MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WiFi
The MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WiFi is a premium-tier B560 ATX motherboard that pairs excellently with the Intel Core i5-11400. It features a robust 12+2+1 duet rail power system, PCIe 4.0 support for the primary GPU and M.2 slots, and built-in Wi-Fi 6E. It provides a stable, cool-running foundation for gaming without the premium cost of Z590 boards, making it the ideal balanced choice.
- Excellent VRM thermal performance
- PCIe 4.0 support with 11th Gen
- Onboard Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN
- B560 chipset does not support CPU overclocking
- Slightly expensive for a non-Z series board
Platform Match
The Intel Core i5-11400 requires an LGA1200 socket motherboard, ideally paired with a B560 or H570 chipset. This platform supports PCIe 4.0 with 11th Gen CPUs and uses DDR4 memory.
VRM Guidance
With a 65W TDP, the i5-11400 is easy to power. A basic 6+2 phase VRM is sufficient, but unlocked power limits benefit from decent heatsinks.
Upgrade Path
LGA1200 is a legacy socket, so upgrades are limited to 11th Gen i7/i9 CPUs. Focus on M.2 slots and DDR4 capacity.
Quick Compare Matrix
| Rank | Motherboard | Chipset | Size | Memory | Value | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WiFi Best Balanced |
B560 LGA1200 | ATX | DDR4, up to 5066MHz (OC) | ★★★★☆ | Buy Now |
| #2 | ASRock B560M Pro4 Best Value |
B560 LGA1200 | Micro-ATX | DDR4, up to 4800MHz (OC) | ★★★★★ | Buy Now |
| #3 | Gigabyte B560M DS3H AC Budget Pick |
B560 LGA1200 | Micro-ATX | DDR4, up to 4600MHz (OC) | ★★★★★ | Buy Now |
| #4 | ASUS ROG Strix B560-A Gaming WiFi Premium Creator |
B560 LGA1200 | ATX | DDR4, up to 5000MHz (OC) | ★★★☆☆ | Buy Now |
| #5 | MSI MPG B560I Gaming Edge WiFi Compact Pick |
B560 LGA1200 | Mini-ITX | DDR4, up to 5200MHz (OC) | ★★★★☆ | Buy Now |
Recommended Motherboards
MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WiFi
ATX
DDR4, up to 5066MHz (OC)
The MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WiFi is a premium-tier B560 ATX motherboard that pairs excellently with the Intel Core i5-11400. It features a robust 12+2+1 duet rail power system, PCIe 4.0 support for the primary GPU and M.2 slots, and built-in Wi-Fi 6E. It provides a stable, cool-running foundation for gaming without the premium cost of Z590 boards, making it the ideal balanced choice.
- Excellent VRM thermal performance
- PCIe 4.0 support with 11th Gen
- Onboard Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN
- B560 chipset does not support CPU overclocking
- Slightly expensive for a non-Z series board
Key Features: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE LAN, PCIe 4.0, Dual M.2 heatsinks
ASRock B560M Pro4
Micro-ATX
DDR4, up to 4800MHz (OC)
The ASRock B560M Pro4 is an outstanding value-oriented Micro-ATX motherboard that handles the i5-11400 with ease. It features an 8-phase power delivery system with decent heatsinks, dual M.2 slots (one PCIe 4.0), and plenty of USB ports. It offers the essential features needed for a budget-conscious gaming build without sacrificing stability or performance, making it a highly practical choice.
- Affordable price point
- Good VRM heatsinks for the price
- PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot support
- No built-in Wi-Fi module
- Basic audio codec
Key Features: PCIe 4.0, Dual M.2, Polychrome RGB, 8-phase VRM
Gigabyte B560M DS3H AC
Micro-ATX
DDR4, up to 4600MHz (OC)
For builders on a strict budget, the Gigabyte B560M DS3H AC offers essential LGA1200 features at a very low price. It includes built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot, and Q-Flash Plus for easy BIOS updates. While its VRM is basic and lacks heavy heatsinks, it is perfectly adequate for running the 65W i5-11400 at stock settings in a budget gaming PC.
- Very low price
- Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Q-Flash Plus BIOS update button
- Basic VRM with minimal heatsinks
- Limited high-speed USB ports
Key Features: Wi-Fi, PCIe 4.0 M.2, Q-Flash Plus, RGB Fusion 2.0
ASUS ROG Strix B560-A Gaming WiFi
ATX
DDR4, up to 5000MHz (OC)
The ASUS ROG Strix B560-A Gaming WiFi is a premium motherboard featuring a striking white and silver aesthetic. It boasts an 8+2 power stage design, high-quality audio, and robust connectivity including Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet. With multiple M.2 slots and ASUS's intuitive BIOS, it is perfect for gamers and creators who want premium features, styling, and reliable performance for their i5-11400 build.
- Premium white/silver aesthetic
- Excellent audio solution
- Solid VRM with pre-mounted I/O shield
- Premium price tag
- No PCIe 5.0 support
Key Features: Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, ROG SupremeFX audio, PCIe 4.0
MSI MPG B560I Gaming Edge WiFi
Mini-ITX
DDR4, up to 5200MHz (OC)
The MSI MPG B560I Gaming Edge WiFi is a top-tier Mini-ITX board designed for small form factor gaming builds. It features a direct 6+2+1 phase power design, Wi-Fi 6E, and 2.5G LAN for fast networking. Despite its compact size, it supports PCIe 4.0 for the GPU and primary M.2 drive, ensuring your i5-11400 performs optimally in tight spaces without thermal throttling.
- Compact Mini-ITX form factor
- Strong VRM for SFF builds
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN
- Only two RAM slots
- Limited expansion options due to size
Key Features: Mini-ITX, Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE, PCIe 4.0 M.2
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the i5-11400 support PCIe 4.0 on B560 motherboards?
Yes, 11th Gen CPUs like the i5-11400 enable PCIe 4.0 support on the primary PCIe slot and the top M.2 slot when paired with a B560 motherboard.
Can I overclock my i5-11400 on a B560 motherboard?
No, the i5-11400 is a locked CPU, and the B560 chipset does not support CPU overclocking. However, B560 does support RAM overclocking (XMP profiles).
Do I need to buy DDR5 RAM for these LGA1200 motherboards?
No, the LGA1200 platform and 11th Gen Intel CPUs exclusively support DDR4 memory. DDR5 is not compatible with these motherboards.