Best Motherboard For i9 9900k 2020

When building a new computer, it is pertinent to choose the right components. Your computer is only going to be as fast as the slowest component you have. The Intel Core i9 9900k is widely considered one of the best processors in the world and it can indeed provide you with lightning-fast speeds. However, you’ll need to couple the processor with a good motherboard to get satisfactory results. Your motherboard is equally important so you’ll want to make sure that you get the best of both.

You’ll also need to add plenty of fans or a liquid cooling system to the computer to ensure the components remain cool at all times. If you’re going to be gaming or splicing together video, you need a great motherboard and the i9 9900k processor. This combination will prove to be very effective for the intended purpose.

So, which motherboard is going to provide you with the most satisfaction? You’ll find out about some of the best motherboards that are compatible with the i9 9900k below.

Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Xtreme 

The Z390 AORUS Extreme Motherboard by Gigabyte has been described by may consumers as “one of the best motherboards for gaming.” The motherboard is compatible with both the 8^th and 9^th Intel Core processors, which are considered top-of-the-line. There is a lot to like about the AORUS Ultra, especially when it comes to downloading, gaming, and sharing big data.

WiFi-Ready

The AORUS Xtreme is Wifi-ready to eliminate the need to invest in an additional Wi-Fi dongle, which would set you back about $20. As soon as you plug in all of the components to the motherboard and complete the setup, you will have immediate access to Wi-Fi. There are no extra steps required to create a Wi-Fi connection from the motherboard.

Eye-Appealing Design

It is obvious by the customer reviews that Gigabyte’s effort in making its Z390 AORUS Xtreme Motherboard eye-appealing is appreciated. The motherboard is integrated with a monochrome pallet to deliver lighting of various colors. The user can manipulate the colors to suit their moods, preferences, and personalities. The lighting brings a lot of attention to the motherboard, even when it is stored inside of the PC case.

Pros

• Compatible with Intel 8^th and 9^th Core Processors
• DDR4 – dual-channel
• Accepts four DIMMs
• Has expansion slots
• HDMI display interface, Wi-Fi, and ALC 1220-VB audio

Cons

• HDMI port needs improvement
• High price tag

Overall Assessment

The Gigabyte AORUS Xtreme is a great motherboard for some gaming apps. It is great for overclocking, 8^th and 9^th Intel Core Processors, and dual graphics cards. The motherboard is solidly built and standard size. Gigabyte customer support is very responsive and capable of solving customer issues in a timely manner.

Gigabyte AORUS Master

The Aorus Master MOBO is compatible with the 8^th and 9^th Intel Core processor so getting it up and running will be quick and easy. Also, it should be noted that it features 4 DIMMs and they’re dual-channel for faster performances. The MOBO is Intel Optane Memory ready as well. This board is equipped with onboard Wi-Fi so you won’t need to buy a Wi-Fi dongle or anything like that. The audio performance is excellent and will satisfy most gamers without any issues.

This one features plenty of USB and most are 3.0 or 3.1 ports so you can get the faster transfer speeds. This means that the board is going to work exceptionally well for video creators and others. The built-i Wi-Fi is very fast with maximum speeds of up to 1.73 Gbps. The M2 Thermal Guards are very helpful and will prevent throttling and bottlenecks. If you want to install the highest speed M.2 SSDs, this motherboard will be a good option for you. It’ll do the trick without additional hiccups.

The AORUS Master overclocks exceptionally well making it a good option for gamers and video editors. The only potential issue is that you’re going to run into quality control problems. You may receive a board DOA and end up being forced to send it back for a refund or replacement

Pros

• Very easy to overclock to 5GHz
• Included RGB is very cool
• M2 heat sinks are great
• Plenty of USB ports
• Tons of features to enjoy

Cons

• Quality control issues may exist
• MB audio is not long-lasting

Overall Assessment

At the end of the day, the Gigabyte Aorus Master is one of the best MOBOs for mother consumers. It works exceptionally well for gaming and video editing. It offers everything you need and so much more. If you’re looking for a well-rounded MOBO that will deliver big, this is the one you want to buy.

Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra MOBO

The Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra supports the 8^th and 9^th Gen Intel Core Processors. So, it should be compatible with your Intel i9 9900k out of the box. It offers a wealth of benefits so you will be able to game your heart out without any problems whatsoever. For instance, it features dual-channel DDR4 slots. With this MOBO, you’ll be able to use four DIMM sticks simultaneously. This ensures that you’re able to push the RAM up to 64GB and get the best results.

It features built-in Wi-Fi so you won’t have to worry about buying a dongle or anything like that. The Smart Fan 5 system is very beneficial since it can help keep your computer components cool at all times. You’ll have plenty of room on the motherboard to install numerous fans. Just make sure that you choose a case that accommodates them too.

The MOBO is excellent for overclocking but it may have a few build quality issues. That will give consumers a lot of concerns. You have to be very careful with the PCIe slot since it is slightly fragile. Despite that flaw, this board is great for the 9900k processor. It has three M2 slots so you can reduce space and still have plenty of storage space.

