Best Motherboard for i5 8400 (Ultimate Buying Guide 2021)

Whether you are a gamer or a peak performance lover who wants to enjoy a seamless and lag-free performance, you might need a reliable motherboard for the purpose. And if you are an Intel lover, you are here because you want to know the best motherboard for i5 8400.

Are you in a hurry? Check out the top pick we selected based on research, analysis, performance & experience.

Not only does this come in 11 variations, but every single one has its enormous benefits that we will disclose next.

Related: Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600

B360M Mortar – Best Motherboard for i5 8400

Micro-Star International manufactures this excellent motherboard. Working with Intel Chipset, it supports 9th and 8th Generation Intel Pentium Gold, Core, and Celeron processors with LGA 1151 socket.

Have a look at its features in detail below:

Supports 9th/8th Generation

As I said above, it works with an Intel chipset and supports 9th and 8th generation Intel core processors. Not just that, you can use it for Pentium gold or Celeron processors as well if you have those and would like to switch to a better motherboard – you can do that seamlessly.

Support for Powerful Memory

It also supports DDR4 RAM, which allows you to work even faster than before. You can equip your existing DDR4 Memory of up to 2666 Megahertz. The DDR4 Boost enhances the overall system performance because of its advanced technology. 

The advanced technology introduced in it delivers pure data signals to give you the best gaming experience.

This is yet another reason to make it the winner of the best motherboard for i5 8400 awards.

Gaming LAN

When it comes to gaming, a real gamer can’t afford to lose connection or bear high latency. So, that’s why this motherboard gives you a dedicated Gaming LAN that delivers the lowest latency and a proper bandwidth management system.

This means you can play games on the network with your opponents without any connectivity problems.

Also, just for your information, this Gaming LAN is powered by Intel, which is a renowned company in the world. That’s another trust point & relief of reliability.

VR Ready

Virtual is a New reality. We’ve already heard about this before. But the real meaning is understood only when we experience it. MSI kept this point in mind and manufactured this motherboard for VR as well. This motherboard is VR-ready, which ultimately provides you The Best Virtual Reality gaming experience.

You don’t need to worry about any latency issues or motion sickness because everything related to VR is handled by this powerful machine now.

Audio Boost

Gaming is just nothing without audio – a horror game can become a comedy game without this. Sound is important. Only a real gamer like you or a professional expert can understand its importance, but nobody can deny it.

MSI developed this masterpiece motherboard with the help of NAHIMIC. The audio Boost delivers your ultimate gaming experience with a sound quality like a professional studio.

Now that you know the benefits & features of this best motherboard for i5 8400, now let’s have a look at its upsides and downsides.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Does this Motherboard work with DDR3?

No, this only supports DDR4 RAM up to 2666Mhz.

Is there any built-in Wi-Fi on this motherboard?

No, unfortunately, this doesn’t have any built-in Wi-Fi.

Does this work on Ryzen?

Nope. This is an Intel Motherboard for coffee lake processors.

Do you have more questions? No worries – you are covered. You can check the answers to more FAQs related to this motherboard on Amazon.

Our Verdict

Well, to be transparent & straightforward, this is a perfect motherboard if you are looking for value. Entirely made for Gaming, this delivers a tremendous experience, and you will enjoy the performance.

2.Asus Prime Z370-P

Another best choice in this requirement is the Asus prime Z370. As the name suggests, Asus builds this motherboard with excellent protection. Let’s have a look at its benefits that come along when you get it:

Compatible with 8th/9th Generation

Like the former, this one is also compatible with the 8th and 9th Generation Intel core processors. Not only just that, but it also supports high speed because of Dual M2, 3.1 Generation 1 port as well as compatibility with Intel optane memory.

Ultra Level Protection – 5x

Playing Heavy games or working with heavy software + multitasking requires high usage. And this high usage can cause not only your processor but also your motherboard to get heated. The system must be relaxed for optimal performance. And in the worst case, overvoltage can result in something unexpected or unwanted.

This is why overvoltage protection is much necessary, which it provides. Besides that, it has hardware-level protection as well, and in this way, Asus Prime has excellent reliability.

