ReviewsMotherboards6 BEST Motherboard For i9-10900k In 2024

6 BEST Motherboard For i9-10900k In 2024 [Performance, Budget]

Find the best motherboard for your i9-10900K, selected by me after in-depth reviewing and testing.

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. 

  • Why you can trust Tech4Gamers: Our round-ups feature products that are based on dedicated hands-on testing by our team of experienced hardware experts. Find out more about how we test.

Take a look at our selections here:

Motherboard
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk
MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming
GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX
GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G
MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X
Looks
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, CF, Dual M.2 Slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-C, 2.5G LAN, DP/HDMI, Mystic Light RGB)
MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard (E-ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, SLI/CF, Triple M.2 Slots, Thunderbolt 3 Type-C, Wi-Fi 6, Mystic Light RGB)
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming Z490 (WiFi 6) LGA 1200 (IntelĀ® 10th Gen) Mini-ITX Gaming Motherboard 8+2 Power Stages, DDR4 4800, IntelĀ® 2.5 Gb Ethernet, USB 3.2 Front Panel Type-C, HDMI 2.0a, Aura Sync
GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX (LGA 1200/Intel Z590/ATX/3x M.2/PCIe 4.0/USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/Intel WiFi 6/2.5GbE LAN/Gaming Motherboard)
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision G (LGA 1200/Intel Z590/ATX/3x M.2/PCIe 4.0/USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/2.5GbE LAN/Motherboard)
MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 11th/10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, PCIe 4, CFX, M.2 Slots, Wi-Fi 6E)
Award
Best Budget Motherboard For i9-10900k
Best Overclocking Motherboard For i9-10900k
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For i9-10900k
Best Gaming Motherboard For i9-10900k
Best White Motherboard For i9-10900k
Best Z590 Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
VRM, Value for money, IO
Dual LAN Ports, LCD Screen
Compact size, WIFI 6, Included VRM fan
Four M.2 slots, Relatively Affordable
12+1 Phase VRM, Clean White Design, Features a total of 10 USB ports
Four M.2 slots, WIFI 6E, Elegant black design
What We Disliked
No WiFi
Expensive
CPU Cooler clearance, Price
VRM cooling
No WIFI
Only two RAM slots, No RGB
Chipset
Z490
Z490
Z490
Z590
Z490
Z590
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
Display Outputs
HDMI, Display Port
HDMI, Display Port
Display Port, HDMI
Display Port
Display Port, HDMI
Display Port, HDMI
Rear USB Ports
6 x USB 3.2, 2 x USB 2.0
2 x USB 3.2 (Type C), 2 x USB 3 Gen 2, 4 x USB 3 Gen1, 2 x USB 2.0
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2.0
4 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 x USB 3 Gen 2Ɨ2 (Type C), 4 x USB 2.0, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2Ɨ1 (Type C)
8 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 x USB 3.2 GEN 2X2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2
Storage
2x M.2, 6x SATA III
3x M.2, 6x SATA III
2x M.2, 4 x SATA III
4x M.2, 6x SATA III
2x M.2, 6x SATA III
4x M.2, 6x SATA III
RGB
Motherboard
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk
Looks
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, CF, Dual M.2 Slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-C, 2.5G LAN, DP/HDMI, Mystic Light RGB)
Award
Best Budget Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
VRM, Value for money, IO
What We Disliked
No WiFi
Chipset
Z490
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
Display Outputs
HDMI, Display Port
Rear USB Ports
6 x USB 3.2, 2 x USB 2.0
Storage
2x M.2, 6x SATA III
RGB
Amazon
Motherboard
MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE
Looks
MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE Gaming Motherboard (E-ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, SLI/CF, Triple M.2 Slots, Thunderbolt 3 Type-C, Wi-Fi 6, Mystic Light RGB)
Award
Best Overclocking Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
Dual LAN Ports, LCD Screen
What We Disliked
Expensive
Chipset
Z490
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
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
Storage
3x M.2, 6x SATA III
RGB
Amazon
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming
Looks
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming Z490 (WiFi 6) LGA 1200 (IntelĀ® 10th Gen) Mini-ITX Gaming Motherboard 8+2 Power Stages, DDR4 4800, IntelĀ® 2.5 Gb Ethernet, USB 3.2 Front Panel Type-C, HDMI 2.0a, Aura Sync
Award
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
Compact size, WIFI 6, Included VRM fan
What We Disliked
CPU Cooler clearance, Price
Chipset
Z490
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
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
Storage
2x M.2, 4 x SATA III
RGB
Amazon
Motherboard
GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX
Looks
GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX (LGA 1200/Intel Z590/ATX/3x M.2/PCIe 4.0/USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/Intel WiFi 6/2.5GbE LAN/Gaming Motherboard)
Award
Best Gaming Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
Four M.2 slots, Relatively Affordable
What We Disliked
VRM cooling
Chipset
Z590
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
Display Outputs
Display Port
Rear USB Ports
4 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 x USB 3 Gen 2Ɨ2 (Type C), 4 x USB 2.0, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
Storage
4x M.2, 6x SATA III
RGB
Amazon
Motherboard
GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G
Looks
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision G (LGA 1200/Intel Z590/ATX/3x M.2/PCIe 4.0/USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/2.5GbE LAN/Motherboard)
Award
Best White Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
12+1 Phase VRM, Clean White Design, Features a total of 10 USB ports
What We Disliked
No WIFI
Chipset
Z490
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
Display Outputs
Display Port, HDMI
Rear USB Ports
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2Ɨ1 (Type C)
Storage
2x M.2, 6x SATA III
RGB
Amazon
Motherboard
MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X
Looks
MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 11th/10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, PCIe 4, CFX, M.2 Slots, Wi-Fi 6E)
Award
Best Z590 Motherboard For i9-10900k
What We Liked
Four M.2 slots, WIFI 6E, Elegant black design
What We Disliked
Only two RAM slots, No RGB
Chipset
Z590
Memory
4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX
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
Storage
4x M.2, 6x SATA III
RGB
Amazon

