We are in the middle of a golden age for PC gaming. I’m sure you are all familiar with the insane graphics that are available for purchase, but the recent trend in the market has been toward smaller form-factors, running on Intel’s Kaby Lake processors. These new PC’s are using the i5 9600K, which is basically a 6 core Intel i5 chip with a massive amount of cache.
In response to many of you who have asked for a list of the best motherboards for i5 9600K builds [Updated Aug 2021], I’ve created a list of the top 10 best motherboards for i5 9600K builds [Updated Aug 2021]. The list includes budget and high-end motherboards, but the key to a great motherboard is their compatibility with a plethora of components, not just a low price tag.
Although the new AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and Intel Core i5 9600K processors launch at the same price, the Intel Core i5 9600K is the better choice for most people, mainly due to its more affordable price, its better performance and more features for the same price.
People often overlook 5th generation CPUs, particularly if they are constantly utilizing the most recent Intel processor. Is it, nevertheless, necessary to downgrade? Let’s say you currently have an Intel Core i7 3rd generation CPU and want to upgrade. You’ll be downgrading in terms of numbers since the i7 is better than the i5, right? No, you’re mistaken! Only the generation determines a processor’s endurance. It would be an upgrade and now a downgrade if I upgraded from i7 3rd generation to i5 9th generation. That is why we will be discussing the best motherboard for i5 9600K today, and to be honest, this post is aimed at those who want to upgrade to Core i5 9th generation CPUs.
People take a leap of faith without understanding what kind of quagmire awaits them, which prompted me to create such a well-thought-out essay. There are a large number of motherboards on the market that can provide you with improved performance in every area of gaming. 9th generation CPUs, for example, require either Z370 or Z390 motherboards. Both of these MOBOs offer enticing features, such as an absolute RGB (Radiant Color System), on-board Wi-Fi, and a handful of temperature sensors. Z390 is an improved version of Z370 that makes things easier for you. In comparison to its predecessor, the Z390 motherboard may be useful if you desire unique features.
Although this post will focus on the Core i5 9600K, the motherboards may be used with Core i7 and Core i9 CPUs as well, as long as they are 9th generation processors. Before we get into all of the interesting items, I’d want to highlight a few things to think about before purchasing a motherboard.
What things should you think about before purchasing the finest motherboard for an i5 9600k processor?
Form Factor: Most people underestimate the importance of choosing a motherboard that is suitable with the casing. Consider having a normal MOBO but only being able to support a Mini-ITX form factor in your case. What a pity! As a result, it’s always a good idea to pay attention to little things, even if they’re not as essential as you believe.
Overclocking: While it isn’t required, if you have components such as RTX and NVMe SSDs, you may need a good and well-planned overclocking solution. Do you know why people purchase motherboards with overclocking capabilities? It’s because overclocking enables you to control spikes and provide your components with a smooth and transitioning frequency clock. For example, suppose you maximize the performance of your RTX 2080. What is going to happen? Nothing, but your GPU will be processing more requests than ever before, speeding up your system by a few percent.
Ports and slots: I’ll be honest, while selecting a motherboard for myself, I purposefully ignored port accessibility, which I now regret. I didn’t pay close enough attention to USB 2.0 connections, and now I’m searching for PCIe-USB 3.0 connectors everywhere. That explains how ports and slots may help you get a competitive advantage over other users. Make sure you buy enough USB 3.0, 2.0, and PCIe slots in case you need to upgrade in the future. You won’t have to spend money on external card systems.
Chipset: To put it simply, the chipset is the processor’s compatibility with your motherboard. As I previously said, the 9th generation CPUs will only function with motherboards that are either Z370 or Z390. Other alternatives have been ruled out, so don’t waste your time looking into anything other than the two chipsets listed above.
Perhaps it’s time to move on to the real product evaluation of high-quality motherboards that will be available in 2021!
The Top 6 Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5 9600K (Overview)
The best high-end motherboard for the i5 9600K processor
ROG Maximus XII Extreme from ASUS
The ASUS Maximus XII Extreme takes the top spot for high-end motherboards, not only because it’s made by a well-known company, but also because it lacks sophisticated features that would allow you to utilize your Intel CPU. Because with ASUS ROG, you have access to almost anything. People saw beautiful spikes in performance in the reports, and they all indicated a favorable connection.
Features
Extreme overclocking capabilities, water cooling methods to minimize rising temperatures, BIOS optimization, support for DDR4 modules (overclocked), and a temperature monitoring system are among the characteristics of the motherboard. Don’t worry; the adventure doesn’t end here! Because something wonderful is in store for you. The motherboard uses artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt to minor changes in your system. Let’s suppose the temperature rises beyond the set threshold of 80 degrees. The temperature will be sent and values will be stored by the AI. When iterating the loop until the temperature drops again, it will guarantee that the cooling system stays intact (logic circuit).
