However, finding the right motherboard for it can be a bit challenging for newcomers. The Core i9 9900K remains to be one of the most amazing options available to this date, and if you are on a budget, the good news is that you can find insane deals on this processor, which sometimes is bundled with the best motherboard for i9 9900K. And even if that is not the case and you have missed out on the bundle, you can look at the list here, and you will find an abundance of options for anyone who wants to get their hands on a good motherboard. After all, performance is what you are after, and performance is what you are going to get here
Best Motherboards For Intel Core i9 9900k – Specs & Reviews!
Best Motherboard For i9 9900k
We are fully aware of how popular the 9900K is, therefore it is only sensible that we are talking about as many options as possible, so there is a chance of buying something that you truly want rather than making a random purchase.
#1- MSI Meg Z390 Godlike
MSI surely took some time when it comes to playing catch-up, but when they did, it was loud and clear that they have arrived at the scene as they delivered high-end components back to back, and everyone was in love.
Support for 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. E-ATX form factor. Killer Wireless AC 1550 Wi-Fi with 2x Killer E2500 LAN. Turbo U.2, 3x Turbo M.2 slots. Dual USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C front connectors.
Hard to outperform this motherboard. Gorgeous lighting. Loaded with features. Beautiful lighting.
Average storage performance.
Needless to say, they no longer a name that people can take lightly thanks to how good they are. The motherboard I am talking about is indeed the MSI Meg Z390 Godlike, and it is one of the best options available for you to buy. However, before you go ahead, just know that this right here is an enthusiast-grade option, and you might not require it if you are looking for something tamer. With that out of the way, the Z390 Godlike is something that can hardly be matched in terms of how it looks, or how it fits into your case. This is a large than average motherboard as it brings the E-ATX standard and looks gorgeous while doing that. If you are planning on overclocking the 9900K, which you should, then the Godlike motherboard is going to give you an amazing set of features made specifically for that, and you are also getting a heap of other features that you can rely on any time of the day. If you want performance, this has got you covered. Last but not the least, I have to hand it to MSI for creating one of the best lighting systems in any a motherboard so far. MSI has truly done a great job as far as the lighting is concerned. I cannot think of anything aside from average storage performance, but that is a chipset limitation rather than the limitation of the motherboard.
#2- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA
Gigabyte is not known to hold it back when they are in the need to release some fine motherboards. Especially under their Aorus branding, where they have been killing it with back to back amazing offerings. The MSI Meg Z390 Godlike is not just an average motherboard that you can pick up and install. It can almost be called the status symbol because of how good looking and powerful it is. If you don’t want any compromises, this is the one that you pick.
Supports 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. Intel Optane memory ready. 12+1 phase power design. ALC1220 audio codecs.
Built like a tank. You are getting 3 M.2 slots. 12+1 phase power design. Solid overclocking and great stability. The BIOS is a treat to use.
Looks might not be for everyone.
The Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA is just one of the many amazing options that are available, and to be honest, for the price it warrants, it certainly is one of the best options available too, and I cannot contest that. To start with, if you are looking for a motherboard that is built with a solid look and feel, then going for this motherboard makes the most sense as it delivers on that front. You are also getting access to triple M.2 slots that are all covered with heatsinks, so you do have that as well. Gigabyte has implemented a 12+1 power phase designed, which is great in case you are looking to overclock your CPU, and the integrated I/O shield makes the installation a breeze. For anyone who wants to overclock their CPU, the excellent overclocking suite along with VRM cooling is there to keep everything in check. Not to forget, the BIOS is also one of the finest on any motherboard. My only issue here is that the looks of this motherboard might be polarizing for some, but other than that, nothing comes in the way.
#3- Asus ROG Strix Z390-E
Asus has a pretty interesting lineup as far as their motherboards are concerned, offering everything from the budget end of things to the highest options available. This is a great strategy that simply allows the consumers to pick what is right for them and roll with it. If you are familiar with how good Gigabyte products are and you are looking for one, the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA makes the most sense as it delivers fantastic performance across the board with no compromises whatsoever.
Supports 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. On-board Wi-Fi. Dual M.2 slots with USB Type-C front panel connector. Integrated I/O shield. 5-way optimization for easier tuning.
One of the better motherboards when it comes to efficiency. Good overclocking capabilities. Quality software from Asus, which is easy to use and intuitive.
Does not have as many advanced features.
