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Best Intel 13th gen motherboard for gaming in 2024 

Here we will comprise a list of the best 13th gen motherboards for Intel 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs.

Updated: Feb 22, 2024 8:34 am
Best Intel 13th gen motherboard for gaming in 2024 

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Looking for the best Intel 13th Gen motherboard? Then you have come to the right place. With a wide variety of options, you can be sure to find the right option for your needs. With a wide variety of Intel CPUs able to use this socket now, it’s even more key to find a suitable one.

Oftentimes, the motherboard is neglected when it comes time to upgrade your hardware. Silly since most of the new platform features come via the motherboard, that’s why we’re bringing you this best 13th gen motherboard article. Remember 13th Gen supports the LGA 1700 socket, so Z690 motherboards will be compatible, but will not benefit from PCIe Gen 5. But that also means Intel’s 14th Gen is still supported and these will offer good options for it.

What is the best Intel 13th-gen motherboard in 2024?

The best Intel 13th-generation motherboard should consist of all the new features that enhance the usability of the 14th-generation CPUs. For example, PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 5 Storage options. It depends largely on the CPU you choose, but the Z790 is the obvious best 13th-generation motherboard choice thanks to its rich feature set and robust power management capabilities. You can’t go wrong with a B760 if you happen to have chosen a more mid-their CPU. Here we will outline the best 13th-generation motherboard to pick up for your shiny new Lake CPU. 

Best Intel 13th gen motherboard – ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO

01
Best motherboard for 13900K
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

asus maximus hero z790

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

Pros
  • Strong power stages
  • PCIe Gen 5
  • Heightened DDR5 speeds
  • Lots of connectivity
Cons
  • Very expensive

The ROG Maximus Z790 HERO is certainly deserving of the best motherboard title.

This motherboard, the ROG Z790 HERO, stands out as the best choice in the Z790 platform. It took the top spot after the ROG Extreme motherboard on the AMD side caused X3D CPUs to overheat. Luckily, the ROG Z790 HERO doesn’t have that issue. This motherboard is packed with the latest technology for motherboards and connectivity.

The Z790 HERO uses the LGA 1700 socket, making it ready for 13th-gen Intel Core processors, as well as 12th-gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors. While it’s unlikely you’ll use Pentium or Celeron processors with this motherboard, you have the option to do so.

This motherboard boasts a robust 20+1 power stage design, with each stage rated for 90A. It also features dual ProCool II power connectors, high-quality alloy chokes, and durable capacitors to support multi-core processors. For storage, the Maximus Z790 HERO supports the latest M.2 SSD technology, with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot on the motherboard and a bundled ROG Hyper M.2 card that includes four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, all equipped with substantial cooling solutions.

In terms of connectivity, the Z790 HERO has you covered. It includes 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 additional USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots, and HDMI 2.1 support. The Z790 Maximus HERO is certainly the best choice motherboard for your 13th-generation Intel CPU.

Runner up Intel 13th gen motherboard – GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER 

02
Runner up best motherboard for 13900K
GABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER 

3462370 a

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

Pros
  • Strong power stages
  • Great overclocking potential for price
  • DDR5 ready and PCIe Gen 5 compatible
Cons
  • expensive

The Master offers many features, the best of which is the way it handles power delivery. The Master offers a huge 20 + 1 + 2 power stage design, meaning it has three main stages as opposed to two, delivering clean, well-controlled power where the CPU needs it most. 

The Aorus master features full PCIe gen 5 support, equipped with a single PCIe gen 5 M.2 slot and one PCIe Gen 5 x16 GPU slot. Like the ROG Maximus, the Master is also equipped with support for up to DDR5 7600MHz ensuring any CPU you sit into it will never be left wanting in the memory speed department 

One of the best features of the AORUS Master is its impressive thermal armor, which covers everything from VRMs to IO, to NVME SSD slots.  You can expect to find all the connectivity you could ever need on the Aorus Master, such as USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, 10GB/s ethernet, Q-Flash, Clear CMOS, and audio.

