Choosing the Right Motherboard for Your i9 9900K

Choosing the Right Motherboard for Your i9 9900K. Intel’s most powerful consumer CPU to date, the i9 9900K, just launched last week. This new processor has 8 cores and 16 threads running at up to 5 GHz — but it doesn’t matter how fast your processor is if your motherboard can’t keep up! In this guide, I’ll explain what kinds of motherboards are best for the i9 9900K and provide you with suggestions on which models to consider if you decide to build an i9 9900K-based computer in the near future.

The Best Cheap Motherboards for your i9-9900k

The Asus TUF B360M-E and Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X are, by far, our favorite affordable motherboards to use with an Intel 9th Gen processor. These motherboards provide everything you need and more to get your new CPU up and running. The onboard Realtek ALC887 audio codec has been tested as a capable alternative to pricier offerings from ASUS, Creative, and other top-tier manufacturers. These two boards feature impressive build quality and aesthetically pleasing appearance that will compliment any high-end build. If you need solid performance at an even lower price point, we recommend taking a look at Gigabyte’s Z390 Aorus Ultra or MSI’s Z390 MEG Godlike AC.

Best Gaming Motherboards for your i9-9900k

For an ultra-high-end gaming machine like a Core i9, you want to make sure your motherboard can keep up. There are currently two tiers of Intel chipsets available, Z390 and X299. You’ll need a Z390 chipset motherboard for 8th Gen CPUs such as your Core i7-8700K or Core i5-8400, but X299 is needed if you’re going to overclock to 5GHz or higher. If you’re not planning on overclocking or running multiple graphics cards in SLI/CrossFire then there aren’t many reasons to pick an expensive X299 motherboard over a cheaper Z390 model.

Best Overclocking Motherboards for your i9-9900k

If you're looking to overclock your CPU, then check out our list of motherboards that we think are best. Each motherboard is different, and our list covers everything from mini-ITX to full ATX boards. One thing all these have in common is a feature set geared toward getting every ounce of performance out of your new 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor. Some also include extra lighting and other design flourishes as well. Don't forget: You'll also need a good CPU cooler too!

Best Wireless Communication Chipsets on the Market Today

Chipsets are what allow your computer to communicate with devices over Wi-Fi, and they come in a number of varieties. At present, there are three you should be aware of: Intel's CNVi, Qualcomm's X20 and X24 LTE solutions, and AMD's xG Technology. Each one offers different capabilities and features that will appeal to different people—for example, Intel chipsets offer up to 1.73Gbps wireless speeds while Qualcomm's can support up to 5 gigabits per second. If you're looking at buying a new system that supports Wi-Fi and want it to have great wireless performance, look no further than our guide below.