Table of Contents
Introduction
To have a powerful PC, a good processor or CPU is a must. The speed and power of the CPU will determine the performance and efficiency of your computer. Intel is among the leading companies in this regard, and it’s a dedicated CPU producer. The Core i5-8400 is a powerful six-core processor. It offers excellent performance in gaming and competitive performance in other heavy applications.
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Processors and GPUs get more attention when it comes to building your system, but motherboards are also a very integral part of a PC. Motherboards are the central circuit hub of a PC; every part of your PC connects to it. It regulates the power supply, which provides your CPU, GPU, hard drive, and system memory with power.
The form factor of your motherboard will decide your computer size, and the chipset and socket will dictate what kind of CPU you can use. It will not be an overstatement to say that motherboards are the backbone of your computer system.
The Core i5-8400 Chipset
In the old days, various PC components had to go through several chips in different places on the motherboard to talk to the CPU. This set of chips were called a chipset. Later, with the development of computer systems, these sets of chips were integrated into a single chip for efficiency.
Many things that were first handled by the set of chips like memory and graphic controllers, are now integrated into and controlled by the CPU. The chipset handles the remaining duties. This way, latency is decreased, and consequently, the system is more responsive.
The chipset and processor work together to make the computer function. Your chipset dictates a few things for you. The buses used in chipset let you determine how much room you have for expansion cards. It also determines overlocking potential. You can overclock some chipsets, while there are some that you can’t.
The i5-8400 is compatible with several Intel chipsets: B360, H370, H310, Q370, and Z370. Although all the functions and features of these chipsets, especially the Z370, are similar to the previous generation Z270, there is an updated microcode that only recognizes this processor.
Requirements of the i5-8400 CPU
Core i5-8400 is a reasonably priced hexa-core processor from Intel’s 8th generation Coffee Lake range. The processor’s base clock speed is 2.8 GHz, while its max turbo frequency is an impressive 4 GHz. Before buying the i5-8400, you need to keep a few things in mind.
This Coffee Lake processor needs a new motherboard and a 300-series chipset. This is due to the modified power needs of this processor. The pins-out on this processor are different from its other range of processors like the Kaby Lake.
Why You Should Get the Most Compatible Motherboard for the Intel i5-8400 Chipset
Motherboard selection is an important decision one has to make when building their computer. The motherboard should have enough ability to run all the fans and to keep the processor cool. That is where we come in to help. We have listed the five best motherboards that are compatible with this processor and will let you get the most out of your processor.
5 Best Motherboard for i5 8400
MSI B360 Mortar
This motherboard supports the Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron processors. It is mATX type motherboard with an LGA 1151 socket. It also comes with 7.1 integrated audio and a Realtek ALC892 audio codec. This motherboard has four SATA III ports for storage and two M.2 slots, which support Intel Optane Memory. It has four RAM slots, which can handle a maximum of 64GB. These memory slots support DDR4 2133/2400/2666.
The accessories include a DVD driver, M.2 screws, a case badge, an I/O shield, and a manual. There are four fan headers with DC and PWM flexibility. The design suits gamers with its two PCIe 3 X 16 slots and two PCIe 3 X 1 slots, which you can use for graphic cards and PCIe-based hardware.
The motherboard has large heat sinks and a unique silver PCB. The IO panel in the back sports a PS/2 port, USB 3 –A and –B ports, four USB 2 ports, CVI, DisplayPort, Gigabit LAN, HDMI port, and a gold-plated audio output. The video outputs will especially please the video freaks. Users who want LAN connectivity will be satisfied too.
There are EZ debug LEDs on the motherboard. There is also a ThunderBolt 3 GPIO header close to the RGB LED header. You can customize the RGB lighting using MSI software. All the VRM heatsinks are screwed into the motherboard, while the PCH uses push-pins.
This motherboard is well-known for its excellent performance. It is highly stable and has good endurance. The robust passive cooling system for CPU and VRM will allow you long gaming sessions with a maintained temperature at all times. It has all the features that gamers usually looks for in motherboards.
Key Features
- Works with 8th generation Intel, Pentium, and Celeron processors
- Supports DDR4 RAM
- It has MSI mystic lighting
- Fan headers are DC and PWM compatible
- M.2 slots have high transfer rates
Pros
- High-quality build
- Room for expansion and upgrades
- Good performance to price ratio
- Metal heatsinks keep the processor cool
- Comes with a three-year warranty
Cons
- Some issues with USB ports
- Slow audio output
Verdict
The MSI B360 Mortar is a very affordable and stylish motherboard with a lot of features. It is suitable for gaming PCs. The cooling system will keep your system at a reasonable temperature during long gaming sessions.
