Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i9-14900K

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for Intel's 14th generation Core i9-14900K, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i9-14900K Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

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Motherboard Requirements for the Core i9-14900K Processor

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For Intel's 14th generation Core i9-14900K processor, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket and a compatible 700-series or 600-series chipset. However, 600-series chipsets were designed for the 12th generations Core processors and may limit the capabilities of your system.

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 "K" in the model name 14900K means it's an unlocked processor that supports overclocking. You will need a motherboard with overclocking support to overclock this CPU. Motherboards with the Z690 or Z790 chipsets typically support CPU overclocking. If you don't want to use the overclocking functionality at this time, you can use a motherboard with Intel's other 700-series or 600-series desktop chipsets (e.g., H770, B760, H670, B660, H610).

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The W680 and Q670 chipsets are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.

To use 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs with the 600-series chipsets, you'll need an updated BIOS. You either need to purchase one with an updated BIOS, perform the update with a 12th Gen CPU installed, or use the USB BIOS Flashback feature (if available).

Products that ship with a compatible BIOS are typically marked as "Ready" for 13th Gen Intel processors.

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-14900K CPU?.

Check out out Recommended Motherboards for the 14th Gen 14900K below.

Other Considerations When Choosing a 14900K Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the 14900K, we considered several key factors beyond socket type and chipset compatibility. These include form factor, expandability, power delivery, and features like USB ports, audio quality, and Wi-Fi support. By focusing on these elements, you can identify what matters most for your specific needs and ensure an optimal, future-proof setup.

Memory Overclocking

To overclock DDR memory via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset must support memory overclocking. Find which chipsets support overclocking in our article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-14900K CPU?.

Video Output Port

The absence of an "F" in the 14900K model name indicates the CPU has integrated graphics support. Ensure your motherboard includes a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use integrated graphics.

Even if you primarily connect monitors to a dedicated graphics card, we found that integrated graphics can be beneficial when troubleshooting graphics card issues.

Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports

NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest SSD storage form. We recommend ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots for your needs.

The Z790, H770, Z690, and H670 chipsets support the most PCIe 4.0 lanes, meaning motherboards with these chipsets typically offer the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots.

Learn more about storage types in our article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.

Connectivity

USB

Ensure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z790, H770, Z690, and H670 support the most USB ports for the 14900K at USB 3.2 2x2 (20 Gbps), USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps), and USB 3.2 1x1 (5 Gbps) speeds.

High-bandwidth devices typically fall into two categories: storage devices and high-resolution video equipment. These devices depend on high-speed data transfer for optimal performance. In our testing, we've encountered instances where insufficient bandwidth significantly impeded performance, particularly when working with large data transfers and high-resolution video editing.

Audio

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 speakers, black for rear, orange for center/subwoofer) to ensure proper connections for surround sound systems.

If you're using a soundbar or AV receiver, we recommend selecting a motherboard with an optical (S/PDIF) port. It provides cleaner audio by avoiding electrical noise, which makes a noticeable difference in sound quality.

While built-in audio quality isn't the most critical factor, choose 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 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 for both desktops and laptops.

Choose a motherboard whose ports are compatible with your current equipment to avoid costly upgrades in the future.

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

The Z790, H770, Z690, and H670 chipsets provide the most flexibility when paired with the 14900K, allowing multiple PCIe 5.0 graphics cards in dual x8 configuration.

The H610 chipset, however, is very limited with only a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.

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Best Feature Motherboard: MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming

  • Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Core i9-14900K is the MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming.

  • MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming
    Max PCIe Version: 5.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR5
    NVMe slots: 5
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 5.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. This motherboard has the Z790 chipset.

  • We found that the MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port 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 5.3 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.

  • We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming. It features five x4 NVMe M.2 slots, 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 MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming 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.

Runner-Up Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E

  • Our recommended runner-up motherboard to pair with the Core i9-14900K is the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E.

  • ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E
    Max PCIe Version: 5.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR5
    NVMe slots: 5
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 5.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. This motherboard has the Z790 chipset.

  • We found that the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port 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 5.3 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.

  • We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E. It features five x4 NVMe M.2 slots, 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 Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E 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

  • Our recommended Value motherboard to pair with the Core i9-14900K is the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4.

  • MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4
    Max PCIe Version: 5.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 3
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 5.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. 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 B760 chipset.

  • We found that the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port 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 5.3 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.

  • We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4. It features three x4 NVMe M.2 slots, 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 MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 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 i9-14900K

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