Asus Prime Z390-A

While many people will want to splurge on a more expensive motherboard with more features, there’s really no need. As long as you invest in a reliable brand like Asus, you can’t go wrong with its $160 Prime Z390-A model. It provides all of the necessary features that you need to run your new CPU smoothly, and it supports up to 64GB of RAM. Plus, if it comes time to upgrade your motherboard or add more RAM in the future, you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues because it has a lot of overclocking capabilities and is compatible with both old and new processors from Intel and AMD.

Gigabyte Aorus Ultra Gaming

The best motherboard for an i7 9700k is a tie between two Gigabyte motherboards. The Aorus Ultra Gaming is one of only two motherboards in our lineup that support 8-core CPUs, meaning it'll have no problem taking full advantage of your $370 CPU. It also comes with a lot of extra features like RGB lighting, Wi-Fi 6, onboard power and reset buttons as well as four DIMM slots to accommodate RAM up to 64GB. If you're looking for something cheaper and don't mind losing 4 cores and 8 threads, take a look at the Aorus Pro WiFi which supports six cores out of eight and eight threads out of ten.

MSI MEG Z390 ACE

The MSI MEG Z390 ACE ($159.99) is a top-of-the-line motherboard that has every feature you could want. It comes with three PCI Express x16 slots, which will easily accommodate all modern graphics cards. Plus, it comes with six SATA ports and two M.2 connectors. There are four DIMM slots that support memory up to 64GB in capacity, so you can buy an Intel Core i7 processor and still have room to expand your RAM if necessary in future.

Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero

The Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero is a great pick for those looking to take advantage of their high-end motherboard. Though not as flashy as some boards, it’s well designed and will easily handle any kind of overclocking. It also has plenty of features that you won’t find in lower-end models, such as header ports for an advanced fan controller, tons of USB 3.1 ports, an included Wi-Fi adapter and a handy software suite that lets you monitor and change fan speeds from anywhere in your house. You might pay a little more than you would for an average board but there’s no doubt it’s worth every penny.

MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon AC

If you’re looking to get every ounce of power out of your processor, especially in gaming and graphics-intensive tasks, look no further than MSI’s MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon AC. This is an entry-level motherboard with a price tag to match, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack some serious punch. Built from quality materials and built to last longer than most entry-level boards—this board is made for gamers and builders on a budget. Although it's not nearly as feature-rich as other high-end boards in its class, like Asus's Maximus XI Hero ($380), that just means it has fewer compatibility issues (particularly with RAM) and no extra fluff you don't need or won't use anyway.