The Intel Core i7 9700K is considered to be an outstanding CPU. It is ideal for gaming and running powerful applications. Featuring 8 cores, plenty of power, and high frequencies, it is just the CPU you need for amazing performance.
However, to take full advantage of the specs, it is crucial to get a quality motherboard for i7 9700K. But, there is nothing to worry about because we have gone over the best of what the market has to offer and have included the top motherboards for i7 9700K. Ever since Intel Core i7 9700K was launched, it has taken the world of high-end desktop processors by storm. The i7 9700K is built on 14nm lithography similar to the Intel i7 6700K. It does offer an upgrade as the dated 14nm process has been refined even further.
Intel has crammed 2 more cores into the CPU which has increased its boost clock to 4.9 GHz from 4.7 GHz. It manages to maintain 95 TDP. Although the i9 9900K packs a punch, the i7 9700K still manages to do a great job when it comes to performance. It ties in with the gaming benchmarks of the i9 9900K which makes it a great choice for gamers.
The i7 9700 is a great buy if you want to upgrade your CPU. Besides just the CPU, you are going to need a motherboard to power it. Even though the i7 9700K is compatible with Intel’s Z390, Z370, H370, B360, and H310 chipsets, it is not recommended to get any of those chipsets since they lack the iconic features the motherboards in this post have to offer.
This guide looks at the best motherboards for i7 9700K in terms of features and price. Thus, you can be certain that the motherboard you choose from this post will give your processor the home it needs. You will find the most accurate information here so that you can upgrade your processor in no time. So, what are you waiting for?
List of Best Motherboards For i7 9700K
1-MSI MPG Z390 – Gaming Pro Carbon
The MSI MPG Z390 – Gaming Pro Carbon is named the best gaming motherboard for i7 9700k. Although it might not be the most feature-rich motherboard or offer the highest value it fits well in the overall category as it provides a balance in terms of features, value, and performance.
The reason why every gamer cannot seem to get enough of the Gaming Pro Carbon is that it offers every feature needed for an amazing user experience such as Gigabit Ethernet, an onboard amplifier, Bluetooth, and wifi. It also comes with premium features that you will find on more expensive motherboards such as MSI M.2 Shields. It is adequate for over-clocking. Moreover, the Gaming Pro Carbon also competes against other more expensive counterparts including the Z390 Aorus Master. I
t handles over-clocks, synthetic workloads, gaming, and high productivity well. However, it gets more power-hungry as compared to other motherboards when under heavy load. When it comes to keeping its overall board and VRM temperature down, the Gaming Pro Carbon does a great job.
The MSI MPG Z390 – Gaming Pro Carbon matches the needs of the target audience if the i7 9700K perfectly. It provides impressive over-clocking, extra compatibility with the Z390 chipset, and amazing performance. If you are looking for a motherboard that comes with all the useful features you could possibly need for an affordable price, it is just the motherboard for you.
2-ASRock Extreme 4 Z370
For those of you that want a budget motherboard that meets the necessary entry-level requirements, the AS-Rock Z370 Extreme 4 is just for you. Since the Z390 chipset is considered to be a rename of the Z370 chipset by many manufacturers, it does not offer any new groundbreaking features. Thus, you can forego the Z390 board to save some money.
The AS-Rock Z370 Extreme 4 is very affordable as it costs a lot less than many other motherboards mentioned in this post. But, you have nothing to worry about because the differences mostly remain unnoticed, especially in terms of performance.
The Extreme 4 has a 12-phase power design, gigabit Ethernet, and three PCIe x16 slots. Therefore, you have all the essentials you need as long as you are willing to forfeit extra audio gear, Bluetooth, and wifi. As the Extreme 4 does not skimp out when it comes to performance, you will find the motherboard to be perfect for your budget. In fact, it goes head to head with other expensive options such as the AS Rock Z370 Taichi and the MSI Gaming Pro Carbon.
The Extreme 4 can manage over-clocking and production workloads. But, you should keep in mind that its lower-quality VRM finds itself uncomfortably hot when it comes to demanding CPU benchmarks. However, it is acceptable under practical loads.
While you might think that the Aorus Gaming 7 over-clocks better or is cooler and the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon offers a wider set of features, you should know that the AS-Rock Z370 Extreme 4 provides incredible performance for its price. Hence, if you do not mind giving up on some quality-of-life improvements, you will find it to be the best motherboard for 9700k. It is more than capable of performing just about every task.
3-Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming 7
This post would be incomplete without including the Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7. It is a behemoth of a motherboard. If the gaming suffix of the motherboard did not give it away already, this motherboard has it all. Its RGB-covered aesthetics make it the ultimate motherboard for gamers out there. Although the gaming-specific lineup of the Aorus might not have been updated for the Z390 chipset, it is still a great choice.