Advance Cooling System

Whether it is cold or hot outside, the system must always be cooling for the best performance. Even though they are machines, but they also need cooling, just like we do. So, this is why Asus introduced the Advance cooling system in this.

In this system, Fan Xpert 4 core with all-in-one pump header provides advanced fan controls, which results in better dynamic system cooling.

That keeps your system cool resulting in the best performance, and then you enjoy it even more.

HD Gaming Audio with 8 Channels

Sound quality – just as we said before – can’t be denied. This best motherboard for i5 8400 features Realtek ALC887 HD Audio CODEC to give you superior quality of sound.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Does this motherboard have any RGB Header?

Yes, it has.

Is there any built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

Unfortunately No.

Which processors does it support?

To check what processors it supports, you can go here

Our Verdict

When you are thinking of something powerful and the most reliable and robust, this is the best choice for you.

It is made for the 9th Generation, but it also supports previous generation CPUs.

However, if you are looking for a motherboard that is exclusively made for the 8th Generation, you can check ASUS PRIME Z370-P, which is made for that purpose.

3.ASUS ROG Maximus II-Best Gaming Motherboard for I5 8400

Tie your seatbelts because this one is a beast when it comes to Gaming.

It is also manufactured proudly by Asus, especially for Gaming purposes. It is the best motherboard for i5 8400 processor, but it has enormous features that others don’t have.

So, let’s have a look at those.

Compatibility Power

It supports 8th and 9th Generation Intel Core processors to maximize connectivity. With no stop at there, it delivers blazing fast speed with the support of M.2 and 3.1 Generation 2. And even above that, it has ASUS optimum II for better DRAM overclocking stability.

Built-in Wi-Fi

What others were lacking is fulfilled by this one. It has a built-in Wi-Fi feature. It features onboard 802.11AC Wi-Fi, which means you don’t need to buy another adapter for it or grab the wire because you can easily connect it to the network using built-in Wi-Fi.

5-Way Optimization

ASUS Rog Maximus motherboard is loaded with flexible tools that allow you to tweak almost every aspect of the system. Depending upon your wishes, you can either choose to enjoy intelligent & automated tuning or dive directly into UEFI BIOS for taking full control – everything is in your control.

And did I mention that it also has Bluetooth 5.0?

Aura Sync

Who doesn’t love RGB with Gaming? I think only doctors won’t like it. But if you are a true gamer, you will love it.

With Aura Sync, it comes with addressable headers, and you are allowed to do full RGB customization according to your desires.

Yes, you are in control!

To give you some technical aspects of it, it has 2 USB 2.0 ports, has a weight of around 1 pound, supports DDR4 RAM, and Heatsink.

We can’t mention EVERYTHING here because there are a lot of features it has.

Please check its images or other details on Amazon.

However, if you are interested to know more about the upsides and downsides of Asus Rog Maximus, let’s dig deeper.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Does this motherboard work with 8700k or 8086k?

Yes, it does work with those. It works with 8th Generation processors like i5 – 8700k or i7 – 8600k.

What is the maximum RAM capacity? Can I use 2x 32GB DDR4 RAMs?

Yes, you can easily use it.

Does this motherboard feature built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?

Yes, it has. It supports Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11AC Wi-Fi.

Our Verdict

Let’s talk about whether you should get this masterpiece or not. This is where Ifs and buts take place.

If you need super ultra-performance and many features with full control and the budget is no problem, we will only recommend you this one.

But if you are short on budget but still need a high-performance motherboard, you should be going with Asus Prime Z370-P.

Motherboard Buying Guide – How to Choose Best Motherboard?

When it comes to gaming or heavy-duty work, performance & speed is the only thing that matters the most. And to tackle the hard challenges, one must have a healthy & robust system. This is where motherboards play an essential role.

So, as you know, now about what is the best motherboard for an i5 8400, but you should also know how to choose the best motherboard. It is essential so you can always check and make sure that what you have is good enough or you need to upgrade or not.

So, without any further discussion, let’s dive directly into it.

Depending upon the benefits, motherboards can come in a wide pricing range. Prices may start from $60 and can go up to $1000. But expensive ones are the flagship models, and others are budget choices.

Ask yourself the following questions before you end up choosing one.

What CPU are you going to use?

