Choosing a motherboard for your CPU upgrade.
Choosing a motherboard for your CPU upgrade.
You're considering moving from your i5 8600k to a higher-end i9 processor. You're thinking about choosing a premium full ATX motherboard with plenty of RAM slots, ample I/O, and multiple M.2 slots. Since you already have a PCIe x1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapter, you want to avoid built-in versions that might not meet your needs. You also don’t mind paying extra for RGB lighting but prefer to skip it. Your existing M.2 drives come with Sabrent heatsinks, so you likely won’t need additional ones unless the board offers them. You mentioned you’re unsure about the socket type and would appreciate recommendations. Also, remember the original socket was LGA 1700.
Check the socket type or any listed CPU details on the motherboard packaging or manufacturer site. This helps identify the compatible CPU before selecting the board.
Are you considering a boost in performance? A budget-friendly option is worth thinking about. Insisting on the PCIe1 Wi-Fi card might not be ideal; a standard built-in solution could be more practical.
A higher thread count appeals to me since it speeds up rendering beyond gaming, which is useful for photo and video editing. It also aids multitasking. For cooling, I use an Arctic Freezer II 360 paired with Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme, and others report stable temperatures on a 12900k.
I’m interested in exploring overclocking further, though I’ve mainly focused on integrated AI-based overclocking. My budget isn’t extremely tight—around a few hundred dollars seems reasonable. The Wi-Fi card is just a stopgap until I can set up a wired connection to my office; I already have the PCIe version, which has been enough so far. If I ever need to revert to Wi-Fi again, it should work fine. Edit: Once I get a wired setup, I’ll keep the card installed to maintain Bluetooth support.