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In our Core Ultra 9 285K review, we found that while the processor, just like the rest of the Arrow Lake line-up, suffers from an insignificant boost in gaming performance, it still showcased exceptional multithreaded performance and very impressive power efficiency. With that said, if you’re shopping for a flagship processor that nails productivity, the Ultra 9 285K is a great option, but it comes with a new socket (LGA1851) and the 800-series chipset. As a result, you’ll need a new motherboard if you want to upgrade to the latest gen, as your 600-series and 700-series boards are incompatible.
To help you out, we have tried, tested, and reviewed more than a dozen Z890 motherboards over the past couple of months. This way, we have a clear idea of exactly what a motherboard must have to offer optimal performance for an Ultra 9 285K, especially its VRM design and cooling layout.
Here are my top motherboard picks that pair well with the Core Ultra 9 285K:
Best Motherboards For Core Ultra 9 285K
These are our top picks for the Core Ultra 9 285K:
- Best Overall: MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi
- Best High-End: ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi 7
- Best White: MSI MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi
- Best Budget: ASRock Z890 Pro-A WiFi
- Best Overclocking: MSI MEG Z890 ACE Gaming
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi
Best Overall Motherboard for Core Ultra 9 285K
Chipset: Intel Z890 | Memory: DDR5 9200+ (OC) | VRM: 16+1+1+1 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 2x Type-C DisplayPort (TB4) | RGB Lighting: No | Network: WiFi 7, Intel 5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA III | USB Ports: 10x Rear (incl. 2x TB4), 7x Front
Pros
- Good VRMs (16x 90A DRPS for VCore)
- Separate adjustment of CPU and SOC BCLK speeds supported
- MSI EZ-DIY goodness
- Thunderbolt 5 connector
- Excellent I/O connectivity (incl. 2x TB4)
- 5G LAN
- Supplemental 8-pin power connector
- Fairly affordable
Cons
- No RGB
- Bland design
Read Our MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard Review
The MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is MSI’s shot at a fairly affordable Z890 motherboard that reserves top I/O connectivity and features. To maintain a fair price, the board cuts down on aesthetics, and so you have a non-RGB, all-black board with yellow-green branding on the various heatsinks. Supporting the CPU are its 16x 90A duet-rail power stages, a modest setup compared to higher-end Z890 offerings but plenty for the Core Ultra 9 285K. The board performed right up to the mark in our tests, and the VRMs maxed out at 71C.
The motherboard also offers nearly all the EZ-DIY features we found in more expensive MSI motherboards. Some highlights are the EZ M.2 PCIe release, EZ M.2 clips II, 1-to-3 EZ-Conn connector, and EZ M.2 release heatsink designs. Memory support on the board is an impressive DDR5-9200+, plus we get 4x M.2 slots and 17 USB ports (including two Thunderbolt 4 ones). Connectivity is powered by WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and 5G LAN, and the audio solution on the board is fairly decent.
After testing the MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi, here’s what Usman Saleem, our motherboards expert, said:
The MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is a $299 motherboard packed with the latest I/O and EZ-DIY features. For VRMs, the board’s 16+1+1+1 (16A 90A duet stages for the board), which is enough for Intel’s 15th gen chips, even if you want to overclock a bit. MSI’s EZ-DIY features steal the show again, though, with a handful of features to make working with the board an easy experience.
What Makes It The Best Overall Motherboard For Core Ultra 9 285K?
The MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is our choice for a Z890 board that offers plenty in every department except the design (not that we have any specific complaint about that). Its power setup offers 1440A for the Core Ultra 9 285K, which should be plenty for the chip at stock settings or with mild overclocking. Moreover, its excellent I/O set includes DDR5-9200+ and 5G LAN, and MSI’s set of convenient EZ features make this a superb overall package.
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 8.5/10 |
| Features: 9.5/10 | Design: 8/10 |
ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi 7
Best High-End Motherboard for Core Ultra 9 285K
Chipset: Intel Z890 | Memory: DDR5 9600+ (OC) | VRM: 20+1+2+1+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x Type-C DisplayPort (TB4) | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: WiFi 7, Realtek 5G LAN, Killer 2.5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 9x M.2, 4x SATA III | USB Ports: 8x Rear (incl. 2x TB4), 9x Front
Pros
- Beefy VRM setup (incl. 20x 110A SPS for VCore)
- VRM cooling is impressive
- DDR5 support up to 9600 MT/s
- CUDIMMs support
- Up to 9x M.2 slots (incl. one Gen 5)
- Nahimic audio drivers
- 3x Thermistor cables included
- Fairly priced
Cons
- Costs could’ve been cut further without the dual LAN ports
Read Our ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi Motherboard Review
Looking for performance AND looks? The ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi ticks both, adding a mostly black theme with some futuristic designs on the heatsinks. There are also 2x RGB zones providing plenty of lighting for those who prefer it. On the performance front, the board features a hefty 20+1+2+1+1 power design, with 2200A available for the CPU. This is, of course, plenty for the Core Ultra 9 285K–even with overclocking–and our tests confirmed just that. The VRM heatsinks kept the setup under 70C during Cinebench R23 load testing.
