Best Motherboard for i7 8700K
This article reviews five of the best motherboards suitable for Intel’s i7 8700K.
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Choosing the right motherboard for your CPU is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. Not only will the right one be able to equip your processor with all the power it needs, but it will also allow you to overclock your processor and unlock its full potential.
The Intel Core i7-8700K is used on Intel’s 8th generation of processors, which also goes by the name of Coffee Lake. Gaining a reputation for speed and versatility, the i7-8700K utilizes 6 cores, 12 threads and has a base and boost clock of 3.7GHz and 4.7GHz.
To help optimize this powerful performance, you’ll need a motherboard to match. The only problem? There’s a vast sea of options out there on the market, and not all of it is good! This is why, here at WePC, we’ve done the hard work for you.
In order to ensure you get your hands on the right motherboard for you, we have selected five of the best motherboards for i7 8700K available right now. We’ve also included a helpful guide regarding important features to consider before going through with your purchase.
Regardless of your price point or preference, you’ll find the motherboard that you’re looking for here. Let’s jump right in!
Our Top Picks
How we choose:
When it comes to selecting the products that make it into each and every one of our product reviews, we make sure that every selection is a piece of hardware or component that we ourselves would purchase for our own PC rigs – if we haven’t already, that is!
Here at WePC, our team applies their many years of industry know-how and tech experience to each product selection, to ensure that you get the highest quality hardware for your gaming needs.
While selecting the best motherboards for Intel i7-8700K processors, we made sure to consider the power of the motherboard, its performance, and its value. The reason we have done this is to ensure that you have confidence in your purchase, as well as getting the very best quality, too.
Things to consider
Before you jump into the reviews, take a moment to read through this mini-guide on important specifications keep in mind before going through with a purchase:
If you want to check out a wider selection of motherboards, check out our ‘best Intel motherboards of 2022‘ page here on WePC.
Your Budget
This one should go without saying, but making sure to outline your budget before shopping for a motherboard will not only help you to narrow down your options, but it’ll also ensure that you make a smarter spending decision. Below, you’ll find a variety of high-quality motherboards suitable for your eighth-generation processor, all at a range of different price points.
RAM Capacity
RAM stands for random access memory, which refers to the short-term memory of the motherboard. In general, the more RAM a motherboard has the better it will be able to process large amounts of data without becoming overburdened, so it’s an important specification to keep an eye out for. Where possible, you should also consider going for a motherboard that has multiple memory slots, as this means you will have the option of adding memory upgrades if needed.
PCI Slots
A PCI slot is essentially a built-in slot that will allow you to connect various external hardware such as modems and network cards. It’s important to consider what types of PCI slots your motherboard has so that you can be sure it will be able to accommodate your current PC gaming set-up.
Form Factor
Another important factor to consider when selecting a motherboard is the form factor, which indicates the design size.
Before purchasing a brand new motherboard, we recommend measuring your current motherboard so that you can be sure that the motherboard you select will be compatible with your gaming rig. Usually, many motherboard manufacturers utilize an ATX design, which is small in design and features a small number of expansion slots.
Why is the motherboard important for PC performance?
The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer and acts as a backbone to connect all of the components, such as the CPU, RAM, storage, and other peripherals. It determines the compatibility and functionality of these components and also provides interfaces for communication between them. The quality and features of the motherboard can directly impact the performance and stability of the entire system, such as the number of expansion slots, overclocking capabilities, and support for faster memory and storage standards. Thus, the motherboard is a critical component for the overall performance and efficiency of a PC.
The
In-depth Review
- Multiple cooling solutions
- Ideal for overclocking
- Fast memory
- Expensive
Considered to be of the best motherboards on the market, the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard has been specifically designed to handle your 8th generation processor.
Crafted to deliver power, the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard features 5-way optimization, which is an overclocking module. Unlike older processors, this motherboard features an upgraded back-end that is able to use smart prediction and thermal telemetry while overclocking a processor. This means that you don’t have to worry about any manual tuning.
Plus, to ensure optimal performance, this Asus Motherboard features multiple cooling options including a water pump header, DC fan headers, and even a MOS fan bracket. Thanks to this, the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard will allow you to push your processor to its full potential, without fear of any overheating.
As for your gaming experience, this motherboard utilizes the S1220A codec SupremeFX which is a premium audio-solution that has been integrated into the motherboard. Unlike other audio systems, this one will be able to deliver a flat frequency response, so that you will always hear a neutral sound signature. Plus, its front-panel features dual op-amps, which will be able to pull your focus to the virtual world and allow for an immersive gaming experience.
This Asus Motherboard has also been with convenience in mind, so it’s ideal for gamers of all levels and PC building experience. It comes complete with integrated full RGB lighting control, as well as an RGB LED strip running along the exterior of the motherboard.
- Suitable for your processor
- Affordable
- Multiple thermals and cooling solutions
- Not the best at overclocking
If you’re a gamer looking to take your PC to the next level without breaking the bank, we recommend taking a look at the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Pro Gaming Motherboard.
Specifically designed to cater to both 8th and 9th generation processors, this powerful motherboard offers plenty of flexibility and will allow you to upgrade your i7-8700k processor to one of Intel’s 9th generation series if so desired.
Built to last, this motherboard features a durable design that will be able to withstand a few knocks and bumps, not to mention grueling workloads without overheating. The Z390 consists of a stainless steel exterior, as well as extra-strong PCIe connectors that will be able to effectively protect and support large or heavy graphics cards.
