Intel’s 11th Gen Core i5-11400 and the slightly cheaper 11400F are based on its Rocket lake architecture. These are two of the best value processors on the market right now, though the F variant doesn’t include integrated graphics which is why it’s slightly cheaper. They both feature six 14nm “Cypress Cove” cores which offer good performance making them an excellent option for those on a tight budget.
However, achieving the best performance from your i5-11400/f processor is highly dependent on the motherboard you plan on using. Therefore, we have created this guide containing the best motherboards for i5-11400/F.
Our criteria for selecting these motherboards for the i5-11400/f CPU are based on factors such as the VRM power delivery system, PCIe lanes allocation, connectivity and networking option, and overall feature set. Therefore all you have to do is pick the right motherboard that fits your budget and aesthetic needs.
Best ATX Motherboards for i511400/F
MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5000 | Expansion slots: 2 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16, x8/x8) + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4) | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.6 | Rear USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel WiFi 6EKey Features
- Realtek 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel WiFi 6E
- 12+2+1 VRM power delivery system
- Extended VRM heatsink for improved cooling
- MSI Mystic Light RGB
MSI’s B560 Tomahawk is one of the best motherboards you can pair with your Intel i5-11400, offering several features at an affordable price. We highly recommend the motherboard over the more expensive Z590 motherboards, considering Intel now allows for memory overclocking on its B-series chipsets.
Featuring a total of 15 power stages that have an aluminum heatsink to keep temperatures low, you can be confident of running the processor at its max boost clocks for extended periods for the best performance.
The board also has a reinforced PCIe x16 slot capable of running a GPU at the full 16-lane PCIe Gen 4 bandwidth and another x16 slot for use with expansion cards like PCIe SSDs. You also have access to three M.2 slots, one of which supports the latest PCIe 4.0 speeds for high-speed storage.
Finally, for connectivity, you get Intel’s latest WiFi 6E that supports the new 6GHz band, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet powered by a Realtek controller, and several high-speed USB 3.2 ports at the rear.
ASROCK B560Steel Legend
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-4800 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16(max. x2) | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Dragon 2.5Gb EthernetKey Features
- Dragon 2.5GbE LAN
- M.2 Key-E slot for WiFi
- 10 phase VRM power delivery system
- ASRock Polychrome Sync RGB
Sporting a unique urban camo look with sleek white accents on the heatsink, ASRock’s premium B560 motherboard, the Steel Legend is a great choice to consider if you need premium features on a tight budget.
Equipped with a 10-phase DrMOS design with each power stage rated for 60A, the Steel Legend will easily handle the power requirements of the Intel i5-11400 without needing to throttle performance. The VRM region is also cooled passively by an aluminum heatsink.
The motherboard is equipped with two PCIe x16 slots, one of which is reinforced for durability and can support the latest generation of graphics cards. Three M.2 slots are available for use with SATA or NVMe drives, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 for transfer speeds of up to 64 Gbps.
On the rear, you get a considerable amount of USB 3.2 ports for connecting with high-speed peripherals like external SSDs and a Dragon 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. For WiFi connectivity, you have the option of using adding a WiFi card via the Key-E slot present on the motherboard.
ASUS Prime B560-PLUS
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5000 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16) +1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4) | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Intel I219-V 1Gb EthernetKey Features
- Intel 1GbE LAN
- 8 Phase Power Design
- Reinforced PCIe slots
- Included Thunderbolt Header
- ASUS Aura Sync RGB with four RGB headers
ASUS’ budget motherboard, the Prime B560 Plus, focuses on offering just the basics, evident from its simple black and white finish with silver heatsinks. If you were looking for something that can just run the Intel i5-11400 and don’t need the features associated with the more expensive motherboards, then the Prime B560 Plus is the right choice.
Packing an 8-phase power stage solution that is cooled with an aluminum heatsink’s help, the motherboard is reasonably capable of running the Intel Core i5-11400 at its boost clocks on heavy loads for extended periods.
Two full-length PCIe x16 slots are available on the motherboard, one of which supports 16 lanes of PCIe 4.0/3.0 connectivity for adding a graphics card to your motherboard. For storage, you get two M.2 slots, one of which supports the latest PCIe 4.0 SSDs for up to 64 Gbps transfer speeds.
For connectivity, we have a trio of USB 3.2 ports for use with high-speed peripherals. An Intel controller powers the Ethernet on the motherboard, while for WiFi, there is a conveniently placed Key E slot near the I/O area for adding your WiFi card.
Best mATX Motherboards for i511400/F
ASUS TUF GAMING B560M
Specifications
Form Factor: mATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5000 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16(max. x4) | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Realtek 1Gb Ethernet, Intel WiFi 6Key Features
- Realtek 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel WiFi 6
- 8 +1 phase VRM power delivery system
- ASUS Aura RGB
- ASUS SafeSlot PCIe slot
If you’re looking to save money, going mATX is a great way to avoid settling with a budget motherboard with limited features. The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M offers just that and focuses on the motherboard’s durability by employing premium and rugged components. You get the same black and yellow aesthetic and a ton of TUF branding from the motherboard’s larger ATX counterpart, just in a smaller package.