Key features on the board include CUDIMM support, the EZ PCIe release slider, and the dedicated charging and “gaming” ports. Memory support is up to DDR5-9600, the best for its class, and ASRock’s “Memory OC shield” promises better overclocking support. The board has room for up to 9x M.2 slots with the included M.2 card to go with its 4x 6G SATA ports. It also has WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, and dual LAN ports (5G and 2.5G)– plus the Killer Control Center utility offers some handy network management features.
Here’s how we summarized the ASRock Z890 in our review:
The ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi is just another ASRock board that impressed us with its value. At $349, it’s got a power 20+1+2+1+1 power phase design (110A VCore for SPS) with excellent VRM cooling on top.
What Makes It The Best High-End Motherboard For Core Ultra 9 285K?
The ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi rocks with its outstanding VRM setup and memory support, making it perfect for performance-focused users. It does much more, with features like 5G LAN, CUDIMM support, and 9x M.2 slots being the highlights. For convenience, the EZ PCIe release, EZ M.2 release, EZ debug code LED panel, and more come in handy. We also appreciate ASRock’s addition of 3x thermistor cable and an ARGB splitter cable with this board.
| Performance: 9.5/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9.5/10 | Design: 9/10 |
MSI MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi
Best White Motherboard for Core Ultra 9 285K
Chipset: Intel Z890 | Memory: DDR5 9200+ (OC) | VRM: 16+1+1+1 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 2x Type-C DisplayPort (TB4) | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: WiFi 7, Intel 5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA III | USB Ports: 11x Rear (incl. 2x TB4), 7x Front
Pros
- Beautiful white design featuring RGB
- EZ-DIY-packed
- 19 USB ports (incl. 2x TB4)
- Thunderbolt 5 support
- Supplemental 8-pin PCIe power connector
- CUDIMM support
Cons
- Price could’ve been more attractive
Read Our MSI MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi Motherboard Review
MSI’s Z890 Edge Ti WiFi steals the show with its all-white look and metallic, glossy silver elements across the heatsinks. The large MSI logo is RGB-illuminated and looks brilliant when lit to complete the look. Talking performance, the board uses a 16+1+1+1 design with 16x 90A SPS for the CPU. With 1440A for the CPU and MSI’s solid-pin EPS connectors, you can be assured that your Core Ultra 9 285K will be running at its best. Performance across all our tests, whether CPU rendering or storage speeds, was satisfactory in our tests.
For the features, we have MSI’s EZ-DIY feature set as the highlight again, plus CUDIMM and Thunderbolt 5 support, and the supplemental PCIe power connector stand out. Moving toward storage, the board has 4x 6G SATA connectors and 5x M.2 slots, while memory support is up to DDR5-9200. The package is completed by WiFi 7, 5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.4, 19x USB ports (including 2x TB4), and the Realtek ALC1220P (powered by the Audio Boost 4 setup).
In our review of the MSI MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi, we called it a gaming-focused motherboard, saying:
The MSI MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi is a $369 gaming-focused board, and it certainly covers everything a gamer might need. That includes a great gaming-focused design with RGB and solid performance with a 16-phase 90A SPS design for CPU power.
What Makes It The Best White Motherboard For Core Ultra 9 285K?
At a glance, the MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi catches the eye with its white-themed design. With it comes a fairly capable VRM setup that is plenty to handle the flagship Arrow Lake CPU. As MSI is focusing on the EZ-DIY design in all its latest motherboards, we also see nearly the full set of features that provide comfort and save time. All the latest I/O is present, along with plenty of room for USB and storage devices. The Thunderbolt 5 connector, CUDIMM support, and extra power connector are topping everything off.
