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The Intel i5 8th generation processor is one of the latest, fastest processors being used. It is good for various types of PCs and purposes, especially for high quality, 4k graphics gaming, and video streaming. If you want to upgrade and build a fast, reliable PC setup, then finding the best motherboard for i5 8600k is very important. The following article will provide you with a detailed buying guide and reviews of the best motherboard for use with the i5 8600k processor.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Motherboard For I5 8600k
- OUR TOP PICK: GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7
- RUNNER-UP: MSI Z370-A PRO
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
Comparison of the Best Motherboards For I5 8600k
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Can You Really Find a Quality Motherboard That’s Affordable
A lot of computer-related hardware, such as hard disks and motherboards is really pricey. They are equipped with technologically advanced components built with lots of care, time, and money. Therefore, you will find the market packed with motherboards that come with a hefty price tag. Usually, the higher-end motherboards all range between $250 and $600. Yet, you can still find some budget-friendly, affordable motherboards within $200. It is not necessary that the lower price indicates lower performance, but you might not be able to get the exact same versatile features in a motherboard costing $150 compared to one costing $450.
Why Did These Motherboards Make Our List
The motherboards that we have reviewed in the following section all have certain qualities and features that make them the best. In this section, we have listed down some important features that make a product worth your money. Take a look so you can decide which one is better for your PC more wisely.
At Least 32GB Memory RAM Space
The biggest, most important consideration when buying a motherboard is the memory options it has to offer. We tend to recommend and find those a better choice that offers a memory RAM space of at least 32 GB.
GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7
Multiple PCI Slots
More PCI slots mean a wider capacity of the motherboard and a wider range of strong connections. Other than the number of PCI slots, we also look at their construction quality. Metal-framed PCI slots are the most powerful and durable ones.
Ease of Use
Many motherboards come with instructional manuals that are incomprehensible. This makes the product almost impossible to install without professional help. Therefore, the ones on our list are meant to be very easy and user-friendly.
Review of the Best Motherboards For I5 8600k
The following section has some important, thorough, and in-depth reviews of the best motherboards in the market that you can use with i5 8600k processors. Take a look.
Best Motherboard for Intel i5 8600k:
GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The buyers of this motherboard particularly comment on its exceptional built quality. They report that the device is also very easy and quick to install. Some beginners also tried overclocking with it and report it to have functioned really quickly and easily.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the thermal guard feature of this motherboard truly impressive. The built quality stands out and impresses us the most. Moreover, the versatile connectivity options provided with the multiple USB type A and type C ports are also an impressive feature.
Who Will Use This Most
If you want to run your PC for long durations, whether for gaming purposes or for professional computing, then this motherboard will be of great use to you. This is because it has an exceptional cooling system that maintains and protects the unit. Plus, with its ease of use, we also recommend this to first-timers.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, we think that this Auros motherboard is the best overall product in the market that has a range of features and functions to offer. From a good quality built to a range of versatile features such as USB connectivity and M.2 thermal guard, it is meant to last for a long time.
Runner-up:
MSI Z370-A PRO
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers reports tell us that the motherboard has really easy and convenient bios, compared to other alternatives in the market. Moreover, buyers were also highly satisfied with its high-speed RAM, along with its low latency rates too. A few buyers were expecting more USB ports, but they didn’t find the lack to be too big of an issue.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Heavy-plated heatsinks cooling system truly stands out in the market. It makes this motherboard safe for use and also guarantees reliability and longevity of use. Moreover, its installation time is no more than a minute, as reported by buyers, which further makes this product outperform other products in the market.
Who Will Use This Most
If you want a motherboard for overclocking purposes, nothing can be a better choice than this one. Plus, you can make great use out of it in terms of longevity and use it for several years without any issues. Moreover, if you want a good motherboard for gaming and good sound, then this will work really well for you.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the versatile motherboard by MSI stands out in the market as one of the easiest to use, diverse products with exceptional memory options and lightweight construction. All these features are available at a relatively affordable price range and is also manufactured by one of the best, market-leading brands.
Best for the Money:
ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of the buyers of this motherboard were newbies and first-timers. The reports tell us that the board is rather easy to install compared to other advanced ones that are complex and time-consuming. Moreover, other buyer reports suggest that the wireless connectivity it offers is of great quality and consistency.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most distinctive quality and feature of this motherboard is its 3D printing mounts, plus its M.2 heatsink pads that allow efficient cooling. The 3D mounts make it very easy and convenient for users to install it. Also, its audio quality is designed to provide truly impressive sound with its 8-channel audio system.
Who Will Use This Most
This is an easy-to-install motherboard considering its design with 3D mounting. Therefore, we recommend this product for use by beginners and first-timers. Considering its budget-friendly price tag, it’s also a great, strongly recommended product for people with tighter budgets looking for well-performing units.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, the heatsink cooling system, along with its reliable wireless connectivity, all make this a great product. Available at an affordable price tag, this motherboard is surely one of the best in the market when it comes to adding value to your money. It a highly recommended product for people with tighter budgets and lesser experience with using motherboards.
