B560 is the mainstream 500-series chipset for Intel's LGA1200 socket, launched in early 2021 for 10th and 11th generation Core. It was the first Intel B-series chipset to allow memory overclocking, so XMP kits run at their rated speed, though it does not overclock the CPU. LGA1200 was replaced in late 2021 and is now a closed platform, so a B560 board is a purchase for people who already own a suitable processor. What is still on sale is listed on the B560 deals page.
Cheapest B560 boards right now
What B560 is and who it is for
The 500-series ran Z590, H570, B560 and H510. B560 was the volume seller, the usual partner for chips such as the Core i5-10400F and Core i5-11400F. Its predecessor, B460, held memory to Intel's rated speeds, which held back those processors noticeably; B560 removed that limit, and it is the main reason to choose it over an older or lesser LGA1200 board.
Today B560 is for two situations. The board in your 10th or 11th generation PC has died and you want to keep the processor, DDR4 memory and cooler. Or you have a spare LGA1200 processor and want an inexpensive second PC. For a non-K processor it is the most sensible LGA1200 chipset: Z590 adds CPU overclocking you cannot use, and H510 takes away XMP and memory slots.
Key specifications
| Feature | B560 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 |
| Processors | 10th and 11th gen Intel Core |
| Memory | DDR4, dual channel |
| CPU overclocking | No |
| Memory overclocking (XMP) | Yes |
| PCIe from the CPU | PCIe 4.0 with 11th gen (graphics and one M.2 slot); PCIe 3.0 with 10th gen |
| PCIe from the chipset | PCIe 3.0 |
| Launched | Early 2021 |
Compatible CPUs: what changes with 10th and 11th gen
B560 supports both LGA1200 generations, and no BIOS update is normally needed for either, since both were on sale when the boards were made. What differs is the PCIe support. An 11th generation Core i5, i7 or i9 brings PCIe 4.0 for the graphics slot and four extra PCIe 4.0 lanes that board makers wire to one M.2 slot. A 10th generation chip has neither: the graphics slot runs at PCIe 3.0, and on many B560 boards the CPU-wired M.2 slot does not work at all. The manual shows which slot that is.
One trap: Intel's 11th generation desktop range started at Core i5. The Core i3 and Pentium models sold at the same time, such as the Core i3-10105, are refreshed 10th generation parts. They work in a B560 board, but they do not enable PCIe 4.0 or the CPU-wired M.2 slot.
Memory
Every LGA1200 board is DDR4, so there is nothing to get wrong on memory type. B560 supports XMP and memory overclocking, so a faster kit runs at its advertised speed if the board and processor can manage it. DDR4 will not move on to LGA1851 or AM5, which are DDR5 only; see DDR4 vs DDR5 motherboards.
PCIe and connectivity
The platform has no PCIe 5.0. With an 11th generation chip you get PCIe 4.0 for one graphics card and one SSD, and everything attached to the chipset runs at PCIe 3.0. That is plenty for gaming and everyday work; see PCIe 5.0 motherboards: do you need it? for why. How many M.2 slots a board has, usually one to three, is the maker's decision, as are WiFi, 2.5Gb Ethernet and the rear USB selection.
Power limits vary by board
B560 boards differ more than most in power delivery. When the chipset was current, independent testing showed that some budget B560 boards held processors to Intel's base power limits or ran their VRMs very hot, so the same Core i5 or i7 performed noticeably worse under sustained load than on a better board. With a 65 W Core i5 any reasonable board copes. For a Core i7 or i9, look for reviews of the exact model and a VRM heatsink. Motherboard VRM explained gives the background.
How B560 compares with its neighbours
| Z590 | B560 | H510 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU overclocking | Yes | No | No |
| Memory overclocking | Yes | Yes | No |
| Memory slots | Usually four | Two or four | Typically two |
| CPU-wired PCIe 4.0 M.2 (11th gen) | Yes | Yes | Typically not |
| Chipset PCIe | 3.0, most lanes | 3.0, fewer lanes | 3.0, fewest lanes |
What to check on the listing
- That it is an LGA1200 board. B560, B660 and B760 are three different generations on two different sockets. Only B560 takes a 10th or 11th generation chip.
- Memory slots. Two or four.
- M.2 slots. How many, and which one is wired to the CPU.
- Size. Mostly micro-ATX, with some ATX and mini-ITX boards. Match your existing case.
- Video outputs. If you use the processor's built-in graphics, which F-suffix chips lack, check the board has the connector your monitor needs.
- Cooler. LGA1200 shares its cooler mounting with the earlier LGA115x sockets, so your existing cooler will fit.
Buying into an old platform: the honest view
LGA1200 is a dead-end socket. It took two processor generations, the last in 2021, and nothing newer will ever fit it. Building a new PC around a B560 board means buying an old processor and memory that will not carry forward, and a current platform is a better use of the money. If that is your situation, start with how to choose a motherboard instead.
As a repair, the sums are different. A replacement board costs far less than a new board, processor and memory together, and returns a working PC to use. New B560 stock is scarce, so open-box units are often the realistic source. Read are Amazon Warehouse motherboards worth it?, inspect the socket pins when it arrives, and keep an eye on the B560 deal list and the Warehouse offers.
Questions people ask
Can you overclock on B560?
Memory, yes: B560 was the first Intel B-series chipset to support memory overclocking and XMP. The processor, no: CPU overclocking on LGA1200 needs a Z490 or Z590 board and a K-series chip.
Does B560 support PCIe 4.0?
Only with an 11th generation Core i5, i7 or i9 fitted, and then for the graphics slot and one CPU-wired M.2 slot. With a 10th generation chip everything runs at PCIe 3.0.
Will a 10th gen processor work in a B560 board?
Yes. 10th generation Core chips are supported, but on many boards the M.2 slot wired to the CPU is disabled with one fitted, so use another M.2 slot.
Can a B560 board take 12th gen or newer Intel processors?
No. 12th generation and later chips use different sockets. B560 is limited to 10th and 11th generation processors on LGA1200.