Motherboard Requirements for the Core i9-11900 Processor
For Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900 processor, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1200 socket and a compatible 500-series or 400-series chipset.
Motherboards for Intel processors are made with chipsets provided by Intel. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.
The lack of a "K" suffix in the model name 11900 means it doesn't support overclocking. Because of this, you may not need to use the top of the line Z590 or Z490 chipsets which support overclocking. Instead, you can use a motherboard with Intel's other 500 or 400-series desktop chipsets listed below.
For compatiblity with Intel's 11th generation Core processors, you can use any of the 500-series chipsets: Z590, H570, B560, H510. These are roughly sorted from most to least functionality. The W580 and Q570 chipsets are also compatible, but are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.
While the budget-friendly 400-series B460 and H410 won't work with the 11th generation Core processors, the Z490 and H470 400-series chipsets are compatible. However, these chipsets were designed for the 10th generations Core processors, and will limit the capabilities of your system. The W480 and Q470 chipsets are also compatible, but are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.
For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-11900 CPU?
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- Find Z590 Chipset 11th Gen Motherboards on Amazon
- Find H570 Chipset 11th Gen Motherboards on Amazon
- Find B560 Chipset 11th Gen Motherboards on Amazon
- Find H510 Chipset 11th Gen Motherboards on Amazon
Check out out Recommended Motherboards for the 11th Gen 11900 below.
Other Considerations When Choosing a 11900 Motherboard
When choosing a motherboard for the 11900, we considered several key factors beyond socket type and chipset compatibility. These include form factor, expandability, power delivery, and additional features like USB ports, audio quality, and Wi-Fi support. By focusing on these elements, you can identify the features that matter most for your specific needs, ensuring an optimal and future-proof setup.
Memory Overclocking
To be able to overclock DDR memory, such as via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking.
Find which chipsets support overclocking in our article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-11900 CPU?.
Video Output Port
The lack of an "F" in the 11900 model name indicates that the CPU has integrated graphics support. You will need to make sure that your motherboard also has a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use the integrated graphics.
Even if you primarily connect your monitors to a graphics card, we found that integrated graphics can be beneficial when troubleshooting and fixing graphics card problems.
Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports
NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest SSD storage form. However, we suggest ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots.
The Z590, Z490, and W480 chipsets support the most PCIe 3.0 lanes, which means that motherboards with these chipsets are likely to have the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots available.
Learn more about storage types in our article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.
Connectivity
USB
We found that it's wise to make sure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z590 can support the most USB ports for the 11900 at USB 3.2 2x2 (20 Gbps), USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps), and USB 3.2 1x1 (5 Gbps) speeds.
From our experience, devices requiring high bandwidth typically fall into two categories: storage devices and high-resolution video devices. These devices depend heavily on high-speed data transfer. In fact, we have encountered instances where insufficient bandwidth notably impeded their performance.
In testing various storage devices, we found that those capable of handling large data transfers at high speeds delivered the best performance. Similarly, when working with high-resolution video devices, we discovered that a reliable and fast connection is essential for smooth playback and editing. Our experience has highlighted the importance of high bandwidth for these specific types of devices.
Audio
We recommend ensuring the motherboard has audio outputs. From my experience, it's crucial to verify the availability of rear and center speaker ports if you're using a surround sound system.
If your audio equipment is dependent on optical input, like mine, it's advisable to opt for a motherboard that includes this specific port. Alternatively, you might consider purchasing a separate PCIe or USB sound card. This allows you to expand your connectivity options and add features such as optical or RCA connections, tailored to your preferences.
When choosing a motherboard, prioritize one with physical audio ports if sound quality matters to you. Look for color-coded 3.5mm jacks (green for front, black for rear, orange for center/sub) to ensure proper speaker connections. If you're using a soundbar or AV receiver, we recommend opting for a motherboard with an optical (S/PDIF) port—it provides cleaner audio by avoiding electrical noise, which we've found makes a noticeable difference.
While built-in audio quality isn't the most critical factor, we suggest selecting a motherboard with a high-quality audio codec if you're using high-end headphones. It can reduce background noise, especially at higher volumes. If the motherboard's audio doesn't meet your standards, consider keeping an external audio solution (like a USB DAC) as a reliable backup—it's an affordable way to bypass onboard limitations and improve sound quality. We've found these solutions work well for both laptops and desktops.
To avoid the need for costly upgrades in the future, choose a motherboard whose ports are compatible with your current equipment. By making a thoughtful selection now, you can ensure better performance and a more satisfying listening experience.
Form Factor
When it comes to motherboards, we've encountered three primary form factors. In our experience, ATX stands out as the most common for desktop PCs. We've also explored Mini-ITX and MicroATX for building mini-PCs, and found they typically offer fewer PCIe slots, RAM slots, and storage support.
We've observed that these smaller form factors are backward compatible with standard ATX cases, using a subset of their mounting holes. In fact, we've frequently used Mini-ITX motherboards in ATX cases.
One crucial consideration is ensuring your case matches your motherboard's form factor. We've learned from experience how important it is to choose a case that aligns with your motherboard's specific needs.
PCIe Expansion Slots
Based on our analysis, the Z590 chipset provides the most flexibility when paired with the 11900, allowing multiple PCIe 4.0 graphics cards in the dual x8 configuration.
The H510 chipset, on the other hand, is very limited, with only a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
Recommended Motherboards for the 11th Gen 11900
Best Feature Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Core i9-11900 is the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero:
- Check the latest price of the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero on Amazon
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero Max PCIe Version 4.0 Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4 NVMe slots: 4 Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates. Its Z590 chipset supports overclocking for K-prefixed CPUs. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This board also includes various headers for accessories, including 3 ARGB headers for lighting control and separate liquid pump header.
We found that the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6E technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero. It features four NVMe M.2 slots
(two @ PCIe 4.0 speeds, two @ PCIe 3.0 speeds), allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.Overall, we concluded that the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
Best Value Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi
Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Core i9-11900 is the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard:
- Check the latest price of the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi on Amazon
ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi Max PCIe Version 4.0 Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4 NVMe slots: 3 Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the Z590 chipset.
We found that the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6 technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi. It features three NVMe M.2 slots
(one @ PCIe 4.0 speeds, two @ PCIe 3.0 speeds), allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.Overall, we concluded that the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
Learn More About the Intel Core i9-11900
- Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i9-11900
- Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-11900 CPU?
- Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i9-11900
- Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for Intel's Core i9-11900
- RAM: Best RAM for the Intel Core i9-11900 CPU
- TDP: What Is the TDP of the Core i9-11900 CPU?
- Gaming: Is the Core i9-11900 CPU Good for Gaming?