Best Motherboard for i9 10900k

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi

Specifications

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You would agree that Intel Core i9-10900k is a powerful CPU, and you would need a powerful motherboard to get the most out of it. Therefore, our top recommendation as the best motherboard for i9 10th gen is none other than MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi. Why? Well, let’s explore the answer below.

The Intel LGA1200 Socket is one of the newest and most innovative sockets for their 10th-generation processors. This socket will be compatible with both new Comet Lake CPUs and any upcoming Rocket Lake chips that were released after a few months.

The MSI Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi comes in a sleek and modern chassis with an aluminum-lid design. This motherboard supports Intel 10th generation processors and is also the first to be compatible with Intel Optane Memory technology.

It offers fast data transfer rates while maintaining system stability at a lower price than its competitors.

The MPG Z490 GAMING CARBON WIFI from MSI packs quite the punch when it comes to performance. But it has some of the most advanced features on any gaming board out there, like RGB lighting that can synchronize across 20 different zones throughout your rig’s components.

Furthermore, Smart Cooling ensures you never have hot spots again by automatically setting up fans based on temperatures readings around your PC.

The board features custom heatsinks for both available M.2 slots, a distance of 4cm apart from one another. It supports PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds on each slot with two lanes dedicated to the second slot only if used as an expansion card connector (x1).

It is disappointing that this $260+ motherboard doesn’t have three such slots, but any blame must fall at Intel’s door due to the lane restrictions preventing more than 2M.2 connectors.

The board has a revolutionary 12-phase all digital power design that is the first of its kind. This configuration provides 600A per output, making it one of the most powerful boards on the market today.

Two large heatsinks cover the 50A circuit stages for optimal cooling and heat transfer with a complex “piggyback” setup. They are linked together via an innovative system called Heatpipe Technology – which should make you want this motherboard even more.

Sadly, four fan-headers have taken up the space that would have been used for the debug display and onboard buttons for power, reset, and clear. The connections on the front panel are also devoid of the customary color labeling. Positives include enough space between the CPU socket and the primary PCIe x16 slot, and the graphics card’s fans push air onto the PCH heatsink, keeping it nice and cool.

The Carbon has a nice appearance. Thankfully, MSI has toned down the Carbon feature, treating it as a supplementary aspect rather than a full-fledged feature. Our favorite feature is the BIOS option to switch off the RGB illumination. It’s a wonderful feature to have. When it comes to the BIOS, everything’s well-organized and categorized.

Our favorite features are the built-in fan controls, as well as the RGB settings. If you’re just getting started with overclocking, the “run it all at 100%” option is great for you.

Value Verdict

Finally, if you are looking for a powerful and trusted motherboard that won’t break your bank, MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi is our ultimate recommendation for you. Enjoy the pro features at the most reasonable price tag.

Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC

Specifications

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Another flagship motherboard addition to our list of best mobo for i9-10900K is Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC.

Gigabyte Z490 AORUS ELITE AC is the motherboard that provides superior thermal solutions, including hefty thermal pads and screwed-mounted heat sinks for overclockers and gamers.

You may also enjoy seamless video streaming and enhanced gaming with Intel Dual-Band 802.11ac and Realtek 2.5 GBs LAN. Users praised the product’s performance and noted that the board was straightforward to install and came with a handy software bundle.

In terms of thermal design, audio quality, connection, and durability, the Z490 AORUS ELITE AC is a top-notch Intel motherboard that supports the newest multi-core Intel CPUs, PCIe 4.0 technology, and high-speed memory. It enables gamers and PC fans to get the most out of their high-performance equipment with ease.

The 2X Copper PCBs offer adequate power trace routes between components to withstand higher than typical power loads and remove heat from the CPU’s power delivery region, both of which are important to the processor’s performance. This is vital to ensure that the motherboard can manage the higher power demand that comes with overclocking.

Users can guarantee that their gaming PC maintains its performance while remaining cool using Smart Fan 5. Using the Smart Fan 5, users may swap their fan headers to reflect various thermal sensors on the motherboard at different positions. To make the motherboard more liquid cooling friendly, Smart Fan 5 has included additional hybrid fan headers that handle PWM and Voltage mode fans.

In addition, AORUS offers a validated and established platform that assures appropriate compatibility with profiles of up to 5000MHz. Simply make sure that your RAM module is capable of using the XMP protocol, as well as your AORUS motherboard’s XMP feature, and you’re good to go.

Improved Compatibility

Furthermore, AORUS Gaming Motherboards are already compatible with the next generation of chassis. It’s easy to connect a USB 3.2 Gen1 drive or charge your new mobile device using the onboard USB Type-C header for USB 3.2 Gen1.

High-Quality Audio

In addition to WIMA FKP2 capacitors, AORUS motherboards have high-end Chemicon audio capacitors. The WIMA FKP2 capacitors are commonly used in premium quality Hi-Fi systems. In contrast, the high-end audio capacitors are designed for high-end audio equipment that uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver deep bass and crisper high frequencies. This, along with AOURS’ proprietary AMP-UP Audio technology, creates the ultimate onboard sound solution for the most discerning audiophiles.

Audio Noise Guard

These boards come with an audio noise guard, which isolates the analog audio components from any potential noise pollution at the PCB level, protecting them from any noise pollution. LED trace route illumination illuminates the PCB layers to highlight the difference between them.

Multi-Zone Light Show Design

It is possible to customize your PC with more LED options than ever before. RGB Fusion 2.0 gives the user complete control over the motherboard’s LEDs thanks to full RGB compatibility and a new RGB Fusion 2.0 software.

The RGB Fusion 2.0 has a simple user interface that makes it easier to customize the lighting effects across all compatible devices. Whether it’s motherboards, graphics cards, or peripherals, you can customize your gaming setup to your taste and show it off by sharing the profiles you’ve made.

Value Verdict

Gigabyte Z490 Aorus Elite and Z490 Aorus Elite AC are Z490 motherboards aimed at the mid-range Z490 market. While Elite AC has the upper hand, we recommend it to mid-range gamers who enjoy pro-level gaming or high-end PC usage like video editing.

ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi

Specifications

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The Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wi-Fi is another best gaming motherboard for i9-10900K positioned as an entry-level Intel Z590 board for Rocket Lake. In addition to its dependability emphasis, the Asus TUF should be an excellent inexpensive alternative for someone looking for a no-fuss, sturdy, and trustworthy PC.

It’s easy to set up and customize TUF GAMING motherboards – even for beginners. Armory Crate software enables full management of system settings via a single dashboard, while the TUF GAMING Alliance ecosystem simplifies the process of choosing compatible parts. It’s easy to construct a gaming setup using TUF GAMING motherboards since they provide everything you need without adding complications.

Compared to its Z490 predecessors, Z590 boards, such as the Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi, are a significant improvement. Features include PCIe 4.0 compatibility, which allows Intel customers to finally make use of the latest and best SSDs and DMI bandwidth doubled, and native USB 3.2 20Gbps capability.

There’s beautiful white lettering on the TUF Z590 Plus that makes it stand out from the crowd. Around the right side, you’ll see a handful of little splashes of RGB. It’s a beautiful sight. Each of the three M.2 slots supports PCIe 4.0, with the topmost slot supporting it.

Don’t miss out on the vertical SATA ports, which some cable management purists may find disagreeable because of their vertical orientation. Aside from the heatsink, there are two other normal horizontal ports. Six fan headers are included, as well as two addressable RGB headers.

It’s a no-go for Z590 boards to utilize an inexpensive VRM solution because of the high power consumption of the Rocket Lake technology. Thanks to its 14+2 phase DrMOS power supply technology, the TUF Gaming Z590 can keep up with the competition.

Heatsinks that are appropriate in size and are used to cool the CPU and the GPU. After 10 minutes of Cinebench looping, the measured temperature was just 140°F, an excellent result. It’s worth noting that you get six and eight-pin power connectors, which are plenty for a 10900K with adaptive boost.

A network optimization program, Turbo LAN allows packet prioritizing based on user preferences. You may adjust application priority via an easy interface using cFosSpeed traffic-shaping technology, which decreases network latency.

Featuring superfast networking for smoother online gaming, immaculate audio with positional cues for FPS gaming, and integrated RGB lighting that syncs with linked peripherals will let you create a personalized gaming ambiance. The TUF GAMING Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard is a comprehensive, high-performance gaming solution.

Plenty of Connectivity

Choosing the Z590 means you’ll have many connectivity options, including a USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C port on the back. There are two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A ports on the back panel, two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and lots of extension options through front panel headers. Realtek ALC S1200A HD, which powers five 3.5mm audio jacks, an optical S/PDIF output, and even a front panel audio header for customers with chassis that support it, is also used by ASUS for its onboard audio solution.

Value Verdict

Finally, if you are looking for an innovative, latest, and powerful motherboard that won’t break your bank, ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi is our sincere recommendation for you. You will get plenty of connectivity and lots of gaming features to make your gaming life more colorful and enjoyable.

ASUS Z490-E ROG STRIX GAMING

Specifications

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Another best enthusiast motherboard for Intel Core i9 10900K CPU is the ASUS Z490-E ROG STRIX GAMING. Most testing showed that the Asus ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming ran well, was a proficient overclocker, and had nice aesthetics.

The Asus ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming is the pricier Z490 ROG Strix motherboard in the series. Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 and 2.5 GbE LAN are included as well as front and rear USB 3.2 Type-C connections and a quality audio codec, all of which are included at a reasonable cost. At this pricing point, this platform has everything you would expect.

All of the heatsinks on the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E can support up to two NVMe storage drives. This board is equipped with an Intel WiFi 6 adapter and a 2.5 GigE Ethernet connector for connecting to the Internet. Using Aura Sync and the integrated Gen 2 addressable RGB LED headers, the dark and ROG-themed motherboard may be modified in terms of LEDs.

There is a beautiful ROG STRIX LED dash as well as ASUS’s traditional black style. In addition to x16 PCI-Express ports, the motherboard has a comprehensive back IO interface and adjustable power LEDs that may be customized.

Several K-model CPUs will be in high demand for PC gamers with the new Comet Lake-S since every one of the processors will provide adequate gaming performance. Intel’s top CPU, the Core i9 10900K, can raise its Turbo speeds up to 5.3 GHz.

In addition to the standard SATA connections and RGB extensions, Asus’ accessory stack also includes a support DVD, manuals, and more. To assist cool the power supply region, Asus provides a MOS Cooling Kit, which comes with a fan mount and a 40 mm fan.

What will you get?

Along with proper power delivery and a great appearance, you’ll also get access to 90% of the functionality included in premium boards. You’ll have AX WiFi and a 2.5 Gbit Ethernet setup on the platform side, but no 10 Gbit ethernet ports are included.

When it comes to your graphics subsystem’s PCIe slots, you’re looking at a complete x16 Gen 3 lanes for a single graphics card. Because Z490 will only last for two generations of CPUs, the next generation will be Rocket Lake-S, which will finally provide PCIe Gen 4.0 support to Z490 platforms.

Except for the new Z490 series CPU, upgrading from Z390 to Z490 won’t make a huge impact. Coming from an older generation, we have serious doubts about the upgrading from Coffee Lake to Comet Lake. It does include a few more features, such as AX Wifi and the 2.5 ethernet port, which allows for a more luxury configuration.

Value Verdict

Asus ROG STRIX Z490-E Gaming comes with 90% of the functionality of a premium 400500 USD motherboard. You only have one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, but you do receive AX WIFI6. Is it recommended? Sure, as long as you think it’s worth the price tag.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi

Specifications

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The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi is the best mid-range motherboard for Intel Core i9 10900K CPU. It would meet your gaming needs at a reasonable price tag.

In addition to offering a complete variety of dynamic colors, the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi motherboard has sophisticated RGB lighting management and synchronization for the ultimate gaming experience.

You may even take customization to the next level by installing a front LED strip that provides useful in-game alerts. This is due to the massive PWM heatsink on MSI’s CPU and the high-quality circuit design.

As a result of its high-quality networking capabilities, such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet, it has been rated well by users. When it comes to today’s communication environment, a better network is a must.

The motherboard has no problems with the cooling system, and many have praised it for its low price tag and reliability. Many argue that the radiator was put in an uncomfortable position on the back panel, but there is much space. Aside from that, the board is straightforward to install and offers a ton of high-end features.

Your gaming sessions and demanding workloads will be a breeze with this board! For lengthy gaming sessions, you may also control the fan speed of your CPU, as well as the temperature of your complete system. This elegant board is perfect for overclockers and gamer enthusiasts alike.

As a well-known brand, MSI is recognized for introducing motherboards with cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of consumers, gamers, and PC enthusiasts alike. Whoever purchased their items in the past must be aware of their value and superior performance.

Value Verdict

Despite its low price, the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi provides a lot of features: a 14-phase (12+1+1) VRM, Intel AX201 Bluetooth 5.1 + Wi-Fi 6, Realtek 2.5G LAN, and ALC 1200-VD1 audio CODEC, two M.2 slots, six SATA 6Gb/s connections, two Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectors, and RGB. With a price tag of $200, you can’t expect much more from a motherboard. You’ll have no problem overclocking your 10900K because of its superb power supply.

There’s little doubt that the Z490 Gaming Edge’s weakest point is its lack of USB connectivity. The Asus Prime Z490-A is another choice, especially if you don’t require or care about integrated Wi-Fi capability. Instead of integrated wifi, you’ll get two extra USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, Intel 2.5G LAN, Realtek ALC S1220A audio CODEC, and Asus’s better UEFI BIOS interface + proprietary motherboard software for $230 instead of the integrated wireless option. You can’t go wrong with any option, no matter what your budget allows.

Finally, if you are on the market for a reasonably priced motherboard having plenty of connectivity and enthusiast features, MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi will solve your problem. Go for it as it won’t break your bank.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus

Specifications

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Another MSI board that will catch your attention and prove itself as one of the best motherboards for i9 10900K is MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus. It is the best budget motherboard for Intel Core i9-10900K as it’s under the $200 price line.

One of the best ATX boards powered by Intel Z490-based CPUs for your new build based on the latest Intel Core processors of the 10th generation. The motherboard is equipped with high-quality components, excellent thermal capabilities, and a wide range of ultra-fast connection choices to satisfy your present and future demands. Using MSI Mystic Light, you can configure and synchronize your system and peripheral RGB lighting to make your setup seem amazing.

At less than $200, the motherboard is a real contender, with a stylish appearance and a high-performance 14-phase power supply. With a matte black PCB, the chipset is adorned with carbon-black heatsinks that add a touch of elegance to the device’s appearance.

There is great and mysterious RGB lighting right under the bottom heatsink, regardless of the pricing range. MSI offers both onboard RGB and addressable RGB headers for those that want to go full out. When it comes to the VRM,

MSI has also done an excellent job with its 12-phase power architecture. A 4-pin and an 8-pin connection are also available to provide the CPU extra power. We found that the 8-pin connector is sufficient for a reasonable overclock, but utilizing both connectors can help unlock the full potential of the i9 10900k’s processing power.

Thermal and power design is more critical with more cores of processors to ensure that the temperature stays lower. Because of the expanded PWM heatsink and improved circuit design of MSI motherboards, even high-end CPUs run at maximum speed.

A large heatsink, which extends to the back I/O, rests on these VRMs, allowing them to run cool. Thermal pads are also attached to the heat sink to aid with heat dissipation during steamrolling sessions. Additionally, the M.2 slot has a dedicated heatsink. However, you may also install water cooling by connecting a pump to the pump connector on top of the board if you prefer that method.

For storage, you’ll get one NVMe-compatible Turbo M.2 slot with speeds up to 32Gbps thanks to Intel Optane Technology onboard. In addition, DDR4 RAM may be overclocked up to 4800 MHz, and up to 128GB can be used. A BIOS-enabled XMP profile ensures maximum memory performance and minimum latency on this motherboard.

It contains two PCIe x16 slots for PCIe connection. Additionally worth mentioning is that the primary PCIe x16 slot supports PCIe Gen 4.0, making it long term board for high bandwidth graphics cards. On top of that, the slot is also reinforced with metal.

In terms of value for money, it’s excellent, but if the second USB slot had been the same as the first, it would have given this motherboard a major edge over the other budget Z490 motherboards. As far as rear I/O is concerned, there is just one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A slot, coupled with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A slots.

Value Verdict

Finally, we can say that it is a fantastic and stable motherboard that enables overclocking and a generous 128GB RAM capacity, all at an affordable price.

MSI MEG Z490 Unify

Specifications

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If you were looking for the best Mico-ATX motherboard for your new PC based on the Core i9 10900K, MSI MEG Z490 Unify would be your ultimate choice. The MSI MEG Z490 Unify is undoubtedly the most stunning motherboard of the group. MSI is offering top-of-the-line performance and features for a considerably lower price than you may expect.

There are barely hints of color on the MEG Z490 Unify, which is based on Intel’s Z490 chipset and the LGA1200 socket. If you’ve been looking at motherboards for the previous few years, you may find them a bit dull. This one may be your good starting friend for those searching for an affordable motherboard that doesn’t pretend to be a light show.

The board indeed has a few LEDs, but they’re not there for aesthetics. These are the standard troubleshooting options. During the boot process, a few extra LEDs glow near the 24-pin power connector. To show activity or power, a few more are positioned around the board.

The 3x M.2 slots, 6x SATA 6 GB/s ports, 4x USB 3.0 Gen 2 ports (1 is Type-C), onboard power, reset and clear CMOS buttons, and an integrated I/O shield are among the features of this board. While the Z490 Unify is impressive, it isn’t the only option for those who want to shatter performance benchmarks with the 10900K in gaming and productivity.

The Networking Side

A Realtek 8125B Ethernet controller offers up to 2.5Gbps of bandwidth on the Z490 Unify from MSI. In recent years, this processor has appeared on a number of motherboards in this price range. Thus the Z490 Unify does not have much of an advantage over its competitors.

This controller is still a significant improvement over the single-gigabit controllers that have been prevalent on motherboards in this price range for the previous decade. System builders will be able to upgrade their existing desktop’s networking configuration with this new setup.

Intel’s AX201 wireless controller is also included with the Z490 Unify. With the proper Wi-Fi 6-capable router, this chip can achieve data transfer rates of up to 2.4Gbps. This chip was developed around the Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax networking standard.

The Audio Side

ACCORDING TO MSI’S WEBSITE, MEG Z490 Unify’s rear audio jacks are linked to a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec. Chips with this design have become increasingly common on motherboards in recent years. 120dB SNR makes it a popular choice for earlier motherboards pricing above $100 because of its comparatively high SNR.

ESS built a special Sabre 9018Q2C audio codec for the front audio port(s). In addition, this chip has a higher SNR of up to 121dB, making it a more reliable option. It also supports 32-bit 384-kHz audio and includes a built-in DSP for manipulating audio.

Our assessment and building experience indicate that the MSI MEG Z490 Unity looks to be free of major problems, despite the fan conflict and the positioning of several headers that might be improved. Sooner or later, we expect a BIOS update to fix the fan issue, which may be particular to this board and liquid-cooler combo.

Value Verdict

Finally, we have evaluated the motherboard based on different aspects. The board is rightly priced if we have a look at its features set. So if you are not into fancy stuff and need a powerful motherboard, go for MSI MEG Z490 Unify. It will be the best mobo to pair with your rig based on Intel Core i9 10900K CPU.

MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE

Specifications

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Another best motherboard for i9 10th generation on the market is MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE. The MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE has shattered performance records, with overclocked speeds exceeding 7.0 GHz. For those looking for next-level productivity and overclocking, this motherboard won’t let you down in the slightest.

It’s probably the most expensive motherboard you can get for your extreme PC setup if you’re willing to spend the money. Compared to its predecessor (the Z390), MSI’s Z490 sports a more refined visual look. It’s a gorgeous mix of matte black, ruthenium silver, and anchor silver for the heat sinks.

Gaming fanatics may rest certain that MSI Godlike will not let them down despite its high price tag. In addition, it includes a GODLIKE logo on the platform controller hub and the RGB dragon logo on the top. An LCD debug monitor is included as well, which adds to the luxury feel.

There’s also a second RGB header and two addressable RGB headers, and a Corsair-branded RGB header. It contains 16 power phases, each of which can output up to 90 amps of electricity. Overclocking and heavy power needs are no match for these powerful stages of the power cycle.

EPS connections are used to power the CPU, with two 8-pin connectors available. No metal shielding on these connectors may seem like an oversight, but we’re certain it will not result in a deadlock on this issue. When overclocking with such a high degree of power, severe temperatures are inevitable. Because of its huge heat sinks spread out over the front, the motherboard has the best components’ heat dispersal system. As a result, two thermal fans are attached to the primary heat sink on the rear I/O.

On the rear of the motherboard, there are extra heatsinks above the MOSFETs. This aims to counteract the heat that is departing near the end.

There is also a Heatpipe that connects all of these heatsinks. As a bonus, you receive 8 PWM, a water flow, and water pump heads to help you maximize your thermal dissipation.

With the addition of PCIe 4.0 compatibility in both expansion slots and M.2 slots, this motherboard is unquestionably perspective. This means that when Intel’s Rocket Late CPUs enter the market, these motherboards will be ready.

This motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM, overclocked to 5000MHz and beyond. In addition, all of the DIMM slots have been reinforced with metal for extra endurance.

There are six SATA ports and three M.2 slots on the motherboard, allowing enough storage space. Some motherboards include four M.2 slots, which puts them in direct competition with this one. A second expansion card would be required if you wanted to increase the amount of storage.

Last but not least, this motherboard includes a ton of USB ports. On the back, you’ll find two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports. Two Thunderbolt 3 connections with data transfer rates of up to 40Gbps are also included.

Value Verdict

In conclusion, for gamers and multimedia creators both, having such processing power and thunderbolt connectivity straight off the motherboard is precisely what you need to make your work more efficient and productive. So go for MSI MEG Z490 GODLIKE without any hesitation.

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi

Specifications

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Another gaming performer on the list to make your experience wonder is ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi. Loaded with plenty of useful ports and having superior connectivity, ROG Strix is our all-time favorite.

On the rear panel, ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi has an abundance of USB ports. Onboard connections are appropriately positioned, and it starts up quickly and smoothly.

This Micro-ATX board stands out from the crowd due to its improved power delivery, beautiful cooling design, and ROG software that allows you to make use of the most sophisticated 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs. In addition to offering high-quality performance, Asus also delivers cyberpunk-inspired designs that make it more appealing and distinctive.

The product’s packaging, superior features, unique contents, and overall beautiful build quality were praised by customers. The M.2 slots that are quite near to one other have been a source of concern for others. Fan Xpert 4 or the UEFI BIOS may configure the most powerful cooling systems, making it ideal for gamers.

As a bonus, it supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ac), which enables high-speed network connectivity, large storage capacity, and improved performance in a virtual distributed network.

To offer dependable power while pushing CPU performance to the maximum, the motherboard includes 12+2 power stages with a ProCool II power connection, high-quality alloy chokes, and durable capacitors.

The ROG Strix motherboards outperform the competition in terms of performance and design. There is a range of settings for the built-in LEDs and strips linked to the onboard RGB header — and it can all be synced with an ever-growing array of ASUS products that supports the Aura technology.

The 5-Way Optimization

Take care of complicated tuning with only a single click of your mouse. An ASUS 5-Way Optimization tool allows you to overclock the processor and fine-tune the fan speeds for optimum cooling and acoustics. In addition to AI Overclocking, 5-Way Optimization does a stress test based on Prime95 to give a well-tuned result from the get-go.

ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming (Wi-Fi) equips you with the newest connectivity for super-smooth online experiences and blistering-fast file transfers. While gaming online, Onboard WiFi 6 (802.11ax) allows for faster wireless networking rates and enhanced performance in congested wireless settings. WiFi 6 is most effective when used with ASUS WiFi 6 routers. As a result, you’ll be able to pick up on even the slightest auditory cues for an immersive experience.

Power delivery and cooling have been improved on the ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming (Wi-Fi), allowing you to get the most out of your setup. Easy-to-use controls make it easy to tweak your system’s overclocking parameters, cooling, and networking settings.

Your connected connection gets a 2.5 X boost thanks to the 2.5 Ethernet onboard, twice as fast as normal Ethernet connections. There is no latency in video streaming or gaming with these connections.

Value Verdict

As a result of its performance, this motherboard can make any gaming setup seem stunning and exceptional. That’s why it’s one of the finest motherboards for the i9 10900k. As a result of its high-end features, we highly recommend you try this board.

MSI MEG Z490 ACE

Specifications

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MSI MEG Z490 ACE is a mini-ITX mother that beats the competition with its justified price tag. With USB 3.2 Gen2 (20 Gbps) and Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, as well as a strong, high-quality power supply, the MSI MEG Z490 Ace offers a lot of superior connectivity.

The MSI MEG Z490 ACE costs about $397, making it one of the pricier Z490 motherboards in the high midrange. For premium pricing, it comes with a huge 16+1 phase PWM, the newest Intel Wi-Fi, three M.2 slots (all behind heatsinks), and a USB 3.2 Gen2 (20 Gbps) Type-C connection on the rear.

It features a 17 phase VRM with an insane 90A power source to fulfill the processor’s energy needs to match those demands. VRM temperature management is much more efficient, and overclocking is more seamless. There are also a number of different cooling solutions built into this motherboard.

Each VRMs is equipped with a built-in heat sink and thermal pad for maximum heat dissipation performance. It has a baseplate at the rear to enhance thermal transmission. There are additionally three fan headers available for those who want to push the i9-10900K to its limits and force more air through. According to our benchmarking tests, this motherboard features a great VRM solution, and we feel it can endure even the toughest circumstances.

When it comes to pure gameplay, you can’t go wrong with the memory. Four dual-channel DIMM slots handle up to 128GB of DDR4 memory at a 4800 MHz or higher frequency on that front. In addition, MSI’s Steel armor protects these DIMM slots. There are three 16x slots and two x1 slots on the motherboard. To be fair, the bottom two PCI x16 slots can only be used at 8x and 4x, respectively, due to the limitations of the hardware.

Likewise, the motherboard includes three M.2 NVMe-enabled slots with Intel Optane Ready for optimum storage capacity. A 32Gbps transmission rate is possible with the slots. Each M.2 slot has a unique heat sink to keep the computer cool. Two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports are included on the motherboard’s I/O. As an added bonus, there’s a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connector with 20Gbps speed capability. In addition to this, you receive a Realtek audio controller with 7.1 channels and a 1 GB RJ45 LAN connector.

The motherboard has a black and gold design that makes it stand out when it comes to its aesthetics. Additionally, the motherboard’s heatsinks on the top and bottom include RGB lighting. The motherboard itself looks amazing, with both the RGB and the PCB color closely matching the entire design.

IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT CONSTRUCTING THE MOST LIGHTED SYSTEM, the RGB capability may be further extended with two addressable RGB and two RGB headers. Sadly, the BIOS doesn’t include RGB control. Thus it’s only possible to adjust it via an application.

Value Verdict

Finally, if you were looking for a superior motherboard to meet your gaming needs and add beauty to your rig, MSI MEG Z490 ACE will be your first choice. It has plenty of connectivity options and all the enthusiast features on the market, which justifies its price tag.