Asus Prime Z370-P
This motherboard comes with an LGA 1151 socket, which is essential for motherboards that support the i5-8400 processor. It has a full-size ATX frame with four DIMM slots. It supports DDR4 across all of the four slots and can house up to 64GB RAM. It also has a Realtek controller and is the only Asus product that doesn’t have Intel’s I219-V Gigabit controller.
This motherboard makes use of the TUF gaming pairing and the less pricey Realtek ALC887 audio codec. The header for AIO CPU cooling and three 4-pin PWM compatible fan headers are dotted around the PCB.
The board has a pair of M.2 PCIe X4 slots for storage purposes. It also comes with four SATA III ports positioned at the bottom. One of the PCIe slots is a full-length PCIe 3 X 16, while the second full-length PCIe slot pulls its lanes from the chipset directly.
The IO back has four USB-A 3.1 ports and two USB 2 ports. It also has extra headers for four USB 3.1 and USB 2 ports. There are ports for HDMI and DVI-D. There is a 2.1 audio jack for audio output, a network port, and a PS/2 port.
Key Features
- Compatible with Intel 8th and 9th generation processors
- Has LGA 1151 socket for i5-8400
- It supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
- Supports a maximum memory of 64GB
- Eight audio channels and a Realtek audio chipset
- Onboard Realtek LAN chipset
- ATX form factor
- Comes with two SATA 6Gb/s cables, one I/O shield, an M.2 screw package, support DVD
Pros
- Very affordable
- Good power delivery for an entry-level board
- Many PCIs ports
- Neat design
- Comes with a three-year warranty
Cons
- Only three SATA connectors can be used when using M.2
- Doesn’t have VRM heat sinks and an M.2 shield
Verdict
The Asus Prime Z370-P motherboard is an excellent entry-level board with good quality onboard audio. The design is clean and straightforward, and it offers many features for a budget board. If you don’t need VRM heat sinks and an M.2 shield, then consider this motherboard for your processor.
Asus Prime Q370M-C
This board is designed for 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. It is one of the best motherboards for the i5-8400 because it regulates the power very well and is highly efficient. The HSIO input and output lanes are very efficient. It has more USB ports than the Z370. There are four USB 3 ports and two USB 2 ports on this board.
The Q370-C supports two PCIe X3, one PCIe 3 X 16, and one PCI lane. In case you have a keyboard that requires a PS/2 connection, this board will provide it. It saves power, and that is showcased on the board by the advanced standby connect feature. The internet works just fine even when it is in a low power state. The chipset on it allows ambient computing; you use the wake-on-voice feature at low power states.
The M.2 slot provides support to PHY and antenna. This product also comes with built-in support for USB 3.1, which allows for native connectivity with motherboard over USB. This board will increase the speed and connectivity of your system with its onboard SATA 6 Gb/s, TPM IC, COM header, and Gigabit LAN. The self-recovering BIOS will keep your hardware and data safe.
Key Features
- uATX form factor
- Has PS/2 keyboard, mouse, D-sub, DisplayPort, HDMI, LAN, USB 3.1, 2 ports, and an audio jack
- Comes with I/O shield, SATA 6Gb/s cables, M.2 screw package, and a supporting DVD
- Has on-board TPM IC
- Eight-channel, Realtek ALC887 audio codec
- Comes with Gigabit LAN controller
Pros
- Covered in moisture-resistant material
- Works well in high temperature
- Box-style USB header prevent pin damage
- Assembly is easy with color-coded connections
Cons
- Micro ATX is not the most preferred form factor
Verdict
The Asus Prime Q370M-C is a very good motherboard; it is suitable for gaming and editing. It has a lot of room for expansion if you want to keep the board for a while. The performance to cost ratio is relatively high.
ASRock H370M Pro4
This motherboard supports 8th generation processors with its LGA 1151 socket. It has a 10-phase regulator for voltage and a dual M.2 storage interface. It has Intel I219-V Gigabit PHY and Realtek ALC892 audio codec like the model Z370-M model; the difference is in the circuit.
It has an M.2 Key-E/CNVi WiFi card expansion slot, and it also has solder points and supports Intel’s 1.73 Gb/s codec. It has two PCIe 3 X 16 and two PCIe 3 X 1 slots. It’s an excellent board for gamers, and its powerful graphic support will run GPUs efficiently.
