The i9-13900K might have attracted a lot of attention in recent months, but the Intel i9-12900K is still a powerful chip, showcasing its immense capabilities and unfaltering performance.
It has shattered records across various sectors, thanks to its exceptional architecture.
Needless to say, it’s necessary to pair the monstrous i9-12900K with the finest motherboard in the market to unleash every bit of performance.
We’ve tested and reviewed several motherboards with the Intel i9-12900K and found the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is the best one among all of them. Also, there are others in different categories, and going through the article will help you discover them.
9 Best Motherboards for Intel Core i9-12900K
| Award | Model | Memory Type |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER | DDR5 |
| Runner Up | Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO | DDR5 |
| Best Value DDR4 Motherboard | Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 | DDR4 |
| Best Value DDR5 Motherboard | Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI | DDR5 |
| Best Budget DDR4 Motherboard | Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4 | DDR4 |
| Best Budget DDR5 Motherboard | MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI | DDR5 |
| Best DDR4 | MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Best for Overclocking | EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N | DDR5 |
| Best Mini-ITX | ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I | DDR5 |
The 16-core & 24-thread Intel i9-12900K is one of the most powerful processors in the current market, and even after 1 year it’s still equally popular with PC enthusiasts.
If you see our CPU hierarchy, you’ll find the Intel i9-12900K at the top tier in both single and multi core performance.
You’ll need similarly capable motherboards to handle the beast for running productivity applications, games, or other intensive tasks. To get the best performance, you’ll need a Z690 or Z790 chipset motherboard and pair it with DDR4 or the latest DDR5 RAMs.
Evaluating the chipset, memory type & capacity, speed, connectivity, and price, we’ve categorized the motherboards and provided the best one here.
So let’s jump in and find the best suitable motherboards for your 12th gen Intel i9-12900K.
1. Best Overall/ Editors’ Choice: Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z790 | Form Factor: E-ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR5-8000 | Memory Capacity: 192 GB
- »1x 10 Gb/s Marvell AQtion AQC113C onboard ethernet
- »Wi-Fi 6E wireless networking
- »CrossFire capabilities
- »Supports RAID technology
- »Very expensive
Why We Chose It
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is the latest and finest motherboard from Gigabyte. The powerful Z790 chipset is backed up with the power to handle the 12th and 13th gen Intel processors.
Choosing the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER allowed us to use the fastest DDR5 8000 MHz RAM, keeping room for more RAM in the future upgrade.
It has 4x DDR5 DIMM sockets that support up to 192 GB of system memory. We have tested the DDR5-8000 MHz memory modules in video encoding and compression, and they came incredibly handy for memory-intensive tasks.
The memory modules can take advantage of dual-channel and Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP) to unleash the best possible performance.
We’ve tried gaming with the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER and i9-12900K. The performance came incredibly well and can be said to be the best gaming motherboard for i9-12900K.
The audio experience in Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is unbelievably fantastic. The Realtek ALC1220-VB CODEC and DTS:X Ultra give a rich quality that is easily distinguishable from other motherboards.
It comes with the fastest Marvell AQtion AQC113C 10GbE chip for the LAN connection and the latest Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1690 to provide a wireless connection to your PC. It has built-in Bluetooth 5.3, so you don’t need to worry about any wireless components.
For the expansion slots, it comes with a 1x PCI Express x16 slot that supports PCIe 5.0 to give the fastest connectivity.
When we have worked on a large amount of data and stored documents and large video files, it required a vast amount of storage. The 1x PCIe 5.0 x4, 4x PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, and 4x SATA 6Gb/s connectors give a good solution to the necessary capacity.
Need a type-C USB port? You got it! The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER comes with 4x USB type-C with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and USB 3.2 Gen 1 support.
It supports RGB FUSION 2.0, addressable LED & RGB LED strips, Smart Fan 6, Q-Flash, and Q-Flash Plus features which makes the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER a delightful choice for the Intel Core i9-12900K.
What We Liked Most
The thing we liked in the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is the memory type and capacity. High-speed DDR5 and frequency give a massive advantage in memory-intensive tasks.
What Needs to Be Considered
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is massive in size and requires an E-ATX PC casing. So while buying the motherboard, you need to buy a specific case for it.
Who It’s For
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is for the geek who seeks the best possible motherboard for productivity work, data management, rendering, and gaming.
