460 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 4 DIMMs | Memory Size: 128GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2933MHz | Onboard WiFi: Not available | SATA ports: 6 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓ASRock technologies
✓Adequate cooling options
✓DrMOS power phases design
✓Two massive heatsinks
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No built-in WiFi
The Phantom motherboards lineup is well-known, having ASRock’s best technologies so far, and comes with next-level optimization and performance. We can simply say the ASRock B460 Phantom Gaming 4 is made knowing the gamers’ needs and intensive gaming loads. Despite packing premium features, It’s still available at a mid-range price and offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio. Moreover, the B460 chipset makes it the best flagship motherboard for i5 10400F combined with Intel LGA 1200 socket making it a perfect combo for Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs.
With the dual-channel memory architecture, you can utilize 128GB of memory in 4x32GB format running at 2933MHz of memory speed. If we talk about wireless connectivity, there is no inbuilt WiFi and Bluetooth so the absence of these features may affect your overall communication. But an efficient Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s ethernet is given running on Intel I219V chipset. Moreover, the card has PCIe 3.0 x16/x1 support, one M.2 slot for WiFi and one Ultra M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs, six SATA 3.1 slots, two USB 2.0 ports, USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and two RGB LED headers.
Those who want to take full advantage of effective cooling can use the facility to connect up to seven fans simultaneously, maybe CPU fans, AIO coolers, or chassis fans to boost overall thermal management. The cooling support is extraordinary with this card. If you look at this best motherboard, it has a black color accent mixed with an arctic white color look and two massive heatsinks, one for chipset and one for DrMOS power design. Interestingly, we can overcome the locked chip by effectively overclocking the RAM and filling that gap in no time.
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus
Best Affordable Motherboard for i5 10400F
Brand: MSI | Series: MPG | Chipset: Z490 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 4 DIMMs | Memory Size: 128GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 5000MHz | Onboard WiFi: Not available | SATA ports: 6 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓Affordable
✓Up to 5000MHz of memory overclocking
✓RGB lighting on the chipset
✓Adequate VRM phase structure
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Only one M.2 has a shield
The Z490 chipset is the most advanced chipset to power up premium motherboards. With the MPG Z490 Gaming Plus, MSI has made it accessible to use the latest Z490 chipset motherboard at an affordable price. It can support the locked i5 10400F processor by manually tweaking the RAM and enhancing the performance on the XMP profile enabled.
The board has an LGA 1200 socket, so it can effectively support the latest Intel 9th and 10th generation chis. If we start from networking, it has a Realtek RTL8125B 2.5G LAN chip for providing incredible data transfer speed. Further, it has a pair of PCIe 3.0 x16 support, three PCIe x1 slots, six SATA 6Gb/s ports, USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A and Type-C ports, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C ports, USB 2.0 ports, five audio port, one HDMI, and one DisplayPort. One of two M.2 connectors is secured and temperature-protected with a shield keeping the SSD cool.
We know the importance of cooling, but it seems that MSI knows even better than us when we look at the MPG Z490 Gaming Plus. It comprises an extended heatsink for efficient heat dissipation, M.2 Shield Frozr for SSD protection, fans with controllable speeds depending upon the temperature, and more in one pack. The cherry on the cake is the RGB lighting that immediately catches the attention when merged into the all-black board, presenting an eye-catching look. No doubt, the impressive design mixes beautifully with the efficient cooling structure.
ASRock Z490M-ITX/ac
Best mini-ITX Motherboard for i5 10400F
Brand: ASRock | Series: Unknown | Chipset: Z490 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: mini ITX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 2 DIMMs | Memory Size: 64GB | Memory Speed: 4400+ MHz | Onboard WiFi: Intel 802.11ac WiFi | SATA ports: 4 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓Excellent performance
✓ASRock Base Frequency Boost technology
✓Polychrome RGB lighting
✓Customizable cooing design
✓LAN, WiFi, Bluetooth
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Not easy to overclock
The trend of building smaller systems is rapidly making its play in the tech community. Maybe because it is advantageous to those who often keep shifting their working places or love to travel. Well, we have the ASRock Z490M-ITX/ac on our list for such users since it’s compact, easy to use, and has fantastic speeds. Knowing that i5 10400F is a locked processor, the ASRock Base Frequency Boost technology or BFB can help the users enjoy a tremendous performance. But you must ensure adequate cooling to efficiently overclock the base speed.
