The Best Motherboards for the 13700K

The Intel 13700K is capable of powering the best gaming rigs. Learn which motherboards are the ideal match for this high-performance CPU.

Launched in the Fall of 2022, the Intel 13700K quickly became one of the most desirable all-around CPUs for both gaming and general productivity. Featuring an astounding 16 cores, the 13th generation CPU serves as a somewhat more affordable alternative to the i9 series of Intel processors. Although the integrated graphics chip on the Intel 13700K can run some older games, the full glory of this CPU isn't realized until it's paired with the best motherboard, memory, and graphics card. Choosing a motherboard that allows a CPU like the Intel Core i7-13700K to reach its full potential is an essential early decision when assembling a gaming build.

RELATED: Best CPU Coolers for PC in 2023Considering the number of motherboards compatible with the Intel 13700K, selecting this vital component is often more difficult than deciding on a CPU. The price range between options is vast, with varying compatibility with DDR4 or DDR5 memory to accompany Raptor Lake CPUs. The Z790 series of motherboards is the most popular candidate to pair with this CPU, with some models offering Thunderbolt 4 storage ports and PCIe 5.0 for graphics cards of the future. There are several other candidates of course, and the following guide suggests the best motherboards for the 13700K at various price points.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi Gaming Motherboard is a capable entry from MSI that supports current-generation Intel Raptor Lake and previous-generation Alder Lake CPUs. It comes packed with a PCI-E 5.0 x16 slot, a very capable networking stack, and as many as 5 M2 NVME connectors making it a compelling choice for gamers, creators, and people looking for a feature-packed motherboard for work or entertainment.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi is not the most budget-oriented or premium motherboard for Intel 12th and 13th-generation CPUs. Even so, it offers a unique style that matches white and black PC cases, and numerous features that make it worth buying instead of cheaper alternatives. What's most noticeable about the MPG Z790 is its appearance, with plenty of silver-trimmed slot covers on the board. The unique color scheme accommodates a wider variety of white, silver, or black cases. The motherboard carries on the tradition of MSI's stylish MPG line, which is popular among streamers and trend-setting PC builders.

RELATED: Best PC Cases in 2023

Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the MPG Z790 offers everything one would expect with this chipset and a few bonuses. Networking and USB connectivity is definitely a highlight of this motherboard, with the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard supported with external antennas included. While it's simple to purchase a separate wireless adapter, they take up a valuable USB port and their range usually can't compete with antenna-based solutions. If Ethernet is preferable, there is a 2.5G port available on its rear IO shield. For connecting wireless peripherals, Bluetooth 5.3 is also present, giving desktop users some conveniences usually reserved for laptops.

As not the most premium Z790 motherboard, buyers will have to make some sacrifices with this MSI MPG offering. The MPG Z790 Edge lacks compatibility with the M2 PCI-E 5.0 interface, but the board still offers plenty of options for blazing-fast internal storage, as well as one USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type C port capable of a 20Gbps transfer rate. This specific motherboard supports DDR5 memory, but be aware that MSI sells a nearly identically priced board supporting only DDR4 sticks.

Even without PCI-E 5.0 storage support, the MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi is the best compromise between the most bare-bones LGA1700 chipsets and motherboards that cost twice or more than its asking price.

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is one of the best motherboards money can buy for Intel 12th and 13th generation CPUs. It supports extremely fast memory overclocking, looks and feels both premium and well-built, and offers dual Thunderbolt 4 ports that make it one of the few USB4 motherboards on the market.

A high-end Z790 motherboard carries with it a lot of expectations. Aimed at both cutting-edge gamers and system builders, the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 delivers on nearly all fronts. If black is not your preferable color in a chipset, then the Maximus Z790 is probably not the motherboard for your build. Even so, there are some nice silver accents throughout, and more exciting is the RGB lighting near the rear IO ports. Most importantly, the Maximus Z790 is one of the most solidly constructed motherboards around, employing an 8-layer PCB and some heavy-duty heat sinks and shrouds.

With the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790, support for the latest memory, storage, and graphics cards is top-notch, as one would expect at this price point. Although it's a costly addition to any gaming build, the Maximus Z790 accommodates DDR5 memory, as well as offering two PCI 5.0 x16 slots. Even though there are very few PCI 5.0 compatible devices on the market, the motherboard is ready for the latest and greatest graphics cards that might appear in the coming years. Also, for the fastest read and write rates possible, the Maximus Z790 includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which are twice as fast as the USB-C standard.

RELATED: The Best Graphics Cards in 2023 for Gaming

Since buyers of high-end motherboards are more likely to attempt to overclock memory, CPUs, and graphics cards, the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 is well-suited for risk-takers. There are numerous temperate monitors scattered around the motherboard, as well as a ROG Water-Cooling Zone which sends information about water flow rate to the Asus Armoury Crate software. For gamers who put maximum stress on the motherboard, the Asus Team Powered Architecture could come to the rescue accommodating CPUs that rapidly change their power demands.