Verdict
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER is a top-of-the-line motherboard in the market. It’s packed with every possible component and technology to give the best service when paired with the Intel Core i9-12900K. As a PC enthusiast, there’s no better option than this in the current market.
2. Runner Up: Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z690 | Form Factor: ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR5-6400+ | Memory Capacity: 128 GB
- »PCIe 5.0 M.2 support
- »Two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports
- »Supports Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
- »Intel Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity
- »Expensive as a Z690 motherboard
Why We Picked It
The first thing we noticed after unboxing the Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO is the unique Minecraft-style ROG and Hero logo at the top of the motherboard. It’s quite an extraordinary move from Asus to decorate their best ROG lineup.
Not only that, the Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO comes with extra accessories in the box. Along with the basic SATA cable and Wi-Fi antenna, Asus provides a ROG Hyper M.2 Card to provide an extra M.2 slot in this mobo.
Now moving to the memory capacity, the ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO supports 4x DIMM DDR5 memory slots which have a maximum capacity of 128 GB.
We’ve tested the performance with DDR5-5600 RAM, though the Alder Lake has a capacity of 4800 MHz, it performed really well, thanks to the Intel XMP and Dual Channel technology. The main advantage we’ve seen is in the voltage and power consumption.
You can also use the best RAM for i9-12900K, G.Skill Trident Z5 or Corsair Dominator Platinum and get the best performance from the ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO.
To handle your graphics, it comes with an HDMI port and 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports that support DisplayPort 1.4 and Thunderbolt video outputs.
The Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO has 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot that covers all the needs in the expansion slots. Also, good news for the multi-GPU freak as the Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO comes with both AMD Crossfire X and 2-Way Nvidia SLI technology to handle your productive work.
Worried about the storage capacity? I guess not, because it supports 5x M.2 slots and 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports which is more than enough to store all your large files and game libraries.
To keep you connected with the LAN world, it has 1x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet and Intel Wi-Fi 6E technology. Bluetooth 5.2 lets you connect all your essential PC components without any wires or USB ports.
The ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC provides an amazing audio experience to keep you stress-free all the time.
The Z690 chipset has been there since the arrival of Alder Lake processors, and the Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO is undoubtedly one of the best among all of them.
What We Liked Most
The extraordinary RGB decoration on top of the motherboard is really a cool feature that got our attention. The CrossFire X and SLI technology gave us a plus point when we tested heavy rendering.
What Needs to Be Improved
As a Z690 chipset, the Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO is a bit expensive, and even more expensive than its successor Z790. Lowering the price will undoubtedly increase its value in the market.
Who It’s For
Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO is for the people who want the best Z690 motherboard and extract every bit of performance from the 12th gen i9-12900K processor. It’s highly recommended for gaming, streaming, and intensive productivity work.
Verdict
Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO performs on par with the Z790 motherboards and has spread way more possibilities for PC lovers. Its next-gen capabilities and build quality make it one of the best choices in the current market for the Intel Core i9-12900K.
3. Best Value DDR4 Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z790 | Form Factor: ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR4-5333 | Memory Capacity: 128 GB
- »Supports Intel 12th and 13th gen processors
- »Very affordable Z790 chipset motherboard
- »Supports RAID technology
- »No PCIe Gen5 M.2 slots
Why We Chose It
Searching for the most affordable but one of the best DDR4 Z790 chipset motherboards? Well, look no more. The Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 is a bang-for-the-buck motherboard under the $200 budget segment.
When we looked at the specs and price, we were shocked, and you’ll be too.
The 4x DIMM slot can take up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory. For the Alder Lake processor, the maximum is 3200 MHz. But with the motherboard, you were able to overclock and go to 5333 MHz easily.
We’ve tested the Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP), and Dual-Channel technology and overclocked the memory to a sweet spot. The result was unbelievably stable, and we got a good performance boost.
It also comes with an HDMI port and DisplayPort that supports DisplayPort 1.4, just like our previously tested motherboard, Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO.
The motherboard has 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, which is enough for most PC users, including us. Even in the storage section, it didn’t disappoint us. It comes with 4x M.2 slots and 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports to cover all our storage needs.
The Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 is an upgrade from its predecessor Z690. It has increased the VRM power phase from 14+1 to 16+1, which gave us great stability in overclocking and power distribution.
Including all the features, it doesn’t miss out on the Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 to give a flawless wireless connection.
What We Liked Most
There’s nothing to talk about the pricing. It’s just perfect as a Z790 chipset motherboard. The price-to-performance ratio is the thing that attracted us to the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4.
