It isn’t just the horse that caters to the speed but also the whip that is used to lash. Likewise, to obtain the speeds you deserve from your Intel Core i5 10th generation CPU, it is vital to pair it with a decent motherboard with full support for all of its specs. However, with the latest Comet Lake CPUs lineup, Intel has moved to a new chipset as well as a new socket type. This makes choosing the best motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K (i5 10th Gen) a lot tougher as the Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs no longer share the support for older motherboards.
Best Motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K (i5 10th Generation)
Choosing the newer motherboards can be even more complicated as they come from different manufacturers with different specifications and form factors. To choose the one that best fits your processor, you must be knowing a few considerations beforehand. But not everyone can be a tech-savvy to bleed tech, this is where CPUsage comes to your rescue. We have gone through the toil on your behalf to produce an ideal list of Best Motherboards for Intel Core i5-10600K. All the MOBO’s we have picked here are chosen considering various factors like the price, specs, and performance and are put through a rigorous testing procedure to come up with an opinion.
But why choose the Intel Core i5-10600K in the first place?
There may be pricier and powerful Intel processors than the Core i5-10600K but what makes it stand out among all of them is its balance between the price and performance. And when it comes to comparison with the AMD processor, the i5-10600K outranks most of the 3rd generation AMD processors with its single-core performance. Most games today are dependent on the single-core performance of the processor. Hence, if you are planning to get the Core i5-10600K for your gaming chores, you cannot go wrong with your choice.
New Socket and Latest Chipset
Intel has moved to a new chipset with its latest comet-lake series of processors. The new LGA 1200 CPU socket which is a modified version of the LGA 1151 has an additional 49 pins that are dedicated to improving power delivery and supports eventual updates with I/O features. Also, the socket keying which used to be on the right of the previous generation CPU sockets is now moved to the left on the new LGA 1200 socket.
The Intel Core i5-10600K uses Intel’s latest Z490 Chipset. This means that the 10600K is no longer supported by the previous generation motherboards. Hence, it is essential that you should invest in the latest motherboard if you wish to use the Intel Core i5-10600K in your build. This brings us to ‘choosing the best motherboard for Intel Core i5 10600k’. As the comet lake CPU range from Intel is new on the market, they have a limited number of compatible motherboards available. Choosing the best motherboard among them can be a conundrum. As always, we have curated a list of the best motherboards for Intel Core i5-10600K and also written the buyers’ guide at the end to help support your choice.
#1. GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G – Best budget motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K (i5 10th Gen)
The GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G is one of the decent motherboards available for Intel Core i5-10600K under the budget category.
GIGABYTE needs no introduction to the peripheral industry. The latest motherboards line-up from GIGABYTE took the brand to new heights with most modern features and pleasing price tags. Gigabyte has incorporated the latest Z490 chipset and the new LGA 1200 CPU socket on their vision G model making it compatible for the latest Comet Lake CPUs from the Intel’s line-up including the new Intel Core i5-10600K.
Speaking of the aesthetics of the GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G, the motherboard sports a classy look with a black, grey, and white combination. It might not please those who expect fancy looks but this is a cherry on the cake of those who love to keep their build minimal looking.
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| M.2 Slots | 2x M.2 ports (SATA3/PCIe 3.0 x4) |
| Rating | 4.4/5 |
With the direct 12+1 phase digital VRM solution that can deliver up to 50 Amps, the GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G is not meant for extreme overclockers, but a moderate user cannot go wrong choosing this. A beefy heatsink covers the VRMs with a direct touch heat pipe intended for optimal cooling.
As far as networking is concerned, the GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G boasts a 2.5 GbE port that can provide up to two times faster transfer speeds compared to the traditional Gigabit Ethernet Port. It also features cFosSpeed which is a network traffic management application that is intended to improve network latency and to maintain low ping times to deliver better responsiveness in crowded LAN environments.
Speaking of the storage, this motherboard comes with dual-mode M.2 slot design. It supports both the PCIe NVMe and the SATA M.2 disks. As far as SATA ports are concerned, it has 6 SATA 6 Gb/s Ports. The motherboard has four DDR4 DIMM sockets with cumulative support up to 128 GB.
On the audio side, the GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G is backed by the Realtek ALC1200-VB codec and has 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel with support for S/PDIF Out. It has 3 PCIe 3.0 running at x16 and 2 PCIe x1 slots.
