Intel’s Core i9 14900KS CPU is not a new CPU by any measure. Much like 2023’s 13900KS release, it is a cherry-picked version of Intel’s best consumer-grade CPU, the Core i9 14900K that is expected to hit better boost clocks than its predecessors. Much like the 14900K, the 14900KS is a demanding processor in terms of power, cooling, and high-performance hardware to ensure it can truly perform to the best of its ability.
Having a motherboard that can adequately handle the 14900KS’s power and I/O needs to prevent it from being meaningfully throttled is a key factor when it comes to deciding what works for Intel’s fastest CPU to date. Key factors include having a robust power delivery system, and plenty of I/O on offer including networking, peripheral ports, and expansion slots on the motherboard itself.
Considering the 14900KS’s positioning as an enthusiast-grade CPU and the fact that it costs a lot more than most of its competition, it would be fair to say that the goalposts of which motherboards would be good to pair with the CPU move up considerably in terms of price and features versus the competition. The team at Game Rant has handpicked some of the best offerings available to end users currently at a variety of price points and for different use cases below.
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula
The Complete ROG Package
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is the successor to its well-received Z690-based predecessor, offering a cleaner aesthetic and plenty of upgrades under the hood.With Wi-Fi 7 under the hood in addition to the ability to overclock RAM better than previous models thanks to DIMM Flex as well as a 5Gb Ethernet port in play, the ROG Maximus hits a nice balance between form and function thanks to its excellent OLED display that can be customized using the bundled armory crate software.
For users looking to eke more out of their enthusiast-grade Intel CPU, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula ships ready to support all 14th-generation CPUs out of the box. It offers Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, Bluetooth 5.4, and a 5 gigabit Ethernet connection on the networking end while offering up to five M2 slots, one of which offers PCI-E 5.0 connectivity for next-generation storage.
The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula offers a hybrid cooling system for its VRMs, offering both liquid and passive cooling to keep its 20+1+2 phase power delivery mechanism in check thermally, even as it offers enough power under the hood to push the 14900KS to limits beyond its advertised 6.2GHz boost clock speeds. At the same time, the white aesthetic coupled with an RGB-lit ROG shroud and a LiveDash OLED display make for a very good-looking alternative to some of the competition currently available.
At a sub-$700 price tag, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Formula is a pricey motherboard, but it covers most, if not all, of the requirements power users and enthusiasts might have from a gaming or productivity motherboard alike. It packs in an impressive aesthetic, an excellent VRM configuration, and many next-gen features that truly make it stand a class apart from the competition, albeit with a price tag that nearly mirrors what the 14900KS currently asks for.
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi
A Value-centric 14th-Gen Ready Play
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi is designed to take the CPU’s potential to the next level without breaking the bank. With its 16+1+1 phase VRM design that is complemented by large heatsinks to control thermals, it can offer decent overclocking potential without pushing its price out of control.With Wi-Fi 7 support and plenty of I/O on offer, the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi is a great motherboard to pair with both the latest 14th-generation CPUs that it supports out of the box as well as older last-generation contenders.
For users looking for a budget option that can still hold its own with the Intel Core i9 14900KS CPU without compromising significantly in terms of feature set and power delivery, the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi is one of the best options on the market. It trades for just under $300, but offers features often found in considerably more expensive models.
With plenty of I/O options including (USB, M2, and SATA connectors) available, plus the ability to clock higher-end memory kits to significantly higher speeds than some of its predecessors, the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi delivers on most fronts where enthusiasts and power users tend to be more demanding. This motherboard even includes Wi-Fi 7 and support for 14th-generation Intel CPUs out of the box.
It does seem to hit a small roadblock which could be an issue for first-time system builders: it may need users to sideload its Wi-Fi drivers. The most recent Windows 10 and 11 builds do not automatically detect its network adapters correctly, which could be an issue for users who do not have an alternate computer or a spare storage device ready with the requisite drivers to eliminate this issue.
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE
An Ice-Cool Performer
Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice comes with plenty of connectivity options and a clean aesthetic. The white PCB and grey accents make it compete in style with higher-end motherboards, even as the well-placed heatsinks and the built-in I/O plates make for a polished, yet functional look. The motherboard provides great value for money for gamers and professionals alike thanks to its pricing, feature set and excellent VRMs on offer.
For users needing a better aesthetic or aiming for an all-white build, the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE offers similar features as the Tomahawk above, although it exchanges Wi-Fi 7 for a slightly lower-end Wi-Fi 6E configuration coupled with a 2.5G ethernet port in tow. It also offers a PCI-E 5.0 slot for any GPU expansions, but limits its M2 slots to PCI-E 4.0 x4 speeds, unlike some of its higher-end models.
With above-average power delivery on offer, it can handle the 14900KS and attempts to push it higher reasonably well, even as it throws excellent memory overclocking as part of its overall package, with Gigabyte touting as much as 7600 MT/s in transfer speeds from RAM modules in play.
