A good motherboard is essential to any computer build. It is the foundation which everything else is built upon. Without a good motherboard, you will have a hard time getting everything to work together and may run into stability issues. In this article, we will recommend the best motherboard for i5 4690k processors.
The i5 4690k is a popular choice for budget builds. It is a quad-core processor with a base clock of 3.5GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.9GHz. It is also unlocked, meaning it can be overclocked for even more performance.
For a motherboard, we recommend the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H. It is a great all-around motherboard that will work well with the i5 4690k. It has four DDR3 DIMM slots, support for up to 32GB of RAM, and three PCI Express x16 slots. It also has a plethora of other features, such as USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s support.
The best motherboards of 2022 are in our ranking. The correct choice of “mother” is the basis of a PC assembly: if a processor inside a socket can be replaced by a faster processor if desired, the memory can be increased, a card video can be replaced, so a motherboard usually lies in a case until a drastic upgrade or serious failure.
Also, read our latest post about Best LGA 1200 Motherboard
List of best motherboards for i5 4690K
- Best motherboard for i5 4690k | MSI Z87-G45 GAMES
- Best budget motherboard for i5 4690k | MSI Z97 PC MATE
- Best overall motherboard for i5 4690k | GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE
- Best Asus motherboard for i5 4690k | ASUS Mini ITX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 motherboard
- Best motherboard for i5 4690k in USA | ASUS PRIME H370-PLUS
- Best gaming motherboard for i5 4690k | MSI B360 GAMING PLUS
- Best cheap motherboard for i5 4690k | ASUS Z87 PRO
- Best motherboard for i5 4690k in 2022 | GIGABYTE GA-H97N
- Best gaming motherboard for i5 4690k on amazon | ASUS Z87 Sabertooth
- Best gaming motherboard for i5 4690k in uk | ASUS Z97M PLUS
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MSI Z87-G45 GAMES |
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MSI Z97 PC MATE |
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GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE |
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ASUS Mini ITX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 motherboard |
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ASUS PRIME H370-PLUS |
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MSI B360 GAMING PLUS |
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ASUS Z87 PRO |
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GIGABYTE GA-H97N |
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ASUS Z87 Sabertooth |
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ASUS Z97M PLUS |
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MSI Z87-G45 GAMES
Specification
- Brand MSI.
- CPU Socket LGA 1150.
- RAM Memory Technology DDR3.
- Chipset Type Intel Z87.
- Memory Speed 1000 MHz.
- Series Z87-G45 GAMING.
Features
- CPU Model Pentium.
- Memory Storage Capacity 64 GB.
- RAM Memory Maximum Size 32 GB.
- Graphics Card Interface PCI-Express x16, PCI-E.
MSI is our preferred motherboard manufacturer and has seen great success in recent years where we have seen MSI Tomahawk and MSI MEG series motherboards. Although the Z87 chipset is quite old, MSI doesn’t seem to surprise us and the MSI Z87-G45 GAMING motherboard is one of the highest-rated motherboards from the company.
The design of the motherboard is modern despite being over eight years old. In fact, it’s still better than most midrange motherboards these days. On the chipset heatsink, you can find the large red Dragon logo, while the VRM heatsinks also have a red accent.
Unfortunately, this motherboard does not provide RGB lighting natively, so you will need to install an aftermarket RGB lighting kit if you want to have RGB lighting in the case. As the motherboard name suggests, this motherboard is based on the Z87 chipset.
It houses an LGA-1150 socket and comes with four DIMM slots. As you may already know, Intel Core i5-4690K uses DDR3 memory, so the Z87 chipset supports the same as well.
MSI Z87-G45 GAMING motherboard supports high-frequency DDR3 memory and you may think that this is a bit unrealistic as it supports DDR3 memory up to 3000MHz with overclocking.
This frequency is usually present on DDR4 motherboards and it is also only on the newer ones. Since the motherboard does not support native M.2 slots, it comes with seven PCI-E slots which are just amazing. Three of these PCI-E slots are PCI-E X16 slots, while the rest are PCI-E X1 slots.