Best budget Intel 13th gen motherboard – ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

03
Best budget motherboard for 13900K
ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

asus prime

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

Pros
  • Cost effective
  • Compatible with 12 and 13th gen CPUs
Cons
  • Less features then premium boards on lesser chipsets

The ASUS Prime is a little simpler, and it comes with a 16 + 1 DrMOS power stage design, keeping the power delivery clean., the ASUS Prime isn’t a motherboard that is built for overclocking. But it will allow the CPU to boost to its maximum boost speed without breaking a sweat. 

The Prime supports DDR5 memory up to DDR5 7000MHz, a little less than we’ve seen from other motherboards, but at this price point, you can’t complain. PCIe gen 5 support is still rife on the ASUS Prime, it is still a Z790 after all. PCIe Gen 5 is offered on one PCIe x16 GPU slot. However, there is no PCIe gen 5 support on the M.2 SSD slots. 

The connectivity has been reduced slightly to facilitate a lower manufacturing cost, but you’d still find all the features you’d come to expect on a motherboard of this price point.

Why is the correct 13th-generation motherboard important when building a PC?

The motherboard is a crucial element when building a PC, and selecting the appropriate one is vital for various reasons:

Compatibility: The motherboard must be able to work with the CPU, memory, storage, and other components you plan to use on your PC. This encompasses the socket type, which must align with the socket type of the CPU, as well as the memory and expansion slot types.

Features: The motherboard functions as the connection point for all the PC’s components, and the choice of the motherboard can impact the features that are available to you. For instance, some motherboards have built-in Wi-Fi or Thunderbolt connectivity, while others don’t. Some motherboards also have additional features such as RGB lighting, overclocking capabilities, and BIOS/UEFI firmware.

Expansion: The motherboard determines the number and type of expansion slots that are accessible, which can influence the future upgradeability of your PC. For example, if you plan to add a dedicated graphics card or additional storage devices in the future, you will require a motherboard with the appropriate expansion slots.

Power delivery: The motherboard is responsible for delivering power to the CPU and other components, thus the quality of the power delivery can affect the stability and performance of your PC. A high-quality motherboard with robust power delivery can aid in ensuring that your PC runs smoothly and is less likely to experience issues such as system crashes or blue screens.

Brand and Quality: The brand and quality of the motherboard also play a role in the overall performance and stability of the system. Some brands are known for their high-quality products and offer better warranties and support than others.

FAQs

Should I upgrade my motherboard for the 13th-generation CPUs?

It is indeed recommended that you do, but not totally necessary. The 600 series motherboards from previous generations will more than suffice, and they fit the same LGA 1700 socket. But to get access to all of the features that the 13th generation CPUs bring, it is recommended you upgrade to a 700 series motherboard.

What’s new with the 13th-generation motherboards?

Most of the new features are connectivity based on the new 700 series motherboards. The best of the best for this generation is the Z790 chipset.  Intel has gone on record saying that this generation of both CPUs and motherboards is less about advancing technology in Intel’s arsenal, but about bridging the gap between the 12th gen and 14th gen. Which is the real prize that we can expect in the coming years.

So with that being said, the new features that the 13th gen motherboards are limited to PCIe Gen 5 support, faster DDR5 memory support, and better connectivity, such as USB4. The prize pig here is obviously the PCIe Gen 5 support, allowing up to twice the speed and twice the bandwidth over PCIe Gen 4. The new generation technically allows GPUs to be twice as fast.

Other useful Intel links

Final Word 

The best motherboards are the ones that can support the full extent of the other hardware in your system. Even if you stuffed any one of these motherboards with the best hardware you have on hand, you’d be elated to find every motherboard holds its own and facilitates the fastest speeds possible. 

If money is no object then the ASUS Maximus Extreme is calling your name, with its vast connectivity and overclocking support reserved for the most avid of enthusiasts. If you’re on a budget then the ASUS Prime could fill the hole every other motherboard is too expensive to fill. It will still support your 13th-generation CPU beautifully, and will never miss a beat. 


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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