The Intel 8400 is a very decent gaming CPU keeping in mind that the new 9th generation is still based on the 14nm process.
This is a locked CPU, so getting a top of the line Z390 motherboard or even a Z370 motherboard is going to be a waste of money.
We are going to look into some H370 options and some B360 options. Both are compatible with the 8400 out of the box. B360 is the entry-level chipset which is much cheaper than Z370 or Z390.
Best Overall
- Great Features for Price
- Easy Installation
- Intel 8th Generation
Budget Pick
- Great Value for Money
- Optional Wi-Fi Upgrade
- Intel 8th Generation
Top Rated Motherboards for the Intel i5 8400 CPU
The following are the motherboards that we are going to look into here and some of their features that you might be interested in learning about at a glance:
Now that we know about all the motherboards on this list and some of their basic features, we can jump into the details of each one. Here is what you need to know about the motherboards.
The Best Motherboard for i5 8400 in 2020
1. GIGABYTE H370 HD3 – Best i5 8400 Motherboard
Gigabyte has been in the PC hardware market for a long time now and the company is known for making some of the best cost-effective products. Here we have the H370 HD3 that is compatible with the 8400 CPU and is impressive value for the price.
The motherboard has a subtle and sleek design and should blend in well with the rest of your build. You get 4 RAM slots and the motherboard supports a total of 64 GB of RAM. 2666 MHz is the supported memory speed.
Our Pick
The Gigabyte H370 HD3 is a decent motherboard to pair with the Intel 8400. It comes with all the features that you will need for gaming at a reasonable price.
The motherboard features dual M.2 slots for fast storage and also supports AMD Crossfire if you are interested in using multiple AMD graphics cards. The motherboard comes with all the ports that you will need including, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB Type-C.
While there is no onboard Wi-Fi you can upgrade to Intel CNVi 802.11ac Wave2 2T2R. The motherboard has RGB and supports RGB LED strips in 7 colors. It also comes with Smart Fan 5 for fan control and multiple temperature sensors to keep the temperature of the hardware in check.
Read also: Best Gaming Motherboard for i7 8700k
Pros
- Impressive features for the price
- Easy installation
- Optional Wi-Fi upgrade
Cons
- BIOS could be better
2. ASUS Prime H370M-Plus – Premium Intel i5 8400 Motherboard
Asus is known for making some of the best motherboards on the market. So, there is no surprise that we have the Asus Prime H370M-Plus on our list of best motherboards for the Intel 8400. The motherboard is smaller than the ATX form factor but can fit into ATX cases. If you are getting this form factor then you should opt for a smaller form factor build.
The motherboard has a clean look. It is black with a splash of silver and grey. While this is a smaller motherboard, you still have the essentials for gaming and content creation. You get 4 RAM slots and the motherboard supports a total of 64 GB of RAM. 2666 MHz is the supported memory speed.
Our mATX Pick
The Asus Prime H370M-Plus is a very impressive little motherboard. It is reasonably priced and comes with all the features that you are going to need for gaming and content creation. Asus has been in the market for a very long time and the brand has made its mark in the motherboard market.
The motherboard features dual M.2 slots for fast storage and it also supports Intel Optane memory. Other than that you have 6 SATA 3 ports for SSDs and HDDs. You also have 2 full-size PCIe slots. This is an Asus motherboard, so you get features like FanXpert 4 and OptiMem.
The motherboard comes with all the ports that you will need including, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB Type-C. All things considered, this is a very impressive motherboard for the price.
Pros
- Easy to use BIOS
- LED lights for boot sequence
- Fast NVMe speeds
- Mid-range price
- Fan control options are nice
Cons
- User manual could be better
3. ASRock B360 PRO4 – Best Budget Motherboard for i5 8400
The B360 Pro4 is a very nice looking motherboard from ASRock. It comes in Black and Grey and you have the ASRock logo in White, which is a very nice contrast. The PCB is Black as well. The motherboard comes with 2 M.2 ports for fast storage but you have an additional one in which you can install a Wi-Fi card. We do recommend ethernet for gaming but the option is there if you need it.
You get 4 RAM slots and the motherboard supports a total of 64 GB of RAM. 2666 MHz is the supported memory speed. It supports Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology.
