The 14th Gen Core desktop processor range from Intel codenamed Raptor Lake Refresh, made a splash in 2023 but they were too similar to existing Raptor Lake CPUs to more effectively take on AMD. A positive of this fact is full support on older motherboards, allowing 14th-gen processors to be used on the same platforms as 12th and 13th-gen processors. This updated lineup includes the likes of Intel Core i9-14900KS, which is Intel's first mass-produced processor rated to hit 6.2 GHz. The new Raptor Lake Refresh lineup has some powerful processors and you'll need an equally capable motherboard There's no shortage of motherboards on the market, but we've rounded up some of the best Intel motherboards you can pair with your 14th-generation CPU.
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Editor's choice
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
- Brand
- ASUS
- Memory Slots
- 4
- Memory Type
- DDR5-7800
- Form Factor
- ATX
- Chipset
- Z790
- Socket
- LGA 1700
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is our pick for the best overall Intel motherboard, and for good reason. This is one of the best-looking and feature-packed motherboards out there that delivers excellent performance with its 20+1-phase power delivery design, and offers a good set of features too. It's a bit on the expensive side, but you also get a lot for your money, including support for PCIe 5, DDR5 memory kits, and plenty of Thunderbolt ports. It also comes with plenty of RGB lighting and stylish ROG branding to make your PC stand out.
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Best value
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a great midrange motherboard that's built around Intel's Z790 chipset. This ATX motherboard has plenty of things going for it including support for DDR5-7600 RAM kits, plenty of M.2 sockets and SATA ports for storage, a highly capable 19-phase power setup, and more. It also has a robust feature set with multiple aRGB headers, USB ports, Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE LAN port, and more. This motherboard also looks great with its multi-layered matte black PCB, and brushed aluminum finish on the VRM heatsink.
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Best performance
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
- Brand
- Asus
- Memory Slots
- 4
- Memory Type
- DDR5
- Form Factor
- ATX
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- USB Ports
- 9x USB-A, 3x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C
If all you seek is a rock-solid foundation for a 14th-gen Intel PC build, look no further than the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero. This is one serious motherboard without going overboard on features. It's a little on the pricey end of the spectrum, but you get a lot for your money. You won't have any trouble powering even the 14900KS with this thing.
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Best for enthusiasts
ASRock Z790 Taichi Lite
ASRock's Z790 Taichi Lite is a cheaper version of the Z790 Taichi but with practically all the same hardware features, minus some premium but ultimately superficial components. This particular motherboard is good enough to power even the most demanding Intel CPUs out there like the Core i9-14900K at full bore. It supports PCIe 5 and DDR5-7600 kits, and it also brings plenty of ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2.5G LAN, and more. It may not the best-looking motherboard on this list, but is definitely a top-performer.
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Best white motherboard
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Pro X
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Pro X boasts a distinctive all-white design that exudes uniqueness. Its well-diffused RGB lighting complements the aesthetic perfectly. It even excels in overclocking, thanks to its strong 18+1+2 VRM design with 90A SPS power stages. Exceptional connectivity options include five M.2 slots, a 5GbE LAN port, W-iFi 7, and numerous high-speed USB ports. With a durable 8-layer PCB and a reinforced PCIe slot, it manages to merge style with reliability.
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Best DDR4 motherboard
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4
The Asus TUF Z790-PLUS D4 is a compelling DDR4 motherboard for those seeking value or compatibility with existing DDR4 memory kits. While its design is unremarkable, with minimal RGB lighting, it offers exceptional build quality with a 6-layer PCB, TUF chokes, and TUF 5K black metallic capacitors. The feature set is basic for the price, featuring 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6, four M.2 slots, and a noteworthy USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, making it an affordable yet capable choice.
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Best Mini-ITX motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WIFI
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I is the ideal Mini ITX motherboard for compact gaming PCs, offering an impressive 8-layer PCB, efficient M.2 heatsinks, and a reinforced PCIe 5.0 slot. This board is not built for overclocking, but its stock performance is admirable, thanks to the 8+1 phase VRM design with 80A power stages. The board also delivers a respectable feature set, highlighted by its two M.2 slots and rear USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port.
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Best budget
MSI PRO Z790-S WIFI
The MSI PRO Z790-S motherboard doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles, but it delivers all the essentials and lets you build a solid PC with Intel's 14th gen processors without any issues. One of the best things about this motherboard is that it gets full PCIe 5 and DDR5 support at this price, which is quite impressive. The power delivery system on this motherboard is also capable enough to run CPUs like Intel Core i7-14700K at stock settings, which is plenty for an ITX build.
Which Intel 14th-Gen motherboard should you buy?
With a plethora of great options available on the market, you might be wondering which motherboard you should choose for your new Intel build. Those who don't want to go over all the picks can consider either the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 or the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX, both of which offer the flagship Z790 chipset while being quite reasonably priced. They also offer an excellent power delivery system and a host of modern connectivity features, fit for a reliable built with Intel's 14th gen CPUs.
Those who are on a tight budget, however, should consider the MSI PRO Z790-S WiFi motherboard. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it offers great value for your money by offering the flagship-grade Z790 chipset and features like DDR5 and PCIe 5 support in this price range. We've also highlighted some other options, including the ASUS ROG Strix B760-I and the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Pro X for those who fancy a mini-ITX or a white-themed PC, respectively.