Aleksandar Petkovski
If you have recently got your hands on the Intel i9-12900KS, the fastest-ever chip produced by Intel in the 12th generation series, there ought to be a need for the most suitable motherboard for such a beast.
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The Intel i9-12900KS is an LGA 1700-based chipset with 16 Cores (8 Performance and 8 Efficient Cores) and 24 Threads. With a base frequency of 2.4GHz, which can be boosted up to 5.5GHz, makes it the fastest chip ever produced in the 12th generation series. It supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and comes with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770. In comparison to the i9-12900KF, its higher clock speed gives a solid boost to its overall performance.
To get the best out of the processor, you will need a suitable motherboard that can make sure you have all the necessary power to carry out your heavy tasks with ease. Having said that, in this post, I have listed the 5 best motherboards for Intel i9-12900KS.
Let’s dive right into the topic.
Best Motherboards for Intel i9-12900KS
You might be wondering what the ‘KS’ means in the Intel i9-12900KS.
The ‘K’ in here means that the processor is unlocked while the ‘S’ means that the processor is a higher-performing version of the normal Intel ‘K’ CPUs. Overall, the i9-12900KS is an unlocked processor as well as better than the normal ‘K’ CPUs.
Before we hop on to the more detailed version of each motherboard, the below table will give you a quick overview of all the motherboards listed below.
| Best Motherboards for Intel i9-12900KS | Form Factor | Chipset | Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula | ATX | Z690 | Yes | |
| GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master | E-ATX | Z690 | Yes | |
| MSI MEG Z690I Unify | Mini-ITX | Z690 | Yes | |
| ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming | ATX | Z690 | Yes | |
| MSI MPG Z690 Edge | ATX | Z690 | Yes |
| Best Motherboards for Intel i9-12900KS | Form Factor | Chipset | Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula | ATX | Z690 | Yes | |
| GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master | E-ATX | Z690 | Yes | |
| MSI MEG Z690I Unify | Mini-ITX | Z690 | Yes | |
| ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming | ATX | Z690 | Yes | |
| MSI MPG Z690 Edge | ATX | Z690 | Yes |
1. ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula
If you are a fan of a white color motherboard, then you will definitely like the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula. The board sports an attractive and sturdy design supported by premium features, including 10GbE LAN and Thunderbolt 4 ports.
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 12th generation and 13th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors based on LGA 1700 sockets. It comes onboard with four DDR5 DIMM slots that support up to 128GB of memory with a max memory speed of 6400+MHz. For display connectivity options, it has one HDMI 2.1 port supporting a max resolution of 4K@60Hz and two Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports (supporting DisplayPort 1.4).
The board also includes two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, five M.2 slots, six SATA III ports, one 10GbE LAN, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers (supports additional four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports), three USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 2.0 headers (supports additional four USB 2.0 ports).
What We Like
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is packed with top-tier features you can expect on a flagship motherboard. Dual display connectivity, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, five M.2 slots, plenty of USB ports, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and 10GbE LAN are some of the features which got my attention. Also, not to forget the rich white color.
What We Don’t Like
The only thing which would hurt a lot of users is the pricing. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is available at a price of $687 on Amazon (at the time of writing). I know it’s a lot and you should only consider this motherboard if you are okay with the price.
Summary
Summing up, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is a solid piece of board for those looking for a perfect board with no negative points. While this board has got all the features it will need to push the i9-12900KS beyond its limits, the only concerning thing is its price. Unless you are bothered by its price tag, you are welcome to build your system around this one.
Pros
- Looks attractive in a shiny white color
- High-speed memory support
- Five M.2 slots
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 10GbE LAN
- Plenty of USB ports
Cons
- Quite expensive
2. GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master
For those who can’t afford to spend $600 on a motherboard, the GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master might be your best bet. Though far away from cheap, at least, it costs almost $100 less than the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula. However, in terms of performance, it is much closer to its expensive counterpart than expected.
The GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master is an E-ATX motherboard that supports Intel 12th generation and 13th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors based on LGA 1700 sockets. It comes onboard with four DDR5 DIMM slots that support up to 192GB of memory with a max memory speed of 6400MHz. For display connectivity, it has only one DisplayPort 1.2 supporting a max resolution of 4K@60Hz.
Apart from that, the board comes with one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, five M.2 slots, six SATA III ports, one 10GbE LAN, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, eight USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports.
What We Like
The GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master gives you a premium experience, thanks to its flagship feature like the 192 GB memory capacity, five M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 support, plenty of USB ports, and 10GbE LAN. The board excels both at playing games and handling workstations.
What We Don’t Like
While the board is equipped with all the necessary features, the idea of having more than one display connectivity option would have been better. But unfortunately, it comes with a single DisplayPort and no Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI port. Also, its E-ATX form factor might limit case options.
Summary
Overall, the GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master is an upper-budget motherboard that deserves the best of Intel processors. The looks and design combined with RGB lights give it a premium appearance. Though I won’t say it is cheap, it still costs some $100 bucks less than the top one. Hence, if you can spend this much on a mobo, you are good to go with this one.
Pros
- Looks attractive
- High-speed memory support
- Five M.2 slots
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 10GbE LAN
- Plenty of USB ports
Cons
- The E-ATX form factor can be a problem for some users
- No HDMI or Thunderbolt 4 port
3. MSI MEG Z690I Unify
While ATX motherboards have broader appeal, a mini-ITX motherboard also comes in handy for users who don’t have much space to accommodate a larger motherboard inside their case. That’s why, a mini-ITX motherboard is a better choice to be considered here. Keeping that in mind, the MSI MEG Z690I Unify is the best small-sized motherboard for i9-12900KS.