Our Budget Pick
The B360 Pro4 from ASRock is a very nice motherboard for the price. It looks clean and comes with all the features that you are going to need for gaming and content creation.
The motherboard supports Crossfire if you are interested in using multiple AMD graphics cards even though we recommend using a single powerful GPU instead. The option is still there if you need it.
The motherboard comes with all the ports that you will need including, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB Type-C. It also has 6 SATA 3 ports for SSDs and HDDs. The motherboard not only looks great but has all the features that you are going to need that is why we recommend it for the Intel 8400.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Impressive budget motherboard
- Great value for money
- Optional Wi-Fi upgrade
Cons
- 4-pin CPU connector
4. GIGABYTE B360 HD3 – Good i5 8400 Motherboard for Gaming
The Gigabyte 360 HD3 has a name and design that is similar to the H370 HD3 but do not confuse the two. This motherboard is based on the B360 chipset and not H370. The design is very similar but this motherboard comes at a lower price as compared to the H370 motherboard that we have looked into.
This is a great motherboard for budget gamers that are interested in spending more money on the CPU and GPU rather than other parts of the build. You get 4 RAM slots and the motherboard supports a total of 64 GB of RAM. 2666 MHz is the supported memory speed and the motherboard supports Intel Optane memory.
With LED Lighting
The Gigabyte 360 HD3 is not the best motherboard in the world but it is a great budget option. If you are interested in saving some money on the motherboard then this is a very nice option to consider.
The motherboard comes with 2 M.2 ports for fast storage and you get 6 SATA 3 ports for SSDs and HDDs. The motherboard comes with all the ports that you will need including, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 but there is no USB Type-C port.
Read also: Best Motherboard for i7 7700k
You also have the option to upgrade to Intel CNVi 802.11ac Wave2 2T2R if that is something that you are interested in. We do recommend ethernet for gaming but the option is there if you need it.
Other than that, the motherboard features LED Trace Path Lighting and supports RGB LED strips in 7 colors.
Pros
- Affordable price
- LEDs are bright
Cons
- Does not support Bluetooth
- BIOS could be better
- Does not work with Windows 7
5. Asus PRIME B360M-A
Here we have another motherboard from Asus and this one is also of the mATX variety. The motherboard has been designed with the 9th generation of Intel CPUs in mind, so compatibility with the Intel 8400 is not going to be an issue. This is an ideal motherboard is you are interested in building a smaller PC but are not looking to spend too much money on a motherboard. You can use that money on a better graphics card instead.
The motherboard has a clean look. It is black with a splash of silver and grey. While this is a smaller motherboard, you still have the essentials for gaming and content creation. You get 4 RAM slots and the motherboard supports a total of 64 GB of RAM. 2666 MHz is the supported memory speed.
The Asus Prime B360M-A may look like a little thing but it comes with all the features that you are going to need for gaming. This is a robust motherboard for the price and is great for smaller builds.
The motherboard features dual M.2 slots for fast storage and it also supports Intel Optane memory. Other than that you have 6 SATA 3 ports for SSDs and HDDs. You also have 2 full-size PCIe slots. This is an Asus motherboard, so you get features like FanXpert 4 and OptiMem.
The motherboard comes with all the ports that you will need including, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB Type-C. This is a smaller and cheaper motherboard but as you can see it comes with all the features that you are going to need for gaming or content creation. Plus you can build a smaller PC rather than going with a full tower build.
Pros
- Impressive NVMe performance
- Install was fairly easy and straightforward.
- The BIOS is user-friendly.
- Fan control options are decent
Cons
- Cannot use SATA port 5 and 6 with NVMe SSD
What Motherboard Should You Pick For The Intel 8400 CPU?
The best is going to be different for everyone but we can generalize a bit here. If you are interested in getting an ATX motherboard then the GIGABYTE H370 HD3 is the motherboard to go with. It comes with all the features that you are going to need for gaming and even has upgradable Wi-Fi and USB Type-C.
If you are looking for a relatively smaller motherboard and are not interested in building a tower PC then the ASUS Prime H370M-Plus is a great option to consider. There is no Wi-Fi option but you get everything else. Plus, you are not going to use Wi-Fi for gaming anyways.
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