The motherboard holds an important place in the building of a PC. There are many reasons for this importance, but the most obvious is the incompleteness of a computer. Without this vital part, you can’t operate your PC system. Each motherboard has its specific structure and features based on which it suits particular CPUs. The same is true of the i5 9400F, 9th Gen Intel Processor. The MOBO with 1151 CPU socket compatibility can be considered for 8th and 9th Gen CPUs. Deciding the best motherboard for i5 9400F is complicated as many motherboards come with 1151 socket support.
| Award | Design | Best | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best Budget Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best Micro ATX Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best Gaming Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best Z390 Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best B365 Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best Basic Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View | |
| Best B360 Motherboard for i5 9400F |  | View |
i5 9400F, as discussed above, is a 9th Gen CPU. Only some people nowadays can afford the latest 10th and 11th generation. For them, this budget-friendly i5 9400F is the preferable option. It comes with 6-Core and 6-Threads with no hyper-threading technology. Still, the processor enables you to boost up to 4.10 GHz. With these specifications, you can do good gaming abilities and deal with other demanding tasks. For this, you also need a good motherboard. You don’t need to go with expensive boards; the CPU can also work fine with economical motherboards.
Quick Shopping Tips:
Form Factor: The central element to remember is the form factor whenever you purchase any motherboard. The size of the MOBO is also called the form factor. Motherboards are available in three sizes: ATX, Mini ITX, Micro ATX, and E-ATX. You have to choose a board based on the space vacant in the system. Nonetheless, you can measure the old mobo to acknowledge the actual size or the available space in the unit and then buy a mobo.
Random Access Memory: RAM is another crucial part you must figure out before buying a motherboard. This memory makes your unit work smoothly without bottlenecks and throttling. Also, you can save as many programs, files, and software according to the capacity of RAM. Therefore, ensure you have more than 32GB of RAM in your motherboard for good gaming and fluent use.
SATA Ports: SATA ports are also essential factors. Almost every motherboard has several SATA ports. These ports allow you to join HD or SSD drives with your MOBO. It is best if there are 6 SATA ports on your board. However, the i5 9400F can also work fine with four ports. But going below this will result in incompatibility.
Multiple-GPU Support: Not all the CPUs come with integrated GPU; if some come, it doesn’t mean it is enough for your requirements. Suppose you are a gamer or video editor; you must insert a graphics card into your GPU at some point in your life. So, make sure the motherboard you choose also offers your GPU compatibility.
I/O Connectivity: Connections are the significant points that enable you to connect the maximum hardware devices with your motherboard. These connections are only possible by the number of ports available in your MOBO. The more drives you can join with your board, the more versatile your system is. So, always check the board you are going to buy will stand to your requirements or not.
Best Motherboard for i5 9400F List
MSI Pro Series H310I Pro
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: H310 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: Mini-ITX | Memory: 32 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓M.2 slot cover with heatsink
✓Excellent for compact builds
✓Durable and fast
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Only two DIMMs slots
✗Only one PCIe x16 slot
✗Very Expensive
From the MSI brand, we choose MSI Pro Series H310I Pro due to the high-quality, robust design of the board. Not only does it have a powerful power design, but the aesthetics of the MOBO is also great. The sleek Black body and the RGB lighting make it a stunning mini motherboard. Moreover, the one M.2 slot is covered with the heatsink to dissipate the heat as much as possible. One more thing we like about this board is the collection of ports.
As compared to other small MOBOs, this one gives enough connectivity choices. It still lacks a Type-C USB port and contains only four SATA as a mini-board; these things are expected. It possesses a single PCIe x16 slot to insert big graphic cards. The motherboard is equipped with the X-Boost that automatically checks when performance needs to boost any storage.
It is determined to offer you the fastest data load and transfer mechanisms. So, you can save a lot of time. It contains only two DIMMS slots and a hefty price tag than others. The motherboard has the fastest performance for loading and transferring data. Also, it starts the program as fast as possible and gives you a smooth experience. But it is a fantastic experience and doesn’t have many premium qualities at this price.
GIGABYTE B365 DS3H
Best Budget Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: B365 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 64 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2666 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓DDR4 support
✓RGB Fusion support
✓Smart Fan 5
✓High-quality audio capacitors
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No button for BIOs Flashback
✗Lacks premium options
GIGABYTE B365 DS3H is better than ASRock B365M did to add features. Many users appreciate the performance and quality of this MOBO. Its total memory capacity is 64 GB, while the ASRock B365M has only 32 GB. It is compatible with DDR4, which is great for 8th and 9th-generation Intel processors. The incorporation of M.2, which is ultra-fast with PCIe Gen3 x4. To make it more attractive, RGB fusion 2.0 is there.
The individual RGB LEDs and strips of multiple colors make the board’s aesthetics fascinating. Hybrid fan headers and various temperature sensors control the temperature with just one click on the Smart Fan 5 function. This motherboard automatically operates the sensors and headers. If there is no need for fans, it automatically off the fans and saves power. You can use the onboard WIFI modules and a single slot of M.2 for NVMe for storage.
