Table of Contents
The Intel Core i7-9700K is an extremely popular and moderately affordable 8-core, 9th generation central processor that is an excellent productivity workhorse and has become the favorite of gamers who sit firmly in the “don’t talk to me about AMD” crowd. It has outstanding gaming performance running on a raw eight cores with no hyperthreading.
A long-standing strength of Intel chipsets, the i7-9700K is excellent at single-core processing power. This point is currently quite important since most games tend to use only one core and the game coding community is just now beginning to design games that can take advantage of multicore computing.
High turbo boost clock rates also allow for burst flexibility in the i7-9700K and the thermals on the chip are also excellent, often not requiring a CPU cooler (in fact, it is sold without one). PassMark gives the i7-9700K a benchmark rating of 14,651 and 3DMark scored it an 8060 under Time Spy physics tests.
As far as a gamer’s CPU, Tom’s Hardware gave the i7-9700K a 97.18% gaming rating, which is pretty darn good. It is for these reasons that the Intel Core i7-9700K is considered by many as the new gamer’s chip.
However, a CPU for gaming is only as good as the motherboard it sits in. If you put wooden wagon wheels on a Ferrari, it’s just not gonna get it done.
What you need for a gaming setup that is fully functional using the Core i7-9700K is a good GPU with plenty of on-board RAM and a thermally-stable motherboard geared for overclocking. Here, we have listed out our picks for a good match in the CPU-motherboard dating game.
Gaming Motherboard for the Intel Core i7-9700K Comparisons
PRODUCTFEATURESLATEST PRICE
1. MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX 
|
|
Check Price |
2. Asus Prime Z390-A 
|
|
Check Price |
3. MSI Z390-A Pro 
|
|
Check Price |
| 4. Gigabyte Aorus Master |
|
Check Price |
5. EVGA Z370 FTW 
|
|
Check Price |
6. ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX 
|
|
Check Price |
7. Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero 
|
|
Check Price |
8. Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming 
|
|
Check Price |
9. Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X 
|
|
Check Price |
10. ASRock H370M Pro4 
|
|
Check Price |
Gaming Motherboard with the Intel Core i7-9700K Buying Guide
1. MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX
Product Highlights
If you are a gamer or computer performance enthusiast, the MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX motherboard by MSI is the board for you. We feel this is the best board out there for the Core i7-9700K if you are serious about overclocking.
This is an extended ATX-style board, so you will need a generous case size to house this monster. Featuring RAM slots that accommodate up to 4600 MHz DDR4 chips, 4 PCIe x16 connectors, 3 PCIe M.2 connectors, a nice and stable 18-phase power regulator, along with a great pair of LAN ports and fast WiFi, you will not be disappointed if you have the bucks for it.
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 18-phase
- Cooler power: Eight 4-pin connectors for system fans, 4-pin connector for CPU fan, 4-pin water pump connector, 3-pin water flow connector
- Memory slots: DDR4-4600 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Multi-GPU support for 2-way Nvidia SLI and 4-way AMD CrossFire
- Storage slots: M.2 (3) PCIe 4.0 x16 (4), PCIe 3 x1 (1), SATA (6)
What We Like About MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX
The MEG Z390 Godlike has enough surplus power to easily accommodate the overclocking of any Intel generation 8 or 9 CPU using its venerable Z390 chip. The board has over four dozen connectors to accommodate just about anything you want to stick on it or hook it up to.
There are plenty of heat shields and heatsinks all over the board to keep it cool, with no less than 10 fan headers. The high-speed WiFi of the board can also utilize MSIs Killer xTend, which will configure the WiFi to act as a network extender for other household WiFi devices.
Read Related Article: CPUs for Nvidia RTX2060
What We Don’t Like About MSI MEG Z390 Godlike E-ATX
There is no onboard support for the integrated GPU of the i7-9700K chip, but we feel that is a minor point since anyone buying this beast will invest in a dedicated graphics card anyway. Another downside is the price, which is quite an investment (more than the cost of a standard build, including everything), but consider what you are getting.
PROS
- Build quality is tops
- Primed for overclocking
- Great ALC1220 audio support
- High-speed 1550 WiFi
CONS
- The price
- LAN is not 10 Gpbs
2. Asus Prime Z390-A
Product Highlights
We see the Asus Prime Z390-A as a great budget motherboard if you have limited funds and only had enough to get the CPU and GPU. It’s not our least expensive on the list, but you can usually get one in the mid-$100s.
The Prime Z390-A has a unique feature well worth considering: a 5-Way Optimization function. This board feature will overclock the CPU for you by using an algorithm to predict heat balance, current demand, and bus timing (for those people who hate manual tuning and say, “Look, just give me some speed, already!”).
