6 BEST Motherboard For i9-10900k [Performance, Budget]

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Faizan Ahmed

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Intel’s flagship 10th generation processor, the i9-10900k, launched in back April 2020. Its incredible boost frequencies coupled with a high core count of 10 physical cores make it one of the best-performing processors. With all this added performance comes great power consumption. Pairing the 10900k with the wrong motherboard can lead to a significant performance drop; to avoid that, I tested a whole lot of 10900K-compatible motherboards and then picked the Top 6 Best Motherboards For the 10900k for you. 

Take a look at our selections here:
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Opting for the i9-10900K? Make sure you get an adequate cooler for this beast:

• Best CPU Coolers For Core i9-10900k

Best Motherboards For i9-10900k

Here are the six best motherboards for i9-10900k:

1. Best Budget Motherboard For i9-10900k: MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk
2. Best Overclocking Motherboard For i9-10900k: MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE
3. Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For i9-10900k: ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming
4. Best Gaming Motherboard For i9-10900k: GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX
5. Best White Motherboard For i9-10900k: GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G
6. Best Z590 Motherboard For i9-10900k: MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X

MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk

Best Budget Motherboard For i9-10900k

Specifications: CHIPSET: Intel Z490 | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI, Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 6 x USB 3.2, 2 x USB 2.0|  Network: 1x Realtek® RTL8125B 2.5G LAN + 1x Intel I219V 1G LAN,  | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA III

Design & Build Quality: MSI’s MAG Z490 Tomahawk features a simple black and grey design, identical to the usual Tomahawk series aesthetic. For RGB, we have an integrated RGB strip under the PCH heatsink which looks quite neat. The overall build quality is good, and the aluminum heatsink further adds a touch of durability. 

Performance: We have a rather unconventional 12+1+1 phase power design, with 12 power stages for the CPU and one for the iGPU. You can also find a heatsink on top of the board, and more heatsinks are present on the M.2 slots. The motherboard faced no problems handling the 10900K, even when I slightly pushed it to 4.0 GHz.

Connectivity and Features: The motherboard impressed me with its array of ports in this price category, including USB 3 Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2×2 Type C. For connectivity, we get Dual LAN ports, featuring 2.5G and 1G options. Plenty of storage too, with six SATA III ports and two M.2 slots supporting PCIe 3.0 x4.

Our senior reviewer Nauman Siddique shares his honest thoughts on the motherboard:

“Designed for Intel’s 10th and 11th Gen CPUs, it excels in performance and aesthetics but lacks WiFi and may have VRM thermal issues with heavy overclocking.”

What Makes It The Best Budget Motherboard For The i9-10900K?

Overall, the MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk is an excellent board that performed just as well as some of the higher-end Z490 boards in my testing. While the lack of Wi-Fi might be a bummer, the two LAN ports make up for it. Due to its affordable pricing and fantastic features, I have deemed the MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk the Best Budget Motherboard For The 10900k. 

• Read Our MSI Mag Z490 Tomahawk Review

MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE

Best Overclocking Motherboard For i9-10900k

Specifications: CHIPSET: Intel Z490 | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI, Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 2 x USB 3.2 (Type C), 2 x USB 3 Gen 2, 4 x USB 3 Gen1, 2 x USB 2.0|  Network: 1x 1x Aquantia AQC107 10G LAN controller, 1x Realtek  RTL8125B 2.5G LAN controller | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA III

Design & Build Quality: The black and grey color scheme of the motherboard doesn’t stand out a lot, but I absolutely love its stunning design. There is RGB on the MSI dragon logo and on the PCH heatsink. And, to top things off, the motherboard features an OLED screen beside the RAM slots. The build quality is premium, as you would expect.

Performance: As the MEG Z490 GODLIKE belongs to MSI’s top-of-the-line series, you can be very sure that its an overclocking beast. The motherboard offers 16 power phases, each delivering up to 90A, and ample space around the CPU socket to install a budget cooler of any size. I pushed and successfully tested the CPU at 4.7GHz without hiccups.