You can use the support of almost 6 SATA3 ports provided by the board. It offers you some suitable capacity and features but lacks some advanced options. Also, it doesn’t allow you to run it on maximum turbo. In the case of budget users, they can select this motherboard. It has comprehensive features, a suitable audio capacitor, and a working capacity. Still, it lacks several advanced options for PC enthusiasts.
GIGABYTE H310M A 2.0
Best Micro ATX Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: H310 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2666 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓Good aesthetics
✓Ultra-fast M.2 slots
✓8-channel audio support
✓Responsive LAN networking
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Only four SATA ports
✗Low-quality pins
Another micro-ATX motherboard is GIGABYTE H310M A 2.0. Even though it is micro but enough for handling office work and light-end tasks, it comes with a good quality design and unique features that enable you to efficiently support your 8th and 9th Gen Intel’s CPU. The MOBO offers great M.2 technology to passionate gamers to challenge the unit’s potential. A Smart Fan automatically handles the basis of the fan on the temperature sensors.
The effective cFosSpeed by LAN gives you the best response in the busiest LAN environment. For making the performance for proficient ultra-fast M.2 slots for fast data transfer. However, there are only four SATA slots and USB Type-C 3.1 Gen1 support. The fascinating RGB LED strips in seven colors brighten your gaming rig and make it feel more attractive.
Aside from all these, the board is embedded with 8-channel audio support to provide good-quality sound effects throughout the gaming session. It has sufficient capacity and quality to support average CPUs. It is compatible with Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. But you can expect excessive gaming and other usages of the motherboard.
ASRock B365 Phantom Gaming 4
Best Gaming Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: B365 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 64 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2400 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓Stable performance
✓Intel turbo boost
✓Plenty of USB ports
✓Good cooling solution
✓M.2 heatsink
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Compatibility issues with drivers, hardware, and OS
✗XMP settings are not very easy
This ASRock B365 Phantom is better than the above options. The MOBO comes with eight power phases and Intel Turbo Boost technology. These things make the board perform efficiently and provide a good gaming experience. In terms of connections, the motherboard has reliable options. You can use both USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and C ports with (10 Gb/s) in each.
Moreover, you can use dual PCIe 3.0 at x1 and two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. Also, this motherboard offers you quad DDR4, RAID, and six SATA3 6.0 Gb/s support. The good part of this board is the availability of multiple graphics compatibility. Regarding design, the board’s black body has some attractive RGB lights and strips. Plus, adding various RGB and Fan headers makes it an excellent choice.
To provide you with reliable temperature control, it is equipped with a stable heatsink and VRM cooling system when you achieve the maximum boost so that these board features will deal with temperature issues. The board is more expensive than the previous one but offers more reliable features and performance.
MSI Z390-A PRO
Best Z390 Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: Z390 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 128 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓Quad DIMM slots
✓USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C
✓Extended heatsink
✓M.2 turbo and multi- GPU support
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Expensive
✗No onboard WIFI
✗Lacks in aesthetics
We will discuss the other motherboard that a high-end gamer must consider. Moreover, the design and performance you get are phenomenal for the i5 9400F. The credit goes to the durable Z390 chipset and high-quality features that enable you to use this MOBO for an extended period. It comes with 128 GB memory storage, more than MOBOs mentioned above. With this MOBO, you can take the OC up to 4400 MHz which helps you deal with some demanding projects.
To empower the CPU’s strength, the core boost technology provides precise current balance to the processor. Heatsinks, including an enlarged heatsink on the top of the VRM, dissipate the heat tremendously. MSI Z390-A PRO offers USB 2.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and PS/2 connections. Also, it allows you to use turbo 3.1 USB Gen 2 Type C and Type A whenever you want. The addition of audio Jacks and DisplayPort is of great help in connecting different devices.
Besides, you have access to six SATA and a single M.2 with a transfer speed of up to 32Gb/s. However, the board is expensive but a great addition. The board is suitable for playing titles and dealing with some high-profile projects. The core boost and M.2 turbo enhance the performance. On this, the multiple GPU is the cherry on the cake.
ASRock B365M-HDV
Best B365 Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: B365 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2666 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓Ultra-Fast M.2 is good for transferring data
✓Good value for money
✓Three PCIe 3.0
✓Great audio features
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Cheap controllers
✗No Type-C USB
✗Limited features
In our list, we took ASRock B365M-HDV as the first presenter for the CPU like i5 9400F. There can be many reasons to mention this motherboard, but its usability and budget are the most important. Nonetheless, anyone who wants to support Intel’s 8th or 9th-generation CPUs with a stable board can go with it. If we talk about the features, these are very simple but enough for basic-level PC users.
It contains three PCI 3.0 support from them, one run at x16 and the rest two at x1. Besides, there are six SATA3 ports and six USB 3.1 of Gen 1. The 2 USB connections are on the front, and the other four are on the rear. Further, the supreme audio quality, ELNA Audio caps, and 7.1 CH Audio make your surroundings pleasant. However, we quite like the design of the board. You can see this MOBO is built with top-notch fiber.