You also get PRO COOL II power connections, 16-stage VRM, Multi-GPU SLI/CFX compatibility, Intel Socket LGA 1200, 4x DIMM modules (OPTIMEM III and dual channel), and 4 x M.2 Sockets for speedy SSDs. The motherboard has a variety of heat sinks made of aluminum for design and architecture. Additionally, RGB headers for light synchronization are included. Aura Sync, RAM cache III, Livedash OLED, and Armoury crate are just a few of the motherboard’s unique features.
To minimize bottlenecks, your motherboard has twin Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, 2.5-ethernet, and 10G ports, as well as SupremeFx for crystal-clear audio.
Pros
- Extraordinary RAM storage
- Unlocked overclocking
- RGB (Radiant Color System)
- In-built Wi-Fi
- The BIOS may be upgraded.
The best motherboard for the i5 9600K processor.
Aorus Master Gigabyte Z390
The Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Master, on the other hand, gets right to the point, albeit at a lower price. The motherboard has a lot of high-end features and is a high-performance motherboard. The explanation is simple: good feedback from people all around the globe. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that the motherboard outscored a number of flagship models. Isn’t that something to be proud of?
Features
The MOBO has a powerful VRM that allows you to smoothly overclock your 9th generation CPU. Do you have any idea what’s surprising? For overclocking, the motherboard has separate profiles. In layman’s words, if you believe that lowering the frequency clock a notch would improve the performance of your system, then profile X is for you. Otherwise, tune in to profile Z if you believe maximal overclocking causes high temps. That’s the way to do things.
In addition, the Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Master has three M.2 slots, six SATA III connections, and a handful of USB ports for connecting peripherals. Furthermore, DDR4 memory with a maximum frequency of 4400MHz is supported by the motherboard. Don’t worry about the basic frequency; it may change. The MOBO also has 16 PCIe connections, Multi-GPU capability, and a Gigabit LAN port.
Wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 5.0, and the Realtek ALC1220-VB codec for crystal clear speech are also provided by Gigabyte. A clean CMOS button on the rear panel, Dual BIOS systems, and Q-flash compatibility round out the features of the AORUS master. Seriously, even if you write a thesis/book about the motherboard’s advantages, you’ll end up with less. It is, without a doubt, an outstanding motherboard with excellent characteristics.
Pros
- Overclocking profiles that are discrete
- Support for multiple GPUs
- To defend against high temperatures, an aluminum heatsink and fins are used.
- Dual BIOS with Q-flash
The best cheap motherboard for the i5 9600K processor
MSI Z390-A PRO is a gaming laptop by MSI.
Are you searching for a cost-effective option? If that’s the case, I believe the MSI Z390-A pro will be an excellent fit for your gaming setup. Because the motherboard is from MSI, you may anticipate performance to reach the seventh heaven—even recent reviews are favorable with a 90% confidence level. Specifically, the motherboard has high-quality features that will help you keep your PC running for at least 10 years (which is astounding).
Features
The motherboard’s features include an expanded heatsink for improved cooling, Intel CNVi, Core boost, DDR4 module boost, and turbo M.2 SSD slots. Don’t be concerned. These were just a few of the highlights. In fact, the motherboard comes with a colossal list of functions. Support for overclocked DDR4 modules, PCIe Gen3 x 4 slots for high-end SSDs, 8+4 pin CPU power, audio boost for clear audio, improved circuits, Intel LAN premium network (ethernet connections), and multiple GPU-insertion are just a few of them. Not to add that the motherboard uses a platinum cooling system to reduce the high temperatures and safeguard your computer from aberrant behavior. Only because of MSI’s unique cooling monitoring technology is it so important.
Furthermore, you will have access to USB 3. 1 Gen2 connections for increased connectivity. The motherboard’s design and architecture make use of a metal (Aluminum) body to dissipate heat at a faster pace, lowering the rising temperatures. Aside from that, the Z390-A pro has numerous audio ports, DisplayPort, DVI-D, and VGA compatibility for different monitor profiles. The RGB system is the only feature missing from the MOBO. It’s still a good option in my view since you get so much more for a lower price. What more are you looking for, huh?
Pros
- Affordable
- For a nice appearance, use aesthetics.
Cons
- There is no built-in Wi-Fi.
- If you don’t have an RGB system, you’re out of luck.
For the i5 9600K, the best mid-tier gaming motherboard is
ASUS Prime Z390-A Asus Prime Z390-A Asus Prime Z390-A
It’s a joy to watch the ASUS Prime Z390 make its showy debut on the list. In terms of slipping in notable features for consumers, the motherboard is amazing. Because the motherboard is manufactured by ASUS, you may expect it to surpass flagship versions. Not to add, the prime edition seeks ultimate redemption and offers complete customizability to the customer. As a result, bring in all you have.
Features
Before taking a leap of faith, I would suggest going through the motherboard’s manual, which is readily accessible online. Regardless, I’ll go through the motherboard’s most important features. For example, AI overclocking, DDR4 4266MHz (Overclocked) RAM modules, two M.2 SSD ports, HDMI, and DisplayPort support are all included. Not to mention, the motherboard offers an array of enhanced features like OptiMem II (for the careful tracing of signals), enhanced power solution, UEFI BIOS, industry-leading cooling solutions, and M.2 heatsinks.
These heatsinks, in my view, offer a protective covering for your motherboard. It’s required since you’ll be utilizing a 9th generation CPU, which runs hotter. On top of that, you’ll receive a full RGB system that will light up your case in the dark. It’s a fascinating thing to see, since you can now flaunt and have performative answers at the same time.
You get a plethora of USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C ports, which is more than enough to keep your devices running smoothly.
Pros
- Efficient
- Design is stunning.
The best Micro ATX motherboard for the i5 9600K processor
Gigabyte Z390-M Gigabyte Z390-M Gigabyte Z390-
When it comes to micro ATX form factors, the Gigabyte Z390-M is the finest option for your system. Because of the improvements made to make it an extraordinary entity, not because the motherboard has the gigabyte brand name. According to recent reports, customers were able to interact with the motherboard as soon as possible without having to read the instructions thoroughly.
Features
Advanced thermal design, 2-way CrossFire, multiple GPU slotting, Intel GBE LAN with cFosSpeed, and smart fan five adjustments are all available on this motherboard. These characteristics are just a part of a bigger picture. A dual-channel Non-ECC unbuffered DDR4, dual NVMe PCIe Gen3 x 4, ultra-durable LAN protection, RGB system support (for aesthetics), and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility are also included. The characteristics are really outstanding!
Not to add, the Gigabyte Z390-M has excellent and long-lasting heatsinks and an architecture that protects against high temperatures. Furthermore, you will have access to a handful of USB ports for a variety of connection needs.
Pros
- Affordable
- Use of up-to-date design
- Light-weighted
Cons
- There is no built-in Wi-Fi.
- Skin that is dull in hue
The best ITX motherboard for the i5 9600K processor
Phantom gaming ASRock Z390 (ITX)
ASRock Z390 phantom gaming takes the last slot (ITX). The goal of adopting an ITX model was to provide consumers with a range of alternatives to select from. Because it’s an ASRock motherboard, you may expect it to outperform many flagship brands.
Features
DDR4 (4500MHz+ in overclocking mode), 1 PCIe 3.0 x 16, HDMI and DisplayPort compatibility, 7.1 CH HD Audio, 4 SATA3, 2 Ultra M.2, 4 USB 3.1 Gen2, 4 USB 3.1 Gen1, and Intel Gigabit LAN are all included in the MOBO. Not to add ASRock polychrome sync, which is just RGB support on the motherboard. On top of that, the motherboard has a sleek design with metal heat sinks strewn over it. These heatsinks ensure that your MOBO stays functioning even when temperatures are at an all-time high throughout the summer. It’s worth noting that you may change BIOS settings and add probable and discrete profiles to your liking. Overall, it’s a solid ITX model that you can count on for many years. If you believe tiny MOBOS are your thing, give it a try.
Pros
- RGB system
- High potential for overclocking
Cons
- There is no built-in Wi-Fi.
- There’s less space for improvement.
Finally, some ideas
Obviously, the ultimate decision is yours to make. But, before you fall head over heels for a particular product, it’s usually a good idea to check out alternative options. MOBOs like the Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Master, for example, may suit your requirements if you want a conventional form factor. Similarly, if you believe that ITX is the way to go, the ASRock Z390 phantom gaming (ITX) may help. We guarantee you that all of our goods have been tested on a variety of platforms, so you won’t have to worry about bias. Our suggestions, like ourselves, are well-received.
I hope this article has answered all of your questions about motherboard choosing criteria. Feel free to remark and educate us if you believe there was anything wrong or you couldn’t write it down correctly. I really forward hearing from you!
Also see: 2021’s Best X570 Motherboards
I’ve been hearing a lot about Z390 Chipsets lately. The Z390 chipset that came out a few years ago has been a favorite among overclocking enthusiasts. I’m not a huge overclocker, but I do like to know the minimum overclock that a motherboard can support, and I would definitely want a Z390 motherboard to be able to support it. In this article, I’m going to go over some of the best Z390 motherboards I’ve personally used.. Read more about motherboard for i5 9600k and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best motherboard for Intel i5 9600k?
The best motherboard for Intel i5 9600k is the ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-E GAMING.
What motherboard should I buy for 2021?
The motherboard you should buy for 2021 is the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E.
Will the RTX 3070 bottleneck i5 9600k?
The RTX 3070 is a powerful card, but it will not bottleneck the i5 9600k.
Managing and running (mostly) successfully multiple eCommerce lines of Business. Writing enthusiastically for the past 7 years. In between loves to travel and explore worldwide culture.