H81 is the entry-level 8-series chipset for Intel's LGA1150 socket. It launched in 2013 alongside 4th generation Core (Haswell) and supports DDR3 memory in two slots, with no overclocking and only PCIe 2.0 throughout. More than a decade on, it survives as a repair part and as the base for low-cost new boards from smaller makers, many of which add an NVMe M.2 slot. Everything on sale is listed on the H81 deals page.
Cheapest H81 boards right now
What H81 is and who it is for
Intel's 8-series line-up ran Z87, H87, B85 and H81, and H81 was the cheapest of them: the chipset for office desktops, small-form-factor PCs and family computers. It gives a processor everything it needs to run at its rated speed, and cuts memory slots, SATA 6Gb/s ports, USB 3.0 ports and PCIe speed.
There are three sensible reasons to buy one now. The first is repair: an old LGA1150 PC has a failed board and you want to keep its processor, memory and cooler. The second is reuse: you have a spare 4th generation Core or Xeon E3 v3 processor and want a simple home server, NAS or retro gaming machine. The third is that the board you already own is H81 and you want to know what it can take. If none of those applies, read the last section before you spend anything.
Key specifications
| Feature | H81 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 |
| Processors | 4th gen Intel Core (Haswell and Haswell Refresh); Xeon E3 v3 on many boards |
| Memory | DDR3 or DDR3L; two slots; up to 16 GB officially |
| CPU overclocking | No |
| Memory overclocking | No |
| Graphics slot | PCIe 2.0, fed by the processor |
| PCIe from the chipset | Six PCIe 2.0 lanes |
| SATA | Two 6Gb/s and two 3Gb/s |
| USB | Two USB 3.0 and eight USB 2.0 |
| RAID | No |
| Launched | 2013 |
Compatible CPUs
H81 takes 4th generation Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, plus the Pentium and Celeron models of the same generation. The Haswell Refresh chips released in 2014, such as the Core i5-4460 and i7-4790, generally work too, but an early board may need a BIOS update to recognise them, so check the board's CPU support list. 5th generation (Broadwell) desktop chips are a different matter: they needed a 9-series chipset, and you should assume an H81 board will not run one.
Many of the new H81 boards sold today list Xeon E3-1200 v3 processors as supported. Those Xeons were made for servers and workstations but use the same socket, and they are a popular way to get four cores and eight threads cheaply. Intel did not officially support them on H81, so treat the board's own CPU list as the only guide: if your exact Xeon is not on it, do not assume it will work. Most E3-1200 v3 models also have no built-in graphics, so you will need a graphics card.
Power delivery on budget H81 boards is basic. They are fine for a Core i3, a non-K Core i5 or a mid-range Xeon, but they are not designed for a hot Core i7 under constant heavy load. Motherboard VRM explained covers what to look for.
Memory: two DDR3 slots
H81 supports one module per memory channel, so boards have two slots and Intel's official maximum is 16 GB, as two 8 GB modules. DDR4 does not fit. Both standard DDR3 and low-voltage DDR3L work with 4th generation processors, but check the board's listing if you are reusing modules from a laptop or a server. Server memory is a common trap: many Xeon builds tempt people to use registered (RDIMM) modules, which these boards do not take. Use ordinary unbuffered desktop modules.
Memory runs at the speed the processor is rated for, typically DDR3-1600 for Core i5 and i7 models and lower for some Pentium and Celeron chips. There is no overclocking or XMP on H81.
M.2, NVMe and PCIe 2.0
H81 itself has no M.2 support; when a new H81 board has an M.2 slot, the maker has wired it to the chipset's PCIe 2.0 lanes. That still makes an NVMe SSD a worthwhile upgrade. At PCIe 2.0 x4 the ceiling is roughly 1.5 to 2 GB/s, and less if the slot uses only two lanes, against about 0.55 GB/s for a SATA SSD. A modern PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 drive works but runs at PCIe 2.0 speed.
Two things matter before you buy. First, check that the listing says the board can boot from an NVMe drive, not just see one; boards of this age needed a BIOS with NVMe support added. Second, check how many lanes the slot uses, and whether fitting an M.2 drive disables a PCIe slot or SATA port.
The graphics slot is also limited to PCIe 2.0 on H81, even though 4th generation processors offer PCIe 3.0. A modest graphics card loses little from this; a fast modern card loses more, and is wasted on a platform this old anyway.
How H81 compares with its neighbours
| H81 | B85 | Z87 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory slots | Two | Four | Four |
| CPU overclocking | No | No | Yes, with a K processor |
| Graphics slot | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| SATA 6Gb/s ports | Two | Four | Six |
| USB 3.0 ports | Two | Four | Six |
| RAID | No | No | Yes |
On the older LGA1155 socket, the closest equivalent is B75, which is a year older but has four memory slots and PCIe 3.0 graphics with a 3rd generation chip. The LGA1150 socket guide covers the whole platform.
What to check on the listing
- The CPU support list. Your exact processor, especially a Haswell Refresh chip or a Xeon.
- NVMe boot. Stated in the listing, not assumed from the presence of an M.2 slot.
- New, used or refurbished. Big-brand H81 boards on sale now are usually used or refurbished. Check the socket pins on arrival with the used motherboard checklist.
- Size and fit. Most are micro-ATX. A board from a branded pre-built PC may have a proprietary layout or front-panel plug, so compare it with the board you are replacing.
- Video outputs. Often VGA and HDMI only; make sure your monitor is covered.
- BIOS updates. Smaller makers may offer few or none, so buy a board that supports your processor as shipped.
Buying into an old platform: the honest view
LGA1150 is long finished. 4th generation processors are not on Windows 11's supported list, and support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025, so a new H81 machine will be running an operating system without regular security updates unless you move it to Linux or pay for extended updates where they are offered. That is acceptable for an offline retro build or a home server you look after yourself, and much less so for a family PC used for banking and email.
For a new build, even a cheap one, an H610 or A520 board costs little more and gives you a supported processor, faster storage and memory you can carry forward. Start with how to choose a motherboard. If you are repairing or reusing, H81 is a reasonable purchase: compare the H81 deal list with the B75 boards before you decide.
Questions people ask
Does H81 support NVMe?
The chipset has no M.2 support of its own, but many new H81 boards add an M.2 slot wired to its PCIe 2.0 lanes. Check that the listing states NVMe boot support and how many lanes the slot uses.
How much RAM does H81 support?
Officially 16 GB of DDR3 or DDR3L, as two 8 GB unbuffered modules, because H81 boards have two memory slots.
Can an H81 board run a Xeon E3-1200 v3?
Many new H81 boards list Xeon E3-1200 v3 chips as supported, although Intel did not officially support them on H81. Check your exact model on the board's CPU support list, and remember most of these Xeons need a graphics card.
Does H81 support 5th gen Intel processors?
You should assume not. 5th generation (Broadwell) desktop chips needed a 9-series chipset. H81 is for 4th generation Core and its 2014 refresh.
Can an H81 PC run Windows 11?
Not officially: 4th generation Core processors are not on Microsoft's supported list for Windows 11.