That is a really nice feature that will save you a lot of time in fiddling with balancing out the overclock of your CPU. There are also three thermal sensors on board to give you accurate temperature reporting.
With a 32 Gbps LAN, USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C ports, and an Intel Optane Memory ready setup, you will find that you get a lot from this board for a very reasonable price.
See Related Topic: Motherboard CPU Combos: AMD and Intel
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 14-phase
- Cooler power: Two 4-pin connectors for system fans, 4-pin connector for CPU fan, 4-pin water pump connector
- Memory slots: DDR4-4266 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Intel Integrated Graphics HD support, multi-GPU support for 2-way Nvidia SLI and 3-way AMD CrossFireX
- Storage slots: PCIe 3.0 x16 (3) PCIe 3.0 x1 (3), SATA (6)
What We Like About Asus Prime Z390-A
We like all that you get with this reasonably-priced board. The 5-Way Optimization feature is really unique and scores big points with us.
Heatsinks on the board are also separate between the M.2s and chipsets, contrary to earlier designs, which translates into much-improved heat diffusion. With good fans or a water pump in place, overclock away and the board can handle it.
Oh, yeah, did we mention that the Prime Z390-A won the iF Design Award in 2019? It totally did.
What We Don’t Like About Asus Prime Z390-A
Some users have reported an anomaly in the board design, where using a device in the second PCIe x16 connector will cause the GPU in the PCIe x16 slot one position to drop to x8 speed.
PROS
- Affordable
- Built-in overclocking optimization (does it for you!)
- Loads of shielding and heatsinks to help with cooling
CONS
- Using the second slot PCIe x16 will cause your GPU in PCIe x16 slot one to run at only x8
3. MSI Z390-A Pro
Product Highlights
The Z390-A Pro by MSI is another solid performer with an appealing price tag, actually the lowest priced MSI motherboard out there. While the Z390-A Pro is not specifically marketed as a gaming motherboard, it is quite capable of performing as one for people interested in custom budget gaming builds.
The board features gigabit ethernet (Intel I219V) and great sound support (Realtek ALC892 HD). There are two PCIe 3 x16 slots, four PCIe x1 slots, and one PCIe M.2/SATA slot.
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 4-phase
- Cooler power: Five 4-pin connectors for system fans, 4-pin connector for CPU fan
- Memory slots: DDR4-4400 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Intel Integrated Graphics HD support, multi-GPU support for 2-way AMD CrossFire
- Storage slots: PCIe 3.0 x16 (2) PCIe 3.0 x1 (4), PCIe M.2/SATA (1), SATA (6)
What We Like About MSI Z390-A Pro
The Z390-A Pro is a solid and affordable performer. It has a good set of controllers, great audio support and fast LAN.
What We Don’t Like About MSI Z390-A Pro
Not built for gamers, it is not designed to support overclocking of CPU or memory boards. Maximum memory capacity is only 64 GB (which is half of normal, gamer boards), but that is enough for any budget gaming build.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Great for budget builds
CONS
- Cannot support overclocking
- RAM limited to 64 GB
4. Gigabyte Aorus Master
Product Highlights
The Aorus Master by Gigabyte is a very popular, high-end Z390 gaming motherboard with an array of attractive features. It is made for overclocking with many thermal control design features, including the Direct Touch heatpipe and a Fins-Array heatsink.
The board includes a higher-end audio codec chip (a 125 dB SNR Amp-Up ALC1220 and an ESS SABRE 9118 DAC with in-built WIMA capacitors) and very fast WiFi (1.73 Gbps).
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 115
- Main power: 12-phase
- Cooler power: Four 4-pin connectors for system fans, two 4-pin system fan or water pump connectors, 4-pin connector for water cooler fan, 4-pin connector for CPU fan
- Memory slots: DDR4-4400 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Multi-GPU support for Nvidia Quad-GPU SLI, Nvidia 2-way SLI, AMD Quad-GPU CrossFire, 3-way/2-way AMD CrossFire
- Storage slots: PCIe 3.0 x16 M-Key (3), SATA (6)
What We Like About Product Name
We really like how Gigabyte went all out on the audio codecs and thermal control features. With a good fan or water pump system, overclocking is not a problem.
WiFi on the board is ultra-fast. Also, connectors galore.
What We Don’t Like About Product Name
Some users complain about having to use the Aorus App Center to configure the board. It is absolutely required to install first before any other optional configuration software.
The interface, although intuitive, is very basic and does not give a lot of options.
