Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i3-10100

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for Intel's 10th generation Core i3-10100, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i3-10100 Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

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Motherboard Requirements for the Core i3-10100 Processor

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For Intel's 10th generation Core i3-10100 processor, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1200 socket and a compatible 400-series or 500-series chipset.

Motherboards for Intel processors are made with chipsets provided by Intel. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.

The lack of a "K" suffix in the model name 10100 means it doesn't support overclocking. Because of this, you may not need to use the top of the line Z590 or Z490 chipsets which support overclocking. Instead, you can use a motherboard with Intel's other 500 or 400-series desktop chipsets listed below.

For compatiblity with Intel's 10th generation Core processors, you'll need a 400-series or 500-series chipset.

The Z590, H570, B560, and H510 500-series chipsets are compatible with Intel's 10th generation Core processors. These are roughly listed from most to least functionality. The W580 and Q570 chipsets are also compatible, but are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited. Intel's 500-series chipsets were primarily designed for 11th generation Core processors but are backward compatible with all 10th generation Core processors.

The Z490, H470, B460, and H410 400-series chipsets are also all compatible with Intel's 10th generation Core processors. Similar to the 500-series chipsets, the W480 and Q470 chipsets are also compatible, but are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i3-10100 CPU?.

Check out out Recommended Motherboards for the 10th Gen 10100 below.

Other Considerations When Choosing a 10100 Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the 10100, we considered several key factors beyond socket type and chipset compatibility. These include form factor, expandability, power delivery, and features like USB ports, audio quality, and Wi-Fi support. By focusing on these elements, you can identify what matters most for your specific needs and ensure an optimal, future-proof setup.

Memory Overclocking

To overclock DDR memory via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset must support memory overclocking. Find which chipsets support overclocking in our article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i3-10100 CPU?.

Video Output Port

The absence of an "F" in the 10100 model name indicates the CPU has integrated graphics support. Ensure your motherboard includes a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use integrated graphics.

Even if you primarily connect monitors to a dedicated graphics card, we found that integrated graphics can be beneficial when troubleshooting graphics card issues.

Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports

NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest SSD storage form. We recommend ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots for your needs.

The Z590, Z490, and W480 chipsets support the most PCIe 3.0 lanes, meaning motherboards with these chipsets typically offer the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots.

Learn more about storage types in our article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.

Connectivity

USB

Ensure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z590 supports the most USB ports for the 10100 at USB 3.2 2x2 (20 Gbps), USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps), and USB 3.2 1x1 (5 Gbps) speeds.

High-bandwidth devices typically fall into two categories: storage devices and high-resolution video equipment. These devices depend on high-speed data transfer for optimal performance. In our testing, we've encountered instances where insufficient bandwidth significantly impeded performance, particularly when working with large data transfers and high-resolution video editing.

Audio

When choosing a motherboard, prioritize one with physical audio ports if sound quality matters to you. Look for color-coded 3.5mm jacks (green for front speakers, black for rear, orange for center/subwoofer) to ensure proper connections for surround sound systems.

If you're using a soundbar or AV receiver, we recommend selecting a motherboard with an optical (S/PDIF) port. It provides cleaner audio by avoiding electrical noise, which makes a noticeable difference in sound quality.

While built-in audio quality isn't the most critical factor, choose a motherboard with a high-quality audio codec if you're using high-end headphones. It can reduce background noise, especially at higher volumes. If the motherboard's audio doesn't meet your standards, consider an external audio solution like a USB DAC as a reliable backup. It's an affordable way to bypass onboard limitations and improve sound quality for both desktops and laptops.

Choose a motherboard whose ports are compatible with your current equipment to avoid costly upgrades in the future.

Form Factor

When it comes to motherboards, we've encountered three primary form factors. In our experience, ATX stands out as the most common for desktop PCs. We've also explored Mini-ITX and MicroATX for building mini-PCs, and found they typically offer fewer PCIe slots, RAM slots, and storage support.

We've observed that these smaller form factors are backward compatible with standard ATX cases, using a subset of their mounting holes. In fact, we've frequently used Mini-ITX motherboards in ATX cases.

One crucial consideration is ensuring your case matches your motherboard's form factor. We've learned from experience how important it is to choose a case that aligns with your motherboard's specific needs.

PCIe Expansion Slots

The Z490, W480, and Q470 chipsets provide the most flexibility when paired with the 10100, allowing for two x4 PCIe 3.0 cards in addition to a PCIe 3.0 x8 graphics card.

Other chipsets, however, are very limited with only a single PCIe 3.0 x16 slot.

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Best Feature Motherboard: MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi

  • Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Core i3-10100 is the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi motherboard:

  • MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi
    Max PCIe Version 3.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 2
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi motherboard offers a great range of features for this generation of CPUs. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the Z490 chipset.

  • We found that the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6 technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.0 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.

  • We also appreciated the storage options with the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi. It features two NVMe M.2 slots at PCIe 3.0 speeds, allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.

  • Overall, we concluded that the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.

Best Value Motherboard: ASUS Prime B560M-A

  • Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Core i3-10100 is the ASUS Prime B560M-A motherboard:

  • ASUS Prime B560M-A
    Max PCIe Version 3.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 2
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS Prime B560M-A motherboard offers a great range of features for this generation of CPUs. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. The smaller microATX form factor is backward compatible with any full-size ATX case. This motherboard has the B560 chipset.

  • We found that the ASUS Prime B560M-A motherboard offers a 1 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy internet or file transfers.

  • We also appreciated the storage options with the ASUS Prime B560M-A. It features one NVMe M.2 slots at PCIe 3.0 speeds (the second M.2 slot will be disabled for 10th generation CPUs), allowing for quick access to your games, applications, and media.

  • Overall, we concluded that the ASUS Prime B560M-A motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering a great gaming experience.

Learn More About the Intel Core i3-10100

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