Introduction
Intel’s Core i9 14900K provides plenty of firepower to handle the demands of 4K gaming and heavy workstation applications. But in order to make the most of a high-end CPU like the Core i9 14900K, consumers will need a premium motherboard utilising a Z790 chipset.
To find out which motherboards are best suited to accommodate the i9 14900K, we tested a range of designs, all with varying features and aesthetics.
We’ve also put our recommendations into this buyers guide, making it easier for you to find the perfect motherboard for your next PC.
Our Recommendation: Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master
We’d consider the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master to be the best motherboard for i9 14900K that we tested. As an E-ATX motherboard, this design supports a variety of components, making it ideal for high-end components packed with PC parts. Additionally, the Z790 AORUS Master offers great connectivity, including a 10Gb LAN port for incredibly stable network connections, making it a great choice for high-end gaming.
Features: 4.4/5
Performance: 4.3/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Our Verdict: 4.3/5
Skip to the full testing, gallery and where to buy the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master. ⬇️
Best Motherboards for the Core i9 14900K
1. Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Pro X
Gigabyte’s Z790 AORUS Pro X is a refreshed Z790 motherboard that is designed with Intel’s 14th generation in mind. However, it is still a Z790 motherboard, which means it also supports 13th-Gen and 12th-Gen CPUs. But what makes this particular Z790 board stand out is the all-white aesthetic, including the PCB, which makes it a perfect choice to slot into a white-themed gaming PC.
Performance-wise, the AORUS Pro X contains a Gen5 slot for the GPU and storage, which is fairly standard for Z790 motherboards. However, the extra slots allow consumers to increase performance and storage capacity.
Whilst this design isn’t too expensive compared to Gigabyte’s previous Z790 motherboards, the improvements won’t have a significant impact on the overall performance of your PC. As a result, anyone with an existing Z790 won’t need to worry about upgrading. Also, the lack of PCI-E 5.0 on this design is slightly disappointing, as there are plenty of similarly-priced Z790 motherboards that offer better support for Gen5 components.
Pros
- Looks amazing in an all-white build.
- PCI-E 5.0 x16 and x4 slots.
- Designed for 14th-Gen CPUs.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Durable armour casing is excessive.
2. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a high-end motherboard that boasts a look that is associated with more traditional gaming PCs. With a darker tone across the heatsinks and PCB, accented by an array of RGB lighting, this contrasting design is perfect for gaming enthusiasts looking to show off every element of their PC. But this board isn’t all about the looks, as the Maximus Z790 Hero is packed with a healthy amount of features to provide pro gamers with everything they need.
Featuring dual PCI-E 5.0 slots for graphics cards, this motherboard is well-equipped to support optimal gaming performance for years to come.
On top of this, the included ROG Hyper M.2 Card allows users to upgrade their storage to a Gen5 SSD. Whilst it would have been nice to have a PCI-E 5.0 x4 slot on the board itself, this card is a good way to work around these limitations, as most consumers are unlikely to double up on GPUs.
Unfortunately, the excellent feature-set and design of the Maximus Z790 Hero comes with a fairly heavy price tag. This means that the majority of builders won’t be able to afford this design, but this shouldn’t be much of an issue for anyone picking up an i9 14900K. Also, this motherboard does have some weak points, with the support for storage standing out. Whilst the ROG Hyper M.2 Card does help ease the performance restrictions, the reliance on Gen3 slots means performance will be restricted on secondary M.2 SSDs.
Pros
- Insane amount of RGB.
- Thunderbolt 4 compatibility.
- High speed RAM overclocking.
Cons
- Gen5 is only available through the included Hyper card.
- Doesn't support 10 Gigabit LAN.
- Very expensive design.
3. MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is a more affordable Z790 motherboard that still manages to provide plenty of features you’d expect to find on a high-end gaming PC. If you’re planning on spending most of your budget on a CPU, then the Z790 Carbon WiFi is the best way of ensuring you stay on track financially.
On top of this, the Carbon WiFi boasts a fairly neutral design that will look great in both workstations and gaming PCs, and the ATX form factor means this design will fit into most PC cases.
The connectivity on the rear IO is also fairly strong, with multiple USB-C ports and plenty of USB 3 connections. This allows users to connect plenty of high-end peripherals and accessories, with the higher transfer speeds leading to more reactive inputs. As for networking, the choice between 2.5Gb LAN or WiFi 6E means users should receive fast and stable internet when connecting either wired and wirelessly.
Whilst the lower pricing of this board compared to the other Z790 motherboards we tested makes the Carbon WiFi a valuable option, there are a few setbacks that come with the improved affordability. For example, the lack Thunderbolt 4 on the rear IO puts this board at a disadvantage when it comes to connecting peripherals and external drives, restricting transfer speeds.
Pros
- Incredibly rich set of features, geared towards top-end builds.
- Strong VRM power phase design is perfect for overclocking.
- Minimalist black aesthetic looks great.
Cons
- One of the most expensive top-end boards.
- No 10 Gigabit LAN support.
- MSI Center software is difficult to use.
4. Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master
For consumers looking for a motherboard that looks and acts the part, then the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master is a solid choice for any high-end PC build. As an E-ATX motherboard, the AORUS Master has plenty of room to house a wide range of components, even if it does come at the cost of restricted PC case compatibility. This board also boasts a sophisticated appearance, with a hint of RGB lighting that will appeal more to gamers.
When it comes to performance, this Z790 motherboard gives consumers all the tools needed to build a powerful PC that can tackle 4K gaming with ease.
Including PCI-E 5.0 slots for both a graphics card and M.2 storage, as well as additional Gen4 storage slots and Gen3 slots for GPUs, this board can be packed with an abundance of parts to maximise performance. Plus, the support for up to 192GB DDR5 RAM allows your system to remain very responsive.
Moving onto the rear IO, the AORUS Master includes a plethora of high-speed USB ports, with none of the slower USB 2.0 ports in sight. As a result, consumers can expect relatively fast transfer speeds on any of the ports you decide to connect your peripherals or accessories to. Additionally, the WiFi 6E module and 10Gb LAN port offers excellent online connectivity, great for both convenience and low-latency gaming.
Pros
- Motherboard boasts an excellent design.
- Contains multiple PCI-E 5.0 slots.
- Lots of heatsinks for thermal regulation.
Cons
- E-ATX form factor is too big for most cases.
- Lack of Thunderbolt 4.