It does have a few caveats, including limited support for its onboard Wi-Fi adapter out of the box, with most users expected to have a USB drive with drivers handy if Wi-Fi is their primary means of connecting to the internet. It also requires a BIOS update to work with 14th-generation Intel CPUs, including the 14900KS, being a Z790 motherboard that was released before the latest generation. All in all, Gigabyte’s offering is a strong and versatile option versus most of its competition and one that earns it an easy position on Game Rant’s list in 2024.
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore
The Overclocker With Extras
ASUS Apex motherboards have repeatedly proven to be a solid foundation for extreme overclockers. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore lives up to expectations, providing everything elite overclockers need to push the latest Intel CPUs to new heights, including exceptional power delivery, excellent memory overclocking support, and a wealth of troubleshooting tools. While overkill for most gamers, it delivers for hardcore gamers willing to invest in top-tier performance.
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore is an unapologetic motherboard that aims to coax the most out of its accompanying CPU and RAM, and it isn’t hard to see why it is such an easy recommendation for enthusiasts looking to push their 14900KS CPUs even higher. It adds two M2 slots by moving them to an expansion card that sits on its third DIMM slot with the first two being used for RAM, in line with most enthusiast overclocking setups that limit their RAM configurations to a maximum of two sticks to allow for better and more stable overclocks.
While its 24+0+2 power phases enable the Z790 Apex to push CPUs higher, its support for PCI Express Gen 5 across both x16 slots (in an x16 or x8/x8 shared configuration) and its primary M2 slot, in addition to having Wi-Fi 7 under the hood, make it a viable contender for more general-purpose high-end use cases beyond overclocking.
While the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore makes overclocking more accessible to most users, it doesn’t mean that all users seem to share equally when it comes to its rewards. Some users report having issues getting a stable memory overclock out of the box on the Apex, even with the latest BIOS on offer. This, coupled with the two RAM slot limitations, can make it a more niche choice compared to most of its alternatives, including ASUS’s more general-purposeROG Z790 Maximus Formula.
MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE MAX
The Priciest Z790 Choice With Perks
The MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE MAX is a refreshed version of the MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE and it does essentially offer the same internals apart from native support for Intel’s 14th-generation CPUs and a newer Wi-Fi chip, making for a relatively minor, but appreciated upgrade for users looking for the highest end motherboard possible from MSI.
The MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE MAX is a refreshed version of last year’s Z790 Godlike with a relatively similar configuration, though with added support for Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4, and 14th-generation CPUs out of the box. It retains some of the key features and perks that made the Z790 Godlike such a formidable option versus many other cheaper Z790 alternatives.
With a 26+2 phase power configuration to allow for higher overclocks and support for higher memory overclocks than most of its alternatives, the Godlike Max delivers on its promise of higher performance. It offers some of the best I/O in the business with support for as much as seven M2 SSDs simultaneously, while including Thunderbolt 4/USB 4.0 ports and support for as many as 18 USB devices at the same time.
The bundled M-Vision Dashboard display is a unique feature that sets the Godlike apart from its competition and while few will argue about its merits as one of the best Z790 motherboards in the business, they might have a lot more to say about its pricing, which is considerably higher than all of its competition by a considerable margin, making this a relatively expensive purchase, even as a refreshed 2024 model of MSI’s highest end motherboard.
ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 Gaming Motherboard
Good Things Come In ITX Sizes
The ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 Gaming Motherboard is an excellent mITX motherboard that brings a host of new features including USB4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 to a Z790 chipset in a compact but potent form factor while clocking in at a considerable discount to its closest Z790-based competition.
For users who need to push for a high-end motherboard with all the bells and whistles in play, but are limited by size, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 Gaming Motherboard might be one of the best in the business to pair with Intel’s Core i9 14900KS. It houses a relatively modest 10+1+1 phase power delivery mechanism, but one that is in line with its limited size and perceivable cooling options in most ITX cases.
For its part, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 Gaming Motherboard delivers decent memory overclocking, an excellent networking stack, and plenty of expansion relative to other mITX motherboards, including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. However, its limitations as a small form factor (SFF) motherboard do kick in beyond its VRM limitations.
These shortcomings include a limit to the number of M2 SSD slots available, even as the existing three are restricted to PCI-E 4.0 speeds. This, in addition to a limitation on the amount of space on offer to mount a cooler, coupled with only two DIMM slots, does tend to restrict ASRock’s offering. Regardless, these limitations do not impede performance for the CPU meaningfully, beyond lower performance for some of the higher-end PCI-E 5.0 SSDs.
FAQ
Q: How much does the Intel Core i9 14900KS Cost?
The MSRP for the Intel Core i9 14900KS is $689, but it regularly trades at a premium given its limited quantities and higher demand for Intel’s highest-end enthusiast-class Raptor Lake Refresh CPU.
Q: Does The Intel Core i9 14900KS Support APO?
Much like the Intel Core i7 14700K/KF and the Core i9 14900K/KF, the Intel Core i9 14900KS also supports its new APO optimzations.
