Best motherboard for Intel i7-13700K in 2024 – our top 13700k motherboard picks
Here, we will find the best motherboard suited to the Intel Core i7-13700K in terms of price, efficiency, and features.
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Looking for the best motherboard for the i7-13700K? Intel‘s 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs, offer many advantages, even over the 14th-generation CPUs. Now might be the best time to pick one up, since the prices have dropped as they are no longer the latest intel release. If that is the case, then you’re going to need a motherboard.
We’ve all seen the performance metrics of the 13th generation, particularly the 13900K and all of its accomplishments over Alder Lake, up to a 15% better single-core performance gain, and up to 41% better multi-thread performance gain. But today, the 13700K takes the spotlight and subsequently, we’re going to find the best motherboard for the Intel Core i7-13700K.
The i7-13700K is a pretty powerful CPU in and of itself, so the motherboard you select needs to reflect that. Ideally, the best motherboard for the Intel Core i7-13700K will be one belonging to the Z790 chipset. like the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero. This is because the Z790 carries all the latest hardware and features, built around the 13th-generation Intel CPUs.
Z790 vs Z690 motherboards
To cut to the chase, Z790 motherboards are considered better than the Z690 motherboards for 2 main reasons, the extra PCIe lanes, which offer expanded high-speed storage options and better future GPU support, and the more advanced connectivity. Beyond that, the differences are minor and only matter to the 1%. If you need to save a buck or two, you can opt for a Z690 motherboard. You should get almost identical performance and a very similar situation. But if you want to shell out the extra $50 or so to future-proof, the Z790 is the way to go.
Best motherboard for i7-13700K – ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
20+1 phase
Connectivity
2.5Gb LAN, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5, audio, USB4, USB-C, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4
PCIe Gen 5
GPU x16 and M.2
DDR5
Yes
- Strong power stages
- PCIe Gen 5
- Heightened DDR5 speeds
- Lots of connectivity
- Very expensive
The ROG Z790 HERO motherboard arguably sits at the top of the Z790 platform, surpassing the ROG Extreme motherboard on AMD’s side, which faced issues with overheating X3D CPUs. Fortunately, the ROG Z790 HERO doesn’t have this problem. It boasts the latest motherboard technology and connectivity features.
Equipped with the LGA 1700 socket, this motherboard is ready for 13th Gen Intel Core processors and 12th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors, though it’s unlikely you’d opt for the latter two with such a high-performance board. One of its standout features is the robust 20+1 power stage design, each stage rated for 90A, along with dual ProCool II power connectors, high-quality alloy chokes, and durable capacitors to handle multi-core processors with ease.
In terms of storage, the Maximus Z790 HERO supports cutting-edge M.2 SSD technology, featuring a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot on the motherboard and an included ROG Hyper M.2 card with four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, all well-equipped with efficient cooling solutions.
When it comes to connectivity, you won’t be left wanting. The Z790 HERO offers Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ support up to 60W, six extra USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots, and HDMI 2.1 compatibility.
The Z790 Maximus HERO is certainly the best choice motherboard for your Core i7 -13700K.
Runner up Motherboard for i7-13700K – GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER
Form Factor
ATX
Power stages
20 + 1 + 2
Connectivity
USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, Q-Flash, Clear CMOS, and 10GB/s ethernet
PCIe Gen 5
Yes
DDR5
Yes
- Strong power stages
- Great overclocking potential for price
- DDR5 ready and PCIe Gen 5 compatible
- expensive
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master is a motherboard in between the other two entries, offering the best without the premium ASUS price tag.
The Aorus Master offers many features, the most noteworthy of which is power delivery. The Master offers a 20+1+2 power stage design, meaning it delivers only the cleanest power where your CPU needs it most. The Master has full PCIe Gen 5 support, equipped with a single PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot and one PCIe Gen 5 x16 GPU slot. Similarly to the Maximus, the master is equipped with support for up to DDR5 7600MHz memory, meaning your 13700K will never be left wanting.
One of the most impressive features of the Master is its impenetrable thermal armor, the thermal pad covering the power stages, and VRMs rated for 12 W/mk. Keeping your power delivery mechanisms at a safe operating temperature. You can expect to find all the connectivity on the Maximus you could ever need here, such as USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, Q-Flash, Clear CMOS, and 10GB/s ethernet.
Best mid-range Motherboard for i7-13700K – 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
- 16+1+2 phase VRM design
- WiFi 6E
- Stealthy, less RGB than most models
- not as feature rich as other motherboards in the same price range.
We highly recommend the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX. It is not the fanciest Z790 motherboard out there, but it gets the job done.
Gigabyte has used a twin 16+1+2 phase VRM design with 70A power stages in this motherboard. This level of VRM efficiency should be capable of powering any 13th-generation CPU on stock settings, and you can even mess in some light overclocking. The VRM is also very well-cooled thanks to large aluminum heatsinks. You also get access to four M.2 slots and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the board for your storage needs. Networking is handled by a respectable 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E, which is a very reasonable combination for the price of this motherboard.
