MSI MAG B560M Mortar WiFi
The MSI MAG B560M Mortar WiFi is an exceptional match for the Core i7-10700, offering a robust 12+2+1 Duet Rail power system and large heatsinks to prevent thermal throttling during long gaming sessions. It features integrated Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and dual M.2 slots. Note that the primary M.2 slot is disabled with a 10th Gen CPU, so you must use the secondary slot.
- Strong VRM design
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE
- Excellent thermal heatsinks
- Top M.2 slot disabled with 10th Gen
- No CPU overclocking support
Platform Match
The Intel Core i7-10700 uses the LGA1200 socket, compatible with Intel 400 and 500-series chipsets. For gaming, B560 Micro-ATX boards offer the best balance of memory overclocking and modern connectivity.
VRM Guidance
While the i7-10700 is a 65W TDP processor, it can draw significantly more power under load when power limits are unlocked. A motherboard with at least an 8+1 phase VRM and decent heatsinks is recommended.
Upgrade Path
LGA1200 is a dead-end platform limited to 11th Gen upgrades. Note that using a 10th Gen CPU on B560 boards disables the primary M.2 slot, restricting storage upgrades to the secondary slot.
Quick Compare Matrix
| Rank | Motherboard | Chipset | Size | Memory | Value | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | MSI MAG B560M Mortar WiFi Best Balanced |
B560 LGA1200 | Micro-ATX | DDR4, up to 5066MHz (OC) | ★★★★★ | Buy Now |
| #2 | ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus WiFi Best Value |
B560 LGA1200 | Micro-ATX | DDR4, up to 5000MHz (OC) | ★★★★★ | Buy Now |
| #3 | Gigabyte B560M Aorus Pro AX Premium Pick |
B560 LGA1200 | Micro-ATX | DDR4, up to 5333MHz (OC) | ★★★★☆ | Buy Now |
| #4 | MSI H510M-A Pro Budget Pick |
H510 LGA1200 | Micro-ATX | DDR4, up to 3200MHz | ★★★★★ | Buy Now |
Recommended Motherboards
MSI MAG B560M Mortar WiFi
Micro-ATX
DDR4, up to 5066MHz (OC)
The MSI MAG B560M Mortar WiFi is an exceptional match for the Core i7-10700, offering a robust 12+2+1 Duet Rail power system and large heatsinks to prevent thermal throttling during long gaming sessions. It features integrated Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and dual M.2 slots. Note that the primary M.2 slot is disabled with a 10th Gen CPU, so you must use the secondary slot.
- Strong VRM design
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE
- Excellent thermal heatsinks
- Top M.2 slot disabled with 10th Gen
- No CPU overclocking support
Key Features: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, Pre-installed I/O shield
ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus WiFi
Micro-ATX
DDR4, up to 5000MHz (OC)
The ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-Plus WiFi combines military-grade durability with essential gaming features. Its 8+1 power stages and enhanced VRM cooling ensure stable power delivery for the 65W i7-10700. With PCIe 4.0 support (restricted on 10th Gen), Wi-Fi 6, and Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation, it offers outstanding value for mainstream gamers.
- TUF military-grade components
- Wi-Fi 6 onboard
- Good BIOS interface
- Top M.2 slot disabled with 10th Gen
- Fewer USB ports than premium options
Key Features: Wi-Fi 6, 2.5GbE, Aura Sync RGB, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation
Gigabyte B560M Aorus Pro AX
Micro-ATX
DDR4, up to 5333MHz (OC)
The Gigabyte B560M Aorus Pro AX is a premium Micro-ATX board featuring a direct 12+1 phase digital VRM that easily handles the power spikes of the i7-10700. It includes high-end connectivity like Wi-Fi 6, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, and pre-installed I/O shielding. It delivers premium aesthetics and cooling for high-performance gaming builds.
- Direct 12+1 VRM phases
- USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support
- Excellent audio codec
- Top M.2 slot disabled with 10th Gen
- Premium price for older platform
Key Features: Direct 12+1 Phases VRM, Wi-Fi 6, USB Type-C, RGB Fusion 2.0
MSI H510M-A Pro
Micro-ATX
DDR4, up to 3200MHz
For budget-conscious builders, the MSI H510M-A Pro provides the essential features needed to run the Core i7-10700 without unnecessary extras. It features a simplified power delivery system suitable for the 65W TDP CPU at stock settings. While it lacks Wi-Fi and advanced cooling, it offers a functional PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot and DDR4 support.
- Very affordable price
- Compact layout
- Simple and reliable
- Weak VRM heatsinks
- No built-in Wi-Fi
- Limited expansion options
Key Features: PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot, Core Boost, DDR4 Boost, Gigabit LAN
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the top M.2 slot disabled on my B560 motherboard?
The top M.2 slot on B560 boards requires PCIe 4.0 lanes provided only by 11th Gen CPUs. With a 10th Gen i7-10700, you must use the secondary M.2 slot.
Can I overclock my Intel Core i7-10700 on these boards?
No, the i7-10700 is a locked non-K processor, and B560/H510 chipsets do not support CPU overclocking. However, B560 allows RAM overclocking (XMP).
Do I need to upgrade my DDR4 RAM for this platform?
No, LGA1200 platforms exclusively use DDR4 memory. You can reuse your existing DDR4 RAM, with B560 supporting speeds well over 3200MHz via XMP.