This motherboard has the ability to overclock the fastest 4th gen Intel processor i.e.Intel Core i7-4790K up to around 4.8 GHz, for this reason overclocking the Core i5 -4690K will not be a problem, because it consumes much less power.
VRM heat sinks are dragon-shaped and quite thick, so you won’t witness any thermal throttling. The MSI Z87-G45 motherboard is one of the top-rated motherboards for 4th generation Intel processors and is available at much cheaper prices than in the past.
You get high-end features from current motherboards, and although the performance of 4th gen Intel processors is significantly lower than current-gen processors, the overclocking support on this motherboard goes a long way in reducing the performance gap.
MSI Z97 PC MATE
Specification
- Brand MSI.
- CPU Socket LGA 1150.
- RAM Memory Technology DDR3.
- Chipset Type Intel Z97.
- Series Z97 PC MATE.
- RAM Memory Maximum Size 32 GB.
- Graphics Card Interface PCI-Express x16, PCI, PCI-E.
Features
- Memory Slots Available 4.
- System Bus Standard Supported SATA 3.
- Total SATA Ports 6.
Here we are with another MSI motherboard, which is MSI Z97 PC Mate. Unlike the previous motherboard, this motherboard is based on the Z97 chipset and is one of the cheapest Z97 chipset motherboards you can buy for Intel 4th generation processors.
First of all, the design of the motherboard is completely different from any motherboard you would see these days and it looks like this motherboard would be suitable for a desktop due to the heavy use of the light blue colour. Fortunately, at least the motherboard PCB is not green, unlike other older motherboards.
The MSI Z97 PC Mate provides four DIMM slots, which achieve a maximum memory capacity of 32 GB using 8 GB memory cards. The configuration of the PCI-E slot on the motherboard is quite different from most other motherboards because it provides two legacy PCI slots and four PCI-E slots.
Two of the PCI-E slots are PCI-E X16 slots and the other two are PCI-E X1 slots. The motherboard storage solution is no better than the old motherboard despite having a newer chipset. It does not offer an M.2 slot and provides six SATA III ports.
The motherboard VRM isn’t as good as the old motherboard, but overclocking a Core i5 processor isn’t going to be difficult by any means. You can easily achieve clock speeds above 4.5 GHz with this processor. The VRM uses a single large heat sink for cooling and does its job efficiently.
MSI Z97 PC Mate is one of the cheapest Z97 chipset motherboards you can buy and it also offers a lot of legacy features that you won’t find on most other Z97 motherboards. You might not find the motherboard to look interesting and the overclocking features aren’t the best, but other than that this motherboard is almost flawless.
GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE
Specification
- Brand Gigabyte.
- CPU Socket LGA 1151.
- RAM Memory Technology DDR4.
- Compatible Processors 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core i9 processors.
- Memory Speed 4400 MHz.
Features
- Platform Windows 8.1, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7, Windows 10.
- Memory Storage Capacity 10000 TB.
- Graphics Card Interface PCI-E.
- Memory Slots Available 4.0.
- Number of Ports: 22.
Read our review on LGA 1151-v2 GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE motherboards. The design of this motherboard has been changed so much that at first glance it is even reflected in its name (in fact, designare does not come from the English design, but from the Italian word “intended”), but what about their physical motherboard content, bright picture?
Well, the board comes with an 8 + 4 pin powered 12 + 1 phase processor power supply and supports Celeron G4900 processors Core i9-9900KS allowing up to four DDR4-4266 modules with a maximum capacity of 32 GB each.
There is support for Thunderbolt 3 (on two USB Type-C ports), integrated two-gigabit network controllers, Bluetooth version 5.0, and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz).
We spice it up with one or two M. 2 SSDs it’s optional, but it is better to use a video card: only one slot can work in x16 mode, two video cards will work in x8, and since the third bus version is used here it will slow down modern video cards. If there was support for PCI Express 4.0.