With that out of the way, the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard joins us, and this is not something that is a mid-range but let’s just call it a mid-high end option but don’t let that fool you as it still manages to pack some serious punch, something that you would be surprised to get your hands on. The motherboard brings amazing efficiency when you are talking about stability, the software remains one of the best thanks to Asus’ close attention to detail, and you are also getting your hands on a motherboard that can easily overclock your Core i9 9900K with stable clock speeds as well. On the flip side, the only complain that I would mention here is that the motherboard runs into a slight feature disadvantage as you see, Asus has cut some corners here.
#4- ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero
More often than not, people find themselves in a rut when you are talking about choosing a motherboard. If you think that the Strix is not high-end enough for you, don’t worry as Asus still has something for you in the market. Overall, I would say that the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard is one of my favorite options available for anyone who is in the market for a good motherboard. If it is the performance you are after, the motherboard manages to deliver that on all fronts, and you are not going to be left behind as far as your overall experience is concerned, either. You might not get the highest end of the feature set, but if you are just looking to plug and play the motherboard and forget about other factors, it cannot get better than this.
Designed for 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. Dual M.2 and USB 3.1 Gen2. On-board 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Asus Aura Sync RGB lighting. Integrated I/O shield.
The overall performance is well-balanced and consistent across the board. The design language is one of the more attractive ones. You are getting solid core specifications.
Some might feel there are not enough connectivity options.
I am talking about the ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero. The ROG series has always been the top of the lien for Asus, and their Hero lineup is just the starting point, but that does not mean you should take it lightly as it still manages to deliver one of the finest performance of any motherboard I have seen. The best thing about this motherboard is that instead of focusing on absolutely nailing the performance factor, it instead focuses on delivering highly consistent performance across the board. Which takes care of a lot of the instability issues. The overall physical design of the motherboard is also a solid option here. Not just that, if you want to get your hands on something that deliver solid performance across the board in terms of core features, the motherboard is right up your alley, because you are getting a lot of amazing options here. My only gripe would be that when you are talking about more connectivity options, Asus has reserved that for some higher-end options, which makes a lot of sense, to be honest.
#5- MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge (Best Micro ATX)
MSI has some great options available, and I cannot overlook that, but the next motherboard is something that is made for people who are looking for something different. Wherein, the motherboard is a micro ATX option and considering how common they have become. There is no shortage of good offerings from Asus, and that is one thing that I have come to realize over some time now. The ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero is one of the finest if not the finest offerings in the market and delivers the performance that most people are looking for. If you want to get something that serves you well in every way, this is a great choice.
Supports 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. Dual-channel DDR4 memory with up to 4,500MHz OC. 2x Turbo M.2 slots. MSI Mystic Lighting.
Great overclocking potential for both RAM and CPU. Has full support for SLI and Crossfire. All features are enabled at the same time. Fast Intel 1.73Gb/s Wi-Fi.
VRM requires cooling under heavier loads.
With that out of the way, the motherboard of choice for this entry is the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge as it is one of the best micro ATX options available, and for all the right reasons, as well. You will not be disappointed if you are looking for something good, and that is a given stance here. The motherboard offers excellent overclocking potential both for the CPU and the RAM itself, but not just that, even if you are going in without the intention of overclocking, that option is still available to you as the motherboard runs with great stability under all circumstances. You are also getting great SLI and Crossfire support, and all the features can be used without any issues whatsoever. The motherboard does not have any HSIO sharing exclusions so that everything can be run simultaneously, and if you are looking for fast wireless support, you have support for the Intel 1.73 Gb/s Wi-Fi included. My only issue here is that if you are planning on overclocking the Core i9 9900K, you will have to care for the VRM cooling because you can run into some issues as far as the temperatures are concerned. But overall, you should not have any other issues.
#6- ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming (Best Mini ITX)
We are now moving into a territory that people often overlook, but thanks to the recent rise in HTPCs, people are paying more attention to them. Yes, I am talking about the mini ITX. This form factor has seen a rise in the popularity and for all the right reasons, as well. If you want to get your hands on a good motherboard that is a micro ATX and fits easily into your build as well without looking like it does not belong here. Spending money on the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge is the way to go thanks to how good it performs overall, and there are no issues that come in the way.
Supports 8th and 9th generation Intel processors. Support for dual M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and ASUS Opti-MEM II 5-way optimization. Integrated I/O shield. HDMI 2.0 for 4096×2160 @ 60Hz.
You are getting access to debug LEDs. Lots of RGB on a small motherboard. USB 3.1 and Type-C connectivity options. Dual M.2 slots with cooling. Integrated I/O shield. Stable VRM.