There is not a lot that stands out about the Z790 AORUS Elite AX, aesthetically. Most of the board is covered with black shrouds and there is subtle AORUS branding on the chipset heatsink. There is also a stark lack of RGB lighting, which might be a deal breaker for some potential buyers but can be quite a breath of fresh air. Depending on your take on 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.
Best Budget motherboard for i7-13700K – ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI
ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI
Form Factor
ATX
Power stages
16 + 1 DrMOS power stages
Connectivity
USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, and 2.5GB/s ethernet.
PCIe Gen 5
Yes
DDR5
Yes
- Cost effective
- Compatible with 12 and 13th gen CPUs
- Less features then premium boards on lesser chipsets
The ASUS Prime Z790 is the best budget motherboard for the Z790 chipset. Make no mistake, however, this chipset is still the best on offer for the 13th gen lineup.
The ASUS Prime comes with an impressive 16 + 1 DrMOS power stage design, keeping the power delivery to the 13700K clean and precise, the Prime, however, does not have a strong position in overclocking. But it will allow the 13700K to boost to its maximum boost speed automatically. The Prime supports DDR5 memory up to DDR5 7000MHz, which is a little less than we’ve seen so far from other entries, but it’s still plenty fast.
However, PCIe gen 5 support is still supported on the ASUS Prime, offering one PCIe gen 5 x 16 GPU slot. However, there is no PCIe gen 5 support on the M.2 SSD slots. The connectivity on the ASUS Prime has been toned down a little to accommodate lower cost, but you’d still find all of the features needed for a fantastic experience, such as USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, and 2.5GB/s ethernet.
o-performance ratio. The motherboard you choose for the 13700K should reflect that, you can either go big or go budget because the 13700K has you covered on both ends. This is why we suggested a variety of different motherboards.
Things to consider when looking for the best motherboard for Core i7-13700K
Here are some things to consider when picking up a new motherboard for the Intel Core i7-13700K.
Socket
Bear in mind that the only socket that will fit the i7-13700K is socket LGA 1700. Any other CPU socket is incompatible with the Core i7-13700K. All of Intel’s 12th and 13th-generation Processors are based upon socket LGA 1700.
Currently, there are only two motherboard generations that carry socket LGA 1700, these are the Intel 600 series, and the Intel 700 series motherboards. For example, the flagship chipset for both of these motherboard generations would be the Z690 and the Z790.
Memory
Intel first introduced DDR5 memory support with its 12th-generation CPUs, offering the chance for users to upgrade to a platform supporting the new standard of memory. Intel, however, also manufactured DDR4 capable motherboards for the 12th gen Alder Lake CPUs to ease the transition into the later technologies as DDR5 memory at the time was expensive
Intel seems to be offering the same choice with its 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs. Intel is allowing the manufacture of both DDR4 and DDR5 motherboards on the LGA 1700 socket. Just make sure you get the right memory for your motherboard and vice versa.
Power
The Intel 13th-generation CPUs require more power than previous generations. These are some of the highest TDPs we have ever seen from a desktop CPU. Over 250W of TDP can be produced by the 13700K when boosting. Because of this, you’re going to want a motherboard with at least a 20 + 2 power stage configuration.
The more VRMs you have scrubbing and dividing the power towards the CPU, the better. This is especially true for overclocking purposes, as voltage and TDP increase with any additional overclocks you place on the CPU. 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 PCIe power to the motherboard to enable features like fast charging on the USB type C slots.
FAQs
Do I need a new motherboard for the i7-13700K?
Technically, no. You can get by with an Intel 600-series motherboard from the previous generation, this is because both 600 and 700 series motherboards belong to the same LGA 1700 socket. You may need to update your motherboard BIOS on any 600 series motherboards to gain full compatibility with the 13th gen, however.
The reason we upgrade our motherboards is to give our whole system access to the latest advancements and technologies. For example, the 700 series motherboards have access to better PCIe storage technology, connectivity, and better chips. Since your whole system is interconnected via the motherboard, it becomes apparent that every component inside your PC can share in the wealth that is motherboard advancement.
Can motherboard choice affect PC performance?
Selecting the appropriate motherboard for a PC is crucial to its performance, as it plays a significant role in determining the system’s overall functionality, compatibility, and stability. The motherboard establishes the parameters for the kind of CPU, memory, storage, and expansion choices that can be employed to impact the rate of communication between components and manage the system’s power management and overclocking capabilities.
Choosing a superior motherboard can promote the efficient coordination of PC components and facilitate maximum performance. In contrast, opting for an ill-suited motherboard can curtail the potential of even the most outstanding components and produce a system that is unstable or untrustworthy.
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
The Intel Core i7-13700K is one of the best eight-core CPUs on the market right now, with an incredible price-to-performance ratio. This performance standard means you can take the motherboard to the max, or be a little bit more budget-friendly and opt for a lower generation and the CPU will be just fine with that. The versatility of the 13th generation is its biggest asset, and it’s far more of a worthy Investment than the 14th generation. Either way, you can get the best of the best motherboard and it won’t be out of place serving the 13700K. Either way, you now know our selection of the best motherboard for i7-13700K.