Pros

• Equipped with 3 M2 slots
• VRMs with excellent heatsink
• Plenty of SATA ports to play around with
• Works great for overclocking
• Built-in Wi-Fi module

Cons

• Not the most intuitive BIOS

Overall Assessment

The Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra MOBO is one of the best motherboards for the Intel Core i9 9900k processor. It is compatible out of the box so you won’t need to jump through extra hoops. Simultaneously, it gives you everything you need and so much more. It has 3 M2 slots so you maximum your computer’s storage space. It offers built-in Wi-Fi so you won’t have to buy a dongle. The board is great in most categories.

ASUS ROG Maximum XI Hero Z390

The ASUS ROG Maximum XI Hero is a great motherboard for the 9^th and 8^th generation Intel Core processor. The processor claims that it’ll be able to help the user get more from their processor. On top of that, it offers a sufficient number of ports and SATA connections to satisfy most. It features 2 M2 slots and USB 3.1 connections for faster transfers. The MOBO has been optimized for improved DRAM overclocking.

The MOBO comes with everything you need including a GIGABIT LAN adapter and WIFI module. The optimization options are endless since it offers 5-way optimization. This ensures that you’re able to adjust every aspect of the machine to get the precise results you’re after. If you can fine-tune everything from audio to storage with a few simple clicks. This MOBO comes with every feature you could need and then some.

The only potential downside is the fact that it is slightly heavy. You should expect this since the board is equipped with so many excellent features.

Pros

• Integrated I/O shield is great
• VRM cooling can help
• Audio has been improved
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Not too expensive for an ASUS ROG MOBO

Cons

• May need a BIOS update before using with 9900k

Overall Assessment

This motherboard is great for any Intel Core Processor. However, it should be noted that some models do not have updated BIOS. This means that you’ll need an old CPU to upgrade the BIOS. Otherwise, it may not work with the new i9. Otherwise, it is a great MOBO that offers everything you need and so much more.

ASRock Z390 Phantom 

While slightly more expensive than many others, the ASRock Motherboard will prove to be a good companion for your processor. It offers 2x DDR4 DIMM slots meaning you can add a maximum of 32GB of RAM to your system. If you’re looking for something more and want to upgrade to 64GB, you’ll want to switch to a better motherboard. This one offers plenty of space for SATA drives so you’ll never have to worry about running out of space.

One of the big differences with this board is the fact that it features 2 M2 slots while many do not. The right memory sticks will provide you with a better performance than what you’re going to get from SATA drives so you’ll want to take advantage of that. You’ll also benefit from the inclusion of a Thunderbolt 3 drive so you can get faster transfer speeds than you would with USB 2.0 and many alternatives. However, you should know that the Thunderbolt is not going to provide you with full speeds.

The board can handle overclocks exceptionally well. If you intend to push your computer to its limits and a bit further, this MOBO will do the trick. The only potential downfall is the fact that the included wireless internet adapt is somewhat weak. The quality is poor so you may experience problems with that component at some point. The product doesn’t include any antennas either.

Pros

• Not too expensive
• Includes a wireless Internet adapter
• Thunderbolt power
• Plenty of SATA connections
• Has 2x DDR4 Ram Slots and 2 M2 slots

Cons

• No antennas
• Wireless Internet adapter is a bit weak

Overall Assessment

The ASRock Z390 Gaming ITV Motherboard is a good option for some. If you’re looking for something smaller and don’t mind sticking with 32GBs of ram, this motherboard will do the trick. It offers numerous benefits and will save you money. Nevertheless, it may not be a suitable option for people who want the best of the best for their new computer build.

Summary

The market is overflowing with excellent MOBOs that work with the Intel Core i9 9900k but not all of them are equal. Before you can decide which one is right for you, it is pertinent to find out what you want. Are you fine with 32GB of RAM? Will you okay with only 1 M2 slot? Motherboards are unique in various ways and they can greatly impact your computer’s performance and usability. Therefore, you need to research extensively so you can find the one that is going to work best for your new computer build.

ASRock Z390 Taichi Ultimate

The ASRock Z390 Taichi Ultimate Motherboard features all the necessities to play high-tech gaming apps. Its compatibility with Intel’s 8^th and 9^th Generation core processors ensure great gaming quality. It also supports DDR4 4200+ overclocking, resulting in a much faster PC. The motherboard measures in at 15” H X 12 L X 5” D.

Four Memory Slots

The Z390 Motherboard supports up to 64GB RAM (four 16GB). 64GB RAM is a requirement for faster image and video processing, making it better for gaming and video-editing. You can opt for 32GB at first and update it to 64GB later to stay on budget.

Graphics Card

The ASRock Z390 is integrated with a graphics card for gaming. However, if you plan on playing resource-hogging games, you may want to update to a better graphics card, such as a 1070ti or 1080ti. An updated graphics card will allow your PC to deliver faster video editing, better video playback quality, and run multiple monitors simultaneously.

Pros

• Superior cooling system
• Supports up to 64GB RAM
• Compatible with Intel 8^th and 9^th core processors
• Easy to overclock
• Eye-appealing design

Cons

• Bluetooth is lacking
• Generates annoying electrical sounds

Overall Assessment

The ASRock Z390 Taichi Ultimate is great for overclocking, gaming, and video editing. The motherboard supports up to 64GB of RAM and both the 8^th and 9^th generation Intel core processors. Its eye-appealing design is visible from inside the case. Overall, the construction is solid and rigidity, so it should endure normal wear and tear without a problem.