PROS
- Solid performer
- Excellent sound codecs
- Excellent sound codecs
- Great thermal controls
CONS
- Must us proprietary configuration software, whether you like it or not
5. EVGA Z370 FTW
Product Highlights
The Z370 FTW by EVGA is the oddball in the bunch only for the fact that Asus, ASRock, and MSI tend to dominate the gaming motherboard field (mostly, the first two of the three). It’s nice to see another option in the market to drive a bit of friendly competition.
As far as gaming motherboards go, the Z370 FTW is moderately affordable and has some interesting features that set it apart in the pack.
The first is the effort made by EVGA to produce a board with a rather low voltage regulator temperature, which already sets the stage for efficient overclocking.
Performance is solid and remains so even if users engage in memory overclocking. This board is made for enthusiasts, lacking a second network controller and presenting a blacked-out, down-to-business board without RGB bling.
PCIe and DIMM slots are reinforced for strength and thermal tolerance, the board is Intel Optane Memory Ready, and features the Killer DoubleShot Pro system, which maintains network flow even under load while streaming to Twitch on let’s plays.
The Z370 FTW also uses 100% solid-state capacitors and employs more than the usual thickness gold coating in sockets (150% more).
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 11-phase
- Cooler power: Six 4-pin connectors for system fans, two 4-pin system fan or water pump connectors, 4-pin connector for water cooler fan, 4-pin connector for CPU fan
- Memory slots: DDR4-4133 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Multi-GPU support 2-way SLI
- Storage slots: PCIe 3.0 x16 M-Key (2), PCIe 3.0 x16 E-Key (1), SATA (6)
What We Like About EVGA Z370 FTW
The Z370 FTW is a bare-knuckles gamer board that attends to the basics, which also means features are limited. It is, however, very affordable and can be found for a little over $100.
What We Don’t Like About EVGA Z370 FTW
The Z370 FTW could use more memory addresses for a gaming board. The RAM support limit for the board is 64 GB, which is about half of many gaming boards.
PROS
- Affordable
- No-nonsense gamer board
- Excellent, cool-running voltage regulator
- Primed for overclocking
CONS
- Spartan on the features
- “Vdroop” control is static
- Could use more memory support
6. ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX
Product Highlights
The Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX by Asus is a mini-ITX-style board with the Z390 chipset and is touted as working very efficiently with Intel i9 architecture chips. It is also amenable to supporting overclocking and features a very nice Thunderbolt 3 connector.
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 7-phase
- Cooler power: Built-in 8-layer PCB heat pipe type cooler
- Memory slots: DDR4-4500 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Integrated Intel Graphics UHD support; Thunderbolt 3 slot
- Storage slots: PCIe 3.0 x16 (1), Thunderbolt 3 (1), SATA (4), Ultra M.2 (2)
What We Like About ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX
The Z290 Phantom Gaming ITX is connector-happy, with a total of 11 connectors on board. ITX boards were originally designed for small applications, like running an automated display at a mall kiosk.
Now ITX boards have been re-purposed to provide performance motherboard support for half tower-sized desktops, but without lacking any high-grade features (like a Thunderbolt 3 slot). The Phantom will easily fit a large SSD and an oversized GPU.
What We Don’t Like About ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX
The only negative thing we could find is that the Thunderbolt 3 connector only will operate at half the normal speed for those ports (20 Gbps). There is also not much lighting on the board for people who want that kind of thing.
PROS
- Great efficiency with generation 8 and 9 Intel chips
- Very strong overclocking support
- Thunderbolt 3 connector
- Affordable
CONS
- Some DIMM overvoltage
- Monitor misreport problems with firmware
7. Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero
Product Highlights
The Maximus XI Hero by Asus ROG is another recommended motherboard using the venerated Z390 chipset, which is still very capable of technology but can usually be had for a more reasonable price. All members of the Maximus line have been long-standing and popular favorites among serious gamers.
The Maximus XI Hero is an overclocker’s delight and features great power management and firmware, two PCIe x16 slots, and a pair of M.2 SSD heat-spreaders. It is also Intel Optane Memory Ready.
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 4-phase
- Cooler power: Built-in M.2 heatsink, cooling fan, and water pump controls
- Memory slots: DDR4-4400 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Supports Nvidia 2-way SLI and AMD 3-way CrossFireX
- Storage slots: PCIe 3.0 x16 (1), PCIe 3.0 x1(3), SATA (6), M.2 (2)
What We Like About Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero
Data management speed on this board is pretty fast and only slightly slower than its bigger brothers, the Apex, Formula, and Code boards by Asus. For the price, you do not really get much more with the larger boards other than a larger board: nearly all the features you need and then some are on this one.
The Maximus XI Hero also has onboard WiFi that is decent. The best feature of this board is its overclocking support.
What We Don’t Like About Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero
WiFi is not the speediest in the world (866 Mbps) and a few more connectors could be added (such as an addition M.2 slot).
