Intel's 12th Gen Core i9-12900K remains a strong processor (CPU) option for PC gaming enthusiasts despite newer Intel chips entering the market. It has 16 cores and 24 threads with a Turbo boost of up to 5.2GHz, plus its overclocking capabilities allow you to push performance.
To get the most out of your Intel Core i9-12900K, you will need a great LGA1700 motherboard, including those using the B760 and Z790 chipsets. I've collected the best motherboards right here, allowing you to overclock this monstrous processor to your heart's desire. Just be sure you have ample cooling!
Recent updates
December 18, 2024: I've gone through our top motherboard picks and updated all but one entry to better keep up with the latest hardware suitable for the Intel Core i9-12900K. — Cale Hunt
Best for most people
Coming in at about $150, MSI's B760 Gaming Plus WiFi should make a great centerpiece for most PC builds. It has two M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots, dual PCIe 4.0 x16 slots (with three more PCIe slots for expansion), and DDR5 RAM support up to 6,800MHz when overclocked. The 12+1 duet rail power setup might not be ideal for heavy overclocking, but for average gamers that won't matter much.
Also great
GIGABYTE's Eagle boards are always popular in the low- to mid-range price bracket, and indeed you can usually get this one for about $170. It bumps the main PCIe x16 slot up to the 5.0 standard, it has four other PCIe slots, and it supports three M.2 SSDs for plenty of storage. A twin 12+1+1 power design is more than enough for most users.
Mid-range choice
If you're in search of a pricier Z790 board that'll blend well with an all-white build, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II comes in at around $260. Highlights include Wi-Fi 7, a 16+1+2 power solution for overclocking, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for your GPU, and five PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for SSDs. It'll even run your DDR5 RAM beyond 8,000MHz when overclocked.
Mid-range alternative
ASUS ROG Strix hardware is always tempting, but you can save 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 support, and even DDR5 capabilities beyond 7,200MHz when overclocked. Four M.2 slots handle storage, and there's plenty of I/O built in.
Compact pick
Building a small PC? ASRock's B660M PRO RS usually costs about $95 and has a good mix of features, including DDR4-4800MHz RAM support, an 8-phase power design, four DDR4 RAM slots, and plenty of USB connectivity. It might not be great for high-performance builds, but it can do a lot with a compact design.
Enthusiast pick
The ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 HERO is an excellent option for 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 support for overclocking, and support for DDR5, PCIe 5.0, and Thunderbolt 4 keep it feeling modern. Usually priced at about $550, it's an option reserved for enthusiasts.
With decades of PC build experience in my corner, combined with more than 8 years of testing and reviewing hardware for Windows Central, I can confidently recommend these motherboards for your Core i9-12900K.
Choosing the best motherboard for the Core i9-12900K
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You can't choose the wrong motherboard for most PC builds, so long as the socket and chipset match up and support the processor you wish to use. In this case, we've focused on Z790 and B760 motherboards for the Core i9-12900K, with an affordable B660 option thrown in for good measure.
My top pick for most people is MSI's B760 Gaming Plus WiFi. It usually costs about $150, and it has everything the average user needs in a gaming PC. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 come standard, it has lots of room for expansion (including five PCIe slots, four DDR5 RAM slots, and two M.2 slots), and its design isn't aggressive enough to clash with other hardware.
GIGABYTE's Z790 Eagle AX comes in at a similar $170 price, but it bumps PCIe support up to 5.0 and adds an extra M.2 slot for storage. Getting into the mid-range options, both 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 great job if you aim to test out some overclocking.
For smaller ITX builds, the ASRock B660M PRO RS is one of the best motherboards for the Intel Core i9-12900K available. You can usually pick it up for somewhere around $95 at Newegg.
And finally, the mighty ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 HERO we reviewed remains my top pick for enthusiasts. It costs quite a lot at around $550, but the generous specs and features will be more than welcomed by any power users with a monster build.
What makes the Core i9-12900K so great?
Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino and former Senior Editor Rich Edmonds teamed up to review the Core i9-12900K. They ultimately came to the conclusion that it's a super CPU for multiple tasks, stating:
"Whether you need a CPU for gaming or for video editing, the Intel Core i9-12900K is an amazing processor. The new hybrid technology Intel is using just works. The CPU uses very little power when the system is doing next to nothing but is capable of ramping up to impressive clock speeds when you need the performance."
The strong overclocking potential makes it great for enthusiasts, but you'll want to be sure you have the right motherboard for the job as well as ample cooling.