But for that, you go to AMD. The x4 and x1 slots are also available. The “sixteenth” slots are beefed up and separated (as far as the ATX form factor allows): if you want to use a discrete sound card, don’t trust the “built-in” despite the proudly protruding “audiophile” capacitors.
Then it will be possible to install it without a problem to cool the second video card in the lower slot, and in a configuration with a video card, anywhere except the upper slot x1, which the video card will naturally cover.
But it is better to use only one video card – only one slot can work in x16 mode, two video cards will work in x8, and since the third version of the bus is used here, it will slow down modern video cards. If there was support for PCI Express 4.0, but for that, go to AMD.
ASUS Mini ITX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 motherboard
Specification
- Brand ASUS.
- CPU Socket LGA 1150.
- RAM Memory Technology DDR3.
- Memory Speed 1600 MHz.
- Platform Not Machine Specific.
- Series Q87T/CSM.
Features
- Memory Storage Capacity 16 GB.
- RAM Memory Maximum Size 16 GB.
- Graphics Card Interface PCI-E.
- Memory Slots Available 2.
Going through the best motherboards here is another great choice if you are looking for the best mini mobo for I5-4690k. The ASUS Mini ITX is an awesome option that gives variety and high performance.
It was a friendlier and simpler motherboard than the rest, making it a good choice for beginners. It uses BIOS 3 which is flawless and helps restore corrupt BIOS data which helps in troubleshooting.
The board has interchangeable modes for various tasks such as content creation, gaming or general work. ASUS AI Suite 3 is included, giving you access to everything ASUS has to offer.
It’s a great card if you want something smaller and easier to use while still offering better controls and multiple features. The cooling system remains silent during its exceptional performance.
It tends to break down after prolonged use, which raises the question of the durability of this board, despite being sturdy and the components being of high quality. The ASUS Mini ITX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 is designed to fit into small cases.
But even as a mini motherboard, it comes equipped with a full set of features; in fact, it has features that some of the other motherboards lack. If you are looking for a beautiful, smaller card for your I5-490K, this is a no-brainer.
ASUS PRIME H370-PLUS
Specification
- Brand ASUS.
- CPU Socket LGA 1151.
- RAM Memory Technology DDR4.
- Compatible Processors 8th Generation Intel Core.
- Memory Speed 2666 MHz.
- Memory Storage Capacity 64 GB.
Features
- Graphics Card Interface Integrated.
- Memory Slots Available 4.0.
- Wireless Type Bluetooth.
- Number of USB 2.0 Ports 2.
Continuing our ranking of the best full-size ATX motherboards for building systems that you don’t need to squeeze the last drops of potential – whatever they say, the maximum memory frequency supported is 2666MHz.
And CrossFire X support was declared in it looks like “it was like that”: the second x16 slot only has 4 lanes. Initially, the board only supported 8th generation Intel processors, but by updating BIOS to version 0904, you will be able to install at least i9-9900K.
Considering the “no overclocking” of the chipset, the six-phase power subsystem is quite modest, but in processors with a nominal 95W TDP, it does its job and the temperature of the heatsinks remains at a minimum. acceptable level.
The sound is assembled even with Nichicon capacitors and competent track design, but in the ALC887 codec – its capabilities will suit you if the insidious disease of “audiophilia” hasn’t caught you on its curious paws yet.
Multi-channel acoustics are inconvenient to connect, and there are enough connectors for a standard set of two speakers and a subwoofer.
MSI B360 GAMING PLUS
Specification
- Brand MSI.
- CPU Socket LGA 1151.
- RAM Memory Technology DDR4.
- Compatible Processors Intel Celeron, 8th Generation Intel Core, Intel Pentium Gold.
- Memory Speed 2666 MHz.
Features
- Platform Windows 10.
- Series B360 GAMING PLUS.
- Memory Storage Capacity 128 GB.
- Memory Slots Available 4.
