Best Motherboard for i9 9900k - Buyer’s Guide
With the Intel Core i9 9900K processor, you can now have exceptional performance for gaming. It’s a current-generation chip that will help to preserve our sanity as it offers excellent overclocking capabilities and has an affordable price tag considering its high-performance level.
The Intel Core i9 9900K is the latest and greatest processor from intel. To take full advantage of all that power, you’ll need a motherboard with an LGA1151 socket on it if you’re looking for one-stop shopping (and don’t want to worry about compatibility).
At A Glance:
BUDGET PICK
Best Mid-Tier Budget Motherboard for i9 9900k
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3
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Form Factor: There are many different form factors that you can choose from when building a computer. You have your standard ATX, EATX, and Micro-ATX options to consider – all of which will vary in size depending on the type of cabinet or desktop case you’re using for storage.
Chipset: Intel’s i9 9900K is a beast of an overclocking CPU, but it requires compatible hardware. Z390 motherboards are the only way to unlock their full potential and work with your peripherals like graphics cards.
Connectivity: Your computer’s motherboard acts as the central bridge to all its internal and external components, meaning it needs to connect them. So, you need a versatile one with high-speed USB ports, Wi-Fi connectivity, among others, that has multiple RAM slots for future upgrades, as well as M.2 connectors and various other options so you can equip yourself right now.
The following are some of the top motherboards available in the market:
Asus is an innovative company that has many high-quality products. One of these items, the Asus ROG Strix Z390 motherboard, will improve your computer’s performance and give you various options to increase its functionality. With this motherboard, you can run multiple operations smoothly during intense gaming sessions or while running demanding apps like video editing software and upgrade it for future compatibility with the latest Intel 8th gen and 9th gen CPUs without having any issues.
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The Board offers a total of 4 memory slots for up to 128 GB RAM and dual SSD ports. Furthermore, there are six SATA3 ports and other connectivity options, including USB type C, type A, Displayport, HDMI, and ethernet. To top it off, you can also enjoy Wi-Fi included in the package, but its speed is limited when compared to newer standards like Wi-Fi 6, which is why you may need an external network card.
The Pros:
- DDR 4000MT/s OC capable
- Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi
- Ample fan headers
- Good USB provision
The Cons:
- Only one onboard RGB lighting zone
The Gigabyte Aorus Pro Z390 motherboard is an excellent option for those who want a high-performance component at the lowest possible price. The LGA1151 socket and six PCIe slots make this board perfect to accommodate any type of computer system you may need, while its ATX form factor ensures it will fit in most cases without issue.
The second product on our list is not just one that offers top performance but also great value. The Gigabyte Aorus Pro Z390 motherboard comes with everything necessary to build your dream PC right out of the box. It features all modern connections like USB 3.1 Type C ports and RGB lighting made into every single fan header so you can customize how each light shines exactly where needed.
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The GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS PRO Wi-Fi Motherboard is one of the best in its class and has so many features that will make your computer run like a dream. With two M.2 slots with heatsinks for high-end overclocking needs, you can use 6 SATA 3 ports to connect six different hard drives or SSDs, as well as four memory slots for up 128 GB RAM. This motherboard provides you an array of options when it comes time to build out your next machine.
The Pros:
- Massive Overkill VR
- Plenty of VRM cooling capability
- Solid WiFi Solution
- Great out of the box performance
- All fan headers are hybrid headers
The Cons:
- No AVX offset with MCE enabled
- No POST code display
GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS ULTRA is the newest motherboard from GIGABYTE. It’s packed with your favorite onboard features like RGB lighting and Wi-Fi while ensuring that you have a clean power supply for any overclocked components. The 12+1 Power VRM design ensures that nothing will bottleneck by lack of power, so don’t worry about running high memory speeds or other demanding tasks on this board. Plus, it supports up to 4400MHz at a max capacity of 64GB.
The GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS ULTRA has three M.2 slots and four memory modules, six SATA6 slots for storage devices, 3 PCIe x16 graphics cards with Gigabyte Steel Armor capability, and 3 PCIe x1 expansion card slots to make it a great choice.