The board also supports HDMI, DVI-D, and D-sub, and the audio quality is very high. It comes with six SATA III, one Ultra M.2 PCIe Gen3 X4, and M.2 PCIe 3 X 1. For USB connectivity, it has USB 3.1 –A and –C options from Gen2. It also has six extra USB 3.1 Gen1 slots in the front and back.
Key Features
- Ten power phase design
- Supports DDR4
- Supports AMD Quad CrossFire
- Has HDMI, DVI-D, and D-sub for video output
- Has 7.1 ch HD audio
- Has six USB 3.1 Gen1, two USB 3.1 Gen2 slots
Pros
- Feature-packed
- Very price to performance ratio
- Durable
- Reliable board
Cons
- An RGB controller would have been better
- There should have been a front panel 3.1 Gen2 header
Verdict
Buyers who are not looking for an RGB controller and a front panel 3.1 Gen2 header would be satisfied with the ASRock H370M Pro4 board. It offers excellent value for a low price.
MSI B360M Gaming Plus
This is an affordable motherboard with many features. The color of the board is black, with red zig-zag lines crossing it. This motherboard has four memory slots, two PCIe X16 Gen3 and four X1 slots. It also has an M.2 slot, four USB 3.1 ports, and five SATA III ports.
The seven fan headers that are supported by DC and PWM controllers keep the system cool during long gaming sessions. Full fan speed control is also possible with the BIOS and MSI software. If you like lighting on your board, it supports RGB lighting and LEDs and has an extra header for more lighting. You can control the LED lights through mobile devices as well with the Mystic Light software.
This product has a uATX form factor and an LGA 1151 socket. It comes with two 288-pin DIMM memory slots, which supports only 32GB RAM, unlike the other boards that support up to 64GB RAM. It supports DDR4 memory at the maximum frequency of 2666. Like the Z370, it also uses Realtek ALC887 7.1 channel audio codec.
Key Features
- It has a uATX form factor
- It has 2 PCIe 3 X 16 slots and 4 PCIe 3 X 1 slots
- The onboard graphics for video outputs include DisplayPort and DVI-D
- Has 7.1 channel audio codec
- Has Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
- Comes with nine mounting holes
Pros
- Has pleasing aesthetics with RGB lighting and LEDs
- High-quality audio
- Very affordable
- Good cooling system
Cons
- The memory storage is low compared to other boards, limited to just 32GB
- Has no built-in Wi-Fi
Verdict
The MSI B360M Gaming Plus is a reasonably priced motherboard with pleasing aesthetics and clean design. It is packed with features and is a good choice for gamers who like to indulge in long gaming sessions.
What To Look for in an i5-8400 Gaming Motherboard?
Many enthusiastic gamers like to build their PCs from scratch instead of opting for the pre-assembled ones because then they will have a great PC within their price range with many features and specs. The options for i5-8400 are already narrow because it doesn’t support overclocking. So, you have to find yourself a motherboard that not only supports your processor but also functions smoothly with the rest of your system. When looking for an i5-8400 gaming motherboard, you need to keep the following things in mind.
Brand
It is highly probable that the motherboards of reputable brands will perform well and without problems. Always go for the best options, some of which are Asus, ASRock, and MSI.
Form Factor
Motherboards with standard ATX size are common, but there are also micro and mini ATX sizes available. As far as the performance goes, standard ATX boards perform better, but they are expensive.
Socket
Find out what socket type your motherboard and processor requires. A processor will attach to your motherboard through this socket. The Core i5-8400 is compatible with the LGA 1151 socket.
Memory
Motherboards compatible with the i5-8400 all have DDR4 RAM slots. That’s what you need in a gaming motherboard. However, you don’t need memory faster than 2666 MHz since that’s the maximum memory speed it supports. Be mindful of the memory. In rare cases, you may need more than 32GB, in which case you need a motherboard that supports 64GB or more RAM.
Recommendation
All of the motherboards listed above are good choices, but if we had to select one, it would be the Asus Prime Q370M-C. It is a good gaming motherboard with its excellent memory storage options, high-quality video and audio codecs, and many other features. Its easy assembly, durable build, and low price make it our top choice.
Final Words
Choosing a motherboard for gaming is not an easy task, but if you choose the right one, you will have a good system on your hands. The ones we recommended are among the best available in the market, and you can’t go wrong with any of them; best of luck!
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