Setting up a new computer with a super-fast processor? Then you probably want to use the best motherboard for i9 9900K. What does this processor have that others do not? Well, among many other things – it is the chance to overclock it to the point of near burnout. But without the issues similar models have.
This processor is a must-have for those in the gaming and designing industries. And because it is available at amazingly affordable prices nowadays – you only need the right MOBO to enjoy everything it offers.
Here, you’re going to learn all about the most appealing motherboards for this processor out there. And we’re also teaching you a little more.
If you’re looking for a model that meets all of this processor’s demands – then you’ll probably find it here. Take a look deeper to find out!
So here is my list of The 6 Best Motherboards for i9 9900k
There are several dozen MOBOs we could consider. But we wanted to bring only the best among the best. So we ended up with 6 quality motherboards that will help you build a dream desktop.
Here’s what we found about them after taking an in-depth look into their features:
| RANK | IMAGE | PRODUCT | RATING | RETAILER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  |
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS MASTER
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| #2 |  |
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero
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| #3 |  |
ASRock Z390 Taichi
|
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| #4 |  |
Asus ROG Maximus XI Gene
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| #5 |  |
MSI MEG Z390 ACE LGA1151
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| #6 |  |
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming
|
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS MASTER – Best Motherboard for i9 9900k (VRM): Top Pick
Not only it looks gorgeous with an RGB Fusion & Multi-Zone Addressable LED light design, but it also offers one of the most performance-oriented builds in the market.
We can easily say this is the best motherboard for i9 9900k – and it all comes down to its 12+2 IR Digital VRM with PowrStage system. It offers the chance to overclock to the max and enjoy a stable performance from the first use.
You still get an exceptional audio system with a Realtek ALC1220 chipset and Sabre DAC audio suite. Listening to your games & music will be a total pleasure.
Yet you can enjoy a 4-slot DDR4 RAM system, a USB auto charger for mobile devices, an Intel Gigabit LAN adapter with cFosSpeed, and onboard CNVi wireless system, and more.
Even the BIOS is a total pleasure to use with its intuitive UI and easy fan control. And when you add the Fins Array heatsink with direct-touch heat pipe, it becomes one of the most stable motherboards in the market.
You can rest assured it won’t burn out, bottleneck your build, or eventually leave you hanging mid-performance.
Specifications
- Chipset: Z390
- VRM: 12-Phase IR Digital VRM
- Graphics: HDMI
- Audio: ALC 1220-VB + ESS9118
- Ethernet: Intel Gigabit LAN with cFosSpeed
- Wireless: CNVi 802.11AC Wave 2
- Form Factor: ATX
Key Features
- Up to 4 DIMM slots for DDR4 RAM
- High-end audio with ALC1220 chipset
- Extra-safe with the 12+2 Phase VRM
- Stable Ethernet & wireless adapters
- Beautiful RGB and LED system
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero – Best Overclocking Motherboard for i9 9900k
Want a high-end motherboard that handles the extra charge of a super-overclocked processor? Then you need the best overclocking motherboard for i9 9900k – the ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero.
What makes it such an excellent choice for overclocking is the use of a 5-way optimization system that predicts and handles cooling like nothing else. This goes well with the Optimum III technology, increasing DRAM headroom & stability. And with its clock generator, you can tweak MHz as you need.
Add the Fan Xpert 4 system, and you can make sure nothing ever burns out with an easy fan controls.
Despite all that, the MOBO still offers dual M.2 ports, 4 DDR4 slots at 4400 MHz, and beautiful design with Aura Sync RGB lighting.
If all that wasn’t enough, you still get super-stable connectivity with a 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac adapter and a quality Intel Ethernet Adapter.
For anyone who wants maximum overclocking capacity and top-notch results everywhere else – this one will come like a total gem.
Specifications
- Chipset: Z390
- Graphics: None / HDMI
- Audio: SupremeFX S1220
- Ethernet: Intel Adapter
- Wireless: 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac
- Form Factor: ATX
Key Features
- 5-way optimization for superb overclocking capacity
- Maximum overclocking stability with Optimum III
- Super clear & enjoyable audio with S1220 adapter
- Decent WiFi and Ethernet adapters
- Practical M.2 for storage and DDR4 RAM slots
ASRock Z390 Taichi – Best ASRock Motherboard for i9 9900k
ASRock never disappoints – despite being a budget-friendly brand, it always delivers quality without lowering results. And the Z390 Taichi is, without a doubt, the best ASRock motherboard for i9 9900k you’ll find.
First off, you’ll be able to handle a lot of power from the i9 9900k processor thanks to the Hyper BCLK Engine II system. It makes sure you can overclock it as necessary.
This goes well with the 4 DDR4 slots that can handle up to 4200 Mhz overclocked RAMs. And with the chance to expand storage with 3 Ultra M.2 ports and 8 SATA3 slots – you’ll have enough to build a server if needed.