This one is crucial. Because some motherboards only support Intel and some only AMD. So, if you are an Intel user, make sure that the motherboard you choose supports it.

Motherboards that support Intel CPUs have LGA 1151 socket, so make sure that it has it.

In case you are an AMD lover, check that the motherboard should support the AM4 socket.

Intel and AMD are competitive companies, and both are always working hard to do whatever it takes to move a step ahead. So, both work hard to deliver the latest, most comfortable, powerful & seamless experience.

Do you plan to use a GPU?

Gamers and video editors – those who have high duty work, which requires the high performance of graphics, then know the importance of a GPU. So, first, you should know what GPU you are going to use.

If you already have a GPU and plan to use that, then make sure that the motherboard should support that. Otherwise, you will end up regretting your purchase, or you will need to get a new GPU for the new motherboard.

Now, the question is, how do you know if your motherboard supports it or not. Let’s talk about that as well.

Many GPUs that are available connect via PCIe slots and some use PCIe x16 slots. In addition to that, many contemporary GPUs need PCIe 3.0 or later for connection.

So, first, make sure that the slot is precisely the one that your GPU requires.

The second thing is the width of the slot. Some GPUs need more power via 6-pin or 8-pin connectors from a large enough power supply.

How much RAM do you plan to use? Does it support that?

RAM – The main memory of a system plays a KEY ROLE in the performance. Heavy users like you may need RAM of 8 Gigs or 16 Gigs. Ensure that there are enough slots available if you plan to upgrade it later, and also, it should be able to support the latest Generation. Because no. of slots determine how much RAM you can install in it.

Do you need Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

Can you afford to lose one USB port forever by using it for an external Bluetooth device? Or can you afford to lose yet another port by using it for setting up an external Wi-Fi device?

If your answer is No to the above questions, you should get a motherboard with these built-in into it.

Asus Rog Maximus motherboard supports Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11AC Wi-Fi.

This brings us to another important question that is related to ports & connections.

What & How many ports will you need?

Whether you need it or not, there should always be extra ports available even after you have connected everything you wanted. We never know what can happen when.

These include especially USB ports, and a USB-C port would be a great addition as well if you need that.

Following is the list of essential ports that a motherboard must have:

• USB 3/3.1 Generation 1: High speed, more performance than USB 2 ports. They work with most peripheral devices.
• USB 3.1 Generation 2: The vast majority of devices do not support this – but this offers you double speed than the former.
• USB 2.0: The most common port used for mice, keyboards, many conventional devices.
• USB-C: You may need to use it for your mobiles that require USB-C for connections.
• HDMI Port: Planning to use the integrated graphics of your motherboard? You will need it; otherwise, if you use Graphic cards, they have their own.
• Audio ports: Gaming with a headset on takes us inside the Game and enhances the experience. So, if you plan to use any headsets or external analog speakers, you will need these. Just make sure that you have both ports: for mic and speakers.
• Thunderbolt 3: Don’t expect this port in low-end motherboards, but if you get them in a high-end one, then you can enjoy the fastest possible speed that is up to 40 Gbps.

What should be your budget for the motherboard & what is it?

Getting something that will secure its place for a long time working for you on heavy tasks requires many features. And to give you that, plenty of features need some amount.

This is where the budget comes in.

Many think that a hefty budget means the best thing, but it is not always true. We researched and found the best budget motherboard for you.

Pricing of motherboards can start from $50 and go up to $1000 or above, depending upon the motherboard itself.

For an actual premium tier, you can go with those in the price range of $200. Those have a great stylish look, premium body, giant heatsinks, and extreme overclocking features. (Don’t fall in love with that)

Our Verdict

Now that you know the best motherboard to pair with i5 8400 and how to choose as well, you can easily find and even craft a motherboard for your requirements.

However, to make your decision easy and to save you time, we researched the best ones, which I will conclude below:

Best motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: ASUS Rog Maximus

Best budget motherboard: B360M Mortar

Best Value motherboard: Asus Prime Z370

We hope this guide helps you make a perfect decision that will make you happy in the long run. If you think we forgot something to mention, please leave a comment – We take it seriously!

Originally posted 2021-04-04 16:09:33.