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10 Best Gaming Motherboards for Intel Core i5 8600k Processor: Reviews & Buying Guide

by  Jone -  Last updated on January 13, 2022
gaming pc

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So you’ve picked the i5 8600k CPU. Like so many others (it’s a great choice!), now you’re looking for the best gaming motherboard for i5-8600k.

It can be hard to find a good motherboard, let alone the best one. That’s why you have this gaming motherboard guide so you can see what is best for your needs.

It’s important to keep in mind that the best gaming motherboard for someone isn’t necessarily the best gaming motherboard for you. The best gaming motherboards offer a range of features that will help you get more out of your CPU and graphics card while also simplifying your build process. So, based on your needs, the gaming motherboard that’s best for you might vary.

Some things you will definitely want to consider when choosing a gaming motherboard are things like the kind of processor you have, your budget, how many graphics cards you’re looking to use, and then the amount of energy each of those graphics cards will need.

All of this is great if you’re new to building PCs or want a more leisurely time! Don’t worry about the panic that might set in if you’re feeling completely out of your depth. There are great motherboards for every gamer out there, and here you’ll find the one for you to get you on your way to a smooth system.

Without further mumbo jumbo, here are the motherboards you should be looking at.

Our Shortlist: Best Gaming Motherboards for i5 8600k

These gaming motherboards are listed in the order of the top reviewed gaming motherboards. This doesn’t mean that the lower-listed gaming motherboards aren’t as good. It might only mean other people need different gaming motherboards for their PC building process.

1. MSI Z370-A PRO

MSI Intel Z370 A Pro ATX DDR4-SDRAM Motherboard

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Fire up your gaming with this MSI Z370-A PRO motherboard. It has all the features that savvy gamers need, like its advanced features for overclocking and GPU support.

MSI Coupled this motherboard with AMD Crossfire and NVIDIA SLI, which are outfitted with 2-way support, so this motherboard will accommodate gaming mightily without breaking a sweat!. It has Steel Armor PCI-E slots guarding the GPU against harm during intense battles.

There is extra potential with its Turbo M.2 SSD slots so your drives can be ready to take on huge storage loads when the time comes.

The board also has lots of room for memory expansion since it offers 4 DDR4 RAM slots, which supports up to 64GB, giving you plenty of bandwidth when running games.

It also offers fast connectivity through its two Gigabit Ethernet jacks as well as an 802.11ac Wi-Fi connector and Bluetooth support, giving you a convenient way to connect to your network or devices without the need for messy wires running across your gaming station.

Pros:

  • Audio Boost for an immersive sound experience
  • Supports up to 64 Gb RAM
  • Lightweight with only 2.8 Pounds weight

Cons:

  • Potential longevity issues as reported by some users

2. ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI)

ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi) Z390 Gaming Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th 9th Gen) ATX DDR4 DP...

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Another great choice in Best gaming motherboards for i5-8600k is the ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi) motherboard. It’s built on the same design as its predecessor, but some key differences make it a more viable option than before.

First of all, this motherboard has been equipped with AC Wi-Fi, so you can take advantage of wireless connections if your rig isn’t near your router or modem.

Also, this motherboard features 5-way Optimization for better automated system-wide overclocking. Its powerful audio engine in SupremeFX and Sonic Studio III provides high fidelity inbound and outgoing sound waves in various situations.

It uses an Intel Gigabit Ethernet network connection which provides a stable Internet connection, while the Asus LANGaurd kills noise and eliminates unwanted electrical signals.

This motherboard will give you an amazing performance while still keeping things affordable. Anyone can take advantage of its features without having too much trouble setting them up right off the bat!

Pros:

  • FanXpert 4 for dynamic system cooling
  • Good audio system
  • USB 3.1 ports for fast data transfer

Cons:

Pretty pricey, especially when compared to some others on this list

3. ASUS ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING MOTHERBOARD

ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming LGA1151 (Intel 8th Gen) DDR4 DP HDMI DVI M.2 Z370 ATX Motherboard with...

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This motherboard is made specifically for gaming by keeping all gamers in mind.

Asus ROG Strix Z370-E motherboard is a revolutionary tool for gamers. It has all of the features you could ever need in one place, including 5 Way Optimization and automatic overclocking performance tuning that is tailored to your rig!

