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The Core i7-10700K is part of Intel’s 10th gen CPU lineup. It has an exceptional gaming performance and, while falling behind in multi-thread performance to the Zen 2 and Zen 3 CPUs, it’s still a pretty solid choice for gaming. Now, this CPU isn’t the most efficient part on the market. Even when running at stock clocks, with MCE disabled, power consumption can reach upwards of 150W. In other words, the 10700K requires a quality board to fully stretch its legs. You can’t just use the first motherboard you’ve found online.
Below you’ll find a collection of the best motherboards for i7-10700K. We have the budget, mid-range, and high-end models as well as mATX and Mini-ITX picks. The budget board isn’t made for heavy OC, but most other picks can push the 10700K over 5.1GHz, in case you had luck in the silicon lottery.
Before we present the best board for the 10700K, let’s show you a couple of articles you might be interested in. First of all, there’s the best CPU coolers for i9-10900K guide; all of the coolers featured in this list will work great with the 10700K. Next, we have a guide for the best graphics cards for i9-10900K. Again, the 10700K is almost as fast as the 10900K in games, and all GPUs suited for it will work great when paired with the 10700K. Finally, here’s our RAM vs CPU guide for you to learn just how RAM speed affects performance.
1. MSI Z490-A Pro: Best budget board for i7-10700K
Starting with the best budget motherboard for the 10700K, we have the MSI Z490-A Pro. Feature-wise, this is a poor board. However, the 12+1-phase VRM is far beyond what other similarly priced motherboards offer. You can expect this board to work fine even with a 10700K running at 5GHz.
As for the other specs, there’s support for DDR4 memory up to 4400 MT/s, six SATA ports, and two M.2 slots. The board comes with two PCIe x16 slots along with three PCIe x1 slots. The rear panel is quite poor, featuring only two USB 3.2 gen2 ports as well as two USB 3.2 gen1 and two USB 2.0 ports.
When it comes to connectivity, you have the 2.5Gb LAN port, and that’s about it. The audio section features a pretty basic Realtek ALC892 codec, but overall, the sound quality should be fine unless you hook up high-end cans or speakers. The board doesn’t have RGB (a plus for some), but it does come with a debug LED array. You also get the front USB-C header.
2. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming: Best mid-range motherboard for i7-10700K
The mid-range market has several excellent motherboards. If you want the best mid-range board for the Core i7-10700K, check out the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming from ASUS.
The ASUS board has excellent VRM and great features for the price. Its VRM section is good enough to run an OCed 10900K, so the 10700K won’t be an issue. You also get support for DDR4 4800 MT/s memory, two M.2 slots, and six SATA III ports. The board features two PCIe x16 slots coupled with three PCIe x1 slots and the third PCIe x16 slot that can work only in x4 mode.
Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.5Gb LAN. The audio quality on this board is superb, thanks to ASUS’ audio codec found on the board. And on the rear I/O, you can find four USB 3.2 gen2 ports, two USB 3.2 gen1 ports, four USB 2 ports as well as the Flash BIOS button. The board also includes debug LEDs, POST code, and lots of excellent RGB.
3. MSI MEG Z490 Ace: Best high-end board for i7-10700K
If you want the best high-end motherboard to couple with the 10700K, you shouldn’t go higher than the MSI MEG Z490 Ace. There are pricier boards out there, but for this CPU, the Ace is a perfect match. Also, the board looks excellent, the RGB implementation is superb, and its audio section (assisted by a Sabre DAC) is as good as on flagship models.
Most other specs are also in line with the most expensive Z490 boards. Memory support that can work with DDR4 5000 MT/s memory. Six SATA III ports and three M.2 slots. Three PCIe x16 slots along with two PCIe x1 slots.
The choice between dual LAN (2.5Gb + 1Gb) and Wi-Fi 6, coupled with Bluetooth 5.1. And a rear I/O that hosts three USB 3.2 gen2 ports, one USB 3.2 gen 2×2 USB-C port, two USB 3.2 gen1 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports.
The Ace also packs the POST code, Clear CMOS and Flash BIOS buttons, debug LEDs, and PCB-mounted power and reset buttons. In other words, this board has it all sans a 10Gb LAN port.
4. ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming: Best mATX motherboard for i7-10700K
The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming WiFi is hands down the best Micro ATX board for the 10700K. This is a packed mATX board that looks as good as any ATX Z490 motherboard. When it comes to specs, first of all, the 12+2-phase VRM is more than enough for a 10700K running at 5Ghz or higher.
Memory support goes up to DDR4 4400 MT/s; there are two M.2 slots, six SATA III ports, two PCIe x16 slots, and one PCIe x1 slot. You also get pretty solid audio, Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, and Bluetooth 5.1.
The rear I/O is pretty solid, featuring two USB 3.2 gen2 ports (one is USB-C), four USB 3.2 gen1 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. The board also features the flash BIOS button and debug LEDs.
5. MSI MEG Z490I Unify: Best mini-ITX board for i7-10700K
Finally, we’ve arrived at our last pick, the best Mini-ITX motherboard for the Core i7-10700K. Here we have the MSI MEG Z490I Unify. Now, other ITX boards in this similar price range have basically the same VRM as the MSI board, as well as most other features. But the MSI model is a bit cheaper than both the Gigabyte and ASUS boards, and it has a bit better user score, so we ended up choosing it as the best one.
The MSI Z490I Unify looks excellent, with an all-black design and zero RGB. You get support for DDR4 4600 MT/s, two M.2 slots, and four SATA III ports. There’s one PCIe x16 slot.
The board features Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb LAN port, and Bluetooth 5.1. The rear I/O features Two USB 3.2 gen2 (one is USB-C), two USB 3.2 gen1 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. As for the extra features, there’s the clear CMOS button.
Why pick the i7-10700K in 2021?
Despite lacking in multi-threaded performance when compared to the Zen 2 and Zen 3 CPUs, the 10700K is still a gaming beast. In games, the CPU performs as well as the 10600K and the 10900K while getting close to the Zen 3 lineup. On top of that, the 10700K is relatively easy to find and purchase at its MSRP (often lower, if you stumble upon a sale), unlike Zen 3 CPUs.
Pricewise, it’s cheaper than its AMD counterpart, the Ryzen 7 5800X, while having only about five percent less firepower when it comes to games. If you plan on building a gaming rig that won’t be used for heavy multi-threaded loads, the 10700K is an excellent choice.
Even when we consider the upcoming Rocket Lake lineup, the 10700K remains a sound choice. If rumors are true, the expected increase in performance won’t be enough to make the 11th gen Intel CPUs worthy upgrades.
As for the alternatives, the 5800X, even if you could find one at MSRP, isn’t worth the price difference if all you want is to play games. The Core i7-10700 could be a fine alternative if you aren’t interested in overclocking.
The 10700KF (version without the iGPU) sells for about a five percent lower price. Finally, the 10850K is about fifteen percent more expensive while coming with ten cores and 10900K-like performance.
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