Despite cooling, the M.2 drives can run hot.
The motherboard in question today is the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming, and looking at this motherboard made me realize how size truly does not matter when you are talking about performance as this motherboard is one of the better performers available, and for its size, it is truly a wonder. The motherboard delivers on a lot of fronts by giving you access to ample RGB lighting, USB 3.1 and Type-C, dual M.2 with cooling, integrated I/O shield, large heatsinks for VRM cooling, good VRM overall quality, as well as high-quality audio that is properly shielded too. Turn the lights off, and you get a neutral style motherboard that looks great. Honestly, during my testing, the only downside I realized was that the M.2 cooling was not as effective, but other than that, everything ran without any issues, whatsoever. If you are looking for good performance, this is the way to go.
#7- Gigabyte Z390 I AORUS PRO WiFi (Mini-ITX)
When you are talking about good motherboards, Asus is not the only one leading the back. Gigabyte has made a lot of progress over the past couple of years in the field, and they have delivered some fantastic options. Whether you are talking about their affordable offerings or higher-end ones, they have got you covered. Asus has truly done a marvel with this motherboard as it delivers best-in-class performance and manages to become one of the best mini ITX options available for anyone to buy.
Support for 8th and 9th gen Intel Core processors. Dual-channel non-ECC RAM. Intel Optane ready. 6-phase Digital VRM support. Advanced thermal design.
Stable performance through and through. Great overclocking potential. Good lighting. Plenty of connectivity.
The I/O shield is not integrated.
The Gigabyte Z390 I AORUS PRO WiFi is just an example of what Gigabyte has been doing, and it is an impressive motherboard through and through. It delivers everything that you would want from a good ITX motherboard, and it is not ridiculously expensive, either. Making it a choice for a lot of gamers. Right out of the box, it shows that it means business. It is small, but Gigabyte has included enough features to keep you occupied and satisfied. The great thing here is that you are getting support for all the 8th and 9th generation processors, and you even have a pretty good VRM for added stability. The onboard wireless on this motherboard is also pretty great and works well regardless of the task you throw at it, and the motherboard does not disappoint in terms of looks, either. You are getting something that just looks good in almost every single way. My only complaint here is that you are not getting access to an integrated I/O shield, and that might put some users off, but aside from that, nearly everything about this motherboard is on point.
#8- Gigabyte Z390 M Gaming (Micro ATX)
The last motherboard we have is also from Gigabyte, and for those who don’t know, I have featured this before, as well. Simply because when you are looking for good performance, this motherboard always delivers, and it does so in an affordable fashion. For anyone who is looking for a good motherboard and they don’t want any issues, whatsoever. Going with the Gigabyte Z390 I AORUS PRO WiFi is something that you should entertain as an option. Yes, the motherboard is small, but I can guarantee that you are going to get a great performance out of it.
Supports 8th and 9th generation processors. 10+2 phase power design. High-quality capacitors for audio. Multi-GPU support.
One of the more affordable options available. Runs stable without any issues. Enough support for storage and other connectivity options.
The looks can be too much for some.
The Gigabyte Z390 M Gaming is something that is made for people who are not in the market to spend a lot of money, and that is valid reasoning. It is not all the time that you are looking for the highest-end offering because sometimes, you just want to save money. Price is the best thing here, but that is not all. During my usage, I have come to experience stellar performance across the board, and looks that are good, at least for me because I run a system like this, but if you are someone who wants something color neutral, this might not be it. Honestly, given the price, it is hard to find any faults with how this motherboard is. I could list a lot of things, but for that, the motherboard has to be more expensive, which it isn’t.
How To Choose The Best Motherboard For i9 9900K
Now that we are done shedding light on all the great options available for you to choose from. The next step is a simple one, as we are going to take a look at some just how you can choose the best motherboard for your i9 9900K. Overall, I can safely say that the Gigabyte Z390 M Gaming is something that should be of interest to anyone who wants to get a good motherboard for their Core i9 9900K. During my testing, I found no such issues that would tell me to suggest a different motherboard to you as it runs fin under all circumstances, and does not cost a lot of money, either. If you want something small and affordable, this motherboard is the one that you should be looking at. The buying guides are there to help you make the right decision, and that is what we are going to do here. Further Reading:
Best z690 ddr5 motherboard Best gaming motherboard for i7 9700k Best X470 Motherboards For Gamers Best Z370 Motherboards For Gaming Best Motherboard For Ryzen 7 3700X Best Motherboard For Ryzen 5 3600
Overclocking Support
When you are picking a good motherboard for the i9 9900K. You have to understand that you are spending good money on an unlocked processor, which is something that you should be overclocking in the future. That means that buying a motherboard that has good overclocking support is the one thing that I am going to suggest to everyone. All the motherboards I have listed here do support overclocking but what’s even more important is that you have to understand that they should have solid VRMs, so you do not run into any stability issues. Once that is sorted out, making the purchase should not be a difficult thing for anyone.
