Once again, Intel has tried to reinstate its dominance against AMD. The brand’s flagship chip, the Core i9-10900K, is undoubtedly the fastest gaming processor globally. Its performance is derived chiefly from the extra cores. Furthermore, it also comes pre-overclocked to an all-core 4.9 GHz, with maximum speeds peaking at 5.3 GHz. The i9 10900k features 10 cores and 20 threads, which all contribute to its immense power and an impressive headroom for overclocking.
Before we dive into motherboards, let’s take a look at what this processor has to offer. In the past, Intel has been continually falling behind AMD when it comes to nanometer technology. However, Intel has seriously taken a massive leap with their 7% faster octa-core speeds, 13% faster turbo frequencies, and 5% lower memory latency. This stands as a serious competitor for AMD’s Ryzen 5800X motherboard.
While these improvements might not seem significant, they sure have a profound effect on the hardcore gamer. It is important to note, however, that this processor requires a specific LGA chipset. This resulted in many motherboard manufacturers tailor-making their products to offer support for the i9 10900K by launching the Z490 chipset.
With the numerous options on the market, it becomes hard for one to make the best choice when picking a motherboard for the i9 10900K. Now, for those who are looking to select the best motherboard for the PC, we’ve chosen a few of the best ones for you and cataloged them right here. Let’s jump right in.
Top 7 Best Motherboards for i9 10900K – At a Glance
- TOP PICK: ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 Wi-Fi
- BEST OVERALL: MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE Wi-Fi
- ENTHUSIAST BOARD: MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE
- ENTRY-LEVEL BOARD: ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E
- INEXPENSIVE MOTHERBOARD: MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus
- BEST FOR RGB LOVERS: ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula
- FOR CONTENT CREATORS: GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D
Our Top Picks
Intel has done it again! The i9 10900k is a beast of a processor. It’s not just for gamers, either – this CPU can power anything from video editing to scientific research. If you’re looking for the best motherboard for your new Intel Core i9-10900K, look no further than our top picks below:
1. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 WiFi – TOP PICK
The ROG Maximus XII Hero offers a proper foundation for gamers to build on. This motherboard packs considerable power, a smart cooling system, and super-fast memory support, all under a stealthy skin. Packed with advanced ROG specs, from AI overclocking and AI cooling to the famous Aura Sync illumination, this motherboard is more than prepared to deliver and is tailor-made for customization.
The Maximums employs VRM and chipset heatsinks that allow it to strike a delicate balance between surface area and mass, also enabling it to maintain system stability under weighty loads. Its super large armor heat sinks also extend over the several M 2 slots, and together with the multiple fan headers, these components allow for easy maintenance of low temperatures. This motherboard is structured in a way that makes it a good starting point for high-performance gaming systems.
With all its features, the Asus ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) easily contends as one of the best Motherboards for i9 10900K. It is also a good entry point when it comes to Z490 motherboards that support the Intel 10th Gen Comet Lake-S. While the model name sounds a lot like a small upgrade from the Z390, this motherboard is packed with several features and upgrades, making a massive difference!
Related: Best Motherboards for Intel i9 9900k
Best Features:
- MULTI-GPU SLI®/ CFX SUPPORT ・ 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 Safeslots (x16, x8/x8) ・ 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (x4)
- INTEL® SOCKET LGA 1200 – 10th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® processors
- DDR4, 4 X DIMM ・ OPTIMEM III ・ Dual channel
Specifications:
- Form factor: ATX Form Factor
- Chipset: Intel Z490
- Socket: LGA 1200 Comet Lake
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports up to 128GB, Supports up to DDR4-4800(OC)
- Storage :3x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots, 3x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slots
- Expansion: 6x SATA 6Gbps Ports, 3x M.2 M-Key Slots
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 4x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI 1.4b
- Voltage regulator: 14+2 Power Phase Design
- Network: Intel WiFi 6 (AX201) Module, 1x Marvell AQtion AQC111C 5 Gigabit LAN, 1x Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN Port
- Video: 1x HDMI 1.4b
- Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
2. MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE Wi-Fi – Best Overall
This motherboard is a perfect balance between high performance and style. Its design will undoubtedly bring out the best gamers by enabling full expression in color. It features advanced RGB lighting control and synchronization. With a front LED strip that shows in-game and real-time notifications, it will easily become the center of attention. It is also one of the best Motherboards for i9 10900K.