But doesn’t everyone need high-end “stoves” like processors and extreme overclocking? So let’s take a simpler motherboard: the “no overclocking” B-series chipset and fewer VRM phases clearly indicate the limited capabilities of the MSI B360.
And the maximum supported memory frequency is only 2666MHz. Another thing is that for systems built on motherboards in this price range, the fastest memory is always out of the assembly budget and offers no significant benefit.
The main connector for video cards is the top one: of the two x16 slots, it is only connected directly to the processor; the bottom one is linked to the chipset and physically only has 4 lines. But again, hardly anyone will use two video cards on this card.
As for the rest of the hardware, the motherboard is also a typical “average”, but it may even be priced high: there are competitors for a similar price, but already on the Z370 chipset. Therefore, we will certainly lower the mark.
The MSI B360 is a low-budget motherboard. Its price is higher than its value, but still a good addition to the I5-4690K. It has all the features you need for a midrange gaming setup, but you’re stuck with the default speeds because you can’t overclock. We would only recommend this chart if you are on a budget and are happy with a simple average chart.
ASUS Z87 PRO
Specification
- Brand: ASUS.
- Processor: It is compatible with 4th & 5th Intel Processors.
- Memory Capacity: 32GB.
- Memory Slots: 4.
- Memory Type: DDR3.
- Chipset Type: Intel Z87.
- Form Factor: ATX.
Features
- Digital power solution.
- 4-way optimization.
- Fan Xpert2.
- Crystal clear sound quality.
- Value for money.
If you’re ready to invest in a high-end motherboard without worrying about the price, then your search ends here. This ASUS motherboard is compatible with the 6th & 7th Gen Intel Core Series of processors for the LGA 1150 processor socket. Moreover, this board comes with a maximum memory capacity of 32GB and offers 4 DIMM slots.
When it comes to design, this ASUS Z87 motherboard features a Digital power solution that delivers enough current to the most power-hungry components of the computer system. Additionally, it also features a 4-way optimization feature and Fan Xpert2 for innovative cooling performance.
What’s more, this best motherboard for i5 4690k comes equipped with multiple PCIe and 8 high-speed SATA ports for maximum storage flexibility and data transfer speeds. Not just this, this Z87 PRO LGA 1150 Motherboard also comes equipped with several USB ports including 4 USB 2.0 ports.
Furthermore, this best motherboard under $300 has high-quality 112 dB SNR Stereo playback output and 104 dB SNR recording input for studio-grade sound quality. For next-generation networking, this board has the latest onboard LAN & Wi-Fi Go utility.
Overall, this is an excellent motherboard for i5 4690k processor. But the only downside is that it is expensive for around $300 which makes it less suitable for budget users.
GIGABYTE GA-H97N
Specification
- Brand: GIGABYTE.
- Processor: It is compatible with 4th & 5th Gen Intel Processors.
- Memory Capacity: 16GB.
- Memory Slots: 2.
- Memory Speed: 1333MHz.
- Chipset Type: Intel H97.
- Form Factor: Mini ITX.
Features
- Compact & durable.
- Innovative cooling system.
- Multiple USB ports.
- UEFI dual BIOS.
- HD Audio Quality.
If you’re running out of space and looking for an extremely compact motherboard for Intel Core i5 4690k, then this GIGABYTE Motherboard has got you covered. This board is compatible with 4th & 5th Gen Intel processors for maximized speed and performance.
When it comes to design, this Gigabyte motherboard features a simple, compact, and durable design which makes it a perfect option for small PC builds. Besides, this board also features innovative MOSFETs design which allows users that their computer system will stay cool and stable under heavy workloads.
Additionally, this motherboard features few PCIe slots, since it is a mini ITX form factor motherboard. Not just this, it also has numerous USB ports including 6 USB 2.0 ports for extensive connectivity options.
What’s more, this best motherboard for i5 4690k comes equipped with durable solid caps LAN with high ESD protection Gigabyte LAN optimizer App for next-generation networking. In addition, it also has Gigabyte UEFI dual BIOS for added performance.