The onboard audio system brings you even closer with SupremeFX S1220A paired up by Sonic Studio III, creating an immersive experience like no other, while Dual M.2 heatsinks ensure storage reliability and increased network speeds through Intel Gigabit Ethernet.

It has LANGuard, GameFirst II technology, and WiFI MU networking software developed exclusively just how we want it from Asus.

If you are into overclocking, this motherboard can handle that without any problems at all! You will get complete control of your system even while playing, which is a major plus.

With this motherboard, you will also get USB Type C support and ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting to give your system that extra bit of flair it needs to look good while gaming!

Pros:

  • Offers dual M.2 support
  • Has dual USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports
  • 8-Channel HD audio

Cons:

  • Low-level overclocking

4. MSI Z390-A PRO 4

MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) M.2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 DDR4 HDMI DP CFX Dual Gigabit LAN...

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The MSI Z390-A Pro offers many of the same benefits as its bigger brother – just in a slimmer package at a lower cost! This makes it a great option when it comes to the best Gaming Motherboards for i5-8600k.

This motherboard is a perfect choice for the PC gamer and overclocker, supporting 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core processors.

Turbo M.2 running at PCI-E Gen3 maximizes performance on NVMe based SSDs, while Audio Boost will power up your gaming experience with studio-grade sound quality.

Also, this board provides metal-reinforced slots armed with steel armor to provide strong protection from heavy graphics cards or other oversized hardware components.

This motherboard features a similar design to what we have already seen from the higher-end models.

It offers several significant upgrades and optimizations. It delivers an improved power layout, allowing you to overclock your processor better than with most other mainstream boards on the market today.

Pros:

  • It has the fastest USB speeds with Intel turbo USB 3.1 Gen 2
  • Comes in an affordable price range
  • Long-lasting board with a durable build

Cons:

  • No HDMI connection port

5. GIGABYTE Z390 UD

GIGABYTE Z390 UD (LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel Z390 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard for...

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Gigabyte Z390 UD is the best durable Intel 8th and 9th Generation Core Processors compatible motherboard, providing the latest I/O standards with dual-channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4 memory.

The NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 22110 M.2 connector offers a higher transfer speed than regular SATA SSD connectors.

It supports multi-way graphics with PCIe armoring and Ultra Durable design that include GIGABYTE exclusive Dust Defender to keep out dirt and protect your system long term, all while looking classy with RGB light strips available in full colors.

It has lots of features that are perfect if you want to use the latest technology. It also has hybrid smart fan headers, so there’s no shortage when it comes to cooling your hot components.

It supports up to 64GB DDR memory sticks, making it one of the most potent motherboards in this price range.

Plus, don’t forget about Gigabyte Live Update & APP Shop, an easy way to keep all your drivers updated automatically. So if you’re looking for something high-end or a budget board, Gigabyte Z390 UD is a great choice.

Pros:

  • Most durable motherboard for i5-8600k.
  • Perfect design
  • Easy to set up

Cons:

  • No USB connectivity

6. ASUS TUF Z390-PLUS GAMING (WI-FI)

ASUS TUF Z390 Plus has a large number of features. This motherboard is perfect if you use the latest technology with your processor and DDR 4 memory sticks.

It supports up to 64GB RAM, which is great!. The motherboard’s design also helps reduce EMI interference, while dual M.2 slots give you plenty of room for high-performance storage devices.

It comes in three colors: black/gray, white/grey, or blue/black/grey, depending on what color scheme fits your build.

Furthermore, on this board, you can enjoy eight-channel HD gaming audio powered by Realtek S1200A high-definition audio codecs. It usesSafeSlot, which has steel-reinforced PCIe. This provides across double or triple backplates for powerful graphics card loading capabilities.

You can also trust that this board will last long enough through rough gameplay sessions thanks to ASUS OptiMem II, which improves memory stability and Tone of voice.

Pros:

  • Great overclocking
  • Aura RGB Strip Headers for best brightness
  • Range of colors available

Cons:

  • It doesn’t have a Wi-Fi connection

7. ASROCK Z370 EXTREME4

ASRock Motherboard Motherboards Z370 EXTREME4

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The ASRock Z370 EXTREME has everything you need to build an excellent Intel 8th Gen PC.

