The Asrock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-itx/ac supports an i9 9900k processor.
The Asrock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-itx/ac supports an i9 9900k processor.
I recently purchased this motherboard and am running an i5 9600k at 5GHz. I’m starting to feel like it’s not enough, even though the CPU handles the speed easily. My main worries are about the Z370 chipset’s capacity for an i9 9900k, the quality of the VRMs on the board, and its inability to monitor temperatures during stress tests—especially when using my i5. I’m hoping for an 8-core/16-thread CPU, similar to what I had with a Ryzen 7 2700X but didn’t like it. Now I’m considering a Ryzen 7 3700X, which offers the same performance and good gaming efficiency, plus strong rendering power. However, I’m unsure about current prices and whether it’s worth upgrading everything or selling my current setup and buying a new one instead. What are your thoughts? Thank you!
The CPU you're using doesn't impact the chipset, and the VRMs on that board should comfortably support the 9900K. If you're considering switching to an AMD platform, you have flexibility—selling your current setup could let you purchase a 3900X with an ITX board or opt for a more affordable 3700X while keeping room for future upgrades to 12-core and 16-core models. Choosing the Z370/Z390 line would limit you to those options, making the decision entirely in your hands.
You're running a NZXT Kraken x62 with a 280mm AI-O liquid cooler!
I remember thinking about using a 12 core/24 thread CPU. It uses less power than the i9 9900k, gives slightly lower gaming performance, but it could work fine. I edit videos for a company occasionally in my country, not daily. I use Premiere Pro and handle 1080p files easily, though sometimes they send me 4K at 60fps high bitrate, which stresses my i5 9600k. Honestly, I don’t feel the CPU is too weak for games, but rendering with 4K material can be slow, especially when working in that resolution.
Many cooling solutions for chips mean less airflow on the motherboard. @_Syn_ seems confident in their knowledge, especially about Intel. As someone who doesn’t understand much about motherboards and is overly worried about cooling, I might be tempted to point a small fan at the VRM.
The board features 5 Phase ISL99227 Powerstages that perform well, running smoothly without problems at 9900K. It’s unlikely you’ll hit any issues, though pushing to 5Ghz isn’t necessary. The 9900K handles 4.7Ghz with only a 6% drop, so overclocking doesn’t seem worthwhile. Feel free to ask!