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Your whole PC’s functionality, performance, and core operations depend on the motherboard. It’s also referred to as the brain of your computer.
Therefore, whether you are setting up a gaming PC or one for professional computing purposes, you need a good-quality, reliable motherboard.
The following article includes a detailed buying guide and thorough reviews for the best motherboard for the i5 8400K processor.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Motherboard For I5 8400
- OUR TOP PICK: ASUS Prime H370M-Plus
- RUNNER-UP: MSI B360M Gaming Plus
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi
Comparison of the Best Motherboards For i5 8400
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Are All Motherboards The Same?
The core functionality and features of a motherboard are all the same, but there are still some variables and differences you will find in products on the market. The common differences you will find between motherboards are listed below:
ASUS Prime H370M-Plus
Different Sizes
Motherboards are available in sizes ranging from ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. The smallest size is the Mini-ITX, which is used for smaller PC setups. Differently sized motherboards are made to support i5 8400 processors.
Different RAM
The RAM technology and RAM size each motherboard uses are also different. You will find RAM sizes ranging from 1 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, and even 64 GB of memory space. Plus, the RAM type is also different. For i5 8400, you will only get a DDR4 RAM that will be compatible.
CPU Compatibility
Motherboards vary from one another in terms of the chipset they have and the socket pin that goes into the CPU. Therefore, each motherboard has different compatibility and needs to be selected carefully. For i5 8400 processors, you will need an LGA-1151 socket pin.
What Should I Look For When Buying a Motherboard For i5 8400?
There are certain qualities and features that make a motherboard better than others. Make sure to look for these features and qualities to guarantee a reliable, smooth, and satisfactory user experience.
Build Quality
Motherboards are usually equipped with features like metal framed slots and I/O shielding that protects the motherboard, as well as the devices connected to it from any mishaps and malfunctioning. Therefore, you should always look for a sturdy and reliable build quality to ensure that your money doesn’t go to waste.
LED Lighting
LED lighting always helps enhance the gaming experience. Make sure to check whether or not the LED lighting is customizable and how reliable it is. The quality of LED lights can be assessed from their brightness and stability.
RAM Size
The RAM size will matter a lot if you want to make sure the motherboard is fit for a specific purpose. If you are going to be streaming heavy-duty data and 4k games, then a motherboard with a RAM size of at least 32 GB is a must.
Number of Ports
Advanced, high-end motherboards are equipped with various connectivity ports. USB ports, LAN ports, and DDR4 ports are really important to enhance the connectivity options and choices of the motherboard.
Review of the Best Motherboards For i5 8400
Here you will find detailed reviews of the best motherboards for i5 8400 in the market today. All products have been divided into categories based on their unique features and qualities.
Best Overall:
ASUS Prime H370M-Plus
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The buyers report that this motherboard has a real BIOS procedure. Moreover, other reports tell us the board also has an exceptionally fast and consistent speed, which leads to high satisfaction in its buyers. People also used this board for overclocking and found it to be truly useful.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the protective hardware of this product truly impressive. Very few motherboards come with safety and protective features that guarantee longevity and durability of a product. Therefore, the 5x protection hardware is a unique and highly distinctive feature of this motherboard.
Who Will Use This Most
We would strongly recommend this motherboard for use by professionals. This is also because it doesn’t come with many helpful instructions, so it’s better if experienced people make use of it. It is also a good product for mid-range PC setups to professional gaming purposes, as well.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, this is an exceptional motherboard. It has all the top-notch, high-end features that you can ask for, ranging from strong and reliable hardware to an incredibly fast speed data transfer. Perfect for all purposes and usages, we highly recommend this product.
Runner-up:
MSI B360M Gaming Plus
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A majority of the buyers of this product commented on the outstanding overclocking capability of this motherboard. Plus, buyers also report that it has highly functional and useful M.2 slots. The BIOS menu is also reported to be very easy and user-friendly, along with other reports suggesting that the LEDs are also of highly reliable quality.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Other than the great features, such as amazing sound quality and VR-ready design, we find the lightweight construction of this MSI B360M Gaming Plus unit exceptionally impressive, as well. It only weighs about 1.9 pounds, which is the lightest weight unit you will find in the market.
Who Will Use This Most
We strongly recommend this unit to people who want to play 4k games and stream high-quality videos that also require a good sound system. This is one of the best choices for gamers. Moreover, it is also more affordable than most other alternatives in the market, making it one of the best choices for beginners and first-timers as well.
Bottom Line
Overall, this runner-up motherboard from our list features versatile functions and qualities, including a NAHIMIC audio system offering high-quality sound. This is one of the best boards for use in professional-level gaming. Another distinctive feature is the Mystic Light feature that is also fully customizable.
Best for the Money:
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO Wi-Fi
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers report that this AORUS motherboard was very easy and quick to install, even though some of them were beginners. Other reports tell us that the built-in Wi-Fi feature is also really reliable and offers a consistent signal strength. The option to turn the RGB on or off also makes the buyers happy, as many motherboards lack this option.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The motherboard is particularly an outstanding product if you are looking for something durable and long-lasting. It has an exclusive I/O shield that not only protects the motherboard but also guarantees safety and protection to your whole gaming setup. Another great safety feature is its thermal guard.
Who Will Use This Most
This is one of the best choices in the market for gamers. With its RGB feature and fast SSD technology, gamers will be able to make great use out of it. It is also highly recommended to beginners or people installing a motherboard for the first time.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the AORUS board is highly versatile. It is packed with functional, top-notch features that are meant to enhance your overall PC’s stability and performance quality. Ranging from strong and sturdy hardware featuring I/O shielding and a range of memory slots, this product is meant to go a long way for gamers, as well as first-time users.