Since the board is mini-ITX, it can accommodate 64GB of memory split into two DDR4 DIMM memory slots running at 4400+ MHz (OC) with dual-channel memory architecture. If we check the specs sheet, it has PCIe x16 support, four SATA 6Gb/s ports, all-types USB ports, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and a pair of Ultra M.2 sockets. On top of that, the wireless connectivity is granted via Dragon 2.5 Gigabit LAN consisting of an Intel Gigabit LAN chipset, Intel 802.11ac WiFi chip, and Bluetooth 4.2 support.
When overclocking happens at full pace, the component needs effective cooling and, most importantly, a smooth power input. Well, this board has Dr. MOS integrated power solution, which is even more effective in transmitting a higher current for each phase than the old-school discrete MOSFETs. It also has premium 90A power chokes and complete spike protection for further protection to keep the board and connected components safe. Interestingly, you can connect a variety of CPU coolers with the CPU backplate comprising a more significant area.
MSI B460M-A Pro
Best DDR4 Motherboard for i5 10400F
REASONS TO BUY
✓Great price/performance value
✓Strong VRM design
✓All-type connectivity
✓Excellent audio quality
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Some B460 memory limitations
The MSI B460M-A Pro series mobos comprise numerous advancements compared to the previous ones from the same lineup. However, it contains a few similar aspects to the former motherboards, like the user-friendly design of the B460M Pro-VDH WiFi; it carries the same black accent look. In contrast, it uses smaller heatsinks, not bigger ones that are more heat-efficient in maintaining cooling. MSI has tested the mobo for ultimate compatibility plus to reveal the true potential of the i5 10400F chip—its performance will make your day while playing games.
The LGA 1200 socket compatibility and advanced B460 chipset allow the board to support the latest Intel Core, Celeron, and Pentium processors. The dual-channel memory architecture enables the board to run 128GB (4x32GB) RAM effectively with 2933MHz memory speed. It has USB Type-C hardware, PCIe x16 support, PCIe x1 ports, six SATA III 6GB/s ports, and a pair of M.2 slots where one has a massive heatsink with an Intel WiFi 6 chip and Realtek RTL8125B 2.5 G LAN controller.
MSI added S/PDIF to support an amplifier or receiver along with HDMI 1.4 input and DisplayPort 1.2 port. Other features include an advanced heat sink design, M.2 shield FROZR, and fan headers for cooling purposes, plus steel armored PCIe slots for protection. The board’s optimized 12+1+1 power phases design transfers adequate power to connected components. In short, this card has almost everything that a gamer or content creator may need during any condition. Overall, it makes a perfect combo with the i5 10600F processor in terms of performance.
Gigabyte H410M S2H
Best high-end Motherboard for i5 10400F
Brand: Gigabyte | Series: S2H | Chipset: H410 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: micro ATX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 2 DIMMs | Memory Size: 64GB | Memory Speed: 2933MHz | Onboard WiFi: Not available | SATA ports: 4 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓Pretty affordable
✓Compact size
✓Efficient performance
✓Clear-crystal sound
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No metal backplate
✗Fewer fan headers
Who doesn’t like smaller motherboards? Well, I don’t know what is running through your mind, but personally, I’m a big fan of such boards. The smaller mobos provide a wide range of PC cases’ compatibility to build smaller rigs. That’s why we have added this Gigabyte H410 S2H to our list, having a micro-ATX form factor and offering durability and quality side by side. Also, the combination of the LGA 1200 socket and H410 chipset allows the latest 10th-generation Intel Core processors. If you need a smaller board, this best motherboard for i5 10400F could be your perfect choice.
Since it has a mATX size, it can accommodate only two DDR4 DIMM memory slots to run 64GB RAM with a 2933MHz memory speed. The PCIe Gen3 slot allows us to use any of the latest GPUs, but you can utilize HDMI or DVI ports if you want to use a dedicated Intel UHD card. Further, the board has PCIe x16/x1 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, USB 2.0/1.1 header, four SATA 6GB/s ports, and a Realtek GbE LAN chip. On top of that, there is one PCIe Gen3 M.2 slot to boost the SSD’s speed connected via it.