Due to this, there is no space between PCB layers. So, the MOBO keeps you safe from giving birth to humidity. You might be wrong if you think you can use it for high-demanding tasks. For more versatility, you should go with some premium options. For entry-level and basic PC users, it is a considerable choice. It has limited features, so you must choose any other rich-quality MOBO for versatility.
MSI H310M PRO-VDH Plus
Best Basic Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: H310 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓Addition of fan headers
✓Overclock ability
✓EZ Debug LED
✓Fully digital power design
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Miss M.2 slot
✗Only two DIMMs
✗Not made for heavy workloads
If you have a board that fulfills your basic PC needs at the most economical price, you can prefer this MSI H310M PRO-VDH Plus. It supports the Celeron, Pentium Gold, 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core CPUs. The CPU is compatible with the 1151 socket of the CPU. Furthermore, you can overclock the motherboard even though it contains up to 2666MHz memory speed. The MOBO is made for basic needs but supports DDR4 memory, which is nice.
Above all, this makes your gaming session remarkable due to the immersive sound quality. The manufacturers used high-quality audio components that produced the most energetic soundscapes while gaming. Also, the company works in the cooling department of the processor. They added fan headers and their stability control, allowing you to control temperature issues. Nonetheless, being a bare motherboard, it lacks many advanced features.
Plus, it comes with limited connections support, such as a small number of USB ports. It has two slots on the back of USB 3.1 Gen 1 and a few USB 2.0 ports. It misses the M.2 slot; however, the four SATA slots are there, which is not enough for high-end gaming. The people you want to have a board just for essential support can choose this MOBO. If you go with high-end gaming and complex projects, it will be the wrong option for you.
ASRock B360 PRO4
Best B360 Motherboard for i5 9400F
Chipset: B360 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 128 GB DDR4 | Memory Speed: 2400 MHz
REASONS TO BUY
✓Support multiple graphics
✓Plenty of ports
✓Smooth performance
✓Turbo boost 2.0 technology
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No WIFI
✗No RAID Support
The ASRock B360 PRO4 provides excellent value in the market due to its fluent performance. With the turbo boost 2.0 technology, you can double the speed and power of your board. So, it transfers this power to the CPU for a reliable working capacity. Besides, this MOBO has some good qualities and working capacity compared to the competitors.
It has four DIMMs slots and a dual channel. The maximum memory capacity you can take from it is 64GB memory. Upon this, there are dual PCIe 3.0 slots in this motherboard that run at x16. On the other hand, it also has dual PCIe 3.0 slots that run at x1. You can use SATA3 and M.2 slots as well. Luckily, it gives plenty of options when it comes to USB connections.
There are dual USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C ports. It is equipped with 5 USB 2.0 and four 3.1 Gen1 USB ports. The board contains a single VGA, HDMI, LAN, DVI-D, and PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports. The board has ten VRM phases, good fan headers, and beautiful RGB headers. Anyhow, the motherboard is fine for supporting your 8th or 9th Gen Intel processor.
Conclusion
The motherboard is the most needed part of the computer. When you set up a CPU, it’s crucial to have a compatible motherboard. We mentioned the top eight motherboards based on the different aspects of the i5 9400F. You can explore them and choose the most near to your criteria.
If you still don’t know which board you should go to, we can recommend a few to ease your stress. MSI Z390-A PRO is our top recommendation due to the power and efficiency of performing 4K gaming without bottlenecks. The other recommended i5 9400f compatible motherboard is ASRock B365 Phantom Gaming 4; the board is robust and stable when working. Plus, it gives you good memory storage capacity.
You can choose among both of these for a good PC experience. However, you can find many budget-friendly motherboards too in the list. You can check which suits your budget well. We also give you choices if you want a Mini ITX or Micro ATX board. The rest of the decision depends on you; we can only suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best motherboard for Core i5 9400F?
MSI Z390-A PRO has a great capacity and power to support the 8th and 9th generation intel processors. You can reach up to 4.7 GHz with this board without a problem. With this, you can perform high-end games and other demanding tasks.
Which motherboard is best for i5 9th Gen?
All the motherboards mentioned above are highly compatible with the 9th-generation CPUs. These have specific features, sizes, and designs. So, you can check them and choose the most suitable one for your needs.
Which RAM is best for i5 9400F?
For the i5-9400F, the RAM up to 32 GB is enough. However, if you go with 64 GB or more RAM, it would be best for i5 9400F.
Is the i5 9400F good for gaming?
Yes, the i5 9400F is good for gaming. You only need a compatible motherboard and a good-quality cooler. With this collection of PCs, you can efficiently perform good gaming sessions.
CEO, Lead Writer
Sajid Ali is a tech enthusiast and gamer who loves to write reviews about gaming hardware. He has a passion for staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and loves sharing his knowledge with others. Sajid studied Intermediate Computer Science at Degree College and went on to earn his Bachelor's in Computer Science from GSC. In his free time, you can find him testing out new hardware and software, or playing the latest video games. Sajid's in-depth understanding of computers and his love for gaming make him the perfect author to turn to for all things tech and gaming.