PROS
- Excellent support for overclocking (both CPU and memory)
- Reasonable price for a top shelf board with these features
CONS
- Slow WiFi
8. Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming
Product Highlights
Asus offers another very capable ITX-sized motherboard in the Strix Z390-I Gaming board. It can support CPU overclocking up to 5 GHz and memory overclocking to 3600 MHz.
Despite being a small board, it boasts a wealth of features including two PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 connectors, ethernet supporting Intel v219, an Intel 9560 WiFi, and ALC1220A audio.
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 4-phase
- Cooler power: Built-in two-layer M.2 heatsink, an I/O shield, and a VRM heatsink
- Memory slots: DDR4-4600 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Supports Intel Integrated UHD, one GPU slot
- Storage slots: M.2 Socket 3 (2), PCIe 3.0 x16 (1), SATA (4)
What We Like About Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming
The Strix Z390-I Gaming is compact and capable, with plenty of connectors for the price. Overclocking ability for both CPU and memory is excellent.
The board is compatible with CPU fan coolers and liquid cooling systems, with controllers in-built to accommodate these additions.
This is a feature-dense design and is extremely popular with gamers. It has a strong price point for the number of features offered and outclasses other boards in the same price bracket. The Strix also comes with exclusive software for memory management (RamCache III, CPU-Z, and GameFirst V).
What We Don’t Like About Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming
Its popularity makes finding a Strix Z390-I Gaming board somewhat of a challenge.
PROS
- Overclocking ability and system performance are excellent
- Two M.2 slots
- Great Wifi
- Tasteful lighting (edge RGB and an addressable Aura RGB)
- Feature3
CONS
- can be hard to find one
9. Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X
Product Highlights
Of all our motherboards reviewed here, we regard the Z390 Gaming X by Gigabyte as the most capable, affordable board for generation 8 and 9 Intel CPUs. You can find these boards for less than $150 in most cases, which is a real bargain for what you get.
The board is Intel Optane Memory Ready.
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 12-phase
- Cooler power: 4-pin connector for fan system
- Memory slots: DDR4-4266 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: GPU slot for 2-way CrossFire multi-graphics card
- Storage slots: PCIe v3.0 x16 (2) PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA (2), SATA (6)
What We Like About Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X
The Z390 Gaming X is really good at supporting overclocking and can strongly support the use of 9th generation CPU chipsets. It is also a very affordable motherboard for people who want to get into custom builds but have limited budgets.
What We Don’t Like About Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X
One of the PCIe x16 connectors has a limited number of PCH lanes (only 4). There is no USB 3.0 Generation 2 on the front panel and only a single USB 3.0 Generation 2 header.
The voltage regulator runs hot and requires a fan adjacent to the CPU socket to keep the system cool and stable.
PROS
- Great overclocking
- Really affordable
- Supports up to 9th generation Intel CPUs
CONS
- Not enough high-speed USB ports
- Voltage regulator runs a bit hot
10. ASRock H370M Pro4
Product Highlights
We feel this is the best Intel H370-based motherboard on the current market and is extremely capable and affordable to boot. You can often find these boards for less than $100 if you look around.
The H370M Pro4 has support for AMD Quad CrossFireX GPUs, a wide range of ports comparable to boards of similar abilities, gigabit Intel LAN, but lacks a WiFi card (though there is an expansion slot for one).
Features
- Socket: Intel LGA 1151
- Main power: 10-phase
- Cooler power: 4-pin connector for fan or water cooler system; two chassis 4-pin water pump connectors
- Memory slots: DDR4-2666 MHz DIMM (4)
- GPU slots: Supports Intel Integrated UHD graphics, GPU slot for AMD Quad CrossFireX and CrossFireX
- Storage slots: PCIe 3 x16 (2) PCIe 3.0 x1 (2), M.2 Key-E (1), SATA (6)
What We Like About ASRock H370M Pro4
Lots and lots of ports for connectivity, as well as decent support for overclocking and an affordable price. The board has two legacy ports for older peripheral connections (PS/2).
What We Don’t Like About ASRock H370M Pro4
Does not come with WiFi built in, but features an expansion slot for a WiFi card. The slot also does not support Key-E type devices for USB 2.0 connectivity.
PROS
- H370 chipset for the same price as a B360
- Four USB 3 ports on the front panel
- Two USB 3.1 Gen1 I/O ports
- Two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports
CONS
- No controller for RGBs
- No header on front panel for USB 3.1 Gen2
Final Verdict
If you can swing the price on the “Godlike” by MSI, that would be our pick. It is the most broadly capable board and you will not be disappointed in its performance. The Aorus Master by Gigabyte would be our pick if you are on a more limited budget, as it is a solid performer.