H510 is the entry-level 500-series chipset for Intel's LGA1200 socket. It launched in early 2021, supports 10th and 11th generation Core processors with DDR4 memory, and leaves out overclocking of any kind along with much of the connectivity found on B560 and Z590. LGA1200 is a closed platform, so H510 is now bought almost entirely as a low-cost replacement board. Anything on sale appears on the H510 deals page.
Cheapest H510 boards right now
What H510 is and who it is for
The 500-series line-up ran Z590, H570, B560 and H510. H510 followed H410 as the chipset for office desktops, family PCs and the most basic gaming builds.
There are two reasons to buy one now. The first is repair: a PC with a 10th or 11th generation processor has a failed board, and you want it working again for the least outlay while keeping the processor, memory and cooler. The second is reuse: you have a spare LGA1200 processor and want a simple second machine. For either job H510 is adequate if your needs are modest. If the machine has four memory modules, an XMP kit or several SSDs, you need B560 instead.
Key specifications
| Feature | H510 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 |
| Processors | 10th and 11th gen Intel Core |
| Memory | DDR4; typically two slots |
| CPU overclocking | No |
| Memory overclocking | No |
| PCIe from the chipset | PCIe 3.0, the fewest lanes of the 500-series |
| RAID | Typically not supported |
| Launched | Early 2021 |
Compatible CPUs
H510 boards take both generations of LGA1200 processor: 10th generation (Comet Lake) and 11th generation (Rocket Lake). That is an improvement on the H410 boards before them, most of which never gained 11th generation support. No BIOS update is normally needed, because both generations were already on sale when the boards were made, but it is still worth confirming your exact processor on the board's CPU support list.
Pay attention to power. H510 boards have basic power delivery, often with no heatsink on the VRM, and are designed around 65 W processors such as a Core i3 or a non-K Core i5. Some list Core i7 and i9 chips as supported, but a processor of that class is likely to be held back under sustained load. If you own one of those, a B560 board with a proper VRM is the better replacement. Motherboard VRM explained shows what to look for.
If the PC uses the processor's built-in graphics, remember that F-suffix chips have none, and check that the board has the video connector your monitor uses. Basic H510 boards sometimes offer only HDMI and VGA.
Memory: two slots and no XMP
LGA1200 is DDR4 only. H510 supports one module per memory channel, so boards typically have two slots. If the PC you are repairing has four modules, only two will fit, so plan to use the two largest matching ones.
H510 is a locked chipset for memory as well as for the CPU. Modules run at the speeds Intel rates the processor for, and the faster XMP profile of an enthusiast kit will not be applied. The kit will still work, just at the lower speed. B560 lifts that restriction, which is the biggest practical difference between the two.
PCIe, storage and ports
The graphics slot is fed by the processor. With an 11th generation Core i5, i7 or i9, some H510 boards run that slot at PCIe 4.0; with a 10th generation chip, including the refreshed Core i3 and Pentium models sold alongside 11th generation, it runs at PCIe 3.0.
The chipset's lanes are PCIe 3.0 and there are fewer of them than on B560. Expect typically one M.2 slot, running at PCIe 3.0 speed, a handful of SATA ports, fewer USB ports, and typically no RAID support. WiFi is uncommon on H510 boards but easily added; see motherboard WiFi explained.
How H510 compares with its neighbours
| H510 | B560 | Z590 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU overclocking | No | No | Yes |
| Memory overclocking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Memory slots | Typically two | Two or four | Usually four |
| M.2 slots | Typically one | Varies, often two or more | Varies, often three or more |
| RAID | Typically no | Check the board | Yes |
The B560 guide and Z590 guide cover the step-up options on the same socket.
What to check on the listing
- That it is an LGA1200 board. H510, H610 and H810 are entry-level chipsets for three different sockets. Only H510 takes a 10th or 11th generation chip.
- Size and fit. Nearly all H510 boards are micro-ATX, with a few mini-ITX models. Both fit a standard case, but a board from a branded pre-built PC may have used a proprietary layout, power connector or front-panel plug, so check the old board before ordering a retail replacement.
- Video outputs. HDMI, DisplayPort or VGA, matched to your monitor.
- M.2 and SATA. Enough for the drives already in the PC.
- CPU support list. Your exact processor, including its power rating.
Buying into an old platform: the honest view
LGA1200 is a dead-end socket, and H510 is its most limited chipset. Nothing newer than an 11th generation processor from 2021 will ever fit, and neither the board nor its DDR4 memory carries forward to a current platform. Do not start a new build here. If you are choosing parts from scratch, even on a tight budget, begin with how to choose a motherboard and how much to spend on a motherboard.
As a repair it is a reasonable purchase, because the alternative is replacing the processor and memory too. New stock is thin, so open-box boards are often what is available. Check the socket pins the day the board arrives using the used motherboard checklist, and compare the H510 deal list with the B560 list and the Warehouse offers before you decide.
Questions people ask
Does H510 support 11th gen Intel processors?
Yes. H510 supports both 10th and 11th generation Core processors on LGA1200. Check the CPU support list for your exact chip, as the boards are designed around lower-power models.
Can H510 run XMP memory?
H510 does not support memory overclocking, so an XMP kit works but runs at the speed Intel rates the processor for. For XMP on LGA1200, choose a B560 or Z590 board.
How many RAM slots does an H510 board have?
Typically two, because the chipset supports one module per memory channel.
Is an H510 motherboard worth buying now?
Only to replace a failed board or to reuse an LGA1200 processor you already own. The socket has no upgrade path, so it is a poor starting point for a new build.