Connectivity and Features: Equipped with Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen1 & Gen 2, and standard USB 2.0 ports, the motherboard offers extensive connectivity options. It features 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps controllers for high-speed networking, and six SATA III ports for storage. The OLED screen provides a great touch of customizability.

What Makes It The Best Motherboard For The i9-10900K?

The MSI MAG Z490 is a feature-packed motherboard; it consists of everything that you would expect from a high-end motherboard. It features over-the-top cooling capabilities, which allow it to overclock even something as power-hungry as the 10900k, which is why I have chosen the MSI MAG Z490 the Best Motherboard For Overclocking The 10900k.

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming

Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For i9-10900k

Specifications: CHIPSET: Intel Z490 | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4)  DISPLAY OUTPUTS: Display Port, HDMI | REAR USB PORTS: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2.0|  Network:  Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 | Storage: 2x M.2, 4 x SATA III

Design & Build Quality: The ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-I Gaming impressed me immediately with its design, thanks to the all-black PCB and its massive heatsink. Its layout may be snug but accommodates essential components without compromise, and its well-built and sturdy. 

Performance: Despite its compact size, it packs a punch in performance. We have 8+2 power stages, and a heatsink (that runs around the VRM) right above the CPU socket, as well as a custom fan around the VRM. ASUS has certainly done its homework, and the motherboard had no trouble handling the CPU in my dedicated testing.

Connectivity and Features: In terms of connectivity, the Mini-ITX board has 4 USB 3.2 Gen2 Ports, 2 USB 3.2 Gen1, and 2 USB 2.0 ports. Interestingly it also has WIFI 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. A 2.5G LAN port is also on the rear I/O. Lastly, 4 SATA III and two M.2 slots (under the heatsink) are available.

What Makes It The Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For The i9-10900K?

ASUS has done a good job in including this many features on such a small board. It impressed me with low VRM temperatures, a unique design, and its overclocking capabilities, leading me to choose it as the Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For the 10900k.

GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX

Best Gaming Motherboard For i9-10900k

Specifications: CHIPSET: Intel Z590 | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 x USB 3 Gen 2×2 (Type C), 4 x USB 2.0, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2|  Network: Intel® 2.5GbE LAN chip, Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA III

Design & Build Quality: The GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX has a seriously clean and premium-looking design. It comes with brushed aluminum finish and a black-grey color scheme. For RGB, there is a single strip on top of the rear I/O. I also found it to be very solidly-built.

Performance: With its 12+1 power phase design and 60A power stages with a 6-layer PCB, the Z590 AORUS PRO AX promises stable power delivery. A heatsink is found under the rear I/O and atop the M.2 slots. Cooled by the Antec Kuhler K240, the i9-10900K ran stable, even when I pushed it beyond base frequencies.

Connectivity and Features: Owing to its four M.2 slots (the last one supporting PCIe Gen 3) and six SATA III ports, this motherboard offers ample storage options. Moving on to the PCIe slots, only the top-most slot supports PCIe Gen 4. For connectivity, there is a 2.5G LAN port and Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (antenna included in the box). 

What Makes It The Best Gaming Motherboard For The i9-10900K?

The GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX did a great job in handling the i9-10900k in both gaming and productivity tasks, in my dedicated testing. Moreover, it has excellent features and is not as expensive as some of the higher-end Z590 motherboards. All of this meant it took home the Best Gaming Motherboard For The 10900k award from me.

GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G

Best White Motherboard For i9-10900k

Specifications: CHIPSET: Intel Z490 | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4)  DISPLAY OUTPUTS: Display Port, HDMI | REAR USB PORTS: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 (Type C)|  Network: 1x 1x Aquantia AQC107 10G LAN controller, 1x Realtek  RTL8125B 2.5G LAN controller | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA III

Design & Build Quality: The GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G motherboard is shows impressive build quality and comes with a sleek black and white design, accentuated by aluminum heat sinks and and white rear I/O with “VISION” branding. Aside from the heatsinks, the rest of the motherboard is completely black, giving it an overall pleasing look. 

