Best Motherboard for i5 13600K

To compete with AMD’s Zen 4 processors, Intel’s 13th gen “Raptor Lake” processor boasts some serious specs. The i5-13600K is a mid-range processor which comes with the same socket Intel is still giving the edge to gamers by supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Compared to its predecessors, the i5-13600K offers a 10% increase in clock speeds and a 19% increase in gaming performance. 

With 6 performance cores and doubled efficiency cores, the i5-13600k can give more background activity support without sacrificing any foreground performance. This means, you can game and stream without any issues, as the performance cores will take care of the gaming while the efficiency cores handle the encoding in the background.

The motherboard is certainly a critical part of any desktop computer as it is the brain that connects all the vital components and peripherals. And if you’re a gamer then a good motherboard and a graphics card are essential to building a future-proof gaming machine. In this article, I’ve selected the best motherboards for i5-13600k for all types of consumers based on their needs and budget.

	Best Overall Motherboard for i5-13600k ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI DDR4 Read More	See On Amazon
	Best Budget Motherboard for i5-13600k MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Read More	See On Amazon
	Best White Motherboard for i5-13600k ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WIFI Read More	See On Amazon
	Best DDR4 Motherboard for i5-13600k MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 Read More	See On Amazon
	Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX Read More	See On Amazon

Getting a good motherboard for i5-13600k is important if you want to get the most out of your CPU. With numerous options on the table, it might be challenging to select a motherboard that fits your requirements. The i5-13600k has an LGA1700 socket type, meaning it is also compatible with motherboards released the previous year for Intel’s 12th gen processors. Not only do these processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory types, but you can also save ~$100 by going with the DDR4 type. If you’re working with a budget, this is a great option for you.

The 5 Best Motherboard for i5 13600K Reviews

Just like ASRock, ASUS is based in Taiwan and is a leading manufacturer of computer hardware ASUS is famous for its premium TUF and ROG series which boast premium features and quality components for gaming enthusiast. ASUS’s TUF series is their more affordable line while the ROG series represents their top of the line gaming hardware with an extra sprinkle of fancy RGB lights, premium packaging and a slightly higher price tag to match.

ASUS’s TUF Z790-PLUS motherboard is based on the Intel Z790 chipset and supports 12th-gen and 13th-gen Intel CPUs with LGA1700 socket type. The 16+1 VRM design with a 60A power stage ensures that this board can deliver stable power to the CPU even when overclocked. The TUF series is also known for its military-grade durability with features like ESD Guards, SafeSlot Core+ and Digi+ VRM.

This board features 4 DIMM slots which can support up to 128GB of DDR4 while having overclock capacity of up to 5333 MHz. I’d consider this as a downside of this motherboard as other reference models in the market feature the latest DDR5 memory support. For storage, there are 4x SATA III ports and 4x M.2 slots and you get PCIe 4.0 support throughout these M.2 slots.

As for the design, this board features the same blackish design as the previous models with the TUF gaming logo on the heatsink. Having a rugged look, this board has no fancy RGB lights on the heatsinks but features a LED-lit TUF logo and another LED-lit pattern along the right side of the board.

Connectivity-wise, this motherboard features plenty of them with a total of 12 USB ports. The rear I/O features 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports along with 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports which include one Type-C and two Type-A ports whereas the 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C port is also present on the rear side.

This motherboard also supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) standard and features 2.5Gbps Ethernet for ultra-fast downloads and streaming. You also get the latest Realtek ALC S1200A codec for high-quality audio output. Lastly, the Z790-Plus is a great motherboard for those who are looking for a durable and feature-rich board without spending too much. It has all the latest features that one might need and also supports Intel’s latest Raptor Lake CPUs.

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MSI has always been at the forefront of gaming hardware and the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon is no different. It’s packed with features that any serious gamer needs, including support for the latest CPUs, plenty of RAM, and multiple graphics cards. The carbon series from MSI has equipped with all the modern technologies but the competitive price is what makes MSI a top choice for many.