Best Motherboard For Intel i5 8400:
MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The buyers of this product range from skilled experts to beginners. Their reports suggest that the motherboard has an impressive built quality that is liked by most of its users. It has also been used by many for several years, and they report that it functions equally great. In addition, the buyers are also hugely satisfied with the versatile RGB Mystic headers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most impressive feature of this motherboard is its 64 GB of RAM space. The wide capacity makes it an exceptionally suitable product for professional gamers and heavy data streaming. Moreover, we also find its affordability impressive as it has a range of top-notch features to offer at a good price.
Who Will Use This Most
Hands down, this is a great, highly recommended product for beginners. It’s easy to install, and also has an incredible interface. With its 64 GBs of RAM and fast transfer speed, this is also an exceptional product for gamers. People with limited budgets can also make great use of it.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, the large amount RAM in this MSI motherboard makes it stand out in the market as one of the best for i5 8400. It has a versatile range of features, including both 3.1 and 3.2 USB ports that allow better connectivity options. All the features come at a relatively affordable price, which further makes this an amazing product.
Best Z370 Motherboard For i5 8400:
ASUS Prime Z370-A II
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers highly appreciate the honest labels on the box of this motherboard. It is only meant to support Windows 10, and says so on the box, which buyers found very useful to determine the compatibility. Moreover, buyers also find installing it easy. There were also some buyer reports suggesting that the unit is not very easy for beginners, but has helpful customer support for that.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The overall design of this motherboard is impressive. It has 3D printed mounts, along with highly reliable RGB lighting and steel-framed PCI slots that all work together to guarantee stability and sturdiness. Plus, the versatile compatibility of the unit is also very impressive.
Who Will Use This Most
If you have an advanced PC with 8th Gen or 9th Gen core processors with Windows 10, then this motherboard is meant for you. This is one of the finest quality units that can be run with these processors. Moreover, it is also pretty useful for those who need good audio quality for streaming videos and games.
Bottom Line
Overall, the ASUS Prime Motherboard is a good product if you are looking for good audio quality, high-quality hardware, and professional usage. Its compatibility with advanced processors and Windows versions also make it a higher-end product compared to others in the market.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Motherboard
A motherboard maintains and guarantees your CPU’s performance, which is why it is important to choose the right one carefully. The benefits of investing in a quality motherboard are endless, but here are some important pros of a good one.
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi
Added Stability
A motherboard has incredible, versatile features such as its I/O shield and metal-framed PCI slots that maintain stability and reliability of the unit, as well as the whole PC. Therefore, to increase the stability of your PC, a good motherboard can surely help you out. Other memory options and wide capacity can also help add more stability to your PC.
Enhanced Gaming
Gaming requires good-quality graphics and audio in order to ensure a great gaming experience. Therefore, a high-quality, top-notch motherboard can surely help enhance your overall gaming experience.
Room For Upgrades
You can make several changes and upgrades to your PC with the help of a good quality motherboard. You can always replace the motherboards and get newer, ones with more advanced and enhanced features.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
Before you can invest in the best motherboard, make sure you make the following important considerations, and take cautious steps to ensure that your money does not go to waste.
Customer Feedback
You can find several customer reviews and feedback on the internet to help you get a good idea about the brand and its product quality. Real customer feedback can be valuable in understanding a product’s functionality and performance.
Warranty
Warranty information can be gathered and inquired from the retailer or the seller very easily. Make sure to ask for the technicalities and specifics of the warranty so you can make good use out of it and help reduce replacement or repair costs.
Socket Pin Quality
The socket that goes into the CPU needs to have good quality. Many motherboards come with rather weak, poor-quality pins that bend really easily. Therefore, make sure to check the socket’s pin quality before you actually go ahead and purchase the board.
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi
Conclusion
Wrapping the article up, we can all agree that selecting the best motherboard is, after all, a tricky choice. The market is packed with a range of motherboards that all have different features and qualities. It is important to invest in a unit that best fits with your usage and purpose. Make sure to consider the aforementioned factors, such as warranty information and CPU compatibility, to make the right choice.
People Also Ask
Make sure to clarify all your confusion and queries before investing in a motherboard. To make the most out of your chosen product, read the following section to get answers to some important questions and queries.
Can You Overclock the i5 8400?
The i5 8500 is a hexa-core processor that has a base clock speed of about 2.8 GHz. The processor comes without hyper-threading and is not locked, however, it still cannot be overclocked.
Does the Intel i5 8400 Have Integrated Graphics?
The i5 processor range is a mid-range processor by Intel. The i5 8400 is a hexa-core processor, with an integrated Intel UHD graphics 630 IGP. The max memory of this graphics card is up to 64 GB and has a burst frequency of 350 MHz.
Is the i5 8400 Good For Editing?
For light picture editing, the i5 8400 and other i5 processor variants can be good enough. However, if you want to edit some heavier data content such as video editing with premier software and rigorously using Photoshop, then the i7 variant processor will be a much better choice.
Is the i5 8400 an 8th-Gen?
The i5 8400 Core processor was launched in 2017 by Intel as one of their 3rd Generation variants. It is not an 8th Gen variant. Intel launched its i7 8700K Core processor as its 8th Generation variant.
How Many Threads Does the i5 8400 Have?
The i5 8400 is referred to as a Hexa-core processor, meaning it has a six-thread design. It does not have hyper-threading and has a base clock speed of about 2.8 GHz. However, the six-thread processor has a capacity of hitting up to 4 GHz of clock speed.
More Motherboard Buyer Guides
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