The power delivery system features 8+1 DrMOS power stages with a premium Digi+ VRM that is sure to give you the best performance and stability from the Intel Core i5-11400, even in demanding workloads like games. A beefy cooling solution comprised of VRM and M.2 heatsinks will also ensure lower temperatures for critical components preventing throttling.
Expansion slots on the motherboard include two PCIe x16 slots, one of which is reinforced and can support the complete bandwidth of a current-gen PCIe 4.0 GPU. The two M.2 slots on the motherboard enable access to high-speed SSD storage, and one slot even supports PCIe 4.0 for up to 64Gbps of data transfer.
Networking options include Intel’s WiFi 6 and Realtek Gigabit Ethernet. You also have access to multiple USB 3.2 ports at the rear and a Thunderbolt header on the motherboard for high-speed data transfers to external devices.
ASUS Prime B560M-A
Specifications
Form Factor: mATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5000 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16) +1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4) | Video ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Intel I219-A1Gb EthernetKey Features
- Intel 1GbE LAN
- Key E slot for WiFi
- 8 Phase Power Delivery
- Reinforced PCIe slots
- ASUS Aura Sync RGB with four RGB headers
A smaller version of its ATX counterpart, the Prime B560M-A from ASUS, is an option you should consider if you need a cheap motherboard that does not cut down on your Intel Core i5-11400’s performance.
Advertising an 8-phase power delivery system that employs a Digi+ VRM, you can expect the motherboard to provide the stable power necessary to operate your Intel Core i5-11400 hassle-free. The VRM cooling solution is not that impressive with only partial coverage but should not have much of an impact on thermals.
There are two full-size PCIe slots on the motherboard, one supporting PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 while the other just PCIe 3.0 x4, allowing you to hook up only a single GPU. One of the two M.2 slots supports PCIe Gen 4 connectivity for ultra-fast SSD transfer speeds. Only the Gen 4 M.2 slot is equipped with a heatsink.
Although the motherboard lacks built-in WiFi, a conveniently placed Key-E slot will allow you to connect a custom WiFi card in the future. The Intel-controlled Ethernet port supports up to 1Gb transfer speeds. You also get access to two USB 3.2 ports on the rear.
ASROCK B560M-HDV
Specifications
Form Factor: mATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-4800 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DVI-D, 1x D-sub | Rear USB: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Intel I219-V1Gb EthernetKey Features
- Intel1GbE LAN
- 8 Phase Power Delivery System
- Frequency boosting technology
- ASRock Polychrome Sync RGB
While setting a low budget for your motherboard can significantly hinder your processor’s performance, those with limited funds left over after purchasing most components for their build have no option of choosing otherwise. The ASRock B560M-HDV is your best bet for a sub-$100 motherboard that can run the Intel Core i5-11400.
Equipped with an 8-phase power system that features a rating of 50A per stage, the Intel Core i5-11400 should run pretty smoothly on the motherboard. However, the lack of any passive cooling of the VRMs should lead to significant throttling of performance at high loads when run for extended periods.
You get a single PCIe slot that can run at PCIe 4.0 x16, but it lacks any reinforcement to counter the GPU’s shearing force, forcing you to limit your GPU options to lighter options. You also have access to two M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 speeds for use with the latest SSDs.
Connectivity is limited to four USB 3.2 ports and Intel Gigabit Ethernet. You cannot add a WiFi card to the motherboard’s non-A model as it lacks the Key-E slot for a WiFi card.
Best ITX Motherboard for i511400/F
ASRock Z590M-ITX
Specifications
Form Factor: ITX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 2x DIMM, up to 64GB, DDR4-5066 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Dragon 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel WiFi 6EKey Features
- Dragon 2.5 GbE LAN
- Intel WiFi 6E
- ASRock Polychrome RGB
- 8+2 phase VRM power delivery system
If you’re looking to build a small form factor build, then the ASRock Z590M-ITX offers several features at an affordable price for an ITX motherboard.
Featuring an 8+2 DrMOS power stage setup with each stage able to handle up to 60A, you can be confident that the motherboard will run the Intel Core i5-11400 without hassle. ASRock also modified the cooling system of the VRM to support a range of CPU coolers, which is necessary for such a small size.
You have a single PCIe x16 slot equipped with 16 PCIe Gen 4 lanes that you can populate with the latest graphics cards. For high-speed storage, two M.2 slots are available, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 speeds.
Intel’s latest WiFi 6E and ASRock’s Dragon 2.5Gb Ethernet should allow you to get the best download and transfer speeds on a capable network, while the USB 3.2 ports at the rear should let you connect high-speed peripherals.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the correct motherboard for your Intel Core i5-11400 can mean the difference in areas like performance and connectivity options. While a good motherboard is necessary, other components like the CPU cooler, RAM, and graphics card can also significantly impact your build’s performance.
