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The motherboard is like the heart of your PC. It’s the component that connects all the other components to each other. Whilst the motherboard isn’t going to have as much of an effect on performance as your CPU and GPU, it’s important to pick one that is compatible with your CPU and has all the ports, slots and features you need.
In this guide, first I will run you through what you need to consider when choosing a motherboard, and then I have some recommendations of great motherboards that are compatible with an i5-8400 CPU.
Choosing a Motherboard for an i5-8400
Before we take a look at the best motherboard for an i5-8400, there are a few things you need to consider to make sure you choose the right motherboard for your particular build.
Size
There are three common sizes of motherboard:
- ATX motherboards are the standard size.
- Micro-ATX motherboards are 2.4 inches shorter
- Mini-ITX motherboards are even smaller making them perfect for building tiny PCs.
(There are motherboards available in all of these sizes that support the i5-8400.)
Other than the physical size, the biggest difference between the motherboard sizes is the number of ports and slots, the larger motherboards usually having more.
PC cases come in different sizes. When you choose a motherboard, make sure your PC case supports the size of the motherboard. Larger cases can usually support smaller motherboards (e.g. a Micto-ATX case will likely support a Mini-ITX motherboard), but not the other way round. However, you should aim to get the largest size that your case supports because you will have more ports and slots available to use.
CPU Support
When you’re choosing a new motherboard, you need to make sure it is compatible with your CPU. There are two things to consider: the socket is what the CPU physically fits into, and the chipset determines which specific CPU models can be used with the motherboard.
The i5-8400 is only compatible with motherboards with an LGA-1151 socket but it will work with a few different motherboard chipsets. (All of the motherboards in this guide have chipsets that are compatible with the i5-8400.)
Motherboards with the Z370 chipset will support the i5-8400, however, these are more expensive than the alternatives, the main advantage being that you can overclock your CPU. The i5-8400 cannot be overclocked so the extra expense isn’t really worth it unless you will be upgrading to an overcklockable CPU in the near future. However, the Z series motherboards often have newer ports that the others don’t, say you might want to consider one if you need these ports, even though you won’t be able to overclock the i5-8400.
RAM Compatibility
The i5-8400 is only compatible with DDR4 RAM. If you have used your i5-8400 in an existing build then the RAM you already have will be DDR4, but if it is a new CPU, make sure the RAM you have is DDR4. When you upgrade your CPU and motherboard, unfortunately it often means you need to upgrade your RAM too.
If a motherboard supports a CPU, then it will almost always support the compatible RAM, so all of the motherboards in this guide will support both the i5-8400 and the required DDR4 RAM.
Ports & Slots
Before deciding on a motherboard, make sure it has all the ports and slots you’re going to need. This includes things like USB ports, audio ports, and RAM slots.
Features
Some motherboards are very basic whilst others come with additional features such as built in Wi-Fi. Don’t spend extra money on features you don’t need though. I would recommend buying the cheapest motherboard that has all the ports, slots and features that you require.
Aesthetics
If you’re PC case doesn’t have a window then the appearance of the motherboard doesn’t really matter. But if your case does have a window, then you might want to spend a bit more on an aesthetically pleasing motherboard that really shows off your build. Some motherboards come equipped with RGB lights.
Best Motherboards for an i5-8400
Below you can find some great motherboards that are compatible with an i5-8400 CPU.
- Socket 1151/Support 8th Gen Intel Core processors
- Dual Channel DDR4, 4DIMMs
- Usb 3.1 Gen 1 (USB3.0) Type A
- Realtek 8118 LAN
- Socket 1151/Support 8th Gen Intel Core processors
- Dual Channel DDR4, 4DIMMs
- 3 USB 3.1 Gen 2 (USB3.1) Type A
- Realtek ALC892; Operating System: Support for Windows 10 64-bit
- Designed for 9th 8th Generation Intel Core processors maximize connectivity and speed with Dual M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2, onboard...
- Revamped 5 way Optimization over clocks Intelligently based on smart prediction and thermal telemetry while FanXpert 4...
- Gamer's Guardian ensures component longevity with safe Slot, ESD guards and DRAM over current protection
- Pre mounted I/O shield ensures streamlined installation and represents ROG's attention to detail and quality
- Designed for 9th 8th Generation Intel Core processors maximize connectivity, speed with Dual M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2, on board...
- Revamped 5 way Optimization over clocks Intelligently based on smart prediction and thermal telemetry while FanXpert 4...
- Aura Sync RGB lighting with addressable headers features a nearly endless spectrum of colors with the ability to synchronize...
- Pre mounted I/O shield ensures streamlined installation and represents ROG's attention to detail and quality
Last update on 2021-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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