The Intel Core i9-11900K is one of the best processors for gaming, but finding the best motherboard to pair with it can be difficult. Here are our top recommendations.
The best gaming motherboard for i9-11900k is a motherboards that has been built to handle the Intel Core i9-11900K. It features dual M.2, and an Intel Optane memory support.
The Core i9 11900K is Intel’s newest high-end processor, with 8 cores and 16 threads that need a strong motherboard to overclock. While the CPU is a step down from the 10900K, it may nevertheless provide comparable gaming performance. Due to its few cores/threads and expensive price, I cannot suggest it for productivity.
As the flagship CPU in the Rocket Lake series, the i9 11900K needs a motherboard that can manage the overclocking load without exceeding critical temperatures. The better the VRM and its components are, the more steady performance figures you will be able to achieve.
I strongly advise using a Z590 motherboard with this chip since you will receive stronger VRMs and greater component compatibility via the chipset in the enthusiast motherboards sector.
The following are the best options for improved thermals and reliable overclocking over extended periods of time.
WIFI Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming
Specifications
- 14+2 Power Stages in the VRM
- 128GB DDR4 5333MHz memory
- 3 PCI-E x16 expansion slots
- 6 SATA ports, 4 M.2 ports
- I/O: 10 USB ports total, 2x Intel WiFi Tri-Band, 2x 2.5G LAN, 5x Audio connectors, Bios Flashback
Summary
With its 16 power stage VRM and joint heatsinks, the ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming Wifi is capable of powerful overclocking. It has exceptional beauty and a distinct personality, and as a result, it commands a premium price.
Asus’s ROG range of goods, whether graphics cards or motherboards, have a distinct personality. The Z590-E Strix Gaming Wifi is designed for people who desire a premium appearance without sacrificing performance.
It can regulate the temperature extremely effectively thanks to a strong 16 power phase VRM and two large heatsinks above the VRM. Because the i9 11900K produces a lot of heat, a good VRM is required, and the better the heatsinks, the more stable the clock speeds will be.
It includes 10 USB ports, including 2 Type C connectors, and 2x 2.5G Ethernet ports for wired internet connections, putting it on another level in terms of connectivity. If you wish to connect to the internet wirelessly, you may utilize the Intel WiFi 22 Tri-Band, which supports very fast internet data transmission rates.
In addition, you’ll receive a Q-Code display onboard for identifying the source of problems, which can come in handy when overclocking via trial and error. You’ll get a total of 8x fan headers for cooling, including the pump, AIO, and CPU fan, making it simpler to keep your system cool.
The price of this board is $380, which is not cheap, but the features are worth it if you utilize an i9 11900K processor.
MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon WiFi (MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon WiFi)
Specifications
- 16+1+1 Power Stages in VRM
- 128GB DDR4 5333MHz memory
- 3 PCI-E x16 expansion slots
- 6 SATA ports, 4 M.2 ports
- I/O: 10 USB ports total, Intel Wifi 6, 2.5G LAN, 5x Audio connectors, and Bios Flashback
Summary
The Z590 Carbon Wifi is a fantastic alternative to the Strix Z590-E Gaming Wifi and has a better VRM with large heatsinks and an integrated heat pipe. This board is a beast, with 18 power stages in all.
MSI offers a number of excellent Z590 motherboards, and the Z590 Carbon Wifi is ideal for the i9 11900K, with 16+1+1 power phases rated at 75A each for a total of 1350A. This is similar to the Maximus XIII Hero, but at a lower price of $150.
For expansion cards and storage, it features 3x PCI-E x16 slots, 2x PCI-E x1 slots, 3x M.2 connections, and 6x SATA ports that enable RAID technology. A Type C header is included on the front panel of your chassis, which supports up to 10Gbps of bandwidth and is useful for quick transfers.
It features a total of 10 USB ports, four of which are USB 2.0, two of which are USB 3.2 Gen 1, three of which are USB 3.2 Gen 2 with a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C with a transfer speed of up to 20Gbps.
Other connection options on most Z590 motherboards include an Intel Wifi 6 adapter and a single Intel 2.5G LAN port.
Asus Maximus XIII HERO Z590 ROG
Specifications
- 14+2 Power Stages in the VRM
- 128GB DDR4 5333MHz memory
- 3x PCI-E x16, 1x PCI-E x1 expansion slots
- 6 SATA ports, 4 M.2 ports
- I/O: 10 USB ports, 22 Intel WiFi Tri-Band, 2.5G LAN, 5x Audio connectors, Bios Flashback, Clear CMOS
Summary
The ROG Maximus XIII Hero features extremely high-quality components in the VRM to handle high current and, as a result, unlike many other boards on this list, can support a high degree of overclocking. It features a special design for overclockers to make troubleshooting easier.
The components on the Maximus XIII Hero are much superior than those on the Z590E Gaming Wifi, despite the fact that it has a 16-phase VRM. Unlike typical motherboards, it has two power stages, each rated at 90 amps, for a total of 1440 amps of current support. On enthusiast Z590 boards, this is one of the highest current support you’ll find.
It boasts a high-end look, with RGB lights on the chipset and even the VRM heatsinks that protrude from the I/O cover. There are 3x PCI-E x16 slots for expansion cards that enable Nvidia SLI, as well as 4x M.2 connections and 6x SATA ports for storage. Before you fill up every port/slot, make sure you read the Asus literature on how the PCI-E slots exchange bandwidth with the SATA ports.
