Intel’s twelfth Gen Core i9-12900K stays a robust processor (CPU) selection for PC gaming followers no matter newer Intel chips coming into the market. It has 16 cores and 24 threads with a Turbo improve of as a lot as 5.2GHz, plus its overclocking capabilities imply you possibly can push effectivity.
To get most likely probably the most out of your Intel Core i9-12900K, you should have a superb LGA1700 motherboard, along with these using the B760 and Z790 chipsets. I’ve collected the best motherboards correct proper right here, allowing you to overclock this monstrous processor to your coronary coronary heart’s need. Merely be sure you’ve got gotten ample cooling!
December 18, 2024: I’ve gone by the use of our prime motherboard picks and updated all nevertheless one entry to larger maintain with the most recent {{hardware}} acceptable for the Intel Core i9-12900K. — Cale Hunt
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi
Best for most people
Coming in at about $150MSI’s B760 Gaming Plus WiFi must make a superb centerpiece for a lot of PC builds. It has two M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots, twin PCIe 4.0 x16 slots (with three further PCIe slots for development), and DDR5 RAM assist as a lot as 6,800MHz when overclocked. The 12+1 duet rail power setup is probably not final for heavy overclocking, nevertheless for widespread avid avid gamers that won’t matter so much.
Moreover good
GIGABYTE’s Eagle boards are always trendy throughout the low- to mid-range value bracket, and positively you can typically get this one for about $170. It bumps the precept PCIe x16 slot as a lot because the 5.0 commonplace, it has 4 totally different PCIe slots, and it helps three M.2 SSDs for a great deal of storage. A twin 12+1+1 power design is larger than enough for a lot of clients.
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II
Mid-range different
When you occur to’re in quest of a pricier Z790 board that’ll combine correctly with an all-white assemble, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II is out there in at spherical $260. Highlights embody Wi-Fi 7, a 16+1+2 power decision for overclocking, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot in your GPU, and 5 PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for SSDs. It is going to even run your DDR5 RAM previous 8,000MHz when overclocked.
ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi DDR5
Mid-range totally different
ASUS ROG Strix {{hardware}} is always tempting, nevertheless it will possibly prevent some money with the $230 ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi. It has a 16+1 power setup, ample CRM and chipset heatsinks, native Wi-Fi 6E assist, and even DDR5 capabilities previous 7,200MHz when overclocked. 4 M.2 slots take care of storage, and there may be a great deal of I/O inbuilt.
Compact select
Establishing a small PC? ASRock’s B660M PRO RS typically costs about $95 and has an incredible combination of choices, along with DDR4-4800MHz RAM assist, an 8-phase power design, 4 DDR4 RAM slots, and a great deal of USB connectivity. It is probably not good for high-performance builds, nevertheless it’d accomplish that a lot with a compact design.
ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 HERO
Fanatic select
The ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 HERO is an excellent selection for avid avid gamers who want to push the capabilities of their Intel CPU. It comes with a 20+1+2 teamed power stage setup, it has stellar assist for overclocking, and assist for DDR5, PCIe 5.0, and Thunderbolt 4 maintain it feeling fashionable. Typically priced at about $550it’s an selection reserved for followers.
With a very long time of PC assemble experience in my nook, blended with larger than 8 years of testing and reviewing {{hardware}} for Residence home windows Central, I can confidently advocate these motherboards in your Core i9-12900K.
Deciding on the best motherboard for the Core i9-12900K
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You probably cannot choose the fallacious motherboard for a lot of PC builds, so long as the socket and chipset match up and assist the processor you wish to use. On this case, we’ve got centered on Z790 and B760 motherboards for the Core i9-12900K, with an affordable B660 selection thrown in for good measure.
My prime select for most people is MSI’s B760 Gaming Plus WiFi. It typically costs about $150and it has all of the items the standard shopper needs in a gaming PC. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 come commonplace, it has quite a few room for development (along with 5 PCIe slots, 4 DDR5 RAM slots, and two M.2 slots), and its design is just not aggressive enough to battle with totally different {{hardware}}.
GIGABYTE’s Z790 Eagle AX is out there in at a associated $170 valuenevertheless it bumps PCIe assist as a lot as 5.0 and offers an extra M.2 slot for storage. Shifting into the mid-range selections, every the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II at about $260 and the ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi at about $230 will do a superb job in the event you occur to intention to take a look at some overclocking.
For smaller ITX builds, the ASRock B660M PRO RS is among the many most interesting motherboards for the Intel Core i9-12900K on the market. You probably can typically select it up for someplace spherical $95 at Newegg.
And ultimately, the mighty ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 HERO we reviewed stays my prime select for followers. It costs somewhat so much at spherical $550nevertheless the generous specs and choices shall be larger than welcomed by any power clients with a monster assemble.
What makes the Core i9-12900K so good?
Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino and former Senior Editor Rich Edmonds teamed as a lot as overview the Core i9-12900K. They lastly acquired right here to the conclusion that it’s a great CPU for quite a few duties, stating:
“Whether or not or not you desire a CPU for gaming or for video modifying, the Intel Core i9-12900K is an incredible processor. The model new hybrid experience Intel is using merely works. The CPU makes use of little or no power when the system is doing subsequent to nothing nevertheless is ready to ramping as a lot as spectacular clock speeds everytime you need the effectivity.”
The sturdy overclocking potential makes it good for followers, nevertheless you’ll want to be sure you’ve got gotten the becoming motherboard for the job along with ample cooling.