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9.5/10 | Design: 9/10 |
ASRock Z890 Pro-A WiFi
Best Budget Motherboard for Core Ultra 9 285K
Chipset: Intel Z890 | Memory: DDR5 9066+ (OC) | VRM: 16+1+1+1+1 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, Type-C DisplayPort (TB4) | RGB Lighting: No | Network: WiFi 6E, Dragon 2.5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.3 | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA III | USB Ports: 9x Rear (incl. 1x TB4), 9x Front
Pros
- Good VRMs for the price
- 18x USB ports (incl. 1x TB4)
- Affordable
- Enough I/O for most users
Cons
- Dated audio solution
- No heatsinks for Gen 4 M.2 slots
If you’re on a budget but still want capable performance, ASRock has the answer. The Z890 Pro-A has a fairly basic streamlined design that’s not overloaded with heatsinks. You have an all-black PCB and heatsinks (except the M.2 heatsink, which is matte black and has a brushed texture). Powering the board is a 16+1+1+1+1 design, including Dr. MOS stages for VCore and GT, plus 1000µF capacitors. This is plenty to handle the Core Ultra 9 285K, but of course, don’t expect heavy overclocking capabilities.
In the features department, the board doesn’t offer any specialities, but that’s okay, considering it’s one of the cheapest Z890 boards we’ve seen thus far. For I/O, the board offers the basics to get most users a PCIe Gen 5 x16 (steel-reinforced) slot, a Gen 5 M.2 slot, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. Memory support is up to 256 GB (max. speed 9066 MT/s). Connectivity is powered by 2.5G LAN, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The audio solution (Realtek ALC897) is the letdown for us here, as it’s an outdated chip that can only handle budget headsets at best.
What Makes It The Best Budget Motherboard For Core Ultra 9 285K?
The ASRock Z890 Pro-A WiFi can handle the Core Ultra 9 285K for as affordable as it gets ($199), thanks to its 16-phase Dr. MOS solution. It covers the basic needs of most gamers, with Gen 5 storage and GPU provisions, plus WiFi 6E and 2.5G LAN. The inclusion of a Thunderbolt 4 port at this price and the overall USB port count (18) are impressive. We can’t say the same for the audio solution, but with three extra expansion slots, you can install a better one.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 8/10 |
MSI MEG Z890 ACE Gaming
Best Overclocking Motherboard for Core Ultra 9 285K
Chipset: Intel Z890 | Memory: DDR5 9200+ (OC) | VRM: 24+2+1+1 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 2x Type-C DisplayPort (TB4) | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: WiFi 7, Marvell 10G LAN, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA III | USB Ports: 15x Rear (incl. 2x TB4), 9x Front
Pros
- Top-class VRM setup and cooling
- Impressive memory overclocking support
- Up to 2x Gen 5 M.2 slots
- 24x USB ports (incl. 2x TB4)
- Great audio setup (Realtek ALC4080 + ESS DAC)
- EZ-DIY goodness
- 10G LAN
- Thunderbolt 5 support
- Extra PCIe connectors (for up to 420W total board power + 60W charging)
Cons
- Pricey ($659)
Read Our MSI MEG Z890 ACE Gaming Motherboard Review
The MSI MEG Z890 ACE is a power package from their “Enthusiast Gaming” lineup, offering top features to fulfil even your most demanding needs. Its design screams premium with a mostly black theme mixed in with silver and gold, and it has two RGB zones to light up your build. On the VRM end, its 24+2+1+1 design includes 24x 110A SPS for CPU, enough to overclock the Core Ultra 9 285K to its limits, as we tested. Its thermal design is top-notch and includes 9W/mK MOSFET pads, dual heat pipes on the front, and additional thermal pads on the backside. This kept the entire setup under 64C during our load testing at stock CPU settings.
It’s got a ton of amazing features, too, including a dedicated “Smart Button” on the back, dual BIOS switch, and all the EZ-DIY hardware and software features. The memory support is up to 9200 MT/s, and MSI promises improved overclocking capabilities, citing collaboration with “leading memory brands” to enable better performance. We have room for 5x M.2 drives (including dual Gen 5 drives), 4x SATA 6G drives, and 24x (!) USB devices (including 13x 10Gbps ports and dual TB4). Connectivity is powered by 10G LAN and WiFi 7, and audio by the Realtek ALC4080 and ESS audio DAC combo.
The MSI MEG Z890 ACE earned an Editor’s Choice award in our review, we summarized it as:
The MSI MEG Z890 ACE motherboard delivers top-tier performance and features, perfect for those who want the best without budget constraints. The motherboard supports high-speed DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, with plenty of M.2 and USB ports to meet any demand.
What Makes It The Best Overclocking Motherboard For Core Ultra 9 285K?
The MSI MEG Z890 ACE ticks every box, starting with high-end overclocking capabilities. This is enabled by its 24-phase 110A stages for the CPU and top-class VRM cooling setup. It looks and feels premium with a black plus golden design and an 8-layered PCB strengthened by a metal black pate. Furthermore, it offers endless convenience with EZ-DIY features and software. Topping everything off is the high-end I/O and connectivity, impressive memory overclocking capabilities, and much more!