Technical Specification, Pros & Cons of – GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G MOBO
Tech Specs
Tech Specs| Brand | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| Model No. | Z490 VISION G |
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| DIMM Slots | 4 x DDR4 DIMM Slots |
| Maximum supported memory (GB) | 128 |
| PCIe | 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4: single at x16 (PCIE2); dual at x16 (PCIE2) / x4 (PCIE4) 2 x PCI Express 3.0 x1 Slots |
| SATA III | 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s |
| M.2 Slots | 2x M.2 ports (SATA3/PCIe 3.0 x4) |
| Networking | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s |
| Rear ports | 1x PS/2 combo port1x DisplayPort1x HDMI port1x LAN (RJ45) port1x USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-C port4x USB 3.2 (Gen1) ports3x USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-A ports2x USB 2.0 ports6x 3.5 mm audio jacks |
| Audio | 1x Realtek ALC1220 Codec |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G – Final Review
The GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G is one of the best budget motherboards for the Intel Core i5-10600K on the market with adequate power capabilities for moderate usage. However, if you are planning on shooting your processor to its limits, this motherboard might be a disappointment but considering its price and specs. This can be a decent deal for those who wish to keep their build under budget and who don’t plan on overclocking their CPU.
#2. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi – Best Cheap Motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K (10th Generation)
Add the touch of Wi-Fi to your PC build with the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi Motherboard while still being on your budget.
The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi motherboard is one of the decent if not the best motherboards available on the market in the affordable range. It has everything that you would typically look for in a flagship motherboard. The PCB of the motherboard is made in 6 layers to ensure durability and performance.
The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi boasts a 12+1+1 power system that is adequate for powering the 10th generation CPUs from Intel. It comes with a pre-installed IO shield that makes the handling of the motherboard easier.
| Brand | MSI |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| M.2 Slots | 2x M.2 ports (SATA3/PCIe 3.0 x4) |
| Rating | 4.5 |
Speaking of the wireless capability, this motherboard is equipped with the onboard Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 functionality to ensure seamless connectivity, especially during your hardcore gaming sessions. The MPG Z490 also comes with the cutting edge 2.5 Gbps ethernet LAN for applications that demand high bandwidth and low latency connectivity.
The two M.2 slots run at PCIe Gen3 x4 maximizes performance for NVMe based SSDs and comes covered with built-in thermal shields that help prevent throttling and bottlenecks from faster operations. The motherboard is all covered in aluminum heatsinks to help in heat dissipation and ensures the processor runs at its optimal speeds. The reinforced PCIe 4.0 slot can provide transfer bandwidth up to 64 GB/s.
The device boasts a total of 4 DDR4 DIMM slots with maximum support for 128 GB. It has 6 SATA ports with a maximum transfer rate of 6Gb/s.
Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of – MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi Intel i5 10th Gen MOBO
Tech Specs
| Brand | MSI |
|---|---|
| Model No | MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI |
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| DIMM Slots | 4 x DDR4 DIMM Slots |
| Maximum supported memory (GB) | 128 |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (from CPU)1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (x4 mode, from PCH)2x PCIe x1 slots (from PCH) |
| SATA III | 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s |
| M.2 Slots | 2x M.2 ports (SATA3/PCIe 3.0 x4) |
| Networking | 1x Realtek® RTL8125B 2.5G LANIntel® AX201 – Wi-Fi 6Supports Bluetooth® 5.1, FIPS, FISMA |
| Rear ports | PS/2 Combo PortDisplayPortUSB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-A) LAN PortHD Audio ConnectorsUSB 2.0HDMI PortUSB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps (Type-C) USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps (Type-A) Wi-Fi / BluetoothOptical S/PDIF OUT |
| Audio | Realtek® ALC1200-VD1 Codec7.1-Channel High Definition Audio Supports S/PDIF output |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi MOBO -Final Review
The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi Motherboard is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi motherboards available for the Intel Core i5-10600K on the market. It has a decent build quality that seems promising extreme usage with an adequate power solution onboard. The best thing is that the motherboard comes installed with the I/O shield for hassle-free installation. Be it for a moderate user or a pro user, the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi motherboard can be your go-to solution.
#3. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming (WiFi 6) – Best Mid-range motherboard for (10th Gen) Intel Core i5-10600K
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard can be your go-to solution if you are looking for a mid-range motherboard with flagship-like features for your build.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming is one of the best ITX motherboards available for the latest Comet Lake CPUs from Intel. It runs on Intel’s latest Z490 chipset and the new LGA 1200 CPU socket.
Being the ITX standard, the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I feels compact and is well-engineered to reflect the effective space management on the PCB. Though the motherboard has a compact form factor, it still is packed with a lot of useful features and performance. Despite its size, the motherboard has an impressive 8+2 Power Stage that is capable of pushing your 10th Gen Intel CPUs to great speeds.
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| M.2 Slots | 2x M.2 ports |
| Rating | 4.8/5 |
ASUS has incorporated the Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) on this motherboard. The Digi+ VRMs are one of the finest in the industry promising the smooth and clean power delivery to the CPU. To meet the demands of the latest Intel processors, the ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming uses 8+2 power stages for combining high-side and low-side MOSFETs and drives into a single package.
