01
High-end
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi
Best Motherboard for Intel i5 13600K
Picked up a shiny new 13600K? Fancy a new motherboard to go with that?
Updated: Feb 14, 2023 1:21 pm
Intel has launched its 13th Generation of desktop CPUs based on the Raptor Lake architecture. This time around, Intel has opted for an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary approach. The mid-range Core i5 13600K is one of the most promising CPUs in the lineup thanks to its excellent price-to-performance ratio. Here’s our Best motherboard for Intel i5-13600K article.
If you fancy picking up a 13th-generation CPU for yourself Consider buying a 13th-generation Intel CPU here
Now read: Where to buy Intel i5 13600K if you fancy getting this 13th gen i5 for yourself.
To maximize the full potential of the new i5-13600K, you need to pair it with a competent motherboard. Fortunately, there are several suitable options available on the market that can complement the performance of the i5-13600K. Motherboards for the 13th-gen CPUs are selling out fast, grab your new motherboard for 13600K below!
The article may contain som older hardware, but we assure you that all of the hardware featured is still relevant and the best pick for the i5-13600k.
Best Intel CPU deals US
The best motherboard for the Intel Core i5-13600K is on the B760 chipset, but as of right now, all we have to work with is the Z790 chipsets. However, if you have a 12th-generation LGA 1700 motherboard, you have the option to stick it out and wait for the B760 motherboard to be released. The B760 motherboards feature a reduced cost but as a result, are less feature-rich than the Z790 counterpart.
Best motherboard for Intel i5-13600K: Top Picks
01
High-end
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi
Things to consider when picking the best motherboard for Intel i5 13600K.
As with any motherboard purchase, there are numerous factors that should be considered when buying a motherboard for the Core i5 13600K. These include chipset, memory type, power delivery, memory type, and more. We will analyze all of these below, so strap in.
Why are motherboards important for PC performance?
Motherboards are crucial for PC performance because they serve as the foundation of the computer.
- Determine the CPU compatibility, meaning AMD or Intel, and also the generation of the CPU.
- Provide connectivity for peripherals (e.g. graphics card, storage drives, RAM)
- Determine the amount and type of RAM and expansion slots
- Control the power supply to the components.
Chipset Choice
One of the first decisions you need to make in the buying process is regarding the chipset of the motherboard. The Core i5 13600K is compatible with all Z790 and Z690 motherboards, in addition to other budget chipsets from the B and H series.
Since the Core i5-13600K is an unlocked K-series SKU, it makes sense to pair it with a Z-series motherboard in order to have access to overclocking.
Moreover, we prefer Z790 over Z690 thanks to its improved PCIe lane distribution and advanced connectivity. This will help you make the most out of your system and allow you to equip it with faster internal components, like a better GPU and SSD. These components specifically rely on the PCIe bandwidth and speed.
All of the motherboards on today’s list comes equipped with the latest PCIe gen 5 technology. So you don’t have to worry on that front.
Memory Type
After you have decided on your chipset of choice, you also have to decide whether you want to buy a DDR4 or DDR5 motherboard. The Raptor Lake platform supports both memory generations, and it is up to the user to decide which generation of motherboard they want to purchase.
If you already have DDR4 memory lying around, then you might want to pick a DDR4-compatible Z690 or Z790 motherboard. These boards are a bit more affordable than their DDR5 counterparts, and the memory kits themselves are cheaper too.
On the other hand, DDR5 memory kits are almost double the price of comparable DDR4 kits. However, DDR5 is the present and the future, so it makes sense to upgrade to DDR5 if you are building a brand-new system. In that case, you will need a DDR5-compatible Z690 or Z790 motherboard.
Power
The Intel 13th-generation CPUs require more power than previous generations. In fact, these are some of the highest TDPs we have ever seen from a desktop CPU. Over 250W of TDP can be produced by the 13900K in its default state alone. Because of this, you’re going to want a motherboard with at least a 20 + 2 power stage configuration.
Do your CPU a favor, and get the most advanced power configuration you can, because you get a lot out of a CPU when its power situation is properly configured and supported.
Not only that, but a lot of modern motherboards require additional PCI power to the motherboard to enable features like fast charging on the USB type C slots.
Socket
It may be obvious to some, but not so much to others. You need to pick up a motherboard that belongs to the same socket as your CPU. In this case, it’s the LGA 1700 socket, not to be confused with AMD’s LGA 1718 socket. But that’s at least mainly named AM5.
Nothing will happen if you get a CPU and motherboards with incompatible sockets. The CPU simply just straight-up won’t fit into the socket, and you’ll probably cause a lot of damage trying, so please don’t. if you happen to have picked up the wrong motherboard, you can always refund it and get another.
Best motherboard for Intel i5 13600K
Here we will explore our motherboard choices in a bit more detail and explain why these motherboards stand out from the crowd.
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi
High-end best motherboard for 13600K
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
16+1 phase power delivery system
Connectivity
2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.