The Z390 also features AORUS 360 Armor that consists of an integrated I/O shield and memory armor, in order to provide you with the peace of mind that you can build your PC without any issues.
Plus, ensuring that this motherboard can handle the most demanding of workloads, this durable motherboard features an M.2 Thermal Guard that will be able to help prevent throttling from high speeds, while multi-cut heatsinks will work to effectively dissipate heat. It’s a great motherboard for anyone looking for the best value.
- Affordable price point
- Made with durable, military-grade materials
- Designed to enhance the overall speed and connectivity
- RGB lighting control
- Many have found the onboard wifi to have low connection speeds
Next up, we have selected the ASUS TUF Z390-Plus Gaming Motherboard, which is designed to enhance the speed of your Intel i7-8700K processor.
Made with TUF military-grade components, the ASUS Tuf 2390-Plus Gaming Motherboard will be able to keep your CPU operating with stable power. Its innovative TUF capacitors will be able to offer a 20% increase in temperature tolerance, as well as a longer lifespan of up to 5x that of motherboards without it.
The motherboard will also be protected from static electricity and lightning strikes thanks to an integrated TUF LANguard which utilizes advanced signal-coupling technology. Not just that, but the Z390-Plus also comes with SafeSlot protection, which will be able to keep your graphics card safe and protected thanks to fortifying metal.
In addition to increased temperature tolerance, this motherboard also features Fan Xpert 4 software which will be able to control the motherboard’s fans thanks to multiple sensors to ensure the hardware stays cool. Plus, offering plenty of room for overclocking, OptiMem II Support will be able to carefully reduce crosstalk, while T-Topology will [rpvide time-aligned signaling.
Plus, offering plenty of value for your money, this motherboard has been built under the TUF Gaming Alliance, which is an agreement between ASUS and other PC manufacturers to ensure compatibility between their hardware and parts, including power supplies, coolers, and memory upgrade kits.
- Suitable for overclocking
- Fast connectivity
- Multiple ports
- The ATX form factor may not be suitable for everyone
The next motherboard that we have selected is the ASUS Prime Z390-P ATX Motherboard.
Suitable for both 8th and 9th generation processors, the Z390-P ATX Motherboard features four PCI Express ports, supports up to 32Gbps of data-processing power, and features multiple additional ports including a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A for optimum flexibility.
To ensure an immersive and focused gaming experience, the ASUS Prime Z390-P ATX Motherboard has been designed to elevate your audio experience, while its Fan Xpert 4 hardware design ensures that this motherboard will stay cool, no matter how grueling the workload.
Featuring built-in OptiMem II Technology, this motherboard will be able to carefully organize memory signal pathways across multiple PCB layers in order to increase shielding zones and reduce the amount of crosstalk. This feature also makes the motherboard better suited to overclocking, as the addition of T-Topology allows for time-aligned signaling in order to allow more headroom for power-hungry overclocking.
Speaking of overclocking, the Prime Z390 has been specifically designed to simplify overclocking software, meaning that tuning will be easier than ever before. ASUS has also included an all-new memory trace layout that will be able to provide consistent stability to DIMMS and RGB-infused memory, so you have total flexibility over what kind of DRAM kits you want to use.
- Large heatsinks
- Fast performance
- Customizable gaming experience
- Some have encountered issues with the USB ports
If you’re on the hunt for a motherboard that will offer the most user convenience, we recommend taking a look at the MSI B360 Gaming Plus Intel Motherboard.
Suitable for both 8th and 9th generation processors (making it great for those wanting to upgrade to a 9th-gen later down the road) the B360 is simple and easy to use and comes with the promise of an upgraded gaming experience to boot. It also comes complete with DDR4 memory and supports up to 2666MHz.
Made with integrated Mystic Light, you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your PC according to your preferences. Once set up, you’ll be able to choose between over 16.8 million colors, as well as 10 different effects which you can control via the Mystic Light App you can access via your mobile phone.
Plus, for a fast gaming experience, this motherboard comes with Turbo M.2 and integrated Intel Optane Memory that will ensure the B360 will be able to effectively multi-task and process instructions with efficiency and speed. Not only that, but thanks to built-in NAHIMIC, you’ll be able to enjoy an upgraded audio experience for the most immersive gaming experience possible.
Final Word
So, there you have it! We hope that this article has helped you to discover which motherboard is right for you and that our ‘Thing to Consider’ guide has helped you to make the most informed decision as to which motherboard is best suited to your Intel i7-8700K processor and your gaming needs.
All of the motherboards we’ve talked about today have been specifically designed to support your processor, and have been hand-selected by our expert WePC team on their quality, power, and durability. However, if you’d like a little extra help making your decision, keep reading to discover which one comes out on top, and which one is the best budget-buy:
If you want the best:
If you’re looking to make an investment, then we without a doubt recommend going for the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard. Not only does it come with full lighting control and the promise of easy installation, but it also harnesses plenty of power and comes with fast memory capabilities.
If you want the most value:
In contrast, if you’re looking for a motherboard that will save you the most money without compromising on power, you’d make a great choice to go for the Gigabyte AORUS PRO Motherboard. Though it’s not the best for overclocking, it still offers a powerful performance that will help to enhance your gaming experience and support your 8th generation processor.
How did you find this article? We’d love to hear your thoughts and any knowledge you’d like to share over on the community. Thanks for reading!
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