Looking for the best motherboard for i9 11900K?

The Intel 11th Generation Rocket Lake CPUs are some of the fastest gaming processors on the market, and the i9 11900K is the leader of the pack.

In order to maximize the capabilities of this processor, one must pair it with a competent motherboard preferably from the Z590 chipset.

Without further ado, here are some of the best motherboards you can choose for your Core i9 11900K.

Before moving on make sure you check the following detailed tutorial on how to choose the best motherboard for you: How To Choose The Right Motherboard For Your Needs: A Comprehensive Guide

Why Should You Trust Us?

At Best Motherboard Zone, trust is paramount. Our author, Konstantinos Chiotis, brings over 20 years of experience in the tech industry and a lifelong passion for PC building. His expertise extends to the intricate details of hardware components, including motherboards for the Intel i9 11900k.

Our recommendations are not just based on specs, but on rigorous testing and analysis. We aim to provide the most accurate and comprehensive information, so you can trust that our choices are indeed the best for your i9 11900k. Trust us to guide you in your PC building journey, ensuring you get the most out of your hardware.

The Best Motherboards for i9 11900K – Compared

How We Choose the Best Motherboard for i9 11900K

When you’re looking at one of the fastest gaming processors on the market, the motherboard selection has to be done right. We make sure our criteria are stringent so as not to let any average motherboard make the list.

As the number and quality of VRM phases offered by the motherboard can greatly affect performance, it was one of our main focus points. Overclocking is one big buying point for Core i9 11900K, so it’s important that power delivery is able to keep up with this high demand.

We realize that the cooling system used by motherboard manufacturers for their VRM is also important when it comes to having a solid and reliable power delivery system.

Since the best motherboards have all sorts of connectivity and networking features that one might require with their Core i9 11900K processor, we made sure this was well-represented on our list.

The aesthetics of a motherboard are subjective, but we did prioritize motherboards that were less controversial among consumers due to their design.

Ultimately, the final deciding factor was always the value proposition offered by the motherboard. Motherboards that offer a better bang for the buck were given priority at most price points.

With the help of these factors, we have curated a roundup of the very best motherboards for i9 11900K on the market.

7 Best Motherboards for i9 11900K Reviews

1. MSI MEG Z590 ACE – Editor’s Choice

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 16+2 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5600 | Video Outputs: HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 | USB Ports: 8x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA

MSI’s MEG Z590 ACE motherboard is a high-end product that aims to fill the gap between their midrange gaming motherboards and the premium Godlike series. It offers top-of-the-line performance for gamers who want more than just the average motherboard to pair with the i9 11900K.

The MSI MEG Z590 ACE is a high-end motherboard that offers robust VRM and power delivery for overclocking the Intel i9 11900K. The board features a 16+2 phase VRM with direct backside cooling, and it also comes with two large VRM heatsinks.

In addition, the MEG Z590 ACE has efficient chipset heatsink finning that improves heat dissipation. This design will make sure that the VRM remains cool and stable under extended load.

Moreover, the Z590 ACE also features robust connectivity, plenty of storage options, and support for Thunderbolt as well. The board also features Intel WiFi 6E and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed wireless and wired connectivity, respectively.

It would have been nice to see a 10 GbE LAN port, however, as the Z590 ACE is a really premium motherboard in the modern market.

In terms of storage, the MEG Z590 ACE features four M.2 slots and six SATA III ports. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support up to 40 Gbps speeds and can be used to connect external devices such as docks and storage drives.

When it comes to aesthetics, MSI’s MEG Z590 ACE looks very nice. The black and silver design with RGB lighting is unique and the color scheme is very elegant. The motherboard looks great in a dark or dim-lit room.

The only thing that consumers might not like about the aesthetics of the MSI MEG Z590 ACE is the silver finish on the I/O cover which gets easily scratched and fingerprinted. Other than that, the MSI MEG Z590 ACE looks amazing.

