Top 5 gaming motherboards for Intel Core i5-14400 and i5-14400F
The Intel Core i5-14400 and the Core i5-14400F continue to be some of the most popular budget gaming chips. They continue a lineup of $200 offerings with enough computing prowess to handle some of the most capable GPUs without any major bottlenecks. With the latest Raptor Lake Refresh iteration, you get the latest technologies and IPC improvements that make them some of the best options for those building a rig for around $1,000.
Choosing the best motherboards is always a difficult process given there are tons of options in the market. The difference between most of them is quite negligible, making the process complicated. To help you choose the ideal options, we have listed some options from a wide range of price points in this article.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.
The Intel Core i5-14400 can be paired with budget and mid-range motherboards
5) ASRock H610M-HVS mATX ($69.99)
The ASRock H610M-HVS is one of the cheapest LGA1700 motherboards. Given the Core i5-14400 is a power-efficient 65W processor, you can expect it to pair well with this entry-level offering. It supports PCIe Gen 4 graphics cards, which should suffice for any RTX 30/40 series GPU. However, you miss out on M.2 NVMe storage, which can be a letdown.
The H610M-HVS is a budget motherboard and it cuts several corners. You get a mere 5-stage VRM solution with no heatsinks cooling them. Moreover, you are limited to just two sticks of DDR4 memory. There's no in-built WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, which means you'll have to rely on USB adapters or a dedicated PCIe expansion kit. However, for the $69.99 price tag, the feature set suffices.
Pros:
- The ASRock H610M-HVS is a dirt-cheap motherboard at just $69.99.
- You get support for PCIe Gen 4 GPUs.
Cons:
- The lack of M.2 NVMe SSDs and no DDR5 memory makes the motherboard a bit lacking according to 2024 standards.
4) ASRock B660M Pro RS ($89.99)
Coming to some more feature-stacked motherboards, the ASRock B660M Pro RS can be a good all-rounder for the Core i5-14400. The more capable B660 chipset ensures you get the most out of the chipset. Besides, this board is way more modern with support for PCIe Gen 5 SSDs and GPUs, multiple M.2 slots, and four RAM slots.
You get a respectable eight-stage VRM setup with the device. It also packs two PCIe x16 slots and ARGB lighting support. While you can't tweak CPU core clocks, the motherboard supports memory overclocking.
Pros:
- The ASRock B660M Pro RS supports Gen 5 GPUs and Gen 4 SSDs.
- You get support for memory overclocking and four DDR4 RAM slots.
Cons:
- The motherboard doesn't have the best quality VRMs.
3) Gigabyte B760 DS3H AC DDR4 ($139)
If you're looking for something more capable, the Gigabyte B760 DS3H AC DDR4 can be a solid choice for the Core i5-14400. The Ultra Durable lineup has been the company's long-running budget offering that combines efficiency with an affordable price tag. You get support for Gen 4 SSDs and GPUs, along with four RAM slots. The highlighted feature of the board is five PCIe x16 slots, which makes it ideal for Bitcoin and data miners.
The board also supports WiFi and Bluetooth. Moreover, it packs an 11-stage VRM design, that's more than enough for the 14400. Gigabyte also sells a DDR5 version for slightly more. However, you don't get Gen 5 support, which doesn't future-proof the board.
Pros:
- At $139, the Gigabyte B760 DS3H AC DDR4 is an affordable motherboard.
- You get five PCIe x16 slots, along with on-board WiFi and Bluetooth.
Cons:
- The board doesn't have the best VRMs.
2) MSI B760 Tomahawk WiFi ($169)
Coming to more high-end options, the MSI B760 Tomahawk is a top recommendation for the Core i5-14400 and the 14400F. The Tomahawk continues to be a top choice for its high-quality internals while being well-priced. You get a decent power solution, and support for Gen 5 SSDs and GPUs, DDR5 RAM support, and more.
The Tomahawk is powered by a 14-stage VRM design. It also packs WiFi 6E onboard with antennas in the box. Besides, you also get ample support for ARGB, multiple fa headers, and more. At $169, however, it is a premium board for the 14400. We don't recommend buying it unless you plan to upgrade the chip down the line.
Pros:
- The B760 Tomahawk is a value-for-money at $169.
- You get support for DDR5 RAM, Gen 5 SSDs and GPUs, and a decent VRM setup.
Cons:
- The board can be a bit costly for the Core i5-14400.
1) MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi ($209)
If you want a high-end motherboard for the Core i5-14400, the MSI Z790 Gaming Plus can be an option worth considering. The board is stylish with a plush feature set to get the most out of your Intel chips. However, it's not worth the cash for a non-K processor. However, if you plan to upgrade your chip, this board can be a decent option.
The Z790 Gaming Plus is powered by a 16-phase VRM setup, with support for up to 256 GB of DDR5 RAM. The board is paired with a ton of cooling hardware, which makes it ideal for high-end hardware. However, it is quite costly at $209 and could cost you as much as the Core i5-14400.
Pros:
- The MSI Z790 Gaming Plus is a stacked motherboard in terms of hardware support.
- You get a 16-phase VRM design, which can be overkill for the i5-14400.
Cons:
- At $209, the board can be quite expensive for the Core i5-14400.
Overall, these boards are some of the most well-rounded options for the Intel Core i5-14400. The chip can pair well with any entry-level to mid-range offering. With the options listed above, you get the freedom to choose the one that best fits your budget. Most entry-level motherboards can max out the chip's capabilities with costlier options only acting as ones that can sustain a couple of upgrades.