What Needs to Be Considered
Though it doesn’t matter for most people, the only downside we’ve found in this motherboard is the lack of a Gen5 M.2 slot.
Who It’s For
The Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 is the perfect choice for people who want to stay with the DDR4 RAM and get all the best performance and features, as well as keeping the pocket in good condition.
Verdict
The performance, specification, the options Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 is offering at an appealing price is unbelievable. If you’re looking for the most affordable DDR4 motherboard, we will recommend this one to you.
4. Best Value DDR5 Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z790 | Form Factor: ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR5-7200 | Memory Capacity: 192 GB
- »192 GB of maximum memory capacity
- »Overclock RAM up to 7200 MHz
- »Very affordable DDR5 motherboard
- »Doesn’t have dual bios
By seeing the model name, you might have already figured it out. Yes, it’s the DDR5 version of the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS motherboard.
Just like the DDR4 version, it’s also packed with features but very affordable and bang for bucks as a DDR5 motherboard.
It has the same 4x DIMM memory slots, but what we’ve seen is, it supports up to 192 GB of memory instead of 128 GB in the DDR4 version. That’s a bonus for those who are seeking to take full advantage of DDR5 RAM.
With the latest DDR5, you can normally go to 4800 MHz frequency at stock. But the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI will let you overclock it up to 7200 MHz, and in our testing, we’ve found it as stable as the DDR4 model.
The overclocking system is also great and reliable, thanks to its 16+1 VRM power phase.
The Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI has 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots as the expansion slots. With these you can easily accommodate the best graphics card for 12900K and get the supirior graphics output.
It provides the same LAN connection but gives an upgrade in the WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. It comes with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which adds extra value to the motherboard.
And rest of the expansion and storage slots are identical to the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4.
If you are looking for reliable, value-for-money performance, and DDR5 support, Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI is clearly a winner in this price segment.
What We Liked Most
The most impressive part we’ve seen in the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI is its maximum memory capacity. It can contain 192 GB of memory, which is an upgrade from the DDR4 version, and is really appreciable in this budget.
What Needs to Be Considered
If you are looking for a Thunderbolt port in Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI, it has none. It’s still a perfect package, but a Thunderbolt port would’ve made it even better.
Who It’s For
The Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI is for the user who wants an upgraded version of the DDR4, Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4. If you’re looking for DDR5 support and a value-for-money motherboard, it’s a better option.
Verdict
The Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI is a perfectly balanced motherboard with DDR5 support. The value-for-money ratio is pretty high and you’ll get lots of features with overclocking capabilities here. Without a question, it’s a wise choice to make it the main body of your PC.
5. Best Budget DDR4 Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z790 | Form Factor: ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR4-5333 | Memory Capacity: 128 GB
- »Very affordable
- »128 GB of memory support
- »Intel XMP and Dual-Channel technology
- »Supports RAID
- »No wireless connectivity
Why We Picked It
At a low budget, you’ll miss out on some features in a motherboard, and that’s normal. But in the Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4, we’re getting lots of features compared to its price, which inspired us to keep it in our best motherboard list for i9 12900K.
The Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4 is a DDR4-supported motherboard, consisting of 4x DIMM slots at a maximum capacity of 128 GB of memory.
We’ve tested it at the maximum 5333 MHz frequency with the Intel XMP and Dual-Channel technology. And the result came really well compared to its market price.
The Z790 chipset gives it an advantage and also keeps room for a processor upgrade. As always it comes with HDMI and DisplayPort 1.4 to handle your graphics.
In the expansion slot, we’ve seen 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and 2x PCIe 4.0 x1 slot. Also in the USB connectivity, you’re not missing any ports here.
Now coming to the storage section, it has 3x M.2 slots and 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports, which is sufficient for storing documents or game libraries just like me. All these mentioned features are quite similar to the above motherboards. So are you wondering why there is a price difference?
It does come with an Intel 1Gb Ethernet connection, but unfortunately, there’s no WiFi and Bluetooth option. It’s a very small price to pay in this tight budget section.
What We Liked Most
The most impressive thing that we liked in the Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4 is its price-to-performance ratio. It’s cheap but has provided a very decent performance when we paired it with the Intel Core i9-12900K.
What Needs to Be Considered
The Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4 doesn’t have WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and for that, you’ll need to use a dongle to get the service.