Performance: It features a robust 12-phase power design with 50A power delivery per phase. This VRM is cooled by the white heatsink. My detailed testing showed that the Z490 VISION G is more than capable of handling the i9-10900K smoothly. 

Connectivity and Features: For storage, there are two M.2 slots under the shiny white heatsinks and six SATA III ports. Its rear I/O includes USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen1, and USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C ports – enough connectivity for all your needs.

Editor`s Note

The Z490 VISION G from Gigabyte is a great all-rounder, with solid VRMs, a stunning black-and-white design, and superb connectivity. You should only shy away from purchasing it if you absolutely need built-in Wi-Fi.

– Faizan Ahmed

What Makes It The Best White  Motherboard For The i9-10900K?

Looking at the specifications, the GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G simply has it all, from the dual-layer PCB to the VRM, with a 12+1 phase design that is very capable in terms of performance. On top of all of this, it has a clean white and black look. All of this meant that it was my choice as the Best White Motherboard For The 10900k.

MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X

Best Overall Z590 Motherboard For i9-10900k

Specifications: CHIPSET: Intel Z590 | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4)  DISPLAY OUTPUTS: Display Port, HDMI | REAR USB PORTS: 8 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 x USB 3.2 GEN 2X2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2|  Network: Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210, 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5G LAN | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA III

Design & Build Quality: MSI’s MEG Z590 UNIFY-X impresses with its sleek all-black design, focusing on aesthetics over RGB. The board has a robust build with a massive heatsink and on the bottom, it features M.2 FROZR heatsinks for efficient cooling arranged in a U-shape.

Performance: While MSI promise of top-notch performance holds true for the most part, there are certain limitations, such as the inclusion of only two RAM slots. However, the 16+2+1 phase VRM design ensures stability and proved capable the i9-10900K in my benchmarks.

Connectivity and Features: Firstly, note that the top M.2 slot (of the four) remains disabled with 10th gen CPUs. We get six SATA III connection for more storage. For USB, we get 8x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and one each of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. Lastly, there is Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5G LAN support.

Editor`s Note

If you want a motherboard that looks amazing without the use of RGB, the MSI MEG Z590 UNIFY-X is where it’s at.

– Faizan Ahmed

What Makes It The Best Overall Motherboard For The i9-10900K?

In conclusion, the MSI MEG Z590 UNIFY-X offers excellent memory and CPU overclocking capabilities along with an attractive design that is bound to appeal to most people. On top of all this, I picked it as the Best Z590 Motherboard For The 10900k thanks to its outstanding VRM design and four M.2 slots.

How We Chose These Motherboards For The i9-10900K

There are a few things you need to take into account before you pick a motherboard for the 10900K. Take a look at the factors we considered:

• Chipset and Compatibility: Before anything, you must ensure you choose the socket compatible with the 10900k. The 10900k is only compatible with LGA 1200; both the Z490 and the newer Z590 chipset can handle the 10900k without any issues.
• VRM: The Voltage Regulator Module, or the VRM, is an essential part of the motherboard, used for controlling and adjusting the voltage delivered to the CPU. The VRM determines the overclocking capabilities of a motherboard; most Z490 and Z590 motherboards mentioned on our list of the Best Core Intel I9 10900k Motherboard come with well-equipped VRMs.
• Connectivity: When selecting a motherboard for the i9-10900K, connectivity is key. Look for ample rear I/O USB ports, component headers, and ARGB headers for RGB enthusiasts. Ensure SATA and M.2 connections cater to your storage requirements. WiFi, 2.5G Ethernet, and even 10G LAN ports are desirable features to consider.
• Form Factor: Motherboards are available in different sizes, ranging from mini-ITX to E-ATX. The size of the motherboard you end up going with depends on the case you have. Generally, full tower cases have support for up to E-ATX motherboards whereas, smaller form factor cases only support mini-ITX boards.
• Budget: With a higher budget, you should be able to get a Z590 motherboard; although if you don’t have extreme overclocking needs, the Z490 boards are sufficient. Also, note that PCIe Gen 4 support is only for 11th-gen CPUs, so going for the older Z490 boards might be the better option for most people.

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Faizan Ahmed

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com