One somewhat surprising omission from the Maximus Z790 specs is the lack of a 10GbE Ethernet port, which some similarly or level lesser priced alternatives ship with. Regardless, the ASUS ROG Strix Maximus Z790 is a premium feature-packed motherboard, where the full potential of the latest Intel CPUs is realized.

The EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N motherboard is designed to unleash the full power of Intel's 12th and 13th-generation CPUs. A 21-phase VRM ensures that these CPUs have consistent and steady power, while a 14-layer low-loss PCB maintains maximum signal integrity for overclocking memory. On the cutting edge of motherboards, the Z790 DARK K|NGP|N supports PCIe Gen 5 components. A dream for overclockers, the Z790 DARK K|NGP|N has sensors to monitor voltage and temperatures constantly.

Overclocking is a possibility on many motherboards but is highly dependent on the CPU and memory involved. With solid overclocking potential, the 13th generation Intel 13700K is one of the latest CPUs PC builders are tinkering with to maximize its power. A motherboard like the EVGA Z790 Dark Kingpin can allow testers to experiment more safely with voltage and frequencies, keeping close tabs on temperatures and everything critical to keeping a system stable. In collaboration with overclocking legend Vince Lucido, EVGA's Dark line of PC components continues to push the limits of what is possible in terms of performance.

The EVGA Z790 Dark Kingpin as an E-ATX motherboard, is a large component that will demand a suitably roomy case for installation. The advantage of this form factor is more effective heat dissipation, enough space for additional expansion slots, and the fact that it's generally easier to work with on testbeds. The motherboard has a basic black color scheme with some gold trim, but the CPU socket and memory slots rotated 90 degrees immediately stand out. One advantage of this unusual orientation is that air can flow more freely over CPUs, aided further by two VRM fans.

RELATED: Best CPU Coolers for PC in 2023

Throughout the Z790 Dark Kingpin are a number of additional sensors and monitors to supply a constant source of information to overclockers. Most obvious is the versatile POST indicator which can display anything from POST codes to CPU temps even before a system boots up. LED indicators toward the top side of the motherboard also provide critical information should failures occur during overclocking. The triple Bios functionality of the Z790 allows system tweakers to experiment with different configurations while having failsafe settings to resort to.

For more general usage, the EVGA Z790 Dark Kingpin is a costly but more than suitable option for non-risk takers. PCI Gen 5 is supported as well as Wi-Fi 6E and dual Ethernet ports for 2.5 GB/s and 10 GB/s connections. 6 SATA 6GB/s connections mean that it's an excellent motherboard to accommodate a rack of hard drives. Of course, its high cost makes it less tempting for the average buyer, but regardless, the EVGA Z790 Dark Kingpin is the ultimate motherboard for gamers overclocking Intel 13700K CPUs.

The Gigabyte B760 Aorus Elite AX covers all bases for offering a stellar and uncompromising DDR5-based motherboard packed with features including Wi-Fi 6E and rear and front USB-C ports.

Spending twice the amount of money on a motherboard as on the Intel 13700K CPU itself isn't practical for some gamers. Fortunately, there are far more budget-friendly motherboard candidates that support 12th and 13th-generation Intel processors without too many compromises for the average buyer. The Gigabyte B760 AORUS Elite AX isn't the most ideal choice for overclockers or for those gamers who must have the absolute latest in USB or Thunderbolt connectivity. However, buyers will otherwise see very little difference in performance from more expensive motherboards running at stock settings.

Despite a budget-friendly price, the Gigabyte B760 AORUS Elite AX is a full-sized ATX motherboard. While not as impressive as a Z790 motherboard, gamers can expect a more than acceptable amount of USB ports including rear and front USB Type-C ports with support for USB 3.2 Gen 2. For storage needs, there are 4 SATA 6 GB/s connections as well as 3 PCI 4.0x4 M.2 slots. The B760 AORUS Elite AX also has the networking needs of gamers covered with 2.5 GbE Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E available. Bluetooth 5.3 is also integrated into the chipset, avoiding the need to purchase a separate adapter.

RELATED: The Best CPUs in 2023

Inexperienced PC builders tend to gravitate towards more affordable motherboards, and the B760 AORUS Elite AX has several features that make it easier to install and remove parts. Instead of fiddling with tiny screws that inevitably get lost, Gigabyte has placed EZ-Latch and EZ-Latch Plus hardware on the PCIe 4 graphics slot and the M.2 storage slot. Also, Q-Flash Plus enables gamers to flash their Bios without the normally essential CPU, memory, or graphics adapter installed. If a Bios update is necessary to use previously incompatible hardware, this feature has obvious benefits.