Who It’s For
The Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4 is very affordable for the 12900K motherboard. If you are looking for cheap but don’t want to leave any performance on the table, then it’s the perfect motherboard for your PC.
Verdict
Asus is well-known for its motherboard quality and performance. And the reputation has continued in the low-budget motherboards, Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS D4. You are getting lots of features at an overwhelming price which makes it one of the best in the budget segment.
6. Best Budget DDR5 Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z790 | Form Factor: ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR5-7000 | Memory Capacity: 128 GB
- »Budget DDR5 motherboard
- »Extended heatsink
- »WiFi 6E connectivity
- »One Gen5 PCIe slot
Why We Picked It
The LGA 1700-supported MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI motherboard is a great choice at around the $200 mark. Usually, it’s very hard to find a good DDR5 motherboard within this range.
But, we’ve researched and tested a lot to bring out the best budget DD5 motherboard for you.
The first thing we’ve seen in the motherboard is the memory capacity. It has 4x DIMM slots which can carry up to 128 GB of memory. The Intel XMP3.0 and Dual-Channel technology gave a good benchmark score in our tested results.
We’ve paired it with high-frequency RAM and are able to hit the 7000 MHz mark by overclocking. During our test, the solid VRM heatsink on the upper MOS helped dissipate the heat and keep the component cool from overheating.
It also gives an advantage while overclocking the Core i9-12900K to a sweet point and during intensive gaming or productivity.
The MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI comes with a 3x PCI-E x16 slot and a 1x PCI-E x1 slot to support the expansions. As for the storage solutions, it has a 4x M.2 slot and 6x SATA port for storing a vast amount of data
The cool thing is, it comes with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G LAN, which gave us very good results similar to the top-end motherboards. Also, Bluetooth 5.3 is a plus point when connecting a wireless component.
What We Liked Most
We have liked the extended heatsink and MOSFET thermal pads which give a rich thermal solution to the MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI and keep it clean during intensive tasks.
What Needs to Be Considered
Compared to high-end motherboards, it has fewer USB ports and you’ll need to install the I/O plate first in the PC casing.
Who It’s For
The MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI is for PC users who love gaming and productive work, but looking for an affordable DDR5-supported Alder Lake motherboard.
Verdict
The MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI is a balanced DDR5 motherboard, which has a good price, and also provides decent features and performance. If you’re looking for a DDR5 motherboard within budget, it’s definitely a recommended pick.
7. Best DDR4 Motherboard: MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z790 | Form Factor: ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR4-5333 | Memory Capacity: 128 GB
- »Integrated Wi-Fi 6E technology
- »Excellent audio codec
- »Supports AMD CrossFire
- »Expensive for a DDR4 motherboard
- »No PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket
Why We Chose It
The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 is built with the latest Intel Z790 chipset and packs multiple upgrades from its previous generation Z690 motherboard.
The Z790 TOMAHAWK is popular for its reliability and no wonder it’s in our top motherboard list for the best DDR4 motherboard for 12900K.
Starting with the memory capacity, it can take up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM into its four slots. The maximum frequency in the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 is 5333 MHz with overclocking.
In our test, we tried XMP and Dual-Channel technology and compared the performance at 3200 MHz and 5333 MHz. The performance in the overclocked state was stable and delivered a good result.
MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 has a heavy heatsink around the VRMs. But when we looked for the heat pipes, we found none. The parts under the hood are quite good and even with the heatpipe it has dissipated the heat very well during our intensive task.
It comes with HDMI and DisplayPort 1.4 for the onboard graphics. For the expansion slots, it has 2x PCI-E x16 slots and 1x PCI-E x1 slot.
For storing all the high-volume libraries, it has 4x M.2 and 7x SATA 6G, which ensures the best file-transferring capabilities.
Looking for wireless connectivity? It has Intel Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 to provide all the wireless support. And for the LAN connection, it comes with Intel 2.5Gbps LAN connectivity.
The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 has AMD CrossFire X technology, which helped us a lot while rendering in Blender with the i9-12900K.
The back I/O board isn’t shy of containing multiple ports. It provides multiple USB Gen 1 & 2, Type C, Clear CMOS Button, Flash BIOS Button, etc.
What We Liked Most
We’ve liked the premium and solid build quality of MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4, and the top-level performance under intensive pressure.
What Needs to Be Improved
The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 is an extraordinary motherboard. But for a DDR4 motherboard, the price is a bit much, and lowering it will definitely increase its value.
