Best DDR4 Motherboard for a Used 12600K with Future Upgrade Potential

When choosing a motherboard, the main things to keep in mind are PCIe lanes, USB ports, overclocking capabilities, and power delivery. The Z690 and Z790 boards generally offer more features than the B-series boards, making them better if you plan to expand your system with additional PCIe devices or consider overclocking. If you're mostly running stock and just plan on a GPU and a couple of NVMe drives, a B660 or B760 could be sufficient. Personally, I recommend going for the cheapest Z-series board, like the Z690 Gaming X, as it provides a good balance of performance and price.

I would suggest checking out the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi D4. It's well-built, has great VRMs and cooling solutions, making it a solid choice for higher-end CPUs. However, keep in mind that it’s a pricier option, around $350, so if you’re looking to save money, you might want to consider the Z690-A instead since it’s still quite capable.

You're right that with a good cooler, overclocking doesn't yield a huge boost, typically around 5% at most. If you're not planning on connecting many PCIe devices, then a more budget-friendly board should be fine. Regarding the 14700K, yes, it might require a more robust board because of its higher power draw, but if you're okay with maximizing your CPU's potential, look for boards with solid power delivery. I came across an ASUS B760 board that might suit you, but check its power phase design before committing.