The Intel 9700k is a beast of a CPU. This is the latest processor for high-end gaming, and it manages to deliver top-level performance in every application. Unlike other CPUs, the Intel 9700k has six cores and twelve threads. It’s impossible to buy an eight-core CPU with the same cores as the Intel 9700k. If you’re looking for the best motherboard that would work with your new Intel 9700k, read on for our guide!
Here’s The Shortlist To Save Your Time
Best Motherboards For the Intel 9700k Reviewed
The Gigabyte B365M DS3H motherboard is a Mini-ITX form factor motherboard supporting AMD 2nd generation Ryzen processors. This board offers support for up to four DDR4 DIMM slots and has four RAM slots to upgrade your system quickly.
The B450 AORUS PRO is your next-generation motherboard for the AMD Ryzen platform. This motherboard does not fail to deliver the latest technologies and high-quality components.
This MSI motherboard is a perfect match for your PC gaming system. The latest Intel processors and DDR4 RAM deliver high-performance and efficient running demanding games and applications.
The ASUS Prime Z590M-PLUS LGA 1200(Intel11th/10th Gen) microATX Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, 10 Power Stages) delivers enhanced 4K gaming and video performance with a wealth of features and functionality.
The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is designed for gamers who want to take their PC gaming experience to the next level. With DDR4 RAM, PCIe 4.0, and AMD Ryzen 3rd generation processors, the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a powerhouse of a motherboard that will deliver superior performance and make every game you play an epic experience.
We are built with the most potent AMD Ryzen™ processor and our exclusive 5-channel TUF Gaming audio technology. ASUS TUF Gaming is a gaming motherboard built to dominate!
This motherboard is designed for 8th and 9th generation Intel Core Processors to maximize connectivity and speed with M. 2, USB 3. 1 Gen2, and ASUS Optimum II for better DRAM overclocking stability. Step up to high-speed USB 3.0 and transfer your videos, photos, and files up to ten times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives.
5 Things You Must Know While Choosing The Best Motherboards For the Intel 9700k
1. CPU Socket
The first thing you should look at is the CPU socket type. Intel 9700k comes with an LGA 1151 socket. This means that you’ll need a motherboard that supports this CPU type. Intel 9700k comes in LGA 1151-v2, the second-generation LGA 1151 socket. The first generation was used on Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X processors, while the second generation was used on Skylake-SP and Kaby Lake-SP processors. If you want to buy a motherboard that supports all Intel 9700k motherboards, choose one that has an LGA 1151 socket. Otherwise, check if your motherboard has an LGA 2066 socket.
2. Memory
The next thing you should consider is memory support for your new Intel 9700k build. You can buy a motherboard with up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM (or even more). But if you want to make use of the maximum amount of RAM, you should buy a motherboard that has a maximum supported memory of 128 GB. Also, make sure that your motherboard supports DDR4-3200. The Intel 9700k comes with a maximum memory speed of 3200 MHz.
3. CPU Overclocking
The Intel 9700k is an excellent processor for gaming and overclocking. Usually, this feature can be found on high-end motherboards made by ASRock, MSI, and Gigabyte. If you’re looking to overclock your new Intel 9700k build, buy a board that has XMP 2.0 support. You can also check the manual for your motherboard to find out if it supports overclocking or not.
4. Connectors
When buying a motherboard for the Intel 9700k, you should check whether or not it has all the connectors one could need for their build: USB 3.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, SATA 3, and SATA 2. The Intel 9700k comes with six SATA 6 GB/s connectors, which means you can use six SATA drives and a RAID 0 array for your new build. If you want to connect and use more than one SSD or HDD, make sure to check if your motherboard has all the necessary connectors for that too: PCI Express slots (x16), M.2 slots (x4), U.2 slots (x4) and more.
5. Power Supply
The Intel 9700k has two power phases: two 8-pin CPU power connectors and two 24-pin ATX power connectors (one per phase). It would be best to consider whether or not your motherboard has enough connections for your PSU cable. Usually, this is 12+2 pins per fan header connection on the motherboard, an additional 4-pin CPU fan header connection on the board itself, and an additional 4-pin CPU fan header connection on the motherboard (usually located at the back). The Intel 9700k comes with a TDP of 91W. Check if your PSU has enough power for your new build.
6. Connectors for Additional Fans
If you’re planning to overclock your new Intel 9700k build, you should consider buying a motherboard with at least one extra fan header (sometimes called CPU fan header). This is especially important if you want to use an aftermarket cooler on your new build. Also, check if your motherboard supports CPU and memory overclocking. If it doesn’t support it, contact the manufacturer with this issue to find out if they will release a firmware update to support this feature in future models.
3 Benefits Of Best Motherboards For the Intel 9700k
1. Cooler and Quieter
Overclocking your CPU and RAM is a great way to get the most out of your new Intel 9700k computer. By overclocking your CPU, you can increase its speed and performance. By overclocking your RAM, you can increase its speed as well. While this will not provide any real gaming benefit, it is best to ensure that your new build runs calm and quiet.
2. Overclocking
Overclocking is one of the best ways to get the most out of a new Intel 9700k computer build. Overclocking allows you to achieve higher speeds than what your motherboard was designed for and also allows you to run other components (such as an SSD or HDD) faster than they were designed for. This means that you can use more memory without sacrificing performance or use more storage without compromising on performance or reliability (for example, if you overclock an SSD, it will be able to run at higher speeds without breaking down).
3. Benchmarking
Overclocking your CPU and RAM is great for benchmarking. Benchmarking is a great way to see how faster your new build will perform. You can check your benchmark results by going to your motherboard manufacturer’s website (for example, you can go to ASRock’s website and look at the benchmarks on their Z390 Extreme 9 motherboard).
The Intel 9700k is an excellent CPU for gaming, but it isn’t as good as AMD’s Ryzen 7 2700X or Intel’s 8-core i9-9900K. If you want the best CPU for gaming, you should consider getting an AMD Ryzen 7 2700X or an Intel 8-core i9-9900K instead of an Intel 9700k.
To Wrap Up
The Intel 9700k is the newest high-end gaming CPU, with six cores and twelve threads. You can buy an eight-core CPU with that many threads. So, if you’re looking for the best motherboard to go along with your Intel 9700k, read on for our guide!