Best Gaming Motherboards for i7 – Buyer’s Guide
How To Choose a Motherboard?
Best Motherboards for I7 8700k
Name | Size | Socket | Chipset | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Asus MAXIMUS X HERO Z370 | ATX | LGA1151 | Z370 | |
![]() | Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 | ATX | LGA1151 | Z370 | |
![]() | Asus ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING | ATX | LGA1151 | Z370 | |
![]() | MSI-Z370 GODLIKE-GAMING | EATX | LGA1151 | Z370 |
Asus MAXIMUS X HERO Z370

Size: ATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370
- Customizable RGB
- Great value for money
- Interactive BIOS
- Great Overclocking potential
- RGB Lighting is tricky to configure properly
- Quite expensive
Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming 7

Size: ATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370
- High-quality aesthetics
- Highly customizable on-board RGB lighting
- Excellent overclocking potential
- Enhanced-quality audio components
- SLI and CrossFire Support
- Moderately expensive
- Poor efficiency when not overclocked
Asus ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING

Size: ATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370
- M.2 cooling solution
- RGB customizability
- USB 3.1 front panel
- Excellent fan controls
- Very expensive
MSI-Z370 GODLIKE-GAMING

Size: EATX | Socket: LGA1151 | Chipset: Z370
- Excellent overclocking potential
- Highly customizable lighting
- High-end audio pathway
- Excellent aesthetic feel and appeal
- Includes Rainbow RGB strip
- Very expensive
Tips for choosing the best motherboard for i7
Motherboards are one of the most complex pc parts to pick due to their complexity and most importantly the fact that they define compatibility of other hardware that you get. So what is the right way to choose the motherboard?
If you have decided upon getting an i7 for your build, You are clearly looking to build a high-end computer without any compromises. Since the only compatible chipset for the new Gen Intel processors is the Z370, They are pretty expensive. Going with a cheaper option will strictly limit options for future upgradability while expensive options can be really harsh on the pocket. A motherboard is the core component of a computer and compromising on it is never a good idea.
The motherboards listed above are mostly targeted towards overclockers, gamers, and enthusiasts If you are looking for a more affordable option, MSI Z370 A Pro would be a great choice. It has also been featured is our list of the best motherboards for i5 8600k because of it's affordable price tag and performance oriented nature.
Overclocking Your I7 8700k
Overclocking isn't as uncommon anymore, and there is no reason for you to stay aware of it, No, It's not going to hurt your processor or any other component. With the tools available to us, There is very minimal chance of doing it wrong. Let's have a quick overview of what you need to know about overclocking your Intel I7 Coffee Lake processor.
What is overclocking?
Every electronic device we use has a processing unit, be it a phone, tablet or a computer. When these devices are manufactured, Their processors are set to perform in such a way that most effeciency can be extracted from when while keeping them under ideal temperature.
Overclocking basically refers to forcing the processor to run faster and output better performance, This is done by forcing it to speed up its clock speeds. Regular intel processors don't feature overclocking compatibility but the special "k" series, also called unlocked series allows the user to customize it's clock speeds based on their needs.
Overclocking a processor has several aspects and it might sound a bit too much if you have no experience with it. When a processor has overclocked it required more voltage, which results in more heat output, which requires a better cooling solution i.e., CPU coolers and case fans.