Still, it manages to offer decent audio with a Realtek ALC1220 chip, compatible with Purity Channel and DTS connect.
As for connectivity, you get an excellent Gigabit LAN connection, plus an Intel 802.11ac WiFi adapter. Alongside the Bluetooth 4.2 system – you get exceptional connectivity.
Last but not least, you can add 3 PCIe devices as well as 1 flexible PCIe as needed. And with the ASRock Polychrome Sync function, you can make it as shiny & beautiful as you want.
Specifications
- Chipset: Z390
- Graphics: None / HDMI
- Audio: Realtek LC1220
- Ethernet: Gigabit LAN
- Wireless: Intel 802.11ac
- Form Factor: ATX
Key Features
- Decent overclocking with Hyper BCLK Engine II
- Tons of storage available with SATA3 and M.2 slots
- Excellent audio with ALC1220 chip
- Quality connectivity with WiFi and Bluetooth
- Gorgeous design & practical RGB system
Asus ROG Maximus XI Gene Z390 – Best Premium motherboard for i9-9900K
For those who want the best premium motherboard for i9-9900k, nothing will come closer to that than the ROG Maximus XI Gene from ASUS.
As you can expect, this motherboard goes the extra mile to provide excellent overclocking with the 5-way optimization system. Alongside the FanXpert 4 system, you can enjoy the exceptional overclocking performance without burning the PC out.
But this gets better with the double-capacity DRAM slots. They go up to 32GB per DIMM for a total of 64GB if needed. The secret comes from the Opti-MEM III technology that allows maximum OC headroom, so you can boost it up as much as you need.
You still get a handy overclocking toolkit, several LED features to tweak, and a Boot status for easy troubleshooting when needed.
On top of all that, you get pre-mounted I/O shields, several heatsinks, an exceptional design overall, and a gorgeous RGB system.
Along with the chance to install four M.2 storage devices, and the next-level WiFi system, you can build an unbeatable computer in almost every aspect. All of that inside an mATX form factor.
Specifications
- Chipset: Z390
- Graphics: HDMI
- Audio: SupremeFX S1220A
- Ethernet: Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN
- Wireless: Intel Wireless-AC 9560
- Form Factor: mATX
Key Features
- Exceptional Optic-MEM III overclocking system
- Always-cool & easy-to-use FanXpert 4 control
- Excellent storage slots & DRAM capacity
- Effective heatsinks & good-looking interior
- Superb connectivity and audio quality
MSI MEG Z390 ACE LGA1151 – Best RGB motherboard for i9 9900k
Available at a pretty reasonable price and offering similar features as its competitors, the MSI MEG Z390 ACE manages to deliver a uniquely beautiful design. As the best RGB motherboard for i9 9900k, you can build an ultra-enticing desktop with this one.
The overclocking on this motherboard is all done through Game Boost – an MSI tool that helps you automate the system performance. This goes well with the 4 DDR4 slots that can handle 4500 Mhz of overclocked RAMs.
And if that seems like enough, you still get a superb set of 3 Turbo M.2 ports with Shield Frozr, making your SSDs run faster without overheating.
Despite all that, the real advantage of this motherboard is the beautiful design. While that doesn’t affect performance, the quality of the Mystic Light Infinite system is unbeatable – offering 16.8 million colors and 29 lighting effects, easy to control in a few clips. It lights up RGB LEDs and a RAINBOW strip.
Add the Killer E2500 LAN system for fast connectivity and a built-in Audio Boost HD adapter for quality sound. You won’t be disappointed with it in the slightest.
Specifications
- Chipset: Z390
- Graphics: None
- Audio: ALC1220 with Nahimic 3
- Ethernet: Killer E2500 LAN
- Wireless: Wi-Fi SLI CFX
- Form Factor: ATX
Key Features
- Beautiful RGB lighting & well-made heatsinks
- Superb overclocking with Game Boost system
- Top-notch M.2 SDD boost & cooling
- Fast & reliable Ethernet and WiFi connectivity
- Excellent cost for the quality & features
Asus ROG Strix Z390 – Best Budget-friendly Motherboard for i9 9900k
For the cost, no other motherboard will offer the quality the ROG Strix Z390-E offers. As the best budget-friendly motherboard for i9 9900k – this magnificent model takes quality to a whole new level.
Despite its cost, you can enjoy the 5-way optimization system with FanXpert 4 cooling capacity. You get the same to push the computer to its max without burning it out.
To make it even safer and overclock-capable, you get a Gamer’s Guardian feature. It protects the DRAM, adds ESD guards, and increases slot safety.
You still get an M.2 heatsink to keep your SSDs cool, a water-pump header for efficient cooling system installation, and a fan-extension header plus a MOS-fan bracket. Keeping your PC cool will be a piece of cake.
