For games today, it’s very important to be specific about choosing their gear and having a preference for the best motherboard for i7 8700k is no different. When it comes to technological developments in the spare of the computer framework, the last decade can certainly be defined as the decade of humongous progressive developments.Computers today are no longer a sophisticated device which only makes the number game easier for the users. Instead, it is an indispensable tool in the hands of the common men.
Over the years, with the development of the internet, computers and laptops ushered the era of emails, search engines and other social media sites. And not only did social media evolve with the advent of the internet and a more developed computer configuration, but it also marked the inception of various classic computer games.
From downloading ROM files to playing some of the most intriguing games online, we have come a long way. The gaming experience entirely depends on the RAM, Graphics Card and Processor of the computer that you are using. To make the experience worthwhile, one must invest in a quality processing unit for gaming on PC or Laptops.
The i7 8700k is one of the most sought after processors for gaming enthusiast. Although the processor was designed to cater to the specific requirements of hardcore computer gamers, the experience of the user is largely impacted by the motherboard and plethora of other specifications.
This article is all about finding the best motherboard for i7 8700k. We shall review 7 pot popular motherboards so that you may draw a conclusion on what is most suitable for you.
How to Choose best budget Motherboard for i7 8700k?
There are a myriad of reasons why you, as a gaming enthusiast, should be careful in choosing a processor a motherboard that is compatible with i7 8700k, the basic being the ease with which you can perform the various gaming activities on your laptop.
Picking the right motherboard for your i7 8700k can be quite frustrating, especially when you have a little idea about gaming laptops and their components. Motherboards for i7 8700k are also quite expensive as they add up to make up for a sophisticated computer infrastructure. Therefore, it is certainly it wise to make such a huge investment based on shallow knowledge.
There is no dearth of models or brands of motherboard for you to choose from. However, you must note that all these models and brands of motherboards have very little to no difference between them. In this case, you must base your decision on the features that various models across different brands have to offer you. Once you are aware of the various benefits that these motherboards come with, you will be able to select one that suits your needs.
It is recommended to consider some essential factors when buying a motherboard for i7 8700k. The major factors to consider when making a purchase decision are listed below:
The Price
Motherboards are essentially all the same but high-end variants have certain specifications which is not included in motherboards that are comparatively lighter on the pocket. However, the notion that products on the pricier side of the scale are more effective than their cheaper alternatives does not always holds true. There are various models of cheaper motherboards that work just as good as the high-end ones.
Therefore, it is important to know more about various models and brands and consider what they have to offer you. You may as well buy a cheaper motherboard for your i7 8700k with features similar to the high-end ones.
Aesthetic Factors
Although the motherboard, irrespective of the brand and the model, performs the same functions, the appearance of the motherboards may vary. There are various aesthetics factors that influence the buyer’s decision to purchase a product.
The number and types of ports and slots that the motherboard comes with is a major determining factor for the buyer. The users look out for M.2 Slots and USB 3.1 Gen 2. You might also want to check the number of RAM slots that the motherboard has to offer you and the size of the motherboard. The motherboards come in 4 sizes- Mini ITX, MicroATX, ATX and EATX with Mini ITX being the smallest and EATX being the largest.
Ability to Perform the Overclock
Overclocking is the ability of the motherboard to reset various components of the computer to make it work faster than the speed specified by the manufacturer. Gamers certainly can make use of processors that are high in their Overclocking abilities. In fact, the processor is most commonly overclocked, other components being the graphics card, RAM and motherboard chipset.
You must have to decide what type of Overclocking abilities you are looking for in a computer to make it ideal for the game play. You must also make sure that you buy a product which matches the specified standard and that’s also one of the reasons behind suggesting you the best motherboards for overcloaking.
7 Best Motherboards for i7 8700k 2022
Listed below are the best motherboards for i7 8700k gaming processors.
1. ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero Z370 LGA1151
The ASUS ROG Maximus is known for its power and compactness which is sure to give the gamer a smooth gaming experience. The motherboard is a great match for the processor which ensures that you shall experience no hitches in the game play whatsoever.
Specs Analysts and plethora of users have already given their verdict on this model- the processor runs the motherboard successfully. The ASUS ROG Maximus is build to suit every Intel 8 Generation Core Processors. The product is relevant to all gaming protocols which makes it a great choice for the gamers.
This model is an improvised version of the ASUS Z270 model which is integrated with various amazing features such as a large heat sink linked with a M2 port attachments, and ingenious nifty with I/O shield. There are various other attractive features of this motherboard which includes LED post code display, CMOS button, USB bios flashback and testing and overlooking functional modules. This model offers a great deal of features and functionalities for the price which makes it a popular choice for the gamers.
Listed below are some pros and cons of the device.