The Aorus motherboard is known for the same features and specs as the MSI’s “Godlike” motherboard. It packs major overclocking headroom. The two gigabit Ethernet ports and the ESS Sabre Audio DAC, and 10-phase power delivery make it the perfect choice for gaming.
The Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7 lags just a little behind MSI’s Z370 “Godlike” Gaming which is the most expensive motherboard out there. Its over-clocking, capability to load 3D games, and synthetic benchmarks are up to the mark. The motherboard focuses on ensuring that the over-clocking is as simple as possible. Therefore, you benefit from maximum performance and minimal setup.
Despite the fact that the Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7 lacks onboard wifi, especially considering its price, it has been designed to provide gamers with the best experience. Besides, the RGB lighting makes it a lot faster.
4-MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX
Known for its over-clocking the MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX is the best motherboard for i7 9700K. If you are willing to spend money to get your hands on the best of what money has to offer, you should consider getting the MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX.
The motherboard has an Extended ATX size which means that you would need to get a more spacious PC case. However, this motherboard does not make any compromises. The Godlike boasts ESS Sabre Hi-fi audio DAC, built-in wifi with Killer x-Tend support, 2 RJ45 LAN ports, 16-phase CPU power, 3 PCIe M.2 ports, 4 DIMM slots that support as much as 4600 MHz over-clocked DDR4, and 4 PCIe x16 slots. While each spec is top-tier, it is the 16-phase CPU power and 3 separate networking devices which make it the best gaming motherboard for i7 9700k.
Since the MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX has Killer x-Tend, it can also be used as a smart network extender to boost the signal of your home network and to prioritize traffic. Besides, the 16-phase power makes Godlike an industry leader. The E-ATX over-clocking board is a huge improvement from the 10-phase CPU power of the ASUS Maximus X Apex.
Keep in mind that a motherboard that offers great power also produces great heat. But, this motherboard does not compromise when it comes to cooling. It has ten fan headers and is covered in stylized heat sinks. The M.2 slots feature heat sinks to ensure that the motherboard remains cool. However, the only compromise you need to know about is the removal of video ports from the motherboard.
The in-built I-GPU of the i7 9700K cannot be used for powering the monitor. However, anyone buying a motherboard like the MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX would need a dedicated graphics card. If you have the money and are willing to spend it, the MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX is just the motherboard you need. It is the best of what money has to offer.
5-ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming is another motherboard for i7 9700K that you need to know about. Although the motherboard uses the last generation Z370 chipset, it does not prevent it from being named the top Z-series Micro ATX motherboard. Despite its lack of a few extra features, it offers fantastic features and performance.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming fares a lot better than its similarly priced ATX counterparts when it comes to over-clocking, performance, and compatibility. It even overtakes the highest-end ATX motherboards out there including the MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon. The 10-phase power and over-clocking performance of the motherboard allow it to compete with larger competitors.
However, it uses a lot more power and produces more heat both during full tilt and when it is idle. This means that the VRM might need a bit more airflow from the case fans to keep it going. The Strix does not lack in features despite being a micro ATX motherboard. It has two x16 PCIe slots, four DIMM slots, M.2 PCIe slots for SSDs, and an amazing wifi module of 867MB/s.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming crams all the features to provide the best mid-size motherboard for i7 9700K. It boasts amazing compatibility. If you want to build a much smaller PC and do not want to compromise on the performance of compatibility, it is the perfect board for you. From a wide selection of headers and ports to impressive over-clocking performance for just about any machine, chances are that you would not even notice that it is not a full-fat ATX board.
6-ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming
Costing a little over $200, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming is a much more expensive motherboard than its counterparts such as the MSI MPG Z3901. However, there is a good reason behind its higher price. In addition to the major visual overhaul which comes with stylized heat sinks that cover the motherboard, this board improves the performance offered by the Z370-I Gaming. It comes with a Z390 chipset, Supreme FX audio Shielding, USB 3.1 Gen2, HDMI 2.0, and a pre-shielded I/O.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming proves that ITX motherboards should not be considered the poor cousin of full ATX boards. Its performance, cooling, and over-clocking prove its capabilities. Although its over-clocking performance matches the performance of the full ATX Z390-E, the Z390-I has fewer power phases which leads to higher heat output and power draw. This is why the monolith of heat sinks covering the motherboard comes in handy.
There is no denying that the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming matches the performance of its larger counterparts. It exceeds gamers’ expectations in terms of compatibility and features considering its minuscule size. Therefore, its marginally higher price is justified. It is easily the best mini ITX motherboard for i7 9700K.
Wrapping up, we have tried our best to give experiences in writing so that, you won’t have any confusion to choose the best motherboard to serve your purpose properly.