The powerful Intel® Core™ i9 10900K processor is nothing short of amazing. However, with its extreme performance, it is power-hungry, and it releases a lot of heat. This means that it needs a motherboard that has excellent heat dissipation and a robust power design. Additionally, most gamers would appreciate a motherboard that has tremendous overclocking potential. The MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI offers all this and more. It utilizes an advanced power design and features the latest thermal solution, enabling it to effectively cool down the system while maximizing processor performance.
The motherboard features a high-end digital PWM with an aggressive VRM power design that allows it to provide a faster and uninterrupted current delivery to the CPU at meticulous precision. This easily matches and helps to sustain the maximum performance for the Intel® Core™ i9 10900K processor. The motherboard also features dual 8-pin power connectors and an IR phase doubler, all of which help properly optimize processor performance.
Best Features:
- Turbo M.2 – 2 x M.2 slots.
- DDR4 Boost .
- Lightning 20G – Built-in USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port – 20Gbps transmission speed, 4X speed of USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- 2.5G Network Solution – Premium 2.5G LAN with LAN manager
Specifications:
- Form factor – ATX
- Chipset – Intel Z490
- Socket – LGA 1200 Comet Lake
- Memory – 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports up to 128GB, Supports up to DDR4-4800+(OC)
- Expansion Slots – 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot (From CPU), 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot (x4 Mode, From PCH), 2x PCIe x1 Slots (From PCH)
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A Port, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A, 2x USB 2.0
- Video ports: HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4
- Network: 1x Realtek RTL8125B-CG 2.5G LAN, Intel AX201, 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC/Ax, MU-MINO Rx, 2.4GHz-5GHz (160MHz) Up to 2.4Gbps
- Storage: 6x SATA 6Gb/S Ports, 2x M.2 Slots (Key M), PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/S, M2_1 Slot Supports 2242/ 2260 /2280/ 22110 Storage Devices, M2_2 Slot Supports 2242/ 2260 /2280 Storage Devices
- Voltage regulator: 12 + 1 +1 Duet Rail Power System
- Network – Intel WiFi 6 (AX201) Module
- Lighting – MSI Mystic Light
- Warranty – 3 Year Warranty
3. MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE – Enthusiast Board
Laden with bling, accessories, and high-end connectivity, the MSI MEG Z90 is no modest motherboard. Its name alone should give you a clue-and-a-half. When it comes to the best motherboards for the intel i9 10900K, it is more than a worthy contender.
When it was made, the motherboard was the company’s flagship. In terms of price and features, the motherboard competed fiercely with other high-end offerings like the Asrock’s Z490 Taichi and the Asus’ Z490 ROG Maximus XII Extreme. It allows extensive CPU and memory tweaking making it a perfect choice for those requiring above-average performance and stability. Its top-end Z490 chipset makes it ideal for Intel’s latest desktop CPUs.
If you are a fan of fancy features like onboard OLED info/bling panels and M.2 SSD expansion cards, this board is perfect. The center of attention on the board visually is its OLED panel placed to the right of the RAM DIMM slots. Each of the slots can take a maximum of 32GB DIMMs, making 128GB of memory. The OLED panel, also known as the Dynamic Dashboard II,” packs a resolution of 176 by 48 pixels. It displays system information and a few preloaded animations as well. It is also possible to upload your own custom gifs to be displayed on the panel.
Best Features:
- Supports 10th Gen Intel® Core™, 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors for LGA 1200 socket
- Supports DDR4 Memory, up to 5000(OC) MHz
- Ready 4 the Future: Support Lightning Gen 4 Solution for the future
- ONBOARD 10G SUPER LAN
Specifications:
- Form Factor: E-ATX
- CPU Socket: Intel LGA 1200
- Chipset: Intel Z490
- Memory: 4x Ddr4 Memory Slots, Support Up To 128gb, 1 DPC 1R Max Speed Up To 5000 Mhz, 1 DPC 2R Max Speed Up To 4400 Mhz, 2 DPC 1 Max Speed Up To 4400 Mhz, 2 DPC 2r Max Speed Up To 4000 Mhz
- Voltage Regulator: 8 phases
- Expansion Slots: 3x PCIe 3.0 X16 Slots, Support X16/ X0/ X4 Or X8/ X8/ X4 Mode, 1x PCIe 3.0 X1 Slot
- USB ports: Intel Z490 Chipset – 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10gbps Ports , 6x USB 2.0 Ports
- Asmedia Asm1074 Chipset – 8x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5gbps Ports , Intel Jhl7540 Thunderbolt 3 Controller – 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10gbps
- Video ports: HDMI, DisplayPort
- Storage: 6x Sata 6gb/s Ports 1,2, 3x M.2 Slots (key M)
- Network: 1x Aquantia AQC107 10g Lan Controller, 1x Realtek RTL8125b 2.5g Lan Controller
- Warranty: 3 years
4. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E – Entry-level Board
The ROG Strix Z490-E motherboard helps you to maximize the performance of the i9 10900K processor. It has an up-rated power delivery, and it features optimized cooling. It also allows you to easily manage to overclock, cool, and tweak the networking settings without much difficulty with its intelligent controls. This motherboard gives you everything you need to adequately take advantage of your build’s maximum potential, making it one of the best Motherboards for i9 10900K.