Who It’s For
The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 is for the PC enthusiast who prefers the DDR4 and wants the best product in the market to pair with the Intel Core i9-12900K.
Verdict
MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 is a top-of-the-chain motherboard in the DDR4 category. Its extreme build, sleek black finish, sufficient I/O ports, latest technologies, and lastly performance make it one of the best choices in the DDR4 section.
8. Best Overclocking Motherboard: EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z690 | Form Factor: E-ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR5-6600 | Memory Capacity: 64 GB
- »Top of the line VRMs
- »Horizontal connectors
- »Best for overclocking
- »Very expensive
- »Only 2 memory slots
Why We Picked It
The Intel Core i9-12900K is an unlocked processor and is widely popular for overclocking. Speaking of overclocking, the EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N is a monster and has been reigning in this segment for years.
After getting our hands on the EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N motherboard, the first thing we have seen is its sleek dark black design and ten-layer PCB.
It has 21 VRM power phases (18+2+1 90A SPS MOSFETs for Vcore) for the best power consumption and efficiency. With this excellent motherboard, we’ve easily hit the 5.5 GHz mark with Core i9-12900K.
The RAM slot is situated at the side of the CPU which ensures the best connectivity. Unfortunately, it has only 2 DIMM memory slots which can take up to 64 GB of memory. Though it performs very well, thanks to its Dual-Channel technology and DDR5-6600 MHz max memory support.
The power connector is at the bottom of the board, which provides the best power supply and reduces energy loss.
In the connectivity section, it’s slightly behind most modern motherboards. It contains 2x PCIe x16 slots and 1x PCIe x4 slots. For storage, it has 3x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and 8x SATA 6 Gb/s port.
In the LAN connection, it provides 2x Intel 2.5 Gigabit NIC. The addition of Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 makes the wireless connection more effortless for your PC.
Onboard Clear CMOS, Power, and Reset buttons, and temperature and voltage monitoring screen make it very useful for the overclocking lovers.
And lastly, a very important thing is to ensure a proper cooling system with the overclocked 12900K for maintaining a stable performance. Check out the best CPU cooler for Intel Core i9-12900K and pair it with your motherboard.
What We Liked Most
The most impressive thing we’ve found in the EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N is its 10-layer black PCB and 21 VRM power phases. It gave solid performance and stability during our heavy overclocking test.
What Needs to Be Considered
The EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N has only two memory slots, which can maximize the capacity up to 64 GB. So if you need more than 64, you need to sacrifice this option.
Who It’s For
The EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N is made specifically for overclockers. If you’re doing heavy overclocking with your processor and want to get the best and most stable performance, this is the perfect choice.
Verdict
The EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N is heavily focused on overclocking. This motherboard is made for the overclock freak, and if you are one of them, I would definitely recommend this motherboard for you.
9. Best Mini-ITX Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I
Key Specifications
Chipset: Intel Z690 | Form Factor: Mini-ATX | Max Memory Speed: DDR5-6400 | Memory Capacity: 64 GB
- »Very small in size
- »Wireless Intel Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
- »Supports thunderbolt
- »Expensive for a Z690 chipset
Why We Chose It
Looking for a small motherboard for your Intel Core i9-12900K? Then you must be searching for the mini-ITX motherboard.
In the PC market mini-ITX motherboards are very popular for their compact size. And among all of them, the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I comes at the top in our tested result.
When we got our hands on the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I, we found it so small that even a 120mm cooler seems bigger than the motherboard.
It has 2x DIMM memory slots, maximizing the capacity up to 64 GB, and runs at 6400 MHz after overclock. The RAM stick is so big compared to the PCB, that it takes up all the width of this mobo.
It can be lightweight and small in size, but it’s packed with features that sometimes feel overkill for this one. We are talking about the Thunderbolt port and not one but two of these.
Besides, it got our usual HDMI port for graphics and 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for expansion. In the storage option, it contains 2x M.2 slots and 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports.
In the LAN and WiFi connectivity, there’s no shortage of features. It comes with a 1x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet port and Intel Wi-Fi 6E for flawless connection. Also, it has Bluetooth 5.2 for giving you good wireless connectivity for various components.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I motherboard isn’t behind in the audio category. It features ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio and SupremeFX Shielding Technology to give rich and premium audio playback and recording.
Not only these, but it also comes with a 1x addressable Gen2 RGB header and 1x AURA RGB header to give an aesthetic appearance.