This ITX motherboard from ASUS has support for a total of two DIMM slots with maximum support for 64GB DDR4 memory across the two slots at a maximum frequency of 4800 MHz. The two M.2 slots support both SATA and PCIe 3.0 x4 modes.
Speaking of networking, the ROG Strix Z490-I boasts an onboard WiFi 6 with ultrafast wireless-networking speeds, better performance, and improved capacity. It also has the support for 2.5G Ethernet which is promising to give up to 2.5X improved speeds over the traditional ethernet connections.
This motherboard has the ASUS exclusive S1220A incorporated with the built-in SupremeFX audio technology that ensures immersive audio experience. The motherboard also comes with a pre-mounted I/O shield for easier installation.
Technical Specification, Pros & Cons of – ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming (Wi-Fi 6) MOBO Intel i5 10th Generation
Tech Specs
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Model No. | ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming |
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| DIMM Slots | 2 x DDR4 DIMM Slots |
| Maximum supported memory (GB) | 64 |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 mode) |
| SATA III | 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s |
| M.2 Slots | 2x M.2 ports |
| Networking | Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201Bluetooth v5.1Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| Rear ports | 1 x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet1 x DisplayPort1 x HDMI4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3 x Type-A+1 x USB Type-C®)2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A2 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to USB BIOS FlashBack™)1 x USB BIOS FlashBack™ Button(s)1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module3 x LED-illuminated audio jacks |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220A |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming (Wi-Fi 6) MOBO – Final Review
If you are in the market for an ITX form factor motherboard for your Intel Comet Lake build, look no further than the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming Wi-Fi. The networking capabilities of this board are no less than expensive flagship motherboards. The 8+2 power stages on these devices make it stand out in the ITX motherboards line-up.
#4. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex (WiFi 6) Z490 – Best high-end motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K (10th Generation)
The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex is one of the decent builds in the ASUS line-up with the best compatibility for the Intel Core i5-10600K.
There are many Z490 motherboards on the market and there is the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex overruling them all. The Maximus XII Apex is one of the best if not the best high-end motherboards available for the Intel Core i5-10600K. ASUS has mastered the art of balancing performance and price constraints when it comes to producing motherboards.
Speaking of the looks, the Maximus XII Apex has a mat black finish with an occasional splash of greys and steel. The PCB feels sturdy and appears promising to last longer. Most of the components are all covered under metallic heatsinks for efficient thermal management.
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| M.2 Slots | 3 |
| Ratings | 4.1/5 |
There are two PCIe X16 slots and a PCIe x1 and PCIe X4 slot with an additional M.2 slot for those who prefer an onboard M.2 SSD than one attached to the DIMM.2 module.
As far as networking is concerned, the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex boasts an onboard Wi-Fi 6 with ultrafast wireless-networking speeds. On the other hand, it has Intel’s 2.5G Ethernet that has an improvised bandwidth and speeds of over 2.5X than that of the traditional ethernet ports.
The 70 A power stages on this motherboard come to in use for the overclocking enthusiasts. With the AI overclocking features, you can sit and relax while the motherboard does the job for you by tuning automatically to the optimal configuration.
Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of – ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex (WiFi 6) Z490 MOBO
Tech Specs
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | Intel® Z490 Chipset |
| DIMM Slots | 2 x DDR4 DIMM Slots |
| Maximum supported memory (GB) | 64 |
| Expansion Slots | 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (Single at x16, dual at x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x41 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| SATA III | 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s |
| M.2 Slots | 3 |
| Networking | Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201Wi-Fi Intel® Wi-Fi 6Bluetooth v5.1 |
| Rear ports | 1 x PS/2 keyboard (purple)1 x PS/2 mouse (green)1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (red)1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (black)Type-C,5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (blue)1 x Optical S/PDIF out1 x Clear CMOS button(s)1 x USB BIOS FlashBack™ Button(s)1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v5.05 x Gold-plated audio jacks |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220A |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex (Wi-Fi 6) Z490 – Final Review
The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex Z490 is undoubtedly a decent choice for those who are looking for a build using the Intel Core i5-10600K CPU. It is priced decently for its offerings. The design is impressive for those who kind of love minimal looks. It has a robust VRM that doesn’t let the overclocking enthusiasts down.
#5. MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard – Best premium Motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K
The MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard is the best in class premium motherboards available for the Intel Comet Lake range of CPUs.
If you are looking for a premium motherboard to take your PC build to the extremities, look no further than the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard. As the name implies, it offers killer performance with industry class features. However, with great specs comes the greater price tag. If you can go past the affordability factor, the rest is magic.