Pros
- The laptop has various other additional features which are hard to find in its likes.
- The price of the product is almost the same as the price of its previous model- the Z270 version.
- This model works great for various Intel 8 Processors.
- You will get the benefit of performing various activities without a hitch
- Includes fan header provisions
Cons
- Does not include WiFi standard
2. Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7 Motherboard
If you wish to embark on an endless gaming adventure, this is the product that you must check out. Ever since the product came out in the market, it has been earning a reputation for itself from gamers.
The Gigabyte Z370 is the one most apt motherboard for i7 8700k owing to its inbuilt features and myriad utilities. It must be noted that the device was designed by experts to bring on the best possible output for the gamers to cater to their gaming needs. Every function works together to make the gaming experience magical for the user.
Speaking of functions, the motherboard includes a digital CPU power design which is responsible for supporting some of the demanding components. The motherboard allows the users to customize the RGB. This motherboard is also VR ready for you to be able to build your gaming rig.
This motherboard is ideal for all Intel 8 Generations Processors. The motherboard comes with a USB Type C and USB 3.1 Gen 2. It also includes Killer E2500 Gaming Network.
Adding to the aesthetics of the device is the Multi-Zone LED Light Show Design. Some other features of this particular device include Smart Fan 5 Cooling, Ultra Durable Armour, Multi-Way Graphic Support, and more.
The product is known for its usefulness and therefore, it is rated highly by the users on various e-commerce platforms. You may consider the reviews and ratings before you make the final purchase.
Let us take a look at the pros and cons of the product.
Pros
- The aesthetic of this product is quite pleasing fir most of the users.
- The product also comes with great audio support as it includes AMP-UP Audio Provision
- Overclocking tendencies for this device are no match for its substitutes.
- The motherboard supports SLI and Crossfire Inputs
Cons
- The product may not be as efficient as it is supposed to be when overclocked.
- It is expensive as compared to other alternatives.
3. MSI Z370 GAMING Pro Carbon AC ATX Motherboard
The Z370 Gaming Pro motherboard by MSI is ranked among the top 10 best motherboard for i7 8700k for a number of worthwhile reasons.
Firstly, the motherboard is compatible across various devices such as the 8th Generation Intel Core, Celeron and Pentium Processors. Owing to its pro-activeness and hitch free functions, it still has the potential for being one of the best gaming motherboards available in the market.
The durability of the products is ensured by the inbuilt military 5 components. This device also features a 10 phase VRM and related heat sinks for them. The device also enables color customization which is brought about by LED and RGB modules of the motherboard.
The motherboard also supports 64 GB of memory and comes with extended ATX. The device is also known to provide support for 2-way NVIDIA SLI. Overall, this product is worth your money.
Some of the pros and cons of the product is mentioned in the points below:
Pros
- Get the benefit of maximum exploration of the activities with added PCI-e slots in the motherboard
- The product includes customizable RGB functions
- The Overclocking tendencies of this device is one of the best in class
- It is compatible with USB 3.1 Generation 2
Cons
- The WiFi card of this product is not integrated
4. ASUS TUF Z370
If you are looking for a motherboard compatible for your i7 8700k processor, look no further than the ASUS TUF Z370. This ASUS model is a mix of durability, power and performance. The quality of this ASUS model is testified by professionals as well as users to gain increased speed and performance to ace their game.
The ASUS model has no dearth of eye-catching features which makes the onlookers want to throw their money on it. Corresponding to high quality audio feature is real tech ALC 8878 that the device includes. Certainly, the audio feature provides an extra edge to the device as compared to its subsidiaries. Adding to the graphics is the sound quality that enhances your gaming experience to the fullest.
The BIOS framework is another important component of the motherboard which is responsible for managing seamless data flow between the attached device and operating system. BIOS is also the driving force for the Overclocking of the system and the automation of fans in the motherboard.
Other notable features of this system include Gigabit LAN, M2 in Dual Slots Format, and USB 3.1 Generation 2 Intel Optane memory support. Military grade components of the product are responsible for the durability that the motherboard comes with.
Listed below are the pros and cons of the product.
Pros
- The product is compatible with USB 3.1 and M.2 which ensures speedy data transfers
- The device includes RGB Lighting
- The price is cheap considering the plenty of features that the product comes with.
- This product comes with a 5-year warranty for the users.
Cons
- The Overclocking tendencies of this device is quite poor
- USB ports on the motherboard is limited
- The XMP properties of this device can be quite unstable
5. EVGA Z370
The EVGA Z370 is one of the most sought after motherboards for i7 8700k processors owing to its various vintage qualities. This product is also well known for its compactness which is an indicator of its power and durability. No wonder, it is one of the best products for i7 8700k available in the market.