Starting from the design, it adorns an attractive combination of black and silver accents around the whole motherboard. Gigabyte also designed this board while keeping the cooling aspect under its consideration. There is a redesigned heat sink over the chipset, hybrid fans, temperature sensors, and Smart Fan 5 to monitor and maintain the temperature at an optimal level. On top of that, the card consists of Audio Noise Guard and high-end audio capacitors to provide clear-crystal sound effects.
MSI B460M Pro-VDH Wifi
Best mATX Motherboard for i5 10400F
Brand: MSI | Series: Pro series | Chipset: B460 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Form Factor: micro ATX | Memory Architecture: Dual channel | Memory Slots: 4 DIMMs | Memory Size: 128GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2933MHz | Onboard WiFi: Intel Wireless AC 3168 | SATA ports: 4 SATA 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
✓Bluetooth, WiFi, Realtek LAN port
✓Excellent performance in mATX pack
✓Customizable mother circuit
✓Attractive design
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Basic cooling design
MSI is one of the famous manufacturers among computer enthusiasts for introducing leasing technologies into the products. Following the ritual, MSI has introduced the B460M Pro-VDH WiFi owning a more robust set of specialties to be an excellent pair for the i5 10400F chip. If we compare it with the other MSI expensive-fancy boards, this one brings pretty similar features and performance benchmarks. Interestingly, the board has a fully-isolated RAM DDR circuit to boost stability and get uninterrupted data signals.
It can accommodate four DIMM DDR4 memory modules to cover 128GB of memory and run these with 2933MHz of memory speed with dual-channel memory architecture. It comes with four SATA III ports, PCIe 3.0 x16 support with steel armor, a pair of PCIe x1 ports, all-types USB ports, one PS/2 port, HDMI, DVI, and VGA ports, and EZ Debug LEDs for troubleshooting purposes. Moreover, there are two M.2 slots for NVME SSDs and built-in WiFi with 433Mb/s of AC delivering speeds, Bluetooth, and a Realtek LAN port supporting 1 Gb/s of bandwidth.
Regarding the power design, the card has a 6-phase VRM design with extended heat sinks, helping with satisfactory cooling performance during overclocking sessions. Including that, it comes with RGB headers and three fan connectors to provide an attractive look with adequate cooling. For Custom builders, the card allows tons of customization and tuning with its user-friendly design and accessible price. If you look at it at first glance, the all-black accent is very eye-catching. It saves you bucks at an affordable price and gives you excellent performance.
Conclusion
A processor is the main component in a rig controlling possibly every aspect of the gaming system like performance, speed, compatibility, and more. The Intel Core i5 10400F is a mid-tier processor offering adequate performance with impressive gaming benchmarks. It can provide 25% of increased Hyper-Threading efficiency if we pair it with other components of the same caliber. Other than the chip, the motherboard plays a vital role in the overall working of the system as it supplies a platform to other major rig elements.
Moreover, the usage and needs of the users can totally change one’s choice regarding buying a motherboard. Buying an expensive item doesn’t mean that it’s the best in terms of performance. You don’t have to buy a very pricey board when you can work it out at an affordable price. Knowing this fact, we have tried our best to add at least one best-suiting product to our list to effectively fulfill the needs of every user. Our list contains eight types of mobos, including budget-friendly, high-end, mid-range, compacted board, and more. So, thoroughly know your needs and choose one out of these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick Z490 or B560?
Picking one between Z490 and B460 entirely depends on your personal preference and budget. If we compare both types of chipsets, the motherboards with the Z490 chips are more expensive than the ones with the B460 chipsets. Obviously, the Z490 provides more performance than the B460; hence, choose wisely.
How to overclock the i5 10400F?
The i5 10400F is a locked processor, so we can’t overclock it. However, we can overcome the no-overclocking aspect by manually tweaking the RAM timing via enabling the XMP profile or boosting the base clock speeds. Mostly, ASRock is famous for manufacturing the motherboard that allows the second method.
Which is the best motherboard for i5 10400F?
The answer to this question depends upon your needs, budget, and more. However, we have the Gigabyte B460 Aorus Pro AC winner on our list with overall excellent performance, all-type connectivity, attractive design, RGB lighting, and has Wifi, 2.5 LAN, and Bluetooth 5 for wireless connectivity.
Motherboards & Graphics Cards Writer
