As technology advances, so does the need for more powerful motherboards. If you’re looking to purchase a motherboard to go with your new i5 10600K CPU, we’ve got you covered. The freshly released Intel i5 10600K is the latest addition to the company’s lineup of processors. It is part of the Coffee Lake series.
The i5 10600K is a 6-core CPU with 12 threads that comes clocked at 3.6GHz out of the box, with a turbo frequency of 4.1 GHz. It also features an unlocked multiplier for easily overclocking. The new processor comes with hyper-threading technology, allowing it to operate hardware threads along side its cores.
In this post, we’ll take a look at five of the best options available on the market right now. We’ll highlight their features and what makes them stand out from the competition. So if you’re in the market for a new motherboard, be sure to read on!
At a Glance:
- Best Motherboards for i5 10600K
- 1. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490
- 2. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming
- 3. GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Xtreme
- 4. MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE
- 5. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex
- 6. Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC
- 7. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi
- 8. ASUS Z490-E ROG STRIX GAMING
- 9. MSI MEG Z490I Unify*
- 10. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final words
Best Motherboards for i5 10600K
Design | Motherboards | Retailer |
---|---|---|
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price | |
![]() | Check Price |
1. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490

The first on our list of the best motherboards for i5 10600K is the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490. This motherboard features excellent memory overclocking, which will allow you to take advantage of faster RAM modules. Its 5-way optimization tool provides automatic overclocking profiles based on your system specifications.
It also offers excellent power delivery. This ensures efficient and stable power flow to all of your components. For cooling, it has a dedicated water pump header for custom CPU coolers. This motherboard is full of features; including USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C connection, Gigabit LAN and onboard 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting also lets you customize the entire look of your system through various LED effects and colors. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality, feature packed motherboard that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- Great overclocking capabilities
- Excellent memory profile options
- Amazing thermal performance
Cons
- On the pricier side
2. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming

Next up is the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming motherboard. It comes with an advanced cooling system complete with heat sinks and thermal pads to keep your components cool. It’s also equipped with high-quality audio capacitors, ensuring high fidelity audio quality for improved audio clarity.
Its designers maximized the space around the CPU socket, allowing for better airflow throughout the heatsinks. This allows for more stable temperatures even after long hours of gaming or overclocking.
Another perk of this motherboard is its upgraded memory trace layout that improves signal quality and integrity. It also has top notch power delivery that ensures your CPU’s stability during heavy loads.
It offers 4 DIMM slots with support for up to 64GB of RAM, allowing you to upgrade it in the future without having to replace your motherboard. Every one of its four memory slots also supports memory speeds of up to 4000 MHz. Its ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel HD audio provides excellent sound quality with minimal distortion.
It has three fan headers specifically for liquid pumps, perfect for cooling your CPU. This motherboard also features an M.2 slot, which allows you to install a superfast SSD with up to 32 Gbps transfer speeds and is compatible with SATA and PCIe based M.2 drives.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming is another excellent choice if you’re looking for a feature-packed motherboard for an affordable price.
Pros
- RGB LED lights can be customized with built-in effects
- Great overclocking capabilities
- High quality audio capacitors
Cons
- Limited M.2 slot options
3. GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Xtreme

Up next is the GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Xtreme, which features an M.2 slot with support for PCIe and SATA based M.2 SSDs making it compatible with most modern storage drives. It has a reinforced PCIe slot designed to support heavy graphics cards, allowing you to install more powerful graphics cards in the future.
It comes with three PCIe x16 slots and one PCIe x1 slot to provide you with plenty of space for add-on components such as graphics cards. It has a power delivery system featuring 12 phases which ensure an efficient and stable flow of power to all your components, including the CPU and RAM.
Its dual MOSFET design provides extra protection for the CPU. This motherboard is equipped with Killer LAN E2500, which delivers faster speeds and lower latency when compared to standard Gigabit Ethernet connections.
It comes with Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility, allowing you to connect compatible devices without using cables or USB ports. It also features RGB Fusion technology that lets you customize the color of the lighting on its heatsinks.
It has fan headers that are compatible with both PWM and DC fans, allowing you to set up your cooling system with ease The GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Xtreme is another excellent option for those looking for a feature-packed motherboard that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- Three M.2 drive slots
- Designed to be power-efficient
- Routers with shielded memory
Cons
- There are no SATA controllers
4. MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE

