Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i3-10300

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for Intel's 10th generation Core i3-10300, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i3-10300 Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: March 24, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

Best Feature Motherboard
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi
Best Value Motherboard
ASUS Prime B560M-A micro ATX motherboard
Check another CPU:

Motherboard Requirements for the Core i3-10300 Processor

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For Intel's 10th generation Core i3-10300 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 10300 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.

Featured Z590 Motherboards › GIGABYTE Z590 UD (LGA 1200/ Intel Z590/ ATX/ Triple M.2/ PCIe 4.0/ USB 3.2 Gen 2/ 2.5GbE LAN/ Motherboard)

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i3-10300 CPU?.

Check out out Recommended Motherboards for the 10th Gen 10300 below.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi

Other Considerations When Choosing a 10300 Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the 10300, we considered several key factors beyond socket type and chipset compatibility. These include form factor, expandability, power delivery, and additional features like USB ports, audio quality, and Wi-Fi support. By focusing on these elements, you can identify the features that matter most for your specific needs, ensuring an optimal and future-proof setup.

Memory Overclocking

To be able to overclock DDR memory, such as via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking. Find which chipsets support overclocking in our article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i3-10300 CPU?.

Video Output Port

The lack of an "F" in the 10300 model name indicates that the CPU has integrated graphics support. You will need to make sure that your motherboard also has a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use the integrated graphics.

Even if you primarily connect your monitors to a graphics card, we found that integrated graphics can be beneficial when troubleshooting and fixing graphics card problems.

Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports

NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest SSD storage form. However, we suggest ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots.

The Z590, Z490, and W480 chipsets support the most PCIe 3.0 lanes, which means that motherboards with these chipsets are likely to have the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots available.

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

Connectivity

USB

We found that it's wise to make sure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z590 can support the most USB ports for the 10300 at USB 3.2 2x2 (20 Gbps), USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps), and USB 3.2 1x1 (5 Gbps) speeds.

From our experience, devices requiring high bandwidth typically fall into two categories: storage devices and high-resolution video devices. These devices depend heavily on high-speed data transfer. In fact, we have encountered instances where insufficient bandwidth notably impeded their performance.

In testing various storage devices, we found that those capable of handling large data transfers at high speeds delivered the best performance. Similarly, when working with high-resolution video devices, we discovered that a reliable and fast connection is essential for smooth playback and editing. Our experience has highlighted the importance of high bandwidth for these specific types of devices.

Audio

We recommend ensuring the motherboard has audio outputs. From my experience, it's crucial to verify the availability of rear and center speaker ports if you're using a surround sound system.

If your audio equipment is dependent on optical input, like mine, it's advisable to opt for a motherboard that includes this specific port. Alternatively, you might consider purchasing a separate PCIe or USB sound card. This allows you to expand your connectivity options and add features such as optical or RCA connections, tailored to your preferences.

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, black for rear, orange for center/sub) to ensure proper speaker connections. If you're using a soundbar or AV receiver, we recommend opting for a motherboard with an optical (S/PDIF) port—it provides cleaner audio by avoiding electrical noise, which we've found makes a noticeable difference.

While built-in audio quality isn't the most critical factor, we suggest selecting 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 keeping 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. We've found these solutions work well for both laptops and desktops.

To avoid the need for costly upgrades in the future, choose a motherboard whose ports are compatible with your current equipment. By making a thoughtful selection now, you can ensure better performance and a more satisfying listening experience.

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

Based on our analysis, the Z490, W480, and Q470 chipsets provide the most flexibility when paired with the 10300, allowing for two x4 PCIe 3.0 cards in addition to a PCIe 3.0 x8 graphics card.

The other chipsets, on the other hand, 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 i3-10300 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. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi

Best Value Motherboard: ASUS Prime B560M-A

  • Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Core i3-10300 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. ASUS Prime B560M-A micro ATX motherboard

Learn More About the Intel Core i3-10300

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