Last update on 2024-03-18

Opting for the i9-10900K? Make sure you get an adequate cooler for this beast:

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

MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk: Photo From Our Review.

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 RealtekĀ® RTL8125B 2.5G LAN + 1x Intel I219V 1G LAN,  | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA III

Pros

  • Dual LAN Ports
  • Excellent VRM performance
  • Great Value
  • Great Selection of I/O Ports

Cons

  • No WIFI

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 Intelā€™s 10th and 11th Gen CPUs, it excels in performance and aesthetics but lacks WiFi and may have VRM thermal issues with heavy overclocking.”

Buy It If

āœ… You want an affordable, high-value board: The MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk offers a plethora of features at an attractive price point, making it a great value proposition.

āœ… You’re seeking excellent thermal performance: With its outstanding VRM thermal performance and M.2 shield FROZR, this motherboard ensures efficient cooling and protection for your components during Overclocking.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ Wi-Fi 6 is important: The absence of Wi-Fi 6 might be a deal-breaker for those seeking the latest wireless connectivity technology.

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. 

VRM Performance: 8/10 Value: 9/10
Features: 8/10 Design: 8/10

MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE

Best Overclocking Motherboard For i9-10900k

MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE
MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE

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

Pros

  • Dual LAN Ports
  • LCD Screen

Cons

  • Extremely Expensive

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.

PRO TIP: Use MSI’s dragon center utility to customize the OLED screen to display temperatures, frequencies, or a custom GIF of your choice.

Buy It If

āœ… You need unrivaled overclocking capabilities: With a 16-phase power design on the VRM, this motherboard provides unrestricted overclocking potential for the 10900k.

āœ… You require extensive storage options: The inclusion of an M.2 Expander allows installation of up to 5 M.2 NVME drives, ideal for managing larger files efficiently. Additionally, we get both 2.5Gbps and 10 Gbps LAN ports for high-speed networking.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ You’re on a tight budget: The MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE comes with an astronomically high price, typical for flagship motherboards. Consider more affordable options if you don’t need the extreme features.

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.

VRM Performance: 9/10 Value: 7/10
Features: 9/10 Design: 8/10

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming

Best Mini-ITX Motherboard For i9-10900k

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming

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

Pros

  • Compact size
  • WIFI 6
  • Included VRM fan

Cons

  • CPU Cooler clearance can be an issue
  • Slightly expensive

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.

PRO TIP: In case you decide to get an 11th-gen CPU instead, you can use the Q Flash button to update the BIOS without needing to install a 10th-gen CPU.

Buy It If

āœ… You prioritize connectivity: With 8 available USB ports on the rear I/O, you’ll have plenty of options for peripherals and devices. Furthermore, you get 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA III ports.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ You require a large CPU cooler: Due to its compact size, this motherboard may pose clearance issues for larger coolers.