Boasting compatibility with DDR5 memory and the latest wireless and wired networking standards, many gamers will find the B760 AORUS Elite AX a perfect partner for the Intel 13700K CPU. The full-size ATX form factor makes cable management a bit easier than with mini-ATX alternatives and is compatible with more cases.

The ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 Gaming Motherboard is an excellent mITX motherboard that brings a host of new features including USB4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 to a Z790 chipset in a compact but potent form factor while clocking in at a considerable discount to its closest Z790-based competition.

Builders of compact mini-ITX gaming rigs aren't excluded from the benefits of the Intel 13700K CPU. Despite dramatically different dimensions from ATX motherboards, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX still includes many of the latest connections for modern memory and ultra-fast storage. Gamers can pack 96 GB of dual-channel DDR5 ram into 4 288-pin slots, and 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports. Trying to fit a powerful graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4090 into a small case is a challenge, but in theory, it's possible using this mini ITX motherboard. The ASRock Z790 PG-ITX is future-forward as well, accommodating any PCIe 5.0 graphics adapter that may arrive down the line.

One of the more unique features of the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX is its ability to combine network interfaces to achieve maximum bandwidth. The motherboard includes Wi-Fi 6e support, but with Killer Doubleshot Pro, wireless bandwidth is combined with wired 2.5 G Ethernet for a total bandwidth rate of nearly 5 Gbps. Some desktop users scoff at the notion of using a wireless connection, but this technology makes simultaneous network connections beneficial. Bluetooth 5.3 is also onboard, critical because most users of compact PCs aren't crazy about having numerous dongles and adapters visible.

Another area where ASRock Z790 PG-ITX outshines the competition is with its 3 4th generation NVME M.2 slots, more than most Z790 alternatives in this form factor. Traditional 2.5 and 3.5-inch hard drives can quickly fill up a mini ITX case, so gamers need as many ways to use this ultra-slim storage solution as possible. Otherwise, there are 3 SATA 6.0 GB/s ports if larger drives are a necessity in a build. Of course, the cutting-edge Thunderbolt 4 ports make using external storage all the more appealing.

RELATED: The Best Wired Gaming Headsets For 2023Gamers often take integrated audio chips for granted on modern motherboards. Knowing builders want to use as few components as possible in ITX systems, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX includes native Nahimic audio powered by SteelSeries. This technology not only reduces static interference when using microphones but also gives game audio a more dynamic surround sound quality.

Even though the Intel Core i7-13700K is hardly the most power-efficient CPU, small but mighty PCs are still in demand. With its intelligent networking features and support of the latest USB and memory standards, the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX is undoubtedly the most desirable Z790 motherboard for compact gaming rigs.

The Intel Core i7-13700K absolutely dominates the top-tier sector for value. In fact, with the right cooling and overclocking, this top-tier CPU can beat most of the non-X3D AMD competition. Plus, if you have a 600 series motherboard from your previous CPU, this will work - with a bios update in towThe processor has 16 cores divided into 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores, and 24 processing threads. The processor comes with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770, maximum clock speed is 5.2 GHz.

The Intel 13700K CPU and appropriate motherboard are a fantastic start to any new gaming build. Besides choosing between DDR4 and DDR5 memory, remember to keep the power-hungry CPU well-supplied with juice and cool enough for optimum performance. Make sure to purchase a power supply sufficient for both these critical components and an even more demanding graphics card.

To keep CPU and system temps under control, it's also a good idea to invest in an effective CPU cooler, especially since the Intel 13700K does not ship with one. If you decide to overclock the CPU with the help of a motherboard perfect for this exercise like the EVGA Z790 Dark Kingpin, a water cooling system such as the ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is a great option.

The best Z790 motherboards and Intel 13700K CPU supplemented with these additional parts will soon have you gaming at 4K resolution without frame drops. If putting together your own gaming rig becomes too problematic, you can always purchase a great prebuilt PC instead. Whichever route you take, enjoy your new gaming rig for years to come.

The 13700K chipsets are: H610, B660, H670, Q670, Z690, W680, B760, H770, Z790.

The B660 motherboards is considered one of t h ebest boards you can pair with the Cor i7 13700K processor.

MORE: The Best Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 TI GPUs

An avid gamer since childhood, Adam Corsetti became hooked on video games after using the original Nintendo console. During college, he created a site aggregating gaming review scores and wrote features about the industry. Adam has since witnessed the popularity of video games rise further and become part of mainstream culture. Adam's video game interests include simulation, strategy, and sports titles on PC and consoles, as well as peripherals and hardware. As a seasoned freelance writer, he recently joined the Game Rant team and is excited to share his experiences and insights with readers.