MSI also offers the MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon WiFi at a slightly lower price point, but we prefer the Z590 ACE due to its better suite of features and excellent power delivery.

Another MSI gaming motherboard was selected in our list of the best Z490 motherboards, which is a testament to the quality of this series.

Overall, the MSI MEG Z590 ACE is a very solid motherboard with no obvious missing features. However, its price tag may be an issue for most buyers as it’s quite expensive and there are other options out on the market that offer similar capabilities at lower costs (though not without some compromise).

All said though; this motherboard delivers top-notch performance in nearly every category imaginable making it worth looking into if you can afford it.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9/10
• Features: 8.5/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Value for Money: 7.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

2. ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero – Best Premium Motherboard for i9 11900K [BEST SELLER]

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 8 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5333 | Video Outputs: HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 9x internal | Network: 2x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA

The ASUS ROG Maximus series is the flagship motherboard from ASUS for Intel. With some legendary boards in their past, this premium offering has always been strong and reliable for Intel platforms, and the ROG Maximus XIII Hero is no different. It is the best premium motherboard for i9 11900K you can buy.

Starting things off with the VRM design, it features a robust VRM with 8 phases of power delivery, which is more than enough for the Intel i9 11900K CPU. ASUS does their VRM setups a bit differently so you cannot just compare it with other motherboards purely based on the number of phases.

The motherboard also has ample cooling support, with multiple heatsinks that make efficient contact with the VRM modules. The combination of high-quality power delivery components and excellent cooling makes this motherboard an ideal choice for overclocking the i9 11900K.

In addition, the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero has a number of features that make it an attractive option for gamers and enthusiasts. For connectivity, ASUS has provided a couple of 2.5 GbE LAN ports in addition to WiFi 6E functionality, making a very attractive networking suite.

Moreover, there is support for Thunderbolt 4 on the rear I/O which is quite a welcome touch in a motherboard at this price point. There are four M.2 slots and 6 SATA ports on the board for your high-speed storage needs as well.

At this price point, however, we would have expected a 10 GbE LAN port of some sort on the board. It seems like a missed opportunity from ASUS here.

Aesthetically, the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero is a work of art. From top to bottom, this motherboard oozes aesthetics. The looks are clean and sleek with a color scheme that is easy on the eyes.

The design is modern and aggressive with RGB lighting that adds a touch of class. The overall aesthetics are top-notch and this motherboard is sure to turn heads when it’s on display.

A suitable alternative to the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero can be the ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming WiFi, but the Maximus board is better equipped for high-end CPUs such as the Core i9 11900K thanks to its superior VRM design.

A similar Maximus motherboard was chosen in our roundup of the best motherboards for i9 10900K.

All in all, the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero is a great option for anyone looking for a top-of-the-line motherboard for i9 11900K. It is one of the best premium ATX motherboards. You do have to be wary of the high price of this board, however, as it is certainly not a value-oriented option.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9/10
• Features: 8.5/10
• Aesthetics: 8.5/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

3. ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi – Best Budget Motherboard for i9 11900K

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 8+2 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5133 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 7x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: Dual intel 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA

If you are in the market for a budget-oriented choice, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard is one of the best value-for-money motherboards you can find on the market. It has excellent features and performance, and it comes at a very reasonable price.

Speaking of budget motherboards, we have also selected some excellent budget motherboards in our list of the best motherboards for i5 10600K.

The VRM on the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi is decent. It’s an 8+2 phase design with a combination of quality and standard components. The power delivery is adequate for a CPU like the i9 11900K and should be able to handle some CPU overclocking.

In terms of VRM cooling, the heatsinks are on the small side but they do get the job done. The overall cooling under extended loads is decent but could be better. However, the power delivery system is more than acceptable for a motherboard at this price point.

The ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi features excellent connectivity with Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, 802.11ax (WiFi 6), and Bluetooth v5.1 support. It also features an impressive 3 M.2 expansion slots with 6 SATA ports for your storage needs.

On the rear I/O, the board features a few rear USB ports including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 Type-A ports. We would have liked to see more USB ports on the rear since these can be populated pretty quickly.

When it comes to aesthetics, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi is somewhat unremarkable. It features a sleek black design with aggressive lines and accents. The color scheme is accentuated by a small bit of RGB lighting, which can be customized to your liking.

In a similar price bracket, you can also find the ASUS PRIME Z590-P WiFi motherboard which has a similar feature-set to the ASUS TUF offering but can be found slightly cheaper. We chose the TUF Z590-Plus, however, since it has a more robust power delivery system necessary for the i9 11900K.

Conclusively, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi is an excellent value for money and it has almost everything you need for a great gaming performance. There are some areas for improvement here and there, but those are some compromises you have to make at this price point. Otherwise you should look at more premium atx motherboards.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8/10
• Features: 7.5/10
• Aesthetics: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

4. Gigabyte Z590 Vision G – Best Looking Motherboard for i9 11900K

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 13 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5333 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5GbE LAN | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA

The Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is a great option for gamers who want a high-end motherboard with a minimalistic design. It’s one of the best-looking motherboards on the market and it has a unique design that sets it apart from the competition.

If you’re looking for a high-end motherboard that can handle the power demands of an Intel i9 11900K CPU, the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is a great option. It features a robust VRM with 13 power phases, delivering exceptional power delivery for CPU overclocking.

The VRM is cooled by dual heatsinks. A highly efficient cooling system ensuring that it stays cool even when pushed to the limit. In addition, VRM heatsinks have ample finning making it easy for the heatsinks to keep the VRM cool when overclocking.

By the way, we chose another Gigabyte option in our list of the best motherboards for i7 10700K.

In terms of features, Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is a high-end motherboard that caters to enthusiasts and gamers. It features a whopping four M.2 slots for storage, as well as multiple USB 3.2 ports for connectivity and multi gpu support. However, it lacks WiFi support and only has a single 2.5 GbE LAN port.

At this price point, we would have liked to see a standard WiFi 6E module included in every variant of the motherboard. Still, despite these shortcomings, the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is still a great choice for anyone looking to build a powerful gaming PC based on the i9 11900K.

The aesthetics of a product are often underestimated but they play an important role in the overall appeal of the Z590 Vision G. The board looks great with its clean and minimalistic design language.

The color scheme is also well balanced and the slight RGB lighting adds a nice touch. Even the heat spreaders are well designed and look good.

It is hard to find a motherboard for the i9 11900K that looks similar to the Z590 Vision G, but the Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Master can be considered a decent alternative. We prefer the former, however, due to its unique design and better value for money.

Apart from the minor shortcomings here and there, the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is the best-looking motherboard you can buy for the i9 11900K and should definitely be on your shortlist. It is not a cheap option, however, so you should be ready to pay a steep price if you want this board.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8/10
• Features: 8/10
• Aesthetics: 8.5/10
• Value for Money: 7.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

5. Gigabyte Z590 UD AC – Best Gaming Motherboard for i9 11900K

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 12+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5333 | Video Outputs: DisplayPort | USB Ports: 8x rear IO, 6x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi | Storage: 3x M.2, 5x SATA

Moving on to our next pick, the Gigabyte Z590 UD AC is a budget-friendly gaming motherboard that offers a simple design and basic features. It’s a great value for the price, and it offers bang for the buck. This is the motherboard to buy if you don’t want any extra bells and whistles and just want to get right into the game.

For the power delivery, the board features a decent VRM with 12+1 phases. It is an acceptable power delivery system for an i9 11900K and you can expect some minor CPU overclocking. The cooling for the VRMs is quite average, as the heatsinks are rather small and don’t make efficient contact.

The Gigabyte Z590 UD AC is a pretty average motherboard when it comes to features. It’s got three M.2 slots, support for up to 5 SATA drives, and a few USB ports (including one USB 3.2 Type-C). It also has 2.5 GbE LAN and 802.11ac WiFi for connectivity.

We would have liked to see more rear USB ports, as the provided eight ports can be quickly occupied in a gaming PC. One can say that the motherboard doesn’t have much in the way of bells and whistles, but it does offer good performance and reliable connectivity.

Aesthetically, the Gigabyte Z590 UD AC is a simple-looking motherboard with a sleek design that will appeal to anyone who wants a stealthy and understated build. The color scheme is black and white, with a hint of silver, and the RGB lighting is completely absent from this model.

The overall effect is very clean and minimalist, which is exactly what you want in a stealthy build. The lack of RGB lighting may be an issue for some users, however.

Be sure to check out the best Z390 motherboards too, which contain additional MSI motherboards as well.

Gigabyte also offers the Z590 AORUS Elite AX at a similar budget-oriented price point, but it is a bit more expensive than the Z590 UC AC. We chose the latter due to its simplicity and high value proposition.

One can say that the Gigabyte Z590 UD AC has some flaws, but it is still a very decent motherboard to pair with your i9 11900K CPU. It is especially ideal for those potential buyers who want a competitive motherboard for their Alder Lake PC without breaking the bank.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8/10
• Features: 7.5/10
• Aesthetics: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 9.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

6. ASRock Z590M Pro4 – Best Micro ATX Motherboard for i9 11900K

Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 12 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-4800+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 6x internal | Network: 1x 1 GbE LAN | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA

The Z590 chipset is relatively new and therefore there aren’t many micro ATX motherboards for this particular platform. However, ASRock has got you covered with their excellent Z590M Pro 4 motherboard that has loads of features at an affordable price point.

ASRock’s Z590M Pro4 has a decent VRM with 12 phases of power delivery, and it is able to handle an i9 11900K at stock speeds. However, CPU overclocking will be a complicated task, as the heatsinks on this board are not particularly large or well-ventilated.

The same goes for the VRM – the components are not particularly high-quality or efficient, so thermal performance may be an issue under heavy load.

When it comes to features, the ASRock Z590M Pro4 is a budget-friendly motherboard that delivers features and connectivity suitable for a mid-range gaming PC. It has a single Gigabit LAN port and no WiFi but does have decent storage options with two M.2 slots.

It’s very light on USB ports, however, with only six total ports present on the rear I/O. The lack of features may be a drawback for some users, but the low price point will be appealing to others.

ASRock’s aesthetics have always been pretty good, and the Z590M Pro4 is no different. The board looks great, with a clean design and hint of RGB lighting. The color scheme is also well-executed, and the overall aesthetics are very pleasing.

The only downside is that the basic design language is starting to look a bit dated, but that’s a minor complaint.

A suitable micro ATX alternative to the ASRock Z590M Pro4 can be the ASUS PRIME Z590-M PLUS, which is a compact budget motherboard from ASUS. The ASRock option edges the comparison thanks to its lower price point.

All in all, this is the motherboard you would want to buy if you are looking for a micro ATX motherboard for the i9 11900K. It is a little light on features, but the rest of the package is quite attractive and should fit right into a mid-range gaming PC.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 7.5/10
• Features: 7/10
• Aesthetics: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

7. ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming – Best Mini ITX Motherboard for i9 11900K

Form Factor: Mini ITX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 8+2 Phase | Memory: 2x DIMM, 64GB, DDR4-5333+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 | USB Ports: 8x rear IO, 6x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA

The popularity of small form factor gaming PCs is off the charts right now. Therefore, the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming is one of the best options available for those looking for a compact, small form factor option in the mini ITX form factor.

In terms of VRM design, ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming comes with an acceptable VRM for power delivery to the CPU. The i9 11900K is a high-end CPU, but the board is certainly good enough for minor CPU overclocking and gaming.

The VRM heatsinks are adequate for cooling and the overall thermal management is good. However, if you’re looking to heavily overclock your CPU, you’ll need to look elsewhere as the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I doesn’t necessarily have the VRM quality for competitive overclocking.

