The Best Motherboards For i5 CPUs

by May 29, 2018

How To Choose a Motherboard?

Read Full Guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc9y4zaJcXI

Best Motherboards For i5 8600K

 NameSizeSocketChipset 
i5 8600k motherboardAsus ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMINGATXLGA1151Z370

Check Price
best budget gaming motherboard for i5 8600kMSI Z370 A ProATXLGA1151Z370

Check Price
best motherboard for i5 8600kMSI Z370 GodLike GamingATXLGA1151Z370

Check Price
best motherboard for i5GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7ATXLGA1151Z370

Check Price

Asus ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING

i5 8600k motherboard

Size: ATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370

  • Visually appealing
  • Excellent overclocking potential
  • Great RGB Customizability
  • High-Quality aesthetics
  • Does not have RGB header
  • Expensive
VIEW ON AMAZON

Asus is one of the dominant motherboard manufacturer, The STRIX series being one of the most popular. The ROG STRIX Z370-E is equipped with an aggressive looking, reflective and angular heatsink which goes really well with the sandblasted black and It also features a highly customizable RGB lighting. Everything on this board is the optimal quality and highly oriented towards performance.

Supported Hardware

  • CPU – It features a Z370 chipset which supports the newly released 8th generation Intel processors. This chipset also supports overclocking unlocked processors; making is a great contestant for your next build.
  • GPU – It is a Z370 chipset based motherboard and fully supports Nvidia SLI and AMD Crossfire configurations.
  • RAM – The motherboard supports a maximum of 64GB memory featuring 4 x 288-pin DIMM. One of the features that cannot be overlooked is Asus Optimum; This routes the memory traces to the most optimal layer of PCB, This enhances signal integrity and performance of every slot; This lets you achieve memory speeds of up to 4000 MHz considering an optimal cooling solution is installed.

Additional Features

  • RGB Customizability – This board allows easy customization of any RGB component in the system, This feature is not limited to specific compatible components but allows for any RGB component to be customized directly from the board itself without the need of any additional controllers.
  • HQ 8-channel HD Audio – Featuring high-quality audio channels, This motherboard is an excellent pick for gaming, This specific feature allows for high-quality surround sound which is essential in competitive games like Fortnite.
Show more

MSI Z370 A Pro

best cheap gaming motherboard for i5

Size: ATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370

  • Budget Friendly
  • Excellent build quality
  • VR Ready
  • Lacks visual appeal
VIEW ON AMAZON

Moving on, We have the MSI Z370 A Pro, Taking the first glance at the board it is quite easy to tell that lacks visual features and isn't very visually appealing. This is not what you expect from an MSI motherboard but taking the price tag of this board into consideration, It claims it's spot as the 2nd best motherboard for I5 8700k.

Supported Hardware

  • CPU - As already mentioned, This motherboard features a Z370 chipset which supports the new gen Intel processors. Unlike the previously discussed Asus ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING, This motherboard doesn't feature such overclocking potential.
  • GPU - It features multiple perfectly placed PCI expansion slots which allow you to install multiple Graphic cards. However, The board only supports CrossFireX configuration and not Nvidia SLI.
  • RAM - It is equipped with 4 x 288-pin DIMM memory slots which support a maximum of 64GB DDR4 memory at 4000 MHz.

Additional Features

  • VR Ready - Though most motherboards these days are VR ready, The fact that this budget motherboard features it is awe-inspiring and must be noted.
  • Cooling Add-ons - This specific motherboard is equipped with extra fan headers for more adequate cooling customizability. Fans are an indispensable part of a PC, Having an option to use more of them is always a great addon.
Show more

MSI Z370 GodLike Gaming

best motherboard for i5 8600k

Size: EATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370

  • Great aesthetics
  • Excellent overclocking potential
  • RGB Customizability
  • Very Expensive
VIEW ON AMAZON

Next up is another motherboard from MSI, Unlike the Z370 A Pro discussed earlier in this list, MSI's Z370 GodLike Gaming is way ahead of anything currently in the market. From highly customizable RGB lighting to PCIe armor, Everything is designed with precision. Priced almost double any motherboard mentioned in this list, This is one of the most expensive mainstream motherboard ever made. Acknowledging the price point, It is certainly targeted towards enthusiasts than casual gamers.