The ROG Strix Z490-E also provides you with cutting-edge connectivity that enables smooth online gaming experiences and lightning-fast file transfers. Its superior audio delivery offers you a massive advantage, allowing you to detect even the most subtle audio cues for a captivating gaming experience.
Best Features:
- Intel® LGA 1200 socket: Ready for 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors.
- High-performance Networking: On-board Intel® WiFi 6 AX201 (802.11 ax) and Intel® 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard.
- Industry-leading Gaming Audio: High fidelity audio with SupremeFX S1220A, DTS® Sound Unbound and Sonic Studio III to draw you deeper into the action.
Specifications:
- Form factor: ATX Form Factor
- Chipset: Intel Z490 Chipset
- Socket: LGA 1200 Comet Lake
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports up to 128GB, Supports up to DDR4-4600(OC)
- Storage: 3x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots, 3x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slots
- Expansion: 6x SATA 6Gbps Ports, 2x M.2 M-Key Slots
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 4x USB 2.0 Type-A
- Video – 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI
- Voltage regulator: 14+2 Power Phase Design
- Network: Intel WiFi 6 (AX201) Module, Bluetooth v5.1, Intel I225-V 2.5 Gigabit LAN Port, ASUS LANGuard
- Warranty- 3 Year Warranty
5. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus – Inexpensive Motherboard
The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus is an Intel Z490-powered ATX motherboard that is best for coupling with the Intel i9 10900K chipset. It features several premium components, impressive thermal capability, and several ultra-fast connectivity options, all of which enable it to match most of your current needs and future upgrades. It comes equipped with MSI Mystic Light which lets you light up your rig with unique RGB lighting, which you can customize and sync across your system.
The Taiwan-based manufacturer is famous for its products which mostly target gamers, and this motherboard fits perfectly with the rest of their product lineup. Though it might be considered a lower-end product on MSI’s catalog, the board comes equipped with the new Z490 chipset, and it is quite impressive in terms of quality and power delivery.
Best Features:
- Supports 10th Gen Intel® Core™, 11th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® processors for LGA 1200 socket
- Supports DDR4 Memory, up to 5000(OC) MHz
- Ready 4 the Future: Support Lightning Gen 4 Solution for the future
- Enhanced Power Design: 12+1+1 Duet Rail Power System, 8+4 pin CPU power connectors, Core Boost, DDR4 Boost
Specifications:
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z490 Chipset
- Socket: LGA 1200 Comet Lake
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports up to 128GB, Supports up to DDR4-4800+(OC)
- Storage: 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (1 Supports x4 Mode), 3x PCIe x1 slots
- Expansion: 6x SATA 6Gb/s Ports, 2x M.2 Slots (Key M)
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-A), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (Type-C), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps, 2x USB 2.0
- Network: 2.5Gbps LAN, 1x Realtek RTL8125B-CG 2.5G LAN Controller
- Video: 1 xHDMI , 1 X DP
- Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
6. ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula – Best for RGB Lovers
The ROG Maximus XII motherboard is crafted to traverse the upper echelons of gaming and overclocking. It is loaded with a number of features that punctuate most premium boards. The motherboard features an Intel LGA 1200 socket that is designed to unleash the maximum performance of the intel i9 10900K processors. It comes with 16 Infineon power stages, with each one of them ready to 70 amps. You will also find high-quality alloy chokes and several durable capacitors that equip the board with the capability to handle and deliver continuous, reliable power even when the CPU’s limits are pushed to the limit.
This motherboard can be called extreme within the limits of motherboard specifications and is undoubtedly one of the best Motherboards for i9 10900K.
