Best Motherboard for i5 10400 Under ?14,000: An In-depth Review
When assembling a gaming or productivity desktop, the choice of the right motherboard is crucial. This guide will help you decide which motherboard is best suited for your budget-friendly yet powerful i5 10400 processor under ?14,000. Here we#39;ll review the ASUS PRIME Z490M-PLUS, ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4, MSI MAG B460M MORTAR WIFi, ASUS TUF GAMING B460M-PLUS WIFi, ASUS TUF GAMING B460-PRO WIFi, ASUS TUF GAMING B460-PLUS, Gigabyte B460M DS3H AC, and MSI B460M-A PRO motherboards. Each has unique features and benefits, making them stand out in different ways.
ASUS PRIME Z490M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?16,000
The ASUS PRIME Z490M-PLUS is an excellent choice for those who want a high-end motherboard. However, it comes at a price above ?14,000, which makes it a bit extravagant. This motherboard offers robust features such as AI Tuning, WiFi 6, and JMicron RAID SmartCache for faster boot times and data access. Unfortunately, it doesn#39;t fit our budget criteria.
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?13,800
The ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4 is a high-performance motherboard, but it also has a hefty price tag, taking us close to the upper limit of ?14,000. Offers similar features such as PCIe 4.0 support and DDR4 U-DIMM slots, making it a good alternative to the PRIME Z490M-PLUS. However, it's still out of budget.
MSI MAG B460M MORTAR WIFI Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?12,400
The MSI MAG B460M MORTAR WIFI is perfectly priced and comes well under ?14,000. This motherboard offers PCIe 3.0 slots, wireless network capabilities via WiFi 5, and has plenty of USB ports for connectivity. The MORTAR is one of the best budget-friendly options for i5 10400; it delivers decent performance and features, making it a solid pick.
One of its key benefits is the inclusion of MSIrsquo;s A-Suite software, which allows for better control over your hardware. The MORTAR also offers essential safety features such as heatsinks for the power supply and VRM, ensuring stability during CPU-intensive tasks. Additionally, it maintains a compact design of a Micro ATX motherboard, providing great flexibility in case you need to build in smaller cases.
ASUS TUF GAMING B460M-PLUS WIFI Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?12,000
The ASUS TUF GAMING B460M-PLUS WIFI is another compelling option within our budget. This motherboard offers a balanced mix of features including PCIe 3.0 slots, DDR4 U-DIMM slots, and support for Intel#39;s Optane Memory. The TUF GAMING series is known for durability and reliability, making it a reliable choice for users who want a sturdy motherboard for their gaming or productivity needs.
It supports WiFi 5, which is sufficient for most users, ensuring reliable connectivity without needing to spend extra on a high-end WiFi 6 adapter. The THOR Series TUF Gaming motherboards are also noted for their high-quality components, making them even more appealing to tech enthusiasts.
ASUS TUF GAMING B460-PRO WIFi ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?11,400
The ASUS TUF GAMING B460-PRO WIFi ATX motherboard is another good choice within the budget range. This ATX design offers more expansion options with its PCIe slots and USB ports, making it suitable for those who want room to grow. Similar to the TUF GAMING B460M-PLUS, it supports WiFi 5 for reliable wireless connectivity. The THOR Series motherboards are known for their durability and robust design.
ASUS TUF GAMING B460-PLUS ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?11,400
The ASUS TUF GAMING B460-PLUS is almost identical to the TUF GAMING B460-PRO, with the main difference being its Micro ATX form factor. It also features PCIe 3.0 slots, USB ports, and WiFi 5, providing a similar feature set to the TUF GAMING B460-PRO at a slightly lower price. It’s a strong contender in the budget segment for those who need more space and flexibility in their builds.
Gigabyte B460M DS3H AC Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?9,000
The Gigabyte B460M DS3H AC Micro ATX motherboard is the most budget-friendly option on our list, priced at ?9,000. While it is priced below our target range, it still offers a solid feature set including PCIe 3.0 slots, DDR4 U-DIMM slots, and a convenient WiFi 5 module. This motherboard could be considered if you have a bit more budget to spare or if you're looking for a budget-friendly solution despite the lower price.
Note that the B460 chipset is one generation behind the Z490 chipset, so it won't offer the latest capabilities such as PCIe 4.0, which the B460-PLUS options do. However, for most users, the B460 chipset still provides more than enough performance for the i5 10400.
MSI B460M-A PRO Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard at ?7,800
The MSI B460M-A PRO is the most budget-friendly option within the B460 chipset lineup, priced at ?7,800. It offers a Micro ATX form factor and decent performance for the price. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the other motherboards, it still provides DDR4 U-DIMM slots, PCI-E 3.0 expansion slots, and WiFi 5 support. This motherboard is a solid choice for budget-conscious users, though it may not be the best option if you’re looking for the latest hardware features.
For users who are constrained by budget, the ASRock Z370M-ITX/ac or B450M AORUS PRO AX Micro ATX motherboards might be considered as well. These motherboards offer slightly more advanced features than the B460 chipset without significantly increasing the cost. Though they are one generation older, they can still fit within the budget range if you prioritize current chipset performance over the latest features.
Conclusion
Considering the various options available, the MSI MAG B460M MORTAR WIFI (?12,400) and the ASUS TUF GAMING B460M-PLUS WIFI (?12,000) emerge as the best choices for i5 10400 under ?14,000. Both offer a mix of features and affordability, making them reliable and suitable for gaming and productivity needs. If you have a tighter budget, the Gigabyte B460M DS3H AC (?9,000) and MSI B460M-A PRO (?7,800) are still viable options that provide solid performance without breaking the bank.
Keywords
i5 10400, motherboard, budget