The I/O has a similar appearance to the Asus Z590-E Gaming Wifi, with 10x USB ports, twin 2.5G Ethernet connections, and 22 Tri-Band Intel WiFi for peripherals and Internet access, respectively. While the Z590-E is similar to this board in many ways, it lacks the Maximus XIII Hero’s inbuilt troubleshooting tools.
It has a Q-Code display, FlexKey button, Re-try button, and Start button, all of which are important for overclocking enthusiasts. While this board costs $500, you can expect it to provide the value that this price implies.
ACE MSI MEG Z590 MSI MEG Z590 MSI MEG Z590 MSI
Feature-Rich
Specifications
- 16+2+1 Power Stages VRM
- 128GB DDR4 5600MHz memory
- 3x PCI-E x16, 2x PCI-E x1 expansion slots
- 6 SATA ports, 4 M.2 ports
- I/O: 10 USB ports total, Intel WiFi 6, 2.5G LAN, 5x Audio connectors, Bios Flashback, and Clear CMOS
Summary
With its excellent connection features, the MEG Z590 Ace is amazing. The board not only features a strong VRM that can handle a lot of current, but it also includes quick connection ports at the I/O. It includes all of the features that a fan would want.
While most motherboards only have Type C ports with a transfer speed of up to 20Gbps, the MEG Z590 ACE has two Thunderbolt Type C ports with a transfer speed of up to 40Gbps. You’ll also receive 8x USB ports, the majority of which are USB Gen 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2.
A strong VRM is used at the top of the stack to handle any monster processor. With the assistance of a good CPU cooler, you can overclock as much as you want thanks to the 16+2+1 power stage VRM. I’m certain that this will be more than adequate for the i9 11900K, which has aluminium heatsinks on the VRM and an integrated heat pipe to assist cool the VRM’s power chokes.
Each of these phases, like the ROG Strix Z590 Maximus XIII Hero, can handle up to 90A of electricity. It features three PCI-E x16 slots and two PCI-E x1 slots for expansion cards, with the graphics card slots using Steel Armor for added robustness to handle larger graphics cards.
It offers the greatest storage options on a Z590 motherboard, with 4x M.2 connections and 6x SATA ports. Furthermore, the memory support is exceptional, with compatibility for up to 5600MHz, which is uncommon. All of these capabilities are available for $500, which I think is reasonable and should be the first choice not just for the i9 11900K but also for the i7 11700K, which has 8 cores and 16 threads.
Aorus Master Gigabyte Z590
Specifications
- 18+1 Power Stages in VRM
- 128GB DDR4 5400MHz memory
- 3 PCI-E x16 expansion slots
- 6 SATA ports, 3 M.2 ports
- I/O: 10 USB ports total, Intel WiFi 6, 2.5G LAN, 5x Audio connectors, Bios Flashback, and Clear CMOS
Summary
The Z590 Aorus Master is a fantastic alternative to the ACE that, with the exception of a few minor features, performs similarly to the latter for $100 less. It features much stronger VRM heatsinks than other motherboards and is capable of managing high VRM temperatures, making it an excellent board for overclocking.
The Z590 Aorus Master is almost as powerful as the MEG Z590 ACE, with the exception of high-memory frequency support, PCI-E x1 slots, and Thunderbolt USB Type C connections. It features 18+1 power phases, with the 18 power phases using doublers to improve overclocking stability. Each phase is rated to take up to 90A of current in this case as well.
Fins array aluminium heatsinks are mounted on top of the VRM and are much superior to the conventional VRM heatsinks found on most motherboards. There are 3x PCI-E x16 slots below the socket that utilize Steel Armor and feature heatsinks on all M.2 connections.
Additionally, the motherboard has RGB LEDs on the I/O cover and chipset that can be controlled using the Gigabyte Fusion software, which I use on my X370 Gaming 5 board. It isn’t the greatest, but it is simple to use.
You can use the Q-Flash BIOS flashback button at the I/O to update the Bios, and you can also reset it using the Clear CMOS button, which speeds up troubleshooting without having to open up your chassis. There are 10 USB ports, an Intel Wifi 6 adapter for wireless internet access, and a 2.5G LAN port for wired internet access.
It lacks certain functions, like as those listed above, when compared to the MEG Z590 ACE, but it costs $100 less, which is a deal breaker for many customers.
Final Thoughts
First and foremost, I do not suggest the Intel Core i9 11900K. It’s just one of Intel’s worst releases of the year, but if you’re a die-hard Intel fan who’s already made up your mind, the above-mentioned boards will be ideal to pair with it, with almost every board available for around $500.
The i9 11900K isn’t completely useless; it’s comparable to any other high-end gaming CPU from the previous generation and competes with AMD’s 5000 series CPUs. The disadvantage is that there are only two cores and four threads, and the price is approximately $100 more than the more powerful i9 10900K.
Please let me know if you plan to purchase this CPU for your next PC build.
The intel 11th gen motherboard compatibility is a guide to the best motherboards for Intel Core i9 11900K.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best motherboard for i9-11900k?
The best motherboard for the i9-11900k is the MSI Z390-A Pro.
