Best Budget Motherboard for i7-9700k in 2024

The Intel Core i7-9700k processor bought a complete revolution in the hardware world. Built using the Coffee Lake Refresh Architecture, the processor is one of the top-notch ones in the industry, making it perfect for gaming and heavy main stream processing.

So if you are planning on getting an Intel Core i7-9700k processor or already have one and wish to upgrade the motherboard to unleash its true power, then you have landed at the right spot. Choosing the right motherboard for the processor can be a bit of an intimidating task, especially for first time buyers, which is why we are here to help you out throughout the entire process.

Why i7-9700K processor?

The major question that many buyers ask is why they should invest in the Intel Core i7-9700 K processor? Well, it is simple – it is powerful, ultra-fast, and highly affordable in the present day. The processor comes with eight cores, eight threads, a base frequency of 3.60 GHz that can be cranked up to a mighty 4.90 GHz. Its overclocking multi-core feature makes it perfect for gaming and heavy main-stream usage.

Best i7-9700k Motherboards

Today in this guide, we will be reviewing the best motherboard for the Intel Core i7-9700k in the market. These motherboards have been tested by gaming gurus and have been recommended by the professionals, making them the best out of all. So let us go ahead and discuss them in detail.

1. MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151

The MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151 is one of the most powerful motherboards in the market. It comes with the LGA 1151 power socket and the Z390 chipset, making it highly compatible with the I7-9700K processor and allows you to overclock it and enjoy 5.0 GHz of processing frequency.

Other than that, the motherboard can support other 9th and 8th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors. The motherboard is equipped with dual-channel DDR4 DIMM slots, which run up to 4400 OC MHz and deliver optimum multitasking power. Furthermore, it comes with M.2 slots, USB 3.1 Ultra-fast slot, and 64-bit Windows 10 compatibility – making it a perfect choice.

2. ASRock Motherboard EXTREME 4

The ASRock Motherboard EXTREME 4 is another great motherboard in the market that supports the overclocking feature and is perfectly equipped to meet the powerful i7-9700k processor’s needs. The LGA 1151 processor socket and the Z370 chipset, along with the ATX form factor, make it compatible with the 8th generation processors.

Other than that, the motherboard comes with four DIMM memory slots that support dual-channel, un-buffered RAMs allowing you to take your multitasking needs to the next level. Furthermore, it comes with a USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port, which provides transfer speeds up to 10 GB/s. Plus, with the HDMI port, you can connect your displays with ease as well.

3. ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G

If you are looking for a motherboard that automatically overclocks based on your CPU and processing needs, then the ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G is one of the best options in the market. The motherboard comes with the LGA 1151 socket, ATX form factor, and the latest Z370 chipset, making it perfect for the 8th generation Intel Core processors, especially the i7-9700k.

Other than the compatibility feature, the motherboard comes with Dual M.2, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.1 Gen2, and Intel Optane Memory compatibility. But the highlighting feature is the 5-way optimization, which is paired with Auto-Tuning and Fan Xpert 4 to automatically tailor the motherboard based on your overclocking profiles.

4. Asus ROG Strix Z390-E

The Asus ROG Strix Z390-E is another great Asus motherboard equipped with state-of-the-art features, making it one of the most powerful and compatible motherboards for the Intel Core i7-9700k. The motherboard is equipped with the Intel LGA 1151 socket, the latest Z390 chipset, and an ATX form factor with multiple PCI slots for connectivity.

It comes with the Dual M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2, onboard 802.11AC Wi-Fi, and ASUS optimum II for better DRAM overclocking stability to deliver optimum performance and ultra-fast processing speed. Furthermore, the 5-way optimization system automatically tailors the system to your overclocking profiles – making it a great long-term investment, especially with the pre-mounted I/O installations.

5. Asus Prime Z390-A Motherboard

If you are looking for a motherboard built to last and delivers optimum performance throughout usage, then the Asus Prime Z390-A Motherboard is of the best options in the market for you. The motherboard comes with the Intel LGA 1151 socket, the Z390-A chipset, and the ATX form factor with diverse PCI slots – making it highly compatible for the 9th and 8th generation processors.

Other than that, the motherboard comes with M. 2, USB 3.1 Gen2, and ASUS Optimum II for better DRAM overclocking stability. You also get to enjoy a 5-way automatic optimization system that auto-tunes the motherboard based on your overclocking profiles. Further, you get to enjoy the built-in eight-channel audio system as well.

6. GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS PRO

The GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS PRO is one of the best motherboards in the market with digital VRMs and multiple onboard features. The motherboard is equipped with the LGA 1151 socket, Z390 chipset, and ATX form factor, making it compatible with the 9th and 8th generation Intel Core processors.

Other than that, the motherboard comes with 4 DIMM dual-channel, non-ECC un-buffered slots to support DDR4 RAMs for multitasking needs. Further, it comes with 12+1 phases of digital VRM solution with DrMOS, advanced thermal design, built-in microphone, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi for optimum performance.

7. ASRock B365M PRO4

The ASRock B365M PRO4 is another great motherboard in the market. It comes with the LGA 1151 socket, B365M chipset, and the ATX form factor, making it compatible with the 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors, including the i7-9700k processor.

Other than that, the motherboard comes with dual DIMM memory slots which support Dual Channel, Non-ECC, Un-buffered, DDR4 RAM up to 64 GB. Further, it comes with multiple PCI slots for graphics cards, audio cards, and optical drives. Overall, the motherboard is great for gaming performance. 

8. GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS

The GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS comes with the LGA 1151 socket, Z370 chipset, and ATX form factor, making it the perfect choice for the Intel Core i7-9700k processor. With its multiple PCI slots, USB ports, and built-in features, the motherboard is great for gaming and main-stream users.

Other than that, the motherboard comes with USB3.1 Gen2 with USB Type-C ports, killer E2500 Gaming Network + Intel Gigabit LAN, and RGB FUSION with Multi-Zone LED Lights allowing you to customize the aesthetic of your motherboard based on your preferences.

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Difference between the 10nm+ process & 10nm & the 14nm process

Processors are built using billions of small transistors and electric gates that operate in an on and off method to carry out the processor’s calculations. These transistors require power to run, and the amount of power they require is denoted in the form of the nm process. Remember, the small the number, the less power the transistors will require to function.

So the difference between the 10 nm + and the 10nm and 14 nm is that it is an upgraded version of the two. This means that it delivers improved performance, faster calculations yet at the least power required. But unfortunately, the i7-9700k doesn’t have the 10nm+ process as we anticipated before the release.

Intel Core i7-9700K Cooling Solutions

The Intel Core i7-9700k processor is an 8-core processor, which makes it highly powerful but at the same time also means it generates an abundance of heat. But the downside of the processor is that it doesn’t come with its own cooling fan. So when used at max capacity normally or overclocked, it tends to heat up to 80 degrees Celsius.

The last thing you want your new system to do is overheat and affect your performance. So the best way to cater to the overheating problems is to add external cooling solutions to the CPU. The best air coolers in the market for the I7-9700k are Noctua NH-D15S Pro and Dark Rock Pro 3. You can also opt for the liquid cooling system, but those are more for the professionals to handle.

Feature To Consider before buying

Buying a motherboard can be hard, especially with the wide range of options available in the market. Plus, once you visit the manufacturer’s site, you will find a page filled with a list of specs explaining the motherboard, which can be quite confusing for first-time buyers. How do you know which specs to get and what is better for your Intel Core i7-9700k processor?

Well, you don’t, which is why we are here to help. Here is the list of the most important features that you need to consider when buying a motherboard for your Intel Core i7-9700k processor. So let us go ahead and look at them in detail. Make sure to check them out first and then move on to the other features mentioned on the site or the box.

1- Form Factor

The first thing that you need to consider is the form factor. This decides the size of the motherboard and the number of slots it will have available for you to use. The most common time of form factor is ATX, which comes in micro, mini, and standard sizes. You can get anyone that suits your needs.

2- Chipset

Next in line is the chipset. Now in order for the Intel Core i7-9700k processor to connect with your motherboard, both the devices need to have the same chipset. Therefore you need a motherboard that comes with H310, B360, H370, Z370, or Z390 chipset.

3- Power Socket

Two types of processors are available in the market at present, AMD and Intel. So to make things easier for the buyers, the manufacturers have decided to stick with specific power sockets. In the case of the Intel Core i7-9700k processor, you need an LGA 1151 power socket on your motherboard.

4- Memory Support

Next, in line, is the RAM. Your motherboard decides the type and the amount of RAM you can add to your system. So we suggest that you pick on the RAM first and then get a motherboard that is compatible with it. The best approach is to go with DDR4 memory slots that can support up to 64 GB RAM.

5- PCI Slots

Other than the RAM, you need to connect other components to your system as well, such as storage drives, optical drives, graphics cards, audio cards, and more. For that, you need PCI Slots, so make sure that the motherboard you are getting has the number and the type of slots that you require.

6- In-Built Specs

Next, you need to consider the additional specs that your motherboard comes with. They are not essential, but they come in handy and limit the peripheral devices. The common specs are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Audio systems.

7- Overclocking

Lastly, since the Intel Core i7-9700k processor has the ability to overclock so, we suggest that you go with the motherboard that can support the overclocking feature if you need it. If not, then a regular motherboard would do the job right as well.

FAQ’s

1. Which is the Cheapest Z390 Motherboard?

Cheapest doesn’t always mean low-quality. It only means that the motherboard you are investing in has limited features. So in the case of Z390, the cheapest motherboard out of all is the Z390-A. It lacks on-bond Wi-Fi and comes with an average sound card. If you don’t have an issue with that, then it might be the perfect fit for you.

2. What is The Cheapest I7 7700K on the market?

The I7 processor, when launched in 2015, was priced very high, making it impossible for all to afford it. But as time went by and the i9 processors came out, the price of the i7-9700k drastically decreased over the years, making It affordable for all to invest in. But still, you need to choose the right marketplace to purchase it, and according to our research, Amazon offers the best deals on the i7-9700k processors.

3. What is the best gaming motherboard for i7?

There are some great motherboard for I7 processors in the market, but if you are looking for the best one for gaming, then we suggest that you go with the MSI Z390-A PRO as it is packed with all the right features that one our require to unleash the true power of the i7 processors and take their gaming experiences to the next level.

Final Words

The i7-9700k has been the take of the industry, especially with its overclocking ability. Many users around the globe only required standard systems, but there are some of us who need specialized systems with the best hardware and software to meet our day to day requirements.

So when it comes to setting up a system with the latest Intel Core i7-9700k processor, having a decent motherboard at hand is highly essential. Read through the reviews above, as all those motherboards are the best of the best ones in the market. Choose the one that you believe best suits your needs and invest in it right away to start building your dream PC. Good Luck; we hope that you find the perfect motherboard to match your i7-9700k.

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