Selecting a motherboard for an i5 10400F requires considering compatibility and performance needs.
Selecting a motherboard for an i5 10400F requires considering compatibility and performance needs.
Hello everyone, I just purchased an Intel i5 10400F and am deciding which motherboard to buy. I’m considering two options: the AsRock B460M Pro4 and the AsRock B560M Pro4. The first has a heatsink for my NVMe PCIe Gen3 X4 card, while my RAM will run at 2666MHz. The second offers the chance to overclock my RAM to 3200MHz with a 10th generation CPU, but it lacks a heatsink for the NVMe drive. On the B560 chipset, only the second motherboard supports the 10th gen CPU in its second M.2 slot. The price difference between them in Greece is about 15 euros. Which one should I pick?
It's better to pick the OC opportunity. It's just not looking good on my eyes, so I'm avoiding the first slot for M2.
Use any board with that CPU. Memory reconfiguration won’t make much difference, probably not perceptible. This processor is a budget option, and a solid chip doesn’t justify investing in upgraded hardware.
It's true, the B560 chipset could be upgraded soon with the 11th generation.
Certainly an alternative. It’s unclear how practical it is to move from 10th to 11th, but focusing on a stronger CPU would be better right now. Unless you’re saving for something else. I’d go with your plan now and wait for a 12th or 13th generation release when DDR5 becomes common and costs settle. I’d enjoy the 10400f for a while and handle whatever changes come up. BUT... it’s your decision and only you know what you’ll do. Have fun either way.