Lastly, this Gigabyte GA-H97N Motherboard has HD audio support, delivering warm, immersive, and crystal clear sound quality.
ASUS Z87 Sabertooth
Specification
- Brand: ASUS.
- Processor: It is compatible with the latest Intel CPUs.
- Memory Type: DDR3.
- Memory Slots: 4.
- Chipset Type: Intel Z87.
- Form Factor: ATX.
Features
- TUF components.
- Premium thermal solution.
- 5-years warranty.
- SLI & CrossfireX technology.
- Worth money.
Here is another high-performance motherboard for i5 4690k from the house of ASUS. This ASUS Sabertooth motherboard is compatible with the latest Intel processors and comes with four high-speed memory slots with a maximum memory speed of 1600MHz.
When it comes to design, this best motherboard for i7 4770k is made up of premium quality TUF components, ensuring maximum durability & longevity of the board.
When it comes to performance, controlling heat is crucial – that’s why this ASUS Sabertooth motherboard comes equipped with an advanced cooling solution that keeps your system cool under intensive workloads. Additionally, it also supports both NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI technology, and AMD Quad-GPU CrossfireX technology for added performance.
What’s more, this board comes equipped with multiple high-speed PCIe slots, delivering maximum data transmission speeds. Not just this, it also has several USB ports including USB 2.0 ports.
Lastly, this ASUS Z87 Sabertooth motherboard features high-quality audio capacitors, delivering crystal clear audio quality to the listeners. One of the best things is that this model comes equipped with a 5-years limited manufacturer’s warranty for customers’ peace of mind.
ASUS Z97M PLUS
Specification
- Brand: ASUS.
- Processor: It is compatible with 4th & 5th Gen Intel CPUs.
- Memory Capacity: 32GB.
- Memory Slots: 4.
- Chipset Type: Intel Z87.
- Form Factor: ATX.
Features
- Good looking.
- ASUS Fan Xpert3.
- UEFI BIOS.
- Crystal Sound 2.
- Ultra-fast M.2 slots.
Lastly, we have another ASUS motherboard for i5 4690k. This Z97M PLUS is compatible with the latest 4th & 5th Gen Intel Core Series of processors for maximized speed and performance. Moreover, this ASUS motherboard has a maximum memory capacity of 32GB with a maximum memory speed of up to 1600MHz.
When it comes to design, this board features a sleek, ergonomic, and appealing to eyes design which makes it a top-notch choice for various customers. When it comes to cooling, this board features a comprehensive cooling solution with ASUS Fan Xpert3 which is a fan auto-tuning function and optimized system cooling based on onboard thermistors.
What’s more, this ASUS Z87 PLUS motherboard features ultra-fast M.2 slots, delivering a maximum data transmission speed of up to 10Gb/s. Not just this, it also features the latest UEFI BIOS utility which is the most advanced option with a lightning-fast response time.
Furthermore, this model comes equipped with Crystal sound 2 offering flawless audio that makes you get deeper into the gaming action.
BUYING GUIDE
Are you eyeing the best motherboard for i5 4690k? The motherboard is an important element of any desktop PC. It should have an adequate number of necessary connectors for the user to install a powerful video card, a large amount of RAM, and multiple drives. Also, do not forget about the need to connect various peripherals.
Therefore, you need to choose a motherboard that takes long-term use into account. The i5 4690k is arguably the most popular and economical processor for gaming enthusiasts that Intel has offered to date.
Combining this versatile processor with the best motherboard helps you get the most out of your Intel Core i5 4690k. A lot of people buy this processor with gaming in mind, if so that’s one of the things that separate the different types of motherboards you might have.
You can go for cheaper options with poorer sound cards, while for avid and more competitive gamers; a better motherboard can prove to be a valuable asset due to the high-quality sound cards that can help you in the process of the game being very important. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best motherboards for i5 4690K.
Choosing the right motherboard can be frustrating; heck, even the thought of going through the process can be overwhelming. There are so many options available that sometimes you want to put your head in the sand and hope for the best.