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It also includes one USB3.1 Gen2 Type-C port on the back I/O panel, which is perfect if you’re looking to transfer files at speeds up to 12 times faster than traditional.
SuperSpeed data transfers of 5Gbps so that you can enjoy 4K video streaming without any lagging or buffering issues, thanks in part due to its fast 2133MHz DDR4 support making this an excellent option.
The Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra is expensive than other motherboards in the same lineup, but its price tag isn’t too high, considering it outperforms many of them. The features and design are also identical to those cheaper models while having a higher performance rating.
Specifically designed for a power-hungry processor, the GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS ULTRA motherboard takes your computer to new limits. The robust design and excellent VRM are just a few of its features that make it perfect for i9 9900K or any other processor at all.
The Pros:
- SLI and Crossfire support.
- Good Z390 Aorus Xtreme Alternative.
- 12 Phase Power Design VRM.
The Cons:
- Not Affordable.
ASUS Strix has always been known for its aesthetics and performance. With the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming, it’s no different. This ITX motherboard is perfect for those looking to make a compact PC build with an Intel Coffee Lake processor like the i9 9900K since this board supports every current generation of processors that are out there on the market today. It also includes two RAM DIMMs to support up to 64Gb of memory which you can overclock at speeds as high as 4000Mhz+.
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming is a mini ITX motherboard with everything to offer for an ATX build. It provides only one PCIe x16 slot and does not support multiple graphics cards or any expansion cards. Still, it compensates with excellent connectivity options, including several USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports as well as both Type A and C USB 2.0 ports available on the board, along with four SATA 6 slots for hard disks of your choice plus two M2 Socket3 connectors, plus built-in Wi-Fi which makes this best at its price point range.
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The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming has its pros, but there are some cons too that you should consider before choosing this for your build. The most notable con is the compatibility issues with the Aura RGB lights; many older motherboards run into a similar problem, and it’s worth checking out if any of these other features would be more important to you. Another thing about this board is how awkward it looks when using front panel headers on top of graphics cards because they’re located around where two M2 slots will be, which can cause problems depending on what type of card runs in those positions (some might get blocked by heat).
The Pros:
Have PCI Steel Armor.
- Support high OC memory modules.
- Recommended for SFF builds.
The Cons:
- ASUS Aura RGB lights issues.
- No SLI and Crossfire support.
- M.2 runs on warn side.
Aorus Pro is the more economical counterpart of Aorus Ultra. Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro has a black and white design with bright orange lighting, making it perfect for gamers on a budget who want to show off their high-end hardware in style without breaking the bank.
Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro gives you everything you need to push your rig’s performance as far as it can go. It has a 12+1-phase power design VRM and easily overclocks the i9 9900K so that any game or program will run smoothly with all of its cores fully engaged at high speeds. You also get 128GBs of memory at 4400 MHz for an incredible computing experience on this board – more than enough room for modern games, video editing software, 3D modeling programs, you name it.
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There are six SATA6 slots plus two M2 PCIe x4 slots for storage devices, too; three PCI steel armor slots offer plenty of space if you’re using multiple graphics cards from both AMD and INTEL.
No motherboards are perfect, and Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro has some drawbacks. The motherboard doesn’t have any exclusive features for gamers but still offers excellent performance with an aesthetically pleasing design. It’s not affordable than most of the other Z390 boards out there, which is one downside to this board.
The Pros:
- Affordable.
- Build for enthusiasts.
- Great aesthetics.
The Cons:
- Nothing to mention.
Don’t be fooled by marketing and claims made about the number of phases on a motherboard. ASRock’s Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX will give you all 5+2 VRM phase designs, delivering consistent power delivery for overclocking an i9-9900K. The thermals are also kept cool with efficient VRM heatsinks thanks to its small form factor yet significant performance capability.
The ASRock Phantom Gaming ITX motherboard is an excellent choice for people looking to build a mini-ITX gaming PC. The standout features that make it stand out are dual M.2 slots and Thunderbolt 3 support, making up one of very few boards on the market with this feature. The Z390 Mini Itx competition has many similar specifications, but there’s no question about what board will stand apart in performance when you compare them side by side.
ASRock Z390 model uses VRM cooling subpar compared to other models because they use a VRM shield design instead of direct contact. At the same time, some users may not be bothered by these changes, and others who place great importance on high-quality components won’t want anything less than that.
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The ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX is the best pick for those looking to overclock their i9-9900K in a mini ITX form factor. Otherwise, if you want VRM quality comparable to other brands but are not constrained by size limitations, then look at AORUS’ new motherboard that also has WiFI capabilities and dual M2 SSD slots.
The Pros:
- High performance.
- Two M.2 PCIe sockets.
- Good overclocking.
- DDR4-4500 out of the box.
- Great BIOS.
The Cons:
- Egregious DIMM over-voltage.
- Thunderbolt 3 is only half-speed (20Gbps).
- No Gen2 header for front-panel USB 3.1.
- Firmware H/W Monitor misreports DIMM overvoltage.
If you’re looking to buy a motherboard for your new Intel Core i9 9900K processor, Asus has some affordable options like the TUF Z390 Pro. It’s one of their most advanced models, and it supports DDR4 memory up to 4266 MT/s, so if you plan on upgrading in the future, this might be an excellent option as well.
The board also offers 8 DIMM slots with support for 64GB capacity at speeds that reach 2400 MHz (OC). You can even install two M.2 SSD drives connected via PCIe Gen3x16 lanes or four SATA devices from 6 ports available here too. In terms of design features, we get things such as metal-armor protection against electromagnetic interference.
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ASUS TUF Z390-Pro Gaming Motherboard is the perfect motherboard for those looking to get a high-performance processor. The 6 PCIe slots, four memory slots that support up to 128 GB RAM, and dual M.2 ports can all be used simultaneously with this motherboard, making it ideal if you’re shopping around for something more powerful than your current system.
The Pros:
- Fit and finish, Part of an easily matched theme, Exceptional BIOS, Great overclocking.
- Stock performance potential, Overclocking performance, Gamer-friendly board aesthetics, layout, and design, Price, UEFI BIOS design and usability, Storage offerings – dual M.2 ports and SATA ports.
The Cons:
- CMOS battery placement, Lack of UEFI RGB LED configuration.
- No Wi-Fi, Software bloat, No USB Type-C.
MSI MEG GODLIKE Z390 has a variety of features and is perfect for overclockers. With 18 Phase Power Design VRM, this motherboard can easily overclock Intel i9 9900K to its limits as it offers excellent performance while looking sleek with black heatsinks that cover most of the board’s area. Memory up to 128Gb will work on this motherboard, and overclocked memory up to 4400Mhz is possible thanks partly due to its high-quality PCB design, which gives grey highlights among mostly all blacks.
MSI MEG GODLIKE Z390 features six SATA6 slots and three M.2 slots for memory and Wi-Fi modules, one USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (the fastest in the world), a single legacy slot with two PCIe x16 lanes available to use as well as four more on top of that–enough room for multiple AMD or Nvidia graphics cards. The board also has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, which will make it easy to connect wirelessly from anywhere you happen to be sitting. You can’t go wrong with this fantastic piece of hardware.
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This board is a powerful ATX motherboard, and you’ll need to have a case that fits the dimensions of an E-ATX form factor for it not to do compatibility issues. The MSI MEG GODLIKE Z390 will work best with Intel’s i9 9900K; however, if your budget doesn’t allow this option, we also offer cheaper alternatives that still provide the same features.
The Pros:
- Great Aesthetics.
- 18 Phase Power Design VRM.
- Plenty of USB ports.
The Cons:
- Lacks 10GBPS Ethernet port.
- Storage performance could be much better.