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8.5/10 |
| Features: 10/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Benchmarks Of Our Recommended Motherboards
These are the benchmarks of some of the Z890 motherboards that I considered for my recommendation:
Specifications Comparison
Here are the motherboards compared in pure numbers:
| Product | Total VRM phases | Maximum memory speed (OC) | M.2 slots | SATA ports | USB ports (Front) | USB ports (Rear) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi | 19 | 9200 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi | 25 | 9600 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 8 |
| MSI MPG Z890 Edge Ti WiFi | 19 | 9200 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| ASRock Z890 Pro-A WiFi | 20 | 9066 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| MSI MPG Z890 ACE Gaming | 28 | 9200 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 15 |
Motherboards That Just Missed The List
We pick the products very carefully. Some tend to miss by narrow margins, and these two fall into that category:
- ASUS Rog Z890-A GAMING WiFi: The board looks great and performed well in our tests; however, we were disappointed with the VRM setup and the presence of only a 2.5G LAN port at the high price tag.
- Gigabyte Z890 Eagle WiFi 7: We loved what this motherboard offered at such a modest price; but, the WiFi module provided does not support the 320 MHz channel on WiFi 7, so we had to filter this option out.
Key Motherboard Terms To Know
Here are the terms to be familiar with:
- VRMs: Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) convert the PSU’s 12-volt supply to a low-voltage, clean supply for your CPU, RAM, and other components. Generally, the higher the number of VRM phases, the better.
- Chipset: The chipset manages communication between your PC’s vital components, including the CPU and RAM. It also provides many of your system’s PCIe lanes to power your storage, expansion devices, and peripherals. The Z890 is Intel’s flagship chipset, offering the highest number of PCIe lanes and the best connectivity.
- I/O: Input/Output refers to the input and output connectivity a motherboard supports. When we say that a motherboard offers impressive I/O connectivity, it generally means it has an impressive number of storage slots, PCIe lanes, and/or high-speed USB ports.
- EZ-DIY: EZ-DIY (Do It Yourself), or just EZ, refers to a design with the most straightforward functionality so that even a newbie finds it simple to work with. Examples of EZ-DIY designs on motherboards include EZ PCIe release and EZ M.2 release (screwless) designs.
- DIMM slots: The DIMM slots (or memory slots) are the physical connectors that hold your system memory (RAM) in place on the motherboard, allowing it to contact the CPU.
How We Tested And Picked These Motherboards
As usual, we considered a variety of factors before picking each board:
- CPU Overclocking and VRM cooling: The performance consideration for a motherboard is based mostly on its VRM design, including the total number of phases and current available to the CPU VCore. We also consider whether or not doublers/duet-rail designs are being used (this is not preferable but is often more common in budget-oriented boards). Furthermore, we test the VRM temperatures for each board under load to ensure that the cooling design stands up to the task.
- Aesthetics: Aesthetics are usually an important consideration for most users, so the same goes for us. We analyze the motherboard’s heatsink designs and themes and consider whether or not RGB is present. Nonetheless, we understand that looks are subjective, and so, of course, the final decision in that regard is up to you!
- Features: Boards that offer extra features are always a positive for us, whether they are “EZ PCIe release” mechanisms or software-related overclocking features. MSI’s Z890 motherboards are a great example of how to please reviewers and consumers with convenient features, and that’s one of the reasons three of our picks are from MSI.
- Value for money: We make sure to analyze whether or not the above-mentioned features provide enough bang for the buck and compare the value proposition across multiple boards.
FAQs
No. 600 and 700-series chipset motherboards are not supported, as the Core Ultra 9 285K is based on a new socket design.
An affordable Z890 board, like our pick in this guide, is plenty for the Core Ultra 9 285K. You should only opt for a more expensive board if you need better overclocking capabilities or high-end features.
No. The Core Ultra 9 285K (and all other Intel 15th-gen CPUs) support only DDR5 memory.
The Core Ultra 9 285K is a great choice for multi-threaded tasks, but the same can’t be said for its gaming performance.
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[Hardware Reviewer & Editor]
Meet Nauman Siddique, a highly experienced computer science graduate with more than 15 years of knowledge in technology. Nauman is an expert in the field known for his deep understanding of computer hardware.
As a tech tester, insightful reviewer, and skilled hardware editor, Nauman carefully breaks down important parts like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, CPU coolers, and more.
- 15+ years of PC Building Experience
- 10+ years of first-hand knowledge of technology
- 7+ years of doing in-depth testing of PC Hardware
- A motivated individual with a keen interest in tech testing from multiple angles.
- I majored in Computer Science with a Masters in Marketing
- Previously worked at eXputer, EnosTech, and Appuals.
- Completed Course in Computer Systems Specialization From Illinois Tech
Get In Touch: nauman@tech4gamers.com
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