It’s got overclocking support for your CPU. It has DDR4 RAM support of up to 2400MHz, and gamer-favorite features like NVIDIA Quad SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX video card configuration options.

Plus, this gaming motherboard supports up to 128GB DDR 4 Ram and features Intel Optane Memory, improving your PC speed.

It uses Intel Gigabit networking speed that’ll make every online game enjoyable. Purity Sound 4 audio enhancement offers excellent sound quality (especially if you’re using your headphone).

This is pure power to breathe new life into old games by experiencing improved visuals; this motherboard is the perfect choice for what you want in your next gaming rig.

Pros:

  • Supports Coffee Lake processors
  • Very reasonable price
  • Offers 4 DDR4 DIMM Slots

Cons:

  • Reliability problems reported by some users

8. MSI MPG Z390M

MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) M.2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 DDR4 HDMI DP Wi-Fi...

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The MSI MPG Z390M is the perfect motherboard for gamers.

It supports 8th generation Intel Core processors as well as 9th generation and features a 16-zone Mystic Light system with eight million colors and effect modes.

There are two turbo USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports to charge your gear quickly on the go. The MSI MPG Z390M also comes equipped with fan headers all over to make sure your computer stays cool no matter how long you play!

It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 4500 MHz, its Micro ATX form factor and extended heat sinks. This is great if you’re building an advanced gaming rig.

It uses an impressive 802.11ac 2T2R Wi-Fi faster than the ATX variant and supports PCIe for reliable connections. It also includes two full-length slots, each capable of running at x16 or x8 bandwidth depending on your needs!

Pros:

  • Supports DDR 4 RAM up to 4500 MHz
  • Intel Optane Memory for speedy access to your files
  • Provides Fast Connection with Intel 1.73Gb/s Wi-Fi module

Cons:

  • Under-cooled voltage regulator (basically it’s prone to overheating)

9. ASUS PRIME Z390-A

ASUS Prime Z390-P LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) ATX Motherboard for Cryptocurrency Mining(BTC)...

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This is an excellent gaming motherboard with significant cooling and overclocking options, not to mention it has plenty of connection ports and fantastic software support from Asus.

This motherboard offers the best compatibility and efficiency.

It delivers maximum performance with customizable style through 5 Way Optimization to control your system’s benefits. It includes AI overclocking and dynamic fan calibration.

It has a built-in M.2 slot that supports both PCIe NVMe SSDs and Intel Optane Memory; you can enjoy lightning-fast speeds that save your time while top USB 3.1 Gen2 type C ports provide data transfer speeds up to 10Gb/s.

Pros:

  • It has AI Overclocking
  • Next-gen connectivity with dual M.2 support
  • Comes with LAN Protection

Cons:

  • No Bluetooth
  • No Wi-Fi connection

10. ASUS TUF-Z390 PRO

ASUS TUF Z390-Plus Gaming (Wi-Fi) LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 Z390 ATX...

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TUF Z390 Pro is the best motherboard if you have a tight budget and want to go with an Intel Core i5-8600K processor to maximize connectivity and speed.

It has all the essentials of a good gaming motherboard at this price point, including support for up to DDR4 with 4133MHz memory, M.2 SATA ports, USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and many more features that make it worth buying!

With gaming audio powered by high definition Realtek S1200A codec driven by Japanese capacitors, you’ll get warm, immersive sound when gaming against enemies online!

It uses Gamer’s Guardian technology protections against overcurrent, transient voltage surges, as well as the removal of static discharge that can potentially damage your board or machine components.

It also helps protect them from humidity and moisture by providing a protective barrier between the circuitry and potential corrosion on metal connectors.

Pros:

  • It comes with FanXpert 4, which provides hardware-level security
  • Uses Gigabit LAN
  • Provides DDR 4 Support

Cons:

  • Cheaper than other options, so potential issues with an inexpensive product

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, you’re definitely invested in the best choice you can make for your customized computer.

You are good to go with virtually any of these choices, but keep in mind the pros and cons that each of these gaming motherboards has.

Remember to check the price, check your needs, and, most importantly when making a computer, have fun with it!

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