Best Features:
- Supports Intel ® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0**
- Intel® Socket LGA 1200 for 10th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® processors*
- Dual Channel Memory Architecture, Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
- Supports NVIDIA 2-Way SLI® Technology
Specifications:
- Form factor: ATX Form Factor
- Chipset: Intel Z490 Chipset
- Socket: LGA 1200 Comet Lake
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports up to 128GB, Supports up to DDR4-4800(OC)
- Storage: 3x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slots
- Expansion: 6x SATA 6Gbps Ports, 3x M.2 M-Key Slots
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 6x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A
- Voltage: 16 Power Phase Design
- Network: Intel WiFi 6 (AX201) Module, – 1x Marvell AQtion AQC-107 10 Gigabit LAN, 1x Intel 2.5 Gigabit LAN Port
- Lighting: 2″ LiveDash OLED
- Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
7. GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D – For Content Creators
Motherboard manufacturers keep coming up with innovative ways to improve and set their products apart and ahead of the rest. From overclocking series to creator boards, every maker always seems to have something up their sleeve, including Gigabyte. This manufacturer is currently focused on its Vision brand of boards that are nothing less than impressive.
Gigabyte Vision series offers a no-compromise platform that delivers high performances, impressive functionality, and stability. This paves the way for creators to work at super-fast speeds and to be more efficient. The board comes with integrated WiFi, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and RGB lighting. It also offers robust power delivery, high-quality integrated audio, and more.
Best Features:
- 3 PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots,Intel 2.5 G and Wi-Fi 6 networking pairing
- Digital PWM controller + DrMOSm 12+1 phase
- Dual Thunderbolt 3 Type-C + Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec.
Specifications:
- Form Factor: ATX Form Factor
- Chipset: Intel Z490 Chipset
- Socket: LGA 1200
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Supports up to 128GB, Supports up to DDR4-4800(OC)
- Storage: (1) PCIe 3.0 x4 (Key E for CNVi Wi-Fi), (1) PCIe 3.0 x4 / PCIe only (up to 110mm), (1) PCIe 3.0 x4 / SATA + PCIe (up to 110mm – supports PCIe 4.0)
- Expansion: (6) SATA3 6 Gbps (RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10), (3) v3.0 (x16, x8/x8, x8/x8/x4) *Supports PCIe 4.0 with new processor
- USB: (2) USB 3.2 Gen 2/Thunderbolt 3, Type-C, (2) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A (10 Gbps), (4) USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A (5 Gbps), (2) USB 2.0
- Voltage: Direct 12+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution with DrMOS
- Network: Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, MU-MIMO) / BT 5.1
- Video: (1) HDMI (v1.4), (1) DisplayPort (input), (2) Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C)
- Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
Our Recommendations
In short, the best motherboards for the i9-10900K are those that come with the Z490 chipset. These motherboards have been specifically designed to offer support for this powerful processor, and they come with a range of features that will make your gaming experience smoother and more enjoyable. So if you’re looking to buy a motherboard for your new i9-10900K, then be sure to check out our list of recommendations.
BEST ENTHUSIAST MOTHERBOARD
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike – This motherboard easily transcends most current motherboards that are meant for the 10th generation intel processors. It is designed to push the limits of what extreme performance can be. The motherboard combines the strength of earlier series and new cutting-edge technology, giving it an overall boost in operational and gaming efficiency.
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus – This entry-level board features a premium cooling system with an extended heatsink design. It is ready for high performance and hours of high-quality gaming.
BEST MID-RANGE
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E – This flagship from Asus features a boosted power delivery mechanism that is optimized for cooling. It also comes with an AI cooling and overclocking system.
BEST ATX MOTHERBOARD
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero – The ROG Maximus XII Hero packs substantial power, and it features a smart cooling system that enables it to sustain long periods of gaming and high performance.
BEST FOR CREATORS
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D – This motherboard is perfect for creators. It brings its users a slew of modern connectivity. You will find three heatsinked M.2 slots, a USB 3.2 that supports up to 20GB per second.
Our Verdict
As we had mentioned earlier, the best motherboards for i9-10900K will be built on the Z490 chipset. If you’re looking for an entry-level board, then the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming Motherboard is your best bet. This motherboard is packed with features that will make your gaming experience smooth and fast.
On the other hand, if you want a high-performance board that can push your system to its highest potential, then the MSI MEG Z490 Godlike is the motherboard you should consider. It provides a high level of performance, and it’s packed with features that will make it easier for you to overclock your system.
That’s all for now! think we missed anything, please let us know in the comments section. If you like our Best Motherboards for i9 10900K, then please share it with your friends. Thanks for reading.
FAQs
Motherboards built on the Intel Z490 or better are designed to support the intel 10th gen CPUs. This new wave of boards features a new CPU socket known as the LGA 1200 that supports the 10th Generation chips.
Overclocking settings are system-specific and will also depend on your unique testing techniques. This means there are no universal overclocking settings, and you need to take adequate time to do it properly.
The majority will not be able to support i9 10900k since it is a 10th generation chip with a totally different socket requirement.