Total Number of Ports
Normally, this should not be an issue for the majority, but then again, you will always find that one person who is going to need a heap of USB ports or SATA ports for storage. Therefore, if you happen to be one of those people, when buying the motherboard, be sure that you are getting ample ports. I don’t want to be in a situation where you fail to get your hands on something that is not good enough for you just because there are not enough ports. That would be an awkwardly sad situation, and you should avoid that.
VRM Phases
VRM or voltage regulator module is one of the most crucial parts of any motherboard or a GPU. So, when you are in the market, it is only fair that you are buying something that has good VRM because if not, then you can expect running into stability issues, which again, I would highly advise against. Now that we are done, I would suggest that the motherboard you are buying has good VRM. Why? Well, you would want to be sure that your motherboard is capable of running with great stability rather than running into more issues because that would not be good, at all. Thankfully, almost all the motherboards that I have listed here are great when you are talking about VRM phases, so I can assure you that you can pick any one of the options that I have mentioned, and you will not run into any problems whatsoever.
The Right Chipset
This is something that a lot of the times, people are just confused because it can be a confusing thing to choose the right option, in the first place. For anyone who is in the market looking for a good motherboard, be sure that you are choosing the right VRM because choosing the wrong one is only going to cost you the money. Since I are looking at motherboards that are for the i9 9900K, you are going to need a Z390 chipset so you can have the support that you need. However, if you have a good Z370 motherboard already in your possession, then the only thing that you need is a BIOS update, and you will do just fine. The Z370 motherboards are ideally cheaper, so you should be good to go as far as the overall performance is concerned. However, be sure that the BIOS is up to date because otherwise, you are not going to get any post.
Manufacturer And Price
Normally, this is not something that is going to be a problem since the motherboard market has become saturated, and stable. Almost all the manufacturers are releasing great options. Which means that it all comes down to the preference of each user. Therefore, that leaves us with the pricing factor. That is the reason why have included motherboards from every single price category because I want my readers to have the right choice, so they can get their hands on the motherboard that they see fit for them.
Max PCI-E Lanes
This is something that a lot of people have no idea about, but PCI-E lanes are part of the chipset that is then distributed to different I/O. For instance, the lanes are distributed amongst options such as SATA, M2, USB, and more. So naturally, you would want to get your hands on a motherboard that has a lot of these, so you don’t run into any performance hiccups. Now the Z390 chipset has 24 PCI-E lanes in total. This is the max that you are going to get, don’t worry, this does not mean that you are getting lanes that are not enough. You would do just fine when you are investing your money on these motherboards because they work just fine and that too, without any problems. However, the hardware world has improved to a point that if you are looking for something good, you really will not have any issues. Still, my list is for anyone who thinks buying the right motherboard might be a difficult ordeal. Thankfully, this list is for everyone who is in the market. Whether you are a seasoned veteran who knows what hardware to choose or a newcomer, I have made sure that I are picking the best options for everyone, so you do not run into any problems whatsoever as far as the overall buying is concerned, and of course, using the motherboard later.
Question 1: What motherboard is compatible with i9 9900k?
All the motherboards that I have listed here are compatible with the Core i9 9900K. However, if you want something different and cheap, you can get a Z370 motherboard and update the BIOS on it, and that will run just fine as well.
Question 2: What is the best motherboard for i9 9900K?
If you are looking for the top of the line motherboard in this list, then the MSI Meg Z390 Godlike is the one motherboard you should get your hands on. It is by far the best motherboard I have tested for the i9 9900K and offers a lot of performance.
Question 3: Is i9 9900k compatible with Z390?
Yes, the Z390 chipset is fully compatible with the Intel Core i9 9900K. Or any other processors from either the 8th generation, as well. Simply put, for anyone who wants to use 8th or 9th generation processors, the Z390 is capable.
Question 4: What motherboards support i9?
As mentioned earlier, all the motherboards have been mentioned in this list have full support for the 9th generation of Intel Core i9 9900K processors. However, if you want the 10th generation, you’ll have to get the Z490 chipset.