Moreover, the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming motherboard is packed with features that make it great for gaming and other high-performance tasks. It features Intel WiFi 6E and a 2.5 Intel Gigabit Ethernet port for fast and reliable connectivity, as well as two M.2 slots for ultra-fast storage.

Additionally, the motherboard features Thunderbolt 4 support for even more expandability and high-speed USB ports for connecting external devices.

The number of rear USB ports could have been increased, however, as the 8 ports can be occupied rather quickly. Additionally, the board only has 2 DIMM slots which can be a limitation to your upgrade potential down the line.

In terms of aesthetics, the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming looks absolutely stunning. It features a sleek and stylish design language that is further accentuated by the RGB lighting on the I/O shield. The color scheme is also very well thought out and it all comes together to create a very pleasing look.

Even the branding is subtle and does not overpower the rest of the design.

In the mini ITX space, there are not a lot of suitable motherboards for the Core i9 11900K. The Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra, however, can be considered an alternative for the ASUS Strix Z590-I, although the latter offers a much better feature set all around.

Overall, it is clear that the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I is the best mini ITX motherboard you can buy for the i9 11900K. It has a host of exceptional features, however, the price tag is rather steep so potential buyers should do their due diligence before finalizing their choice.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8/10
• Features: 8.5/10
• Aesthetics: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Best Motherboard for i9 11900K – Buyer’s Guide

The motherboard market can be a tough one for buyers since there’s no way to gather information about the product without testing it.

The official product pages are also completely useless, filled with marketing information instead of information about which motherboards will suit your Core i9 11900K the best.

Hence, it is important that you consider the following crucial factors before making your purchase decision.

CPU Overclocking

First and foremost, the 11th Gen i9 CPUs are compatible with all Z590, B560, and even some older chipsets. For those who want the best of what’s new in the PC world right now – go for a board sporting the Z590 chipset. It is not worth saving your money with a locked chipset.

Intel’s Core i9 11900K is a beast of the processor world and needs an expertly built motherboard to keep up, especially when overclocking. It is crucial to pay attention to the power delivery of the motherboard before buying.

Pay attention to the expert and user reviews of the motherboard model to get information about a board’s VRM. Make sure you get one with substantial VRM cooling too, as it will help ensure your chip runs at top performance without the VRM overheating.

Upgrade Path

The upgrade path is one of the factors that you should keep in mind while making a purchase decision. Oftentimes, people don’t upgrade their motherboards because they work perfectly fine for multiple years.

Therefore, it is important to judge beforehand if you will be using the same platform for a long time, or if you have an upgrade planned in the near future. You should also consider your will to jump ship to a completely different CPU manufacturer once a new product comes out.

Value for Money

When shopping for your new i9 11900K based computer, one thing that you should be considering is the price-to-performance ratio.

A cheap motherboard might seem like a good deal at first but it could turn out not to have all of those features and quality as more expensive models so keep this in mind when browsing around.

The most important thing to look for when buying a new motherboard is value. Make sure you find one with a good price-to-quality ratio so that your system will be able to perform at its best ability and have longevity as well.

FAQs:

Does i9 11900K support DDR5?

The Intel Core i9 11900K does not support DDR5 memory as it belongs to the 11th Generation of Intel processors codenamed Rocket Lake. DDR5 memory is supported by 12th Generation processors.

Is B560 better than Z590?

B560 is not better than Z590 since the Z590 chipset is the flagship platform for the Intel 12th Generation processors and it supports full CPU and memory overclocking. B560 motherboards have the advantage of value in most instances.

Is Z490 compatible with i9 11900K?

The Z490 chipset is compatible with the i9 11900K processor. You can use the i9 11900K on older Z490 motherboards by updating the BIOS.

Does i9 11900K support PCIe 4.0?

The Intel Core i9 11900K supports PCIe 4.0 protocol, as do all of the Intel 11th Generation processors. PCIe 4.0 allows the user to install high-speed storage drives that deliver big performance gains over PCIe 3.0 SSDs.