Design-wise, the motherboard features an all-black color scheme and MSI’s signature dragon logo is engraved on the rear I/O cover as in all other motherboards offered by MSI. The board looks great and the build quality is excellent. MSI has used the same design as its previous motherboards and in my opinion, a sprinkle of new color schemes would be a welcome change.

Furthermore, the RGB LEDs illuminate the dragon logo and the carbon branding on the chipset heat sink which makes for great aesthetics. Just like the other models in the lineup, the PCB can bear the weight of large heatsinks, multiple PCIe expansion slots, and other gaming-centric features.

MSI has used an 18+1+1 phase design for the VRM and it uses high-quality MSI-branded MOSFETs thermal pads to cool down the power delivery area. This VRM design with PWM IC and 75A smart power stage are perfect for overclocking and gaming. As for the memory, it also has 4 DIMM slots for dual-channel memory and can store a total of 128GB using DDR5 memory modules, with speeds up to 6600MHz. Moreover, the M.2 Shield Frozr protects stored data by keeping M.2 drives at a consistent temperature, which also reduces the likelihood of corruption or system failure.

This MSI MPG Z690 Carbon motherboard is perfect for gamers who need multiple ports to connect all of their gaming peripherals. It has 5 M.2 slots that support SATA and NVMe drives, as well as 6 SATA ports. As for USBs, there are 1x Gen-2 Type-C, 2x Gen-1 Type-A (at the front) along with x gen 2x2 Type C, 5x Gen 2 Type A, and 4x USB 2.0 at the rear I/O panel), a display port and an HDMI port for displays.

Overall, the MSI MPG Z690 is a great motherboard for gaming and offers good value for money. It has all the features that you need for gaming and MSI signature dragon logo and carbon branding elevate the looks of this board. MSI has used high-quality components and the build quality is excellent.

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ASRock is a well-known manufacturer of PC hardware including motherboards, graphics cards, and other gaming-related peripherals based in Taiwan. The motherboards from ASRock come in a variety of form factors and with different feature sets targeted at different audiences. Usually, ASRock motherboards come in two categories according to their price. These are entry-level motherboards and high-end motherboards. Steel Legend series boasts some premium gaming as well as overclocking features without breaking the bank.

As for the design, the board features a very catchy design with black PCB and white heat sinks, and with this black and white color scheme, the board looks very premium. The white heatsinks are outfitted with a camouflage design while the RGB lining along the M.2 slot and the I/O heatsinks add to the look.

Asrock Z790 Steel Legend has a solid feature set having 4x M.2 slots with one slot being PCIe 5.0 while other three having PCIe 4.0 support. There is 1x PCIe 5.0 along with two other PCIe slots but unfortunately, they are PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 respectively. For the USB ports, you’ve got 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A at the rear as well as 8x USB 3.2 Gen1 on the rear side and 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 on the front.

Other notable features include Intel Wi-Fi 6E module 802.11ax (2.4Gbps) + BT 5.0 support, 4 SATA III ports, and support for DDR5-6800+(OC) memory. With the 16+1+1 phase power design, you won’t face any overclocking issues and the board is also equipped with Nichicon 12K black caps, 60A SPS power stages, and 1x 24-pin ATX power connectors for optimal power delivery to the CPU.

Furthermore,  the board also has a very good audio solution with the Realtek ALC897 codec with Nahimic audio and 5 gold-plated audio connectors. The only downside of the board is that it doesn’t support Thunderbolt 4 but other than that, it’s a very good motherboard. The 2oz copper PCB and the industry-grade PCB help with heat dissipation and overclocking.

Overall, the ASRock Z790 Steel Legend is a very good motherboard if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with premium features and good build quality.  The board has a very good feature set and performs well in both gaming and overclocking. I’d say that it’s a very good option in the budget-friendly category.

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MSI is a world leader in gaming and PC hardware, and the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK is one of their latest flagship models. MSI’s TOMAHAWK series is feature enriched while being reasonably priced and the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK is no different. It comes packed with top-notch features and overclocking support. This motherboard is built for gamers and power users, with a host of features that make it an ideal choice for your next PC build.