Up next is the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE. If you’re looking for a motherboard that’s top of its class, this one’s it. It has advanced audio features featuring Nahimic audio enhancer and custom gaming audio processors to ensure high fidelity audio quality with improved clarity and minimal distortion.
It’s Mystic Light RGB LEDallows you to customize the color and style of your motherboard. It has a customizable RGB LED header and an RGBW pin header that allows you to connect up with standard 12V RGBW strips, allowing you to personalize the look of your PC.
It comes with three PCIe x16 slots built for multi-GPU setups and one PCIe x1 slot for add-on components. It has a 12 power phase design and comes with its own diagnostic and USB port to make overclocking easier.
Its Killer DoubleShot Pro feature uses both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections to prioritize network traffic, giving you high quality, lag free gaming. MSI’s MEG Z490 GODLIKE also features the exclusive Audio Boost 4 with Nahimic 2+ for crystal clear audio. If you’re looking for an insanely powerful motherboard that’s built to last, then the MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE is the one for you.
Pros
- RGB LED lights can be customized with built-in effects
- Great overclocking capabilities
- Lag-free networking with DoubleShot Pro
Cons
- Erratic overclocking performance
5. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex

Up next is the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex, which features many of the same features as its sibling, the Strix Z490-E Gaming. It comes with two M.2 slots for up to 32GB/s transfer speeds and one U.2connection for PCIe NVMe SSDs. If you want blazing fast storage speeds, this is the one to get.
It’s made with top-of-the-line ROG SupremeFX audio technology for high fidelity gaming audio. It comes with ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting builtin for easy customization and delivers up to 12000MHz audio frequency response and 120dB signal to noise ratio on the line input thanks to its audiophile-grade codec.
Its integrated I/O shield helps to improve airflow in your system by providing better protection against electromagnetic interference, reducing gaps between the PCB and other components. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex also has two M.2 heatsinks that protect your NVMe SSDs while keeping them cool for enhanced gaming performance.
Pros
- Fans with multiple headers
- Heatsink for extended VRM
- Diagnostic switch onboard
Cons
- There are no video ports
6. Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC

Up next is the Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC, which has many of the same features as its sibling, the Z390 Aorus Elite. It’s built with an 8-phase PWMthat delivers stable power for higher core clock speeds and comes with a one-year warranty. The motherboard also features anti-sulphur resistors for improved circuit protection and corrosion resistance.
It also has two M.2 slots that have heat shields, with an integrated chipset heatsink to deliver enhanced thermal performance. It comes with one PCIe x16 slot and three PCIe x4 slots for improved airflow when using multiple graphics cards.
Its advanced Smart Fan 5 features provide dynamic cooling with onboard thermal sensors and hybrid fan headers to provide overall system cooling. It comes with built-in Intel wireless AC support for fast, stable Wi-Fi connections and Bluetooth 5 support for added connectivity options.
Its rear I/O shield also has an integrated 2T2R antenna that helps extend your Wi-Fi signal while gaming.It even comes with an AI overclocking utility that helps you fine-tune your CPU frequencies and ratios to maximize performance. If you’re looking for a motherboard packed with features, then the Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC is the one you need.
Pros
- Best for overclocking
- High quality audio capacitors
- Built-in 2T2R Wi-Fi antennas
Cons
- No USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C ports
7. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi

The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi, features an incredible rumored 20-phase power design to deliver stable CPU power for better overclocking. It also has two M.2 slots with heatsinks that keep them running cool during intense gameplay. The motherboard comes with four PCIe x16 slots and five PCIex1 slots, so you can add additional graphics cards for smooth 4K gameplay.
Its M.2 Shield FROZR feature helps to protect your NVMe SSDs while delivering cooler temperatures and enhanced performance thanks to its thermal design. It comes with Intel wireless AC support that delivers fast, stable Wi-Fi connections for better online gaming and streaming.
Its Mystic Light RGB lighting feature helps you personalize your PC with 16.8 million colors and 22 effects that can be controlled via smartphone or the MSI Gaming App. It also has one U.2 port for faster storage access times and comes with built-in I/O shield to help prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Pros
- Strong PCB construction
- RGB Mystic Light
- Superior Audio Boost technology
Cons
- There is no PCIe 4.0 slot
8. ASUS Z490-E ROG STRIX GAMING

The ASUS Z490-E ROG STRIX GAMING is the only motherboard on this list that has two M.2s with heatsinks, one U.2 port for added storage speed and an inbuilt 3D-printing mount bracket. It also features a built-in Safe slot to prevent damage from graphics cards when you’re on the go.
Its advanced VRM cooling design helps keep your system cool to deliver stable power for your CPU, graphics card and memory. Moreover, it even comes with a one-year warranty for added peace of mind. Its external I/O shield also helps reduce gaps between PC components to improve airflow while keeping out dust and dirt buildup that can cause system problems.
Its Aura Sync RGB lighting feature is compatible with many third-party accessories and components to help you personalize your PC even more. Besides this, it comes with built in Intel wireless AC and Bluetooth 5 support for fast, stable Wi-Fi connections and faster transfer speeds between devices.
If you’re looking for a motherboard packed with features and with plenty of storage options, then the ASUS Z490-E ROG STRIX GAMING is the one you need.
Pros
- Two M.2s with heatsinks
- Inbuilt 3D printing mount bracket
- Plenty of storage options
Cons
- Expensive
9. MSI MEG Z490I Unify*