āŒ You’re on a tight budget: While feature-packed, the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I comes with a hefty price tag, so it might not be ideal for those seeking a more budget-friendly option.

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.

VRM Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Features: 9/10 Design: 9/10

GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX

Best Gaming Motherboard For i9-10900k

GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX
GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX

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: IntelĀ® 2.5GbE LAN chip, IntelĀ® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA III

Pros

  • Four M.2 slots 
  • Relatively affordable

Cons

  • VRMs can get a bit toasty
  • PCIe 4.0 bandwidth is shared

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). 

WARNING: Only the first two of the M.2 slots can be utilized without splitting the PCIe 4.0 bandwidth, so using more than two PCIe slots will cause the first PCIe slot to use x8 instead of x16 which can cause a noticeable dip in GPU performance.

Buy It If

āœ… You want a premium design: While its a mid-range motherboard, it offers a clean finish and premium aesthetics with grey heatsinks on the M.2 slots.

āœ… Affordability is important: If you want a motherboard that offers overclocking capabilities and stable performance at a relatively affordable price point, the Z590 AORUS PRO AX is the one.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ You’re an RGB enthusiast: You prioritize RGB lighting, as the lack of RGB on the GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS PRO AX might be disappointing compared to previous models.

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.

VRM Performance: 8/10 Value: 9/10
Features: 9/10 Design: 8/10

GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G

Best White Motherboard For i9-10900k

GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G
GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G

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

Pros

  • 12+1 Phase VRM
  • Clean White Design
  • Features a total of 10 USB ports

Cons

  • No WiFi

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
Image

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.

ā€“ Faizan Ahmed

Buy It If

āœ… You have productivity and gaming needs: This motherboards prioritize offers features tailored for both productivity tasks and gaming.

āœ… High USB connectivity is needed: For those that require a lot of USB ports, the Z490 VISION G does the job with its 10 USB ports on the rear I/O.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ You want Wi-Fi connectivity: If Wi-Fi connectivity is a necessity for you, as the GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G lacks built-in Wi-Fi.

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.

VRM Performance: 8/10 Value: 7/10
Features: 9/10 Design: 9/10

MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X

Best Overall Z590 Motherboard For i9-10900k

MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X
MSI MEG Z590 Unify-X

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: IntelĀ® Wi-Fi 6E AX210, 1x IntelĀ® I225-V 2.5G LAN | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA III

Pros

  • Four M.2 slots.
  • WIFI 6E
  • Elegant black design

Cons

  • Only two RAM slots
  • No RGB

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
Image

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

ā€“ Faizan Ahmed

Buy It If

āœ… You value an elegant design: MSI MEG Z590 UNIFY-X features an all-black PCB with hints of grey, offering an aesthetically pleasing look.

āœ… You need high-speed connectivity: The motherboard comes equipped with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port on the rear integrated I/O,  with multiple other USB ports, and WIFI 6E compatibility for enhanced connectivity options.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ RGB lighting is essential: There is no RGB lighting, which might be disappointing for users who prioritize customizable lighting options.

āŒ You want more than two RAM slots: As its only limited to only two memory slots, the MEG Z590 UNIFY-X may restrict memory expansion options for users with higher memory requirements.

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.

VRM Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Features: 9/10 Design: 9/10

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chipset is the i9 10900k?

The I9 10900k uses the LGA 1200 socket, which means it is compatible with Intel’s 400 and 500 series chipset.

What motherboards are supported by the i9 10900k?

For the 10900k, a 400 series chipset is recommended; however, the new 500 series chipset is also compatible with 10th generation.

Does the 10900k support PCIe 4.0?

No, the 10900k or Intel’s 10th generation of processors do not have support for PCIe 4.0. You will need a 500 series motherboard with an 11th generation processor to make use of PCIe 4.0

Is the 10900k still good?

The 10900k manages to hold up fairly well; it is capable of running modern applications with ease which is expected from a flagship processor.

Does the 10900k come with integrated graphics?

The 10900k does in fact come with integrated graphics, it makes use of INTEL UHD 630 which might not be the best IGPU available but it still gets the job done as long as you are to planning on using it for graphically demanding workloads.

Recent Updates


  • February 25, 2024: Few text and grammar changes to improve readability. No products were changed/removed.

 

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