The Z790 TOMAHAWK has a rugged black theme and a sleek design. It looks great and will complement any gaming rig. This board features an ATX form factor and LGA1700 socket for supporting both Intel’s 12th and 13th Gen processors. Even without the fancy RGB, it looks attractive and sleek. Moreover, the thickened copper and server-grade material of the 6-layered PCB ensures exceptional heat conduction and stability.

The board comes with four DDR4 DIMM slots that can support up to 128GB of RAM and is overclockable up to 5333 MHz. With the 16+1+1 Duet Rail power system, the board is capable of delivering clean and stable power to the CPU during overclocking. A dual 8-pin power connector provides enough power for even the most power-hungry CPUs. The core boost and memory boost technology ensure that the processor and memory are running at their optimum speeds.

For the ports, there are 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2.5 Gbps Type-A, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10 Gbps Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 20 Gbps Type-C port on the rear  I/O. The board also comes with an Intel I219-V 2.5 Gbps Ethernet LAN, a Realtek ALC 40 20 codec, and an Intel Wi-Fi 6 module pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot.

In terms of storage, there are 4x M.2 ports with PCIe 4.0 support and 7X SATA 6G ports. The board also comes with 3x PCIe slots, but all of them don’t support the newer PCIe 5.0 standard. Only one of the slots has PCIe 5.0 support while the other two have PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 support respectively.

Overall, the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK is a great motherboard but the only downside is that it doesn’t have DDR5 support. Nevertheless, it is still a great board for gamers and power users alike. It has a great design, lots of features and it is very reasonably priced. So, if you are in the market for a new motherboard, the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK should be on your list of choice.

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Gigabyte is one of those computer hardware companies which is well-known for its top-tier high-performance products. The AORUS series from Gigabyte has been a popular choice among overclocking enthusiasts and gamers due to its excellent quality and performance. The Z790 AORUS is the newest edition in the AORUS lineup and it is packed with features that are sure to appeal to a wide range of users.

The Z790 AORUS ELITE is the most budget-friendly option in the AORUS series and comes with a 16+1+2 VRM design with 70A power stage to deliver stable power to the CPU during drastic overclocking situations. The 6-layered 2x copper PCB accounts for the optimized thermal design, which helps to keep the temperatures in check. The fully covered MOSFET heatsink has a 4x larger surface area and the multi-cut design allows the optimal airflow for quick and easy heat dissipation.

Furthermore, this board has 4x dual-channel DIMM slots with DDR5 support and can accommodate up to 128GB of system memory, having a 32GB stick in each slot. This board’s default RAM speed is a measly 4000 MT/s, but if you’re into overclocking, you can push it up to 7600MT/s by utilizing the XMP 3.0 profile. The 24-pin ATX power connector powers the board, and there is another 8+8-pin power connector that powers up the CPU.

In terms of design, this board has a simple and elegant design however, this board isn’t equipped with the fancy RGB lights all around the heatsinks and M.2 slots just like the ASRock Z790. You only get a touch of LED lighting on the bottom of the lower heatsink, and it complements the all-black design of this motherboard. Gigabyte has implemented solid components and an all-black color scheme to give it a more sophisticated look.

For storage, the 6x SATA 6GB/s SATA connectors and 3x M.2 slots with PCIe 4.0 support are more than enough for most users. There are three different expansion slots available: 1x PCIe 5.0 slot, and 2x PCIe 4.0 slot which are meant for graphics cards or other devices that need an expansion slot.

As for the connectivity, on the back panel, you’ve got a 1x USB Type-C port with USB 3.2 Gen2 support for ultra-fast data transfer rates. Alongside the Type-C port, there are 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports (Red), 3x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0/1.1, 1x HDMI and 1x Displayport. You’ve also got your standard audio outputs with the Realtek ALC1220 codec and 2x SMA antenna connectors for WiFi and Bluetooth antenna.

Overall, the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX is a great budget-friendly motherboard that has everything you need for a high-performance gaming rig. This board looks great in all-black gaming rigs and has plenty of features for overclocking and gaming.

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