Best Gaming Motherboard for i5 8600k:
ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Some buyer reports tell us that there could be more USB ports. However, other reports tell us that the product features a solid built and construction quality, and it also has a really reliable and strong Wi-Fi connectivity. Some reports show dissatisfaction with the delivery of defective products.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is one of the very few i5 motherboards that have a wide capacity memory RAM to offer. With 64 GB of memory RAM, it truly stands out in the market. Moreover, the SafeSlot PCIe is also a unique and exclusive feature that further makes this an outperforming product.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a more suitable product for home-use and gamers. It has a large memory space with an exceptional cooling system and an SSD RAM, which makes it perfect for 4k streaming and playing high-resolution games. If you want more wired connections through USB, this unit might not be the best for you.
Bottom Line
Wrapping it up, this motherboard by ASUS stands out and offers high performance in the market compared to other products in terms of gaming. The well-lit LED lighting and the fast speed, wide capacity SSD RAM all offer great functionality. It has a rock-solid built quality, featuring shearing-resistant PCIe slots.
Editor's Pick:
ASRock Z370 EXTREME4
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Some buyers who faced issues were immediately supported by the incredible customer service. Buyers report a high satisfaction rate with the quality of customer service. Moreover, buyer reports also tell us that the board is exceptionally good for overclocking purposes, as even beginners were able to make great use out of it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the versatile range of multiple slots in one motherboard truly outstanding and impressive. The 4 memory slots, along with USB slots, offer diverse connectivity options and help establish strong and reliable connections. Moreover, the motherboard also has DVI-D and HDMI slots that further make it a versatile pick.
Who Will Use This Most
The motherboard has an incredible user interface and a great construction quality, along with a capacity to run well with 4k streaming and gaming. Therefore, we recommend it highly for professional gamers. If you have multiple devices to connect with the motherboard, then this product will work really great for you.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, the ASrock motherboard, with its extremely sturdy construction and its 4k streaming capability, is one of the best in the market. While there may be some limitations to the RAM’s performance, it still qualifies as one of the best boards for gaming and professional computing purposes.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Motherboard
Whether or not you should invest in a motherboard can be decided by weighing out the pros and cons of investing in one.
Advantages
Let’s first look at all the benefits you’ll get by spending money on a quality unit.
Better Gaming Experience
A motherboard with full processing power and durable performance is the most crucial, essential element that you need for a good gaming experience. The motherboard is the main circuit or the brain of any computer which runs every single unit of the PC. Hence, for a gaming PC, you need to invest in a good quality model.
Stable PC
You can rely greatly on your PC once it is equipped with a reliable, strong, and fast motherboard. You won’t have to worry about the software crashing or losing your data too. Therefore, for stability, you need a good motherboard.
Enhances the Computer’s Capacity
When you invest in a top-notch, advanced motherboard, you increase the capacity of your PC’s functionality. From its upgrade capacity to memory options, you can enhance the overall capacity of your computer. By replacing a motherboard, you can upgrade your whole PC setup.
Disadvantages
A motherboard for i5 8600k will present with the following drawback:
Replacement Costs
When even one of the components of a motherboard stops working, you will need to replace the whole unit. This makes replacing them really expensive and costly, as the faulty component cannot be fixed and will rather require you to get a whole new device.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
Before you go ahead with the purchase, make sure that you enquire about the following details and take important cautious considerations.
Check the Warranty
You can always inquire about the seller or the retailer about the warranty that backs the motherboard. Warranties can be helpful in the long term to help you save replacement and repair costs. Make sure to understand the specifics and the technicalities of the warranty to make better use out of it.
Use the Instructional Manual
Whether you are using the motherboard for the first time or are a professional, make sure to use it the way it is said in the manual. Every product has its own handling requirements, and therefore, an instructional manual can help you safely install and use the motherboard.
Look For Safety Features
Features like the M.2 shield, or I/O shield acts as a protective, safety feature for the motherboard as well as the devices that you connect with it. The safety features are also meant to protect your motherboard and connected devices from electrostatic shocks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that choosing a motherboard for your i5 processor can be a tricky task since it requires a lot of thought and consideration. It is important to make sure that the one you have chosen to buy is compatible with your processor and the PC setup that you have. Moreover, other features such as memory options, USB ports, and the built quality will all matter a lot to help you choose the best unit for your CPU.
People Also Ask
If you are buying a motherboard for the first time or need some more information regarding it, then this section is meant for you. We have answered and dealt with some common confusions and queries people often have about motherboards.
Does the i5 Have Hyperthreading?
Even though the i5 8600k processor has more threads than the Core processors, it still does not have hyperthreading. The i5 is the mid-level processor, coming in between the low range i3 and the high-end i7 processors, which do have hyperthreading.
Is i5 and i7 a Big Difference?
Both the processors are quad-core processors. A big difference between them is the number of threads, where the i5 has 6 threads and has no hyperthreading compared to the hyperthreading 4-core i7 processor. Their cache sizes are also different, with i5 having a cache size of between 4 and 6MB, and i7 having 8MB.
Is Intel Core i5 Outdated?
The Intel core i5 processor is a mid-range processor that is considered to be one of the most powerful and well-performing processors today in the market. It is not an outdated processor, and its relevance only varies based upon your PC’s usage and purpose. The earlier generations, such as the 4th gen of the i5, can be slightly outdated, but the 7th or 8th generation is not.
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