All the motherboards on our list have something to offer, whether it’s performance, budget, or size; all are great options for the I5-4690K.
The MSI Z87-G45 is a great option for its price with which it will satisfy all the gaming and hardware needs you might have, it supports 4 RAM Sticks, it supports up to the latest generation of CPUs at 1150 sockets, it allows overclocking and it supports it.
Well, it also has great reviews for life expectancy with almost no bad reviews for the issues; it’s definitely a safe buy if you’re looking for a great MOBO to suit your needs.
A free motherboard helps you put everything together on your PC and meet your needs as they grow. Since only Z series chipsets support overclocking, the motherboard chipsets that would work with this processor are Z87 and Z97.
The only difference between the Z87 and the Z97 is that the Z97 chipsets support a native M.2 slot, while on the Z87 motherboards you will need to use PCI-E expansion cards if you want to use an M SSD 2.
Most Z87 and Z97 motherboards are high-end motherboards with attractive designs and high-end features like quality audio chipsets etc.
As for possible problems, one issue you may run into is compatibility with your other components. Make sure to check that everything is compatible with your motherboard before you buy it.
Another issue you may encounter is with overclocking. If you do not know what you are doing, it is easy to overclock your processor too much and cause stability issues.
If you are not comfortable with overclocking, we recommend you leave it at the default settings.
In conclusion, the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H is the best motherboard for i5 4690k processors. It is a great all-around motherboard that will work well with the i5 4690k.
It has four DDR3 DIMM slots, support for up to 32GB of RAM, and three PCI Express x16 slots. It also has a plethora of other features, such as USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s support.
Reliable RAM
A good motherboard has more than one DIMM slot. This is one of the last RAM slots and can run on a faster 64-bit bus. You should choose a motherboard that supports at least 16 GB and preferably has four or more slots.
GPU support
The motherboard should be compatible with your GPU and be as compatible as possible with it. This helps optimize the overall performance of your computer. The i5-4690K is an excellent and powerful overclockable processor for gaming, and these motherboards are perfectly compatible with it.
Large storage
Storage is another essential aspect of the motherboard. The motherboard should have enough ports and slots to provide you with enough storage space. We recommend that you choose a motherboard with at least two M.2 SSD slots.
Economic
Always think about your budget! High-end motherboards are expensive and we all want one, but the truth is, not all of us can.
Pick a motherboard with the essential features within your budget, although sometimes it’s better to spend a little more money and buy a motherboard that won’t give you any problems. Quality versus money can be critical, especially given the components of your PC,
Chipsets
Chipsets are undoubtedly the main components built into the motherboard, as they make certain functions work. With the advancement in technology, various chipsets have been introduced in recent times.
With each of them having its own advantages and disadvantages, the best choice is yours, depending on what features you will need.
Size
Motherboards come in a wide range of sizes, which involves the use of a form factor. The number of functions a motherboard can contain is directly affected by its size. In simpler terms, a smaller unit can only include two memory locations, while a larger one offers space for multiple functions.
Frequently asked Questions
Is the i5 4690 a better option for gaming?
Yes, i5 4690 is good enough for low graphics games and will only support graphics-heavy games like Fortnite, etc. with reduced parameters.
Which motherboard is the better option for the i5 processor?
Intel i5 processor will work perfectly with Gigabyte Z390 UD, MSI Z390-A Pro, and SUS Prime Z390-A.
Will an i5 4690K interfere with the GTX 1080?
Yes, an i5 4690K can clog the GTX 1080. An i5 4690k with Nvidia GTX 1080, both running at 100% clock speed, will produce a 35.32% CPU bottleneck. And anything above 10% is considered a bottleneck.
Conclusion
This concludes the review of some of the more well-known motherboards available in the market. Incorporating an upgraded motherboard not only helps you speed up processivity but also adds value for your money.
Hope you now know the essential characteristics of a great motherboard that can help you buy a reliable model that meets your needs.
Originally posted 2022-03-29 05:00:19.