Add the superb SupremeFX LC1220 HD audio system and the excellent Intel Ethernet & WiFi connectivity, and it becomes a top-notch model for sure. Considering its exceptional price, it becomes a total bargain.
Lastly, you can enjoy the Aura Sync RGB so you can enjoy an extra touch of lighting personalization.
Specifications
- Chipset: Z390
- Graphics:None / HDMI and DP
- Audio: SupremeFX S1220A
- Ethernet: Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN
- Wireless:Intel Wireless-AC 9560
- Form Factor: ATX
Key Features
- Fantastic overclocking capacity for the price
- High-quality audio with SupremeFX S1220A
- Ultra-cool operation with heatsinks & fan options
- Extra-safe performance with Gamer’s Guardian
- Top-notch connectivity with Ethernet & WiFi
What to Look for Before Buying a Motherboard for i9 9900K?
So, you’re probably still thinking about which motherboard to pick. We don’t blame you – you still don’t know much about them. Well, here we’re going to help you with that.
Next, you’ll find all the most important factors to think about before making your final choice. Take a look:
Chipset and Socket
There are only two chipsets available in most motherboards today that work with this processor – the Z390 and the Z370. Sure enough, the Z390 is the most reliable and powerful one. That’s why the best z390 motherboard for i9 9900k you can get will make the PC perform better.
Don’t forget about the socket, though. You need an LGA1151 on the MOBO to install the i9 9900K or an LGA1200 motherboard to install the i9 10900K properly. Yet, you’re pretty likely not to find any similar motherboard with a different socket nowadays. Still, be extra careful.
Overclocking Capacity
The overclocking capacity will come from several different factors you’ll have to consider. First, it will be the VRM of the motherboard. This refers to the way it transforms regular voltage to something the CPU and the GPU can handle. Here, we recommend quality VRM systems with 12+2 Phases for extra results.
Then, you’ll have to consider the right amount and quality of heatsinks. Extra sinks to keep your RAM, CPU, M.2 SSDs, and the VRMs or capacitors cold will be necessary. They will prevent every overclock from overheating and burning the machine.
Other overclocking features like easy-to-use BIOS systems, automatic fan functions, and boosting software that come with the MOBO are all worth considering. The easier, safer, and more practical the overclocking with the MOBO is – the better your experience will be with an i9 9900K.
Expandability and Ports
If you want the best motherboard for intel i9 9900k, then you need something with enough ports. Here, you’ll have to consider PCIe ports for GPUs, DIMM slots for RAM (DDR4), and M.2 ports for storage.
For example, if you want to build a super-gaming PC with several graphic cards, then you’ll need several PCIe ports. If you want at least 32GB of memory capacity, then go for something with 4 RAM slots – or choose something that can handle 32GB per slot. And lastly, consider at least 2 M.2 ports for SSDs. You can choose RTX 2080 Ti graphics card for superb gaming performance.
Don’t forget about USB 3.0 ports and Ethernet, though. And extra USB ports plus an HDMI connector never disappoint.
Connectivity
For the best experience, always remember to go for a motherboard with stable Ethernet and fast WiFi adapters. At the same time, consider Bluetooth as extra capacity. If you can connect the internet via NFC or any other wireless connections apart from WiFi, then that’s an excellent addition to think about.
Size / Form Factor
The best ATX motherboard for i9 9900k is large and spacious enough to handle several PCIe ports. Yet, it may be difficult to fit inside small cases.
That’s why you may also consider a mini-ATX or mATX – offering a slightly smaller MOBO design that fits in compact cases. They save tons of space but come with fewer ports and slots.
Audio and RGB
Then, you’ll find the audio. Nothing compares to a well-sounding PC that doesn’t need a sound card. You can enjoy high-quality audio directly from the motherboard – offering the chance to connect a 7.1 home theatre without losing any bit of quality.
Another extra to consider is the RGB system. With enough lights and good-looking strips, you can make even the dullest of cases look more enticing. And you’ll have a highly exciting PC at home.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Not really. The RGB lights are mostly for aesthetics. Yet it is safe to say they can allow better identification of the components inside the case. But that’s just a side benefit.
You may find super-affordable MOBOs at less than two hundred. But if you truly want to harness the true power of an i9 9900K, you’ll need to spend at least three hundred.
A VRM or also known as PPM is a small converter that transforms the supply voltage so the processor can handle the charge without issues. The heatsink is a piece of metal that cools down these converters and other parts of the motherboard to prevent burnout.
Yes, as long as they have the same socket (LGA1151) and the same chipset (Z390) as the i9 9900K, then they will probably work without any issue.
Final Words
So, are you eager to build your new PC with a powerful processor? Then don’t hesitate and get the best motherboard for i9 9900k.
Use our recommendations and buying guide to get the ideal model for your needs. There’s one for every purpose and demand. So choose wisely and get your PC performance to a whole new level. You won’t regret it.
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