What We Liked Most
The most fascinating part we’ve found in ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I is its assembly techniques. Asus did a great job packing all the features in this small motherboard and didn’t leave any space unused.
What Needs to Improve
Due to its congested design, it has generated more heat than ATX motherboards as there is very little space for the heat to dissipate.
Who It’s For
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I is for people who love compact-size motherboards and PC casing but don’t want to miss any modern features like DDR5 support, LAN, WiFi, etc.
Verdict
If you love small-sized PCs or need to travel a lot with your PC for LAN gaming and other work, a mini-ITX PC is the best choice. In that particular case, I would suggest you buy the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I motherboard for its easy portability.
How We Chose the Best Motherboards for Intel i9-12900K
When choosing the best motherboard for the Core i9-12900K, we had to consider several factors.
We ensured the socket compatibility, best chipset, power delivery, memory type and support, expansion and storage slots, and lastly their price and categorized them into different sections. The sections are for the best overall motherboard, best value for money, budget, and overclocking motherboard.
As the i9-12900K supports both DDR4 and DDR5, we’ve picked motherboards for each of them to give you the best list from where you can choose your preferred one.
Read the following factors to learn how we’ve picked the best motherboards from numerous options in the market.
Socket Compatibility
The 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K uses an LGA 1700 socket. So we picked motherboards that support LGA 1700 sockets and can provide proper physical and electrical connections.
Chipset
Alder Lake i9 processors support B660, B760, H610, H670, H770, Q670, Z690, and Z790 chipset. Among all of them, the Intel Z series chipsets are the best for unlocked 12900K.
So, we chose the Z690 and Z790 chipset for the Intel Core i9-12900K which ensures the best compatibility, build quality, features, and overclock capabilities.
Power Delivery and VRM Design
The i9-12900K is a very powerful and high-performance processor that requires robust power delivery to achieve its full potential. To achieve this, we prioritized motherboards with high-quality power delivery subsystems and robust VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) designs.
It has ensured stable power delivery and efficient overclocking capabilities in our selected motherboards, for example—EVGA Z690 DARK K|NGP|N.
Memory Support
The Intel Core i9-12900K is a versatile processor that supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. As motherboards are either DDR4 or DDR5, we chose both types of motherboards to give you the best buying option.
Also, we’ve given attention to the maximum memory support—from 64 GB to 192 GB—to deliver a preferred storage option for you.
In all our selected motherboards, we ensured each of them supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) and Dual-Channel memory technology to give a faster experience.
Expansion Slots and Connectivity
To accommodate various storage and expansion slots, the motherboards needed to provide a sufficient number of PCIe slots, M.2 slots to ensure high-speed file storing and transfer, USB ports, and other connectivity options such as Ethernet, audio, and Wi-Fi.
We picked the motherboards by keeping these options in mind and provided all the specifications in our detailed guide.
So, you can pick the motherboards seeing the expansion slots and connectivity features that are efficient for your PC.
Cooling & Heat Dissipation
Intel i9-12900K is a top-of-the-line motherboard that requires lots of power to run at full potential. Given the high power consumption and potential heat output, we needed to choose motherboards with effective cooling solutions.
We have given attention to factors such as multiple fan headers, heatsinks, and heat pipes to maintain stable temperatures and prevent thermal throttling, and picked the best motherboards for you.
Price
Budget is a great factor that inspires or uninspired a user from buying a product. By keeping it in mind, we’ve selected motherboards that are the best in their price segment.
For that, we’ve picked a budget and best value-for-money motherboard for users looking for an affordable i9-12900K motherboard. Also, we kept top-of-the-line motherboards in the market to give you the best possible experience.
By considering the factors, a selection of motherboards has made its name in our list. And you will surely find a suitable motherboard for your Intel Core i9-12900K which fulfills your budget and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I have built-in WiFi and Bluetooth?
Yes, the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I motherboard comes with built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
Is there any motherboard that supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM?
No motherboard supports both DDR4 and DDR5 together. The RAM architecture is different so you need a different motherboard to run them.
Can I use the Intel Z790 chipset motherboard for i9-12900K?
Yes, you can use the Intel Z790 chipset motherboard for the 12th gen Intel Core i9-12900K as it supports both 12th and 13th gen processors.
Can I use 48 GB memory in Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER?
Yes, you can use 48 GB single DIMM capacity memory in the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER motherboard.