Supported Hardware

  • CPU - The 8th Gen CPU's recently being released, There are not many options available when it comes to the chipset. Currently, Z370 is the only chipset that supports Intel 8th Gen i7 8700k, i5 8600k and Intel i3 8350k. This specific motherboard has excellent overclocking potential which makes it a great pick for gamers.
  • GPU - This motherboard is likely the best motherboard you can get for 8th Gen CPU, It supports 2-Way NVIDIA SLI and 4-Way AMD CrossFire Configuration.
  • RAM - Equipped with 4 x DDR4 memory slots, It supports up to 64GB memory at speeds of up to 4133+(OC). The motherboard features a dual channel memory architecture which cannot be overlooked.

Additional Features

  • PCIe Gap - Unlike most motherboard which features PCIe slots installed significantly close to each other, MSI has given some extra GAP between both, There is no such advantage to this, but it sure looks great, Also considering most 1080TI cards consume too much space, This extra gap is a great add-on.
  • Overwhelming Gaming Experience - This motherboard comes VR Ready, As already mentioned this is a ubiquitous feature that most motherboards have. Bound with other high-end hardware, It can provide the best possible gaming experience.
Show more

GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7

best motherboard for i5 cpu

Size: ATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370

  • Customizable RGB Lighting
  • Smart fan controlling system
  • Good value for money
  • Excellent overclocking potential
  • Poor efficiency for non-overclockers
VIEW ON AMAZON

Asus and MSI are currently dominating the Z370 motherboard market, Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 a great alternative if brands mentioned above are not available around you. Furthermore, Not only a great alternative but this motherboard also great overclocking potential, Which is a must to consider if you are getting an unlocked processor. It is also not as expensive as the previously mentioned enthusiast level motherboards but features very similar hardware specification and thus providing exceptional value for every buck spent.

Supported Hardware

  • CPU - It supports all 8th Gen Intel CPU and features great overclocking potential.
  • GPU - GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 supports both NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire configurations. It is essential to consider if the core purpose of your build is gaming or video rendering.
  • RAM - Much like the boards mentioned above this also features 4 DDR4 slots with maximum memory compatibility of 64GB. Memory speeds of up to 4133 MHz can be achieved via this motherboard.

Additional Features

  • 3-Way CrossFire/2-Way SLI Support - A critical feature to consider your PC build is oriented towards gaming or video rendering tasks. Even if you don't plan on using Multiple GPU, It's great to be future proof and have upgradability options.
  • RGB Customizability - This motherboard features the best options when it comes to RGB customizability, Featuring the AORUS design it allows easy customization of not only onboard but also other case LED lights. RGB lights are the core of a Gaming build, all of us carve for it and are always ready pay an extra buck for this feature. It is very understandable if you don't find RGB lights as interesting, The previously listed MSI Z370 A Pro would be a fantastic pick.
Show more

Picking the Right motherboard for 8th Gen i5 processors

There are several factors to consider while buying a motherboard, Compatibility is the first one on the list. The new 8th gen processors are currently only supported by the Z370 chipset, This surely eliminates the complications whiling choosing a motherboard since there are not a lot of options available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLMNQsoqgmg

The chipset being clear, It's time to check compatibility for GPU and RAM, It is essential that the motherboard is capable of not only satisfying current but future upgradability needs as well. Thanks for PCIe 3.0, Almost all motherboards will support both Radeon and Nvidia cards but compatibility for their inline configuration is something to look for, Few motherboards will support only CrossFire configuration while others support SLI, This is an only to the most essential specification detail to check while buying a motherboard.

RAM doesn't poss much of a compatibility issue anymore, All latest motherboards support DDR4 and it's the stands being used as the price difference the previous Gen is not as significant anymore. Z370 being the only supported chipset for 8th Intel CPU can be hard on your pocket, Rather than finding the motherboard closet to your maximum budget, Consider finding the one which provides the best value for your needs. Note that more affordable Motherboard options will be released soon but till then the only compatible option for I5 8600k CPUs are the expensive Z370 motherboards.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *