How to Choose Best Motherboard for i5 9400F? [Buying Guide]

The Intel Core 10th and 11th generations are expensive for many users, so they opt for the 9th generation chips to build mid-range PCs. The Intel Core i5-9400F is popular due to its affordability and good performance, with six cores, six threads, and a 9 MB Intel Smart Cache. However, it lacks the Hyper-Threading feature and has a locked multiplier, but with the right motherboard, it can still perform well for gaming and productivity tasks like content creation.

When a CPU acts like a computer’s brain, a motherboard is like a backbone, transmitting the CPU’s instructions to all the components. It also supervises the other components’ performance, connectivity, and selection. This is the reason every user should know how to choose best motherboard for i5 9400F to get the most out of this locked processor and other components. Let’s uncover all the necessary factors, aspects, and considerations! 

Best Motherboards for i5 9400F

Although you can select a motherboard by reading this buying guide, we have also done this. We have selected tens of motherboards from different brands, tested them according to our criterion, and selected a few in the following post: best motherboards for i5 9400F. You can skip to the list of motherboards in this article without reading this buying guide since we have done this homework for you. All you have to do is to know your needs and choose a CPU from the list, accordingly. 

Factors to consider

Know your usage

Computer usage refers to the intended purpose and tasks a computer system uses. This includes office work, gaming, media creation, intensive data processing, etc. Understanding your computer usage is important in selecting hardware components, such as the motherboard, that is best suited for the intended use and provide the necessary performance, features, and compatibility. 

You can go for an affordable and basic motherboard for typical office-based usage. But you would need a high-end motherboard if you’re building a PC for gaming, content creation, or development. Moreover, knowing your computer usage can also influence decisions on storage capacity, memory configuration, processor type, and other components that make up a complete computer system.

RAM

A good amount of RAM ensures that the computer can handle multiple tasks and applications simultaneously without slowing down or encountering performance bottlenecks. This is particularly important for gamers and those who handle intensive tasks such as video or image editing, as having sufficient RAM ensures that the computer can handle large amounts of data and processing requirements.

While choosing a motherboard, it is vital to ensure that the board has enough RAM slots to support the desired amount of memory, plus it has headroom for future expansion. For fair gaming and basic handling of other tasks, it is recommended to have at least 16GB of RAM. Less than this amount may result in poor performance and a slow system, which can negatively impact your overall computing experience.

GPU support

When choosing a motherboard for gaming or video editing, it is important to ensure that it has proper GPU support. If your CPU does not have an integrated GPU, you will need a separate graphics card to handle the graphics processing requirements. A motherboard that supports dedicated graphics cards will have a PCI Express (PCIe) slot for installing a GPU; the PCIe x16 slot is mostly given on a motherboard.

For gamers and video editors who need high resolution and performance, choosing a motherboard that supports multiple GPUs is recommended. This allows you to use multiple graphics cards in a single system, improving performance and allowing more demanding applications to be handled easily. Since not all motherboards support multiple GPUs, checking the motherboard’s specifications is crucial.

Motherboard chipset

A chipset on a motherboard acts as a control center for the various components that make up a computer system. It manages communication between the CPU, memory, storage, and other components and helps to ensure that they work together seamlessly. In short, it’s an essential piece of hardware fitted on a motherboard since it influences performance.

It is important to consider the chipset and ensure that it is compatible with the CPU you have selected. For the Intel Core i5-9400F, a motherboard with a Z390, Z370, or B365 chipset would be a good mainstream option. These chipsets offer a good balance of performance and features, making them suitable for general computing tasks and high-quality gaming.

It’s important to note that the chipset affects various aspects of the motherboard, including support for memory types and speeds, integrated graphics, storage interfaces, and expansion options. By choosing a chipset compatible with the CPU and your specific needs, you can ensure optimal performance and compatibility for your computer system.

Socket Compatibility

The socket on a motherboard is the physical interface that connects the CPU to the rest of the computer system. It is crucial to consider when purchasing a motherboard, as an incompatible socket will not support your CPU.

In the case of the Intel Core i5-9400F, the processor is compatible with the LGA 1151 socket. When choosing a motherboard, it is important to verify that the socket on the board is compatible with the CPU you have selected.

If you purchase a motherboard with an incompatible socket, you will not be able to use the CPU you have selected, and the computer will not function properly. To avoid this, checking the socket before making a purchase is essential.

Connectivity

The motherboard plays a crucial role in the communication between the various components of a computer system. It is important to consider the number of I/O ports and slots a motherboard has, as these provide the connections that allow the components to communicate with each other.

One aspect to consider is the type of USB ports the motherboard has. The latest generation of USB, USB 2.0, offers improved bandwidth and faster transfer speeds compared to earlier generations. Choosing a motherboard with an adequate number of ports is recommended to ensure that you have enough for your current and future needs, depending on your specific usage and requirements.

Additionally, it is important to consider other connectivity features that may be important for your work. For example, the presence of WiFi, Bluetooth, SATA connectors, audio ports, and other features will depend on the user’s specific needs. Consider all the connectivity features in the motherboard. 

Thermal & power design

Thermal management and power design are two essential factors to consider when selecting a motherboard for your computer system. These factors significantly impact the stability and performance of your system, and the motherboard’s overclocking capabilities are directly influenced.   

Regarding power design, it is important to ensure that the motherboard has an adequate number of power phases and chokes to ensure proper and stable power delivery to the components. A minimum of 8 power phases is recommended to ensure the power input is smooth and stable.

Thermal management, on the other hand, is concerned with the ability of the motherboard to handle the heat generated by the different components in the system.  A well-designed thermal management system will help to dissipate heat effectively, keeping the components cool and stable during intense usage.

Aesthetics

The aesthetic design of a motherboard can play an important role in a user’s overall satisfaction with their PC. A motherboard with a pleasing look can add to the overall appeal of the computer system and create a more enjoyable user experience.

RGB lighting, headers, and strips are some of the factors that can contribute to the overall aesthetic of a motherboard. The ability to control the RGB lighting and create unique color combinations can add a personal touch to the system and make it stand out.

In addition to RGB lighting, the color combination of the motherboard is also important. Choosing a color scheme that complements the other components in the system can enhance the overall look and feel of the computer.

It is important to consider the aesthetic design of a motherboard, as a pleasing look can add to the overall enjoyment of using the PC. Choosing a motherboard that is attractive and has a good color combination is recommended to enhance the system’s visual appeal.