The MSI MEG Z490I Unify comes with an advanced heat sink design that looks great and helps keep your components cool during intense gaming sessions. It features dual Intel LAN for faster, lag-free online communications to give you the upper hand in multiplayer games.
Its built-in Mystic Light RGB lighting feature lets you personalize its look by choosing from a variety of unique and eye-catching presets or bringing your own style to life with multiple-color light settings. You can even sync it to other devices for an always-on lighting experience.
The MSI MEG Z390 ACE motherboard will allow you to unlock the hidden performance of Intel’s latest 9th & 8th Gen Coreprocessors and bring your gaming experience to a whole new level.It comes with an advanced VR ready dual M.2 slots that support up to 32Gbps and 40Gbps and NVMe SSDs via PCI-Express Gen3 X4 for data transfer speeds of up to 2,400MB/s + 3,200 MB/s respectively.
It packs plenty of punch too, with the next generation Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology to give you unprecedented connection speeds and bandwidth more than double that of current 802.11ac routers.
This is one of the first motherboards that supports 4K playback at 60 frames per second on Intel Unite . It also comes with USB 3.2 Gen 2, which delivers up to twice the bandwidth of a regular USB 3.0 connection, letting you transfer large files including high-definition movies and video in no time at all.
This is one of the best motherboards for gaming you can get on a budget. It’s designed to support multi-GPU setups and features a PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 slot that supports up to 32 Gbps transfer speeds and dual-band 802.11ac wireless for responsive, smooth connectivity. It also comes with USB 3.1 Gen 2 so you can enjoy data transfer rates of 10Gbps – twice as fast as USB 3.0 – which allows for lightning.
Pros
- VR ready with dual M.2 slots
- Fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gigabit Ethernet for fast data transfer
- Highly affordable price tag
- Mystic Light RGB lighting feature
Cons
- No SLI support
10. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi

Are you looking for a powerful and reliable motherboard that can unleash the maximum performance of your 10th Gen Intel Core processor? Then you need the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi. This motherboard has an LGA 1200 socket and comes with 12+2 power stages with a ProCool II power connector.
The robust power solution ensures that your PC will be able to handle demanding tasks with ease, while the optimized thermal design helps keep everything running cool. Featuring Intel’s LGA 1200 socket, this board is designed to unleash the maximum performance of 10th Gen Intel Core processors.
The VRM heatsink, PCH fanless heatsink, and M. 2 heatsink keep your system running cool even under heavy loads, while the hybrid fan headers let you control your cooling options however you like. And with Fan Xpert 4 utility, you’ll be able to fine-tune your fans for optimal cooling and silence.
The Strix-E gaming motherboard by ASUS is designed to give you the best gaming experience possible. It’s packed with awesome features like Aura Sync RGB lighting so you can personalize its looks with unique presets, and an integrated I/O shield for quick and easy build.
Pros
- Robust 12+2 power phases design
- Optimized thermal solution for optimal cooling
- Highly affordable price tag
- ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting feature
Cons
- Average overclocking performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which motherboard is best for Intel Core i5-10600K?
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-H is the best motherboard for i5-10600K. It’s one of the top motherboards available in the market, having an Intel Z490 chipset and LGA 1151 socket. This allows you to pair it with any unlocked 8th or 9th Gen Intel Core processor giving you more freedom in terms of not just performance but also price.
Which is the best motherboard for the i5 processor?
In terms of performance, the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-H is one of the best motherboards to go for if you have an i5 processor. However, it’s also one of the priciest. If price is a factor and all you want is to have a motherboard that has good compatibility with youri5 processor and will give you decent performance then the MSI B360 Pro-VDH is a good choice.
Is the i5 10600K good for gaming?
The Intel Core i5-10600K is definitely a good choice when it comes to gaming. It’s not the most powerful when compared to its 7th or 8th Generation counterparts like the i7 7700K but if you want something that will give you excellent performance and won’t break your bank, then this processor is one of the top choices in the market.
Final words
These are some of the best motherboards for Intel Core i5-10600K that bring you excellent performance and reliability. With any of these, you’ll unleash the maximum potential of your i5-10600K processor.
The i5-10600K is a good choice for gaming and it can offer you excellent performance if paired with a decent motherboard. The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-H is the best motherboard for i5 10600K, but it’s also one of the priciest.
The MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE is one of the most affordable motherboards which you can pair up with your i5 10600K to give yourself excellent performance without spending too much.