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI FORMULA Z390 lineup of motherboards are the flagship products from ASUS, and these boards have a higher quality than most other motherboard manufacturers. The reason behind this is because their product prices are reasonable as well as high-quality equipment. This board comes with an impressive 8+4 phase power VRM circuit that smoothly delivers current to the components attached to it–even when overclocking your memory up by 4000MHz+.
The new and improved features of this motherboard will make you forget all about the old ones. It’s equipped for a future that demands more power, with plenty of space to grow into. There are three PCIe x16 slots on board so you can install high-end GPUs without fear or concern regarding running out of lanes; it also has six SATA6 ports for hard drives storage should they not yet switch over from SSDs. Furthermore, memory modules up t 64Gb have been tested by our team. If your computer requires lots and lots of extra RAM, then there is no need to worry. The USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A and Types C ports included ensuring next-generation compatibility while still retaining backward capability as well: the perfect solution.
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ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI FORMULA Z390 is an excellent motherboard with excellent features that most people will find worth the high cost. However, you need to know some things about it: firstly, ASUS motherboards tend to be expensive because of their quality components and controllers. Secondly, bandwidth between M2 slots (SSD), PCIe x16 slots for video cards or soundcards – as well as SATA ports in general – can sometimes slow down performance if one device uses all three at once; this is called “sharing.” Thirdly there’s no way from within the UEFI software to configure your RGB LED lights, so they don’t look like everyone else who has those same parts on their board.
The Pros:
- ASUS Digi VRM.
- Supports Nvidia and AMD multiple GPUs.
- Best Audio and Networking controllers.
The Cons:
- Bandwidth between Storage is shared.
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Gene Z390 is an overclocking dream. It has a 12 Phase power Design VRM and supports most Intel Coffee Lake processors out of the box. This motherboard comes in a micro-ATX form factor that you can install into any mid-tower, with its dimensions 27cm x 26 cm (11″x10″). With two RAM DIMMs, you can install up to 64GB of memory for maximum performance or go all out by clocking it at 4000MHz for even more speed.
The ASUS ROG Maximus XI, Gene Z390 motherboard, has many features despite being Micro ATX. You get one PCIe x16 slot and 1×4 and 4 SATA6 slots with 2 M.2 modules for your storage needs. There are 3 USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports along with Wi-Fi support & 8 USB plugs to make sure you’re never out of reach.
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You may be thinking about getting this motherboard, but you need to know that it doesn’t support multiple graphics cards at all. You also don’t get enough RAM slots for any enthusiast build; there are only 2. This board won’t have legacy SATA M2 either, and enabling the CPU storage can drop your PCIe x16 slot down to a measly eight lanes, so think twice before buying one for your build.
The Pros:
- Have excellent VRM.
- Best for micro-ATX builds.
The Cons:
- No multiple GPU support.
- No Legacy SATA M.2.
- Only two memory slots.
FAQ
What to Look for Before Buying a Motherboard for i9 9900K?
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for when buying the best motherboard for your new build with the Intel i9 9900k. Chipset, Form Factor, RAM Capacity, Storage Capacity, Socket, Expansion Slots, PCI-E, Ports, BIOS.
Is the i9 9900K overkill?
Right now, yes, it is overkill. But if you want the most power, performance, and money-saving, it’s the best right now. In 5 years from now, it will be an upper mid-range at best.
How much RAM do I need for i9 9900K?
If you’re planning for a gaming build instead of a content creation build, I always recommend 16Gb of ram. For Intel processors, it doesn’t matter whether your ram is rated at 3000 or 3200, so don’t splurge on higher speeds. 16Gb 3200Mhz is your best choice.
Is an Intel i9 9900k compatible with a B360M Xtreme motherboard?
The i9 9900K and B360 motherboards are compatible, just not recommended. A Z370/Z390 will get the 9900K to over 5GHz. No one is going to buy an i9 9900K and put it in a B360 motherboard.
Is i9-9900k good for 3D rendering?
It is, and that’s true in both 2D and 3D graphics rendering and video editing.
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Steve is MoboNinja’s Editor in chief. He was raised with a quest for the gaming craze. That’s why he describes himself as a dedicated programmer and gamer.
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