The motherboard comes with a black and chrome themed PCB with 8 layers that make it feel massive. It offers three full-length x16 PCI of which the top slot is directly attached to the CPU whereas the bottom two share lanes with the top slot. Speaking of the M.2 slots, the MSI MEG GODLIKE boasts a total of three M.2 slots with a dual-sided cooling solution to prevent bottlenecks during operation.
| Brand | MSI |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | LGA 1200 |
| M.2 Slots | 3 |
| Rating | 4.6/5 |
Speaking of the power delivery capabilities of this motherboard, the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard comes with a beasty 16-phase power solution with 16 90A power stages. MSI has incorporated its own Titanium Choke III to take the quality of the VRM to the next level.
The MSI GODLIKE hosts an incredible set of connectivity options with a dual NIC that has support for 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps LAN. It has the cutting edge Wi-Fi 6 protocol and also supports Bluetooth 5.1. On the I/O ports, it has 6 USB 2.0 ports, eight USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 5 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) ports, and also a dual Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of – MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard for Intel i5 10th Gen
Tech Specs
| Brand | MSI |
|---|---|
| Model no | MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE |
| Socket | LGA 1200 |
| Chipset | LGA 1200 |
| DIMM Slots | 4 |
| Maximum supported memory (GB) | 128 |
| PCIe | PCIe x16 – 3 PCIe x1 – 1 |
| SATA III | 6 |
| M.2 Slots | 3 |
| LAN | 1x Aquantia® AQC107 10G LAN controller 1x Realtek® RTL8125B 2.5G LAN controller |
| USB ports | 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps ports (2 Type-A ports on the back panel, 1 Type-C internal connector)6x USB 2.0 ports (2 Type-A ports on the back panel, 4 ports through the internal USB 2.0 connectors)8x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports (4 Type-A ports on the back panel, 4 ports through the internal USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connectors)2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C ports on the back panel |
| Audio | Realtek® ALC1220 Codec + ESS SABRE9018Q2C combo DAC |
MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard – Final Review
The MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE is one of the premium motherboards available on the market with a beasty VRM network and incredible cooling solution onboard. On the other hand, the dual LAN feature with support to a maximum of 10 Gbps enables uninterrupted connectivity especially for the gaming enthusiasts out there. If you can pay the price, the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE is not going to let you down.
Good Motherboard for Intel Core i5-10600K – Buying Guide
Now that you are here, we assume that you have gone through all of our recommendations. Before you take a final dig at your choice, it is important that you know how we have picked these recommendations. For your understanding, we have listed below some of the considerations and elaborated them for you.
Chipset –
The controller chip that is present on your motherboard and is responsible for the communication between RAM, CPU, storage, and other peripherals is known as chipset. It decides the total number of high-speed components or USB devices that your motherboard can handle. Usually, the chipsets are designed by the CPU manufacturers like AMD and Intel which is then incorporated by the motherboard makers in their builds. The chipsets are different for different motherboard models. So, it is very important to decide on which chipset your CPU supports and then search for the compatible motherboard.
CPU Socket
The CPU Socket is the physical spot on your motherboard where the CPU chip sits. Different CPUs on the market come in different shapes and with different pin counts. So, it is very important to decide on the socket model that your CPU supports. For instance, the latest Comet Lake range of CPUs from Intel supports the new LGA 1200 socket.
M.2 Slots
M.2 slots accommodate M.2 solid-state drive which is a new form factor widely used these days. They are very faster compared to traditional SSDs and are extremely smaller in size.
PCI Express (PCIe) Slots or Expansion Slots
Connection of additional components or modules like Graphics Cards, TV tuner cards is possible through the PCI Express or Expansion Slots. The more the number of PCIe slots, the more will the feasibility for attaching additional components.
DIMM Slots or Memory Slots –
The DIMM slots are meant to accommodate your system memory (RAM). They come in different generations. The current generation uses DDR4 (Dual Data Rate 4) RAM. Most DIMM slots of this generation have maximum support for 32 GB of RAM on a single slot.
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FAQs on – Best MOBO for Intel Core i5-10600K (10th Generation)
Below mentioned are some of the questions that we keep hearing a lot about the Best Motherboards for Intel Core i5-10600K
The Intel Core i5-10600K uses the latest Z490 chipset and the new LGA 1200 CPU socket. So, in order to make use of your processor, you should invest in a motherboard with the Z490 chipset and the new LGA 1200 CPU socket.
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex (WiFi 6) Z490 Motherboard is one of the top motherboards for Intel i5-10600k 10th Gen considering the performance and features.
The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi is the best yet the cheapest motherboard that you can buy for your Intel Core i5-10600k.
If you don’t mind spending a fortune on the motherboard, the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard can be the ideal choice for an extreme gaming build with the Intel Core i5-10600K. However, if you are looking for a budget motherboard for your build, go for the GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G motherboard.