The MSI MEG Z690I Unify is a mini-ITX motherboard that supports Intel 12th generation and 13th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors based on LGA 1700 sockets. It comes onboard with two DDR5 DIMM slots that support up to 96GB of memory with a max memory speed of 6800+MHz. For display connectivity options, it has one HDMI 2.1 port and one DisplayPort 1.4, both supporting a max resolution of 4K@60Hz.
Other necessary features include one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, three M.2 slots, four SATA III ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one 2.5GbE LAN, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports.
What We Like
Despite being a small-sized motherboard, the MSI MEG Z690I Unify doesn’t fall short of any features which you will need to overclock your processor. With three M.2 slots, four SATA III ports, 96GB memory capacity, and integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, it is one of the best options to build your system around.
What We Don’t Like
For a motherboard of this size, the price of $367 on Amazon (at the time of writing), is a scary fact to know. Also, it lacks 10GbE LAN.
Summary
The MSI MEG Z690I Unify is a solid motherboard with a robust power delivery system and great overclocking potential. It has a nice design and sports all the necessary features to deliver the best performance out of the box. In case you are comfortable with the price, the motherboard is all yours.
Pros
- Great design
- 96GB memory capacity
- High-speed memory support
- Three M.2 slots
- Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Cons
- Pricey
- No 10GbE LAN
4. ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming
While I have reviewed quite a lot of motherboards, there are a few that give very well-balanced feature that not only fits your needs but also suits your pocket. And, the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming is one such motherboard. Available at a price of $349 on Amazon (at the time of writing), it gives the best return on investment.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 12th generation and 13th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors based on LGA 1700 sockets. It comes onboard with four DDR5 DIMM slots that support up to 128GB of memory with a max memory speed of 6400MHz. For display connectivity options, it has one HDMI 2.1 port supporting a max resolution of 4K@60Hz and one DisplayPort 1.4 supporting a max resolution of 8K@60Hz.
About other features, the board comes with one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, five M.2 slots, six SATA III ports, one 2.5GbE LAN, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (supports additional two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports), four USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 2.0 headers (supports additional four USB 2.0 ports).
What We Like
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming is the best value-for-money motherboard. It offers plenty of connectivity options, five M.2 slots, 8K resolution support, great overclocking capabilities, and reasonable pricing. It has a robust power delivery and provides ample VRMs for CPU overclocking.
What We Don’t Like
Though heavily equipped with flagship features, the only thing it lacks is a 10GbE LAN.
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming is a solid motherboard for i9-12900KS with robust power delivery, flagship features, and a large number of VRMs at a reasonable price. Hence, if you are looking for a motherboard that makes every penny worth the value, you can definitely go for this one.
Pros
- High-speed memory support
- Five M.2 slots
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Plenty of USB ports
- Value for money
Cons
- No 10GbE LAN
5. MSI MPG Z690 Edge
If you are looking for a cheaper option without breaking the bank, I have got one motherboard for you. The MSI MPG Z690 Edge is the cheapest on this list with some impressive features and is available at a price of $269 on Amazon (at the time of writing).
The MSI MPG Z690 Edge is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 12th generation and 13th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors based on LGA 1700 sockets. It comes onboard with four DDR5 DIMM slots that support up to 192GB of memory with a max memory speed of 6400+MHz. For display connectivity options, it has one HDMI 2.1 port and one DisplayPort 1.4, both supporting a max resolution of 4K@60Hz.
The board also sports one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, four M.2 slots, eight SATA III ports, one 2.5GbE LAN, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, seven USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and six USB 2.0 ports.
What We Like
The best part about this motherboard is that you get up to 192GB of memory support with a max memory speed of 6400MHz. You also get dual display options, PCIe 5.0 support, four M.2 slots, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Considering the price tag, all the features are too good to be true.
What We Don’t Like
At this price, you can’t complain about the lack of some features. Everything is as good as it should be though a few more USB ports would have been appreciated.
Summary
Having said that, I would say that the MSI MPG Z690 Edge is a well-to-do Intel motherboard with some impressive features and an attractive design. In terms of performance delivery, you won’t be disappointed, unless you keep your expectations too high.
Pros
- 192GB memory capacity
- High-speed memory support
- Four M.2 slots
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Cheap price
Cons
- No 10GbE LAN
- Lesser USB ports
Conclusion
Best Motherboards for Intel i9-12900KS: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 Formula
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 Formula is the best motherboard for the Intel i9-12900KS. It provides top-tier features, including dual display connectivity, five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 10GbE LAN, and plenty of USB ports. While it is quite expensive, it is worth the investment for those looking to push the i9-12900KS beyond its limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the i9 12900KS good for gaming?
Yes, the i9-12900KS is a great processor for gaming due to its high clock speed and 16 cores.
2. Is the i9 12900KS better than the 12900K?
Yes, the i9-12900KS is better than the 12900K due to its higher clock speed and improved performance.
3. Is i9 12900KS overkill?
For most users, the i9-12900KS may be overkill due to its high cost and performance capabilities. However, for power users, content creators, and gamers, it may be worth the investment.
4. How much RAM can i9 12900KS support?
The i9-12900KS supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory.
ALSO READ: Best Motherboards For Intel i9-12900KF
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