One of the stand out features of this device is the six ports SATA additions that have various advantages over models that feature a PATA interface. Other features of the EVGA Z370 include USB 3.1 ports both type C and A, Intel Gigabit NIC, 7.1 Channel Audio, 4 DIMM Dual Channel supporting up to 64 GB, and M.2 inlets.
Attached to the eleven phase power structure is the digital VRM which is responsible for the smooth functioning of the computer. The motherboard is ideal for moderate gamers who do not require additional features in a motherboard like RGB lighting and a high-end cooling system. However, the device makes up for the lack of these specifications with six pin PCI-e with provides additional power and aids to card overclocking.
Given below are various pros and cons of the products to help you make a purchase decision.
Pros
- There are 10 USB Ports in the motherboard
- The output is great for the price paid
- It comes with reasonable overclocking abilities
- Compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 2 and M.2.
Cons
- The product lacks the RGB lighting feature
- It has less features than most other products on the list
- It is not the model for aggressive gamers.
6. ASRock Z370 Killer SLI Motherboard
The ASRock Z370 is a really low-key model as compared to various other class of motherboard for i7 8700k. However, the good thing about this model is that it comes with all the essential features with which a gaming enthusiast can make do. People looking for budget friendly options can home in on this product.
The product has notable durability and bearing capacity. The motherboard is also equipped with various other features like 2 M.2 NVME PCI-e ports and NVIDIA SLI that is responsible for supporting PCI-e ports.
The product is on par with its substitutes due to its hyper DDR4 infrastructure which is known for supporting various RAM speeds.
Let us take a look at the pros and cons of the product elaborated in the points below.
Pros
- The overclocking abilities of this model is top-notch
- Its features include USB 3.1 Gen 2 and M.2
- The product also supports Crossfire X, NVIDIA SLI and Quad SLI.
Cons
- The device lacks many high-end features which does not make it an ideal choice for extensive gamers.
7. ASUS ROG Strix Z370 E-Gaming Motherboard
Built within the high-end technology framework, the ASUS ROG Strix Z370 E-Gaming Motherboard has gained a chunk of loyal customers for itself. This motherboard is one of the best suited devices for the i7 8700k processor as it allows every gaming activity that a pro-gamer can think of.
It has a myriad of features such as 4 DDR4 RAM Ports, RGB lighting which is customizable, and 4000 MHz function clock speed. The device also allows you to fully customize the RGB lighting by the use of 5 way optimization roadmap. The device makes overclocking a really simple. You can set the device to overclock just with a click.
The audio output of the device is one of the best features about it. It comes with an ROG supreme FXS1220. There are other features like M.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 2.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370 is for gamers who are willing to make a big investment to make their game play the best-in-class experience.
Below are some of the pros and cons of the product.
Pros
- This product gives you the greatest gaming experience as compared to all other devices
- The in-built cooling is second to none
- You will find the great range of RGB lighting customization in this product
Cons
- Buying this product is an expensive affair.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between Intel 7 and Intel 8th Generation Processors?
If you compare the architecture of both these models, you will notice a slight difference in them. However, the real difference depends on the fact the Intel 8 features two more cores than Intel 7, resulting in 50% better performance when it comes to multi-threaded tasks. Intel 8 also makes use of UHD graphics as compared to HD graphics used by Intel 7.
2. What features should I look for in a motherboard?
Each motherboard comes with a different set of features. You must look into the specifications and make your choice based on what available and if that caters to your requirements. However, there are certain features that you must look out for such as the Form Factor, Processor Socket, PCI slots, RAM, and SATA.
3. Why can’t the same motherboard be used for i7 7700k and i7 8700k?
There is a difference in the boost speed between both these devices. The i7 7700k is 105 MHz faster than i7 8700k which is the reason that you need a separate set of motherboard configuration for the i7 8700k.
4. Which one should you buy?
What works for you depends largely on your gaming requirements. If you are an aggressive gamer, you might want to check out models that comes with features like customizable RGB lighting and a great audio output. But if you are a moderate gamer, you can look out for products that cater only to the most essential features. For instance, the ASRock Z370 delivers all the essential features for a great price.
5. What is Overclocking?
Overclocking can be simply explained as the process of increasing the clock rate so that the computer is able to perform the task at a faster rate. Overclocking forces the computer to perform activities per second. It is important for hardcore gamers to get their hands on a motherboard with great overclocking facilities to have an uninterrupted gaming experience.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you in choosing the best motherboard for i7 8700k as per your gaming needs. Make sure that you make a decision only after considering the pros and cons of each product and fixing a budget for the same. It is recommended not to go over-bound with the budget as it may result in under utilisation of the product. Also, please consider the ratings and reviews of buyers before you zero in on something.