PCIe Gen 5
GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot
DDR5
Yes
Shop on Amazon Check Price
Pros
- 16+1 phase power delivery system
- Great overclocking support
- WiFi 6E
Cons
- large price tag
The ROG Strix lineup from ASUS has some incredible options for the Z790 chipset, and the Z790-F Gaming is no exception. It is a bit more expensive than we’d like, but it also is a cut above the rest when it comes to features.
Under the sizeable VRM heatsinks, ASUS has provided a 16+1 phase power delivery system with 90A power stages. This VRM setup, coupled with the robust cooling solution, is more than capable of handling any overclocking on the Core i5 13600K.
Networking is handled by a 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E, while the storage suite is comprised of four M.2 slots as well as several SATA ports for your traditional drives. You also get a Thunderbolt 4 header on the board, which is a bonus at this price point.
The board also features the trademark design and styling of the ASUS ROG lineup. The RGB lighting over the I/O cover looks particularly unique and helps this board stand out from the crowd.
There is not a lot to complain about with the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming, apart from the price tag. It might be a bit too expensive for the Core i5 13600K, but that is subjective and should be judged by the individual buyer.
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
mid-range best motherboard for 13600K
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
16+1+2 phase VRM design
Connectivity
2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.
PCIe Gen 5
GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot
DDR5
Yes
Shop on Amazon Check Price
Pros
- 16+1+2 phase VRM design
- WiFi 6E
- Stealthy, less RGB than most models
Cons
- not as feature rich as other motherboards in the same price range.
We chose the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX as the mid-range choice for the Core i5 13600K thanks to its versatility and value proposition. The board features a 16+1+2 phase VRM design with 70A power stages and can handle moderate overclocking on the 13600K with ease.
Gigabyte has also equipped the AORUS Elite AX with plenty of features. You get four M.2 slots and six SATA ports for all your storage needs, while networking is handled by a 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E.
The design of the board is fairly simple and understated. It is missing a splash of RGB lighting, however, and that may be a potential downside for some consumers.
In essence, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX from Gigabyte really hits the sweet spot when it comes to value. There are definitely better boards out there, but realistically this is all you need for your Core i5 13600K.
MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4
best budget motherboard for 13600K
MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4
MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
14+1+1 phase VRM
Connectivity
2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, USB 3,2, and more.
PCIe Gen 5
GPU x16
DDR5
NO
Shop on Amazon Check Price
Pros
- Budget friendly
- 14+1+1 phase VRM
- Simplistic
Cons
- no DDR5
- not very feature rich.
The MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4 is ideal for value hunters who want to maximize their bang for the buck. It is a DDR4 motherboard, which allows it to be a bit more affordable than other Z790 options on the market.
You may not get to maximize the full capabilities of your Core i5 13600K through extreme overclocking, but the 14+1+1 phase VRM is certainly more than good enough for this CPU. The board is also quite well-equipped when it comes to features such as storage and connectivity.
Aesthetically, the MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi is a bit underwhelming, especially due to the lack of RGB lighting and no built-in I/O shield. Still, this board is more about performance per dollar than visuals and it certainly delivers in that respect.
It is definitely one to be considered if you want to buy a motherboard for your Core i5 13600K on a reasonably limited budget.
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
04
Best budget Z790 motherboard
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
16+1+2 phase VRM design
Connectivity
2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.
PCIe Gen 5
GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot
DDR5
Yes
Shop on Amazon Check Price
Pros
- 16+1+2 phase VRM design
- WiFi 6E
- Stealthy, less RGB than most models
Cons
- not as feature rich as other motherboards in the same price range.
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX. It is not the fanciest Z790 motherboard in the world, but it gets the job done.
Gigabyte has used a twin 16+1+2 phase VRM design with 70A power stages in this motherboard. The VRM is also well-cooled thanks to large fully aluminum heatsinks.
The Aorus features four M.2 slots and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the board for your storage needs. Networking is handled by a 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E, which is a lot of storage potential for the price.
There is not a lot that stands out about the Z790 AORUS Elite AX, aesthetically. The motherboard is mostly black with small Aorus accents on the heatsinks. This might come as a breath of fresh air for some people, considering the lack of RGB.
In essence, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a great Z790 motherboard to consider if you are on a relatively limited budget. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but it provides decent value for your money overall.
Other useful Intel links
- Best motherboard for i9-13900K
- Best motherboard for i7-13700K
- Best motherboard for i5-13600K
- Best Intel 13th gen CPU
- Best Intel 13th gen motherboard
- Best Z790 motherboard
Final word
no matter what motherboard you choose here for your i5-13600K, you’ll be in good hands. All of the motherboards here can comfortably handle the 13600K and all of the processing power it produces. Some motherboards are more feature rich than others, but you will pay a premium for them.
Make sure you keep checking back here as we update our articles regularly to depict the best products to use with certain components. We hope you enjoyed our Best motherboard for Intel i5 13600K article.
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
