Best LGA 1700 Motherboards

Best LGA 1700 Motherboards 

Intel returned to the desktop CPU market with Alder Lake, after several years and a generation arguably wasted. It is only fitting that you look for the best LGA 1700 motherboards if you’re looking for the new platform that accompanied the twelfth-generation chips and continues to support Raptor Lake.

With the successful launch of Intel’s 12th-generation processors, AMD has a lot of problems. On the one hand, the 12900K is breaking records and duking it out with the 5950X on its own turf. However, AMD is already dropping prices as a result of the 12700K and 12600K disrupting their brackets.

In spite of the fact that this list was first published in 2021, many of the boards on it remain unchanged. This is largely due to the lackluster performance of their 700-series successors. Until their prices drop or DDR5 advances so much that investing in high-frequency kits becomes justified for most use cases, motherboards won’t support high-frequency RAM until the rest of the lineup has been rounded out. Here we have compiled the lga 1700 motherboard list for you. 

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Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero~best lga 1700 motherboard for gaming

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Type: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 6400MHz | Max RAM: 128GB

Pros:

I/O includes 11 USB ports, including Thunderbolt 4

Due to several QoL features, it is easy to build on

The quality of the build is exceptional

Cons:

It seems stingy for the price to have only one 2.5G Ethernet port

Review

To ASUS’s credit, its top motherboards are usually packed with features that justify their premium price. This is also true for the new Hero, the most accomplished board of the generation. In addition to ditching roman numerals, it added intuitive QoL changes, support for a plethora of storage drives, and a VRM solution that was among the most advanced in the industry. Because it blends a multitude of outstanding features into a cohesive whole, it’s not at the top because it has one outstanding feature.

Due to this generation’s underlying theme of black, you’ll read a lot about the best LGA 1700 motherboards. As you can see from the pixelated ROG eye on the chipset heatsink, the Hero handles it gracefully and with a dash of uniqueness. A significant overhaul of the RGB is also on the way. It displays two patterns in brightly colored pixel-like fashion on the I/O shroud. Do not like it? Customize it with addressable RGB headers.

If you want to take advantage of the 12900K’s potential, this is the board to get. Two 8-pin EPS connectors feed the chip 1,800A of fluctuation-free power from its robust VRM, which consists of twinned phases in a 20+1 configuration. In order to keep thermals in check, the CPU’s surroundings do not reach temperatures above ambient temperatures due to a pair of massive heatsinks connected.

Due to the transitional nature of this generation, motherboard manufacturers can choose between DDR4 and DDR5. This board uses the latter, with a maximum overclock of 6400MHz. Besides the DIMM slots, you’ll find a POST code display, debugger, and buttons for resetting the board or trying again, all of which are helpful to overclocking and troubleshooting.

A Hero Still in its Prime

In addition to its huge storage capacity, the board is configured to support three M.2 drives natively – fewer than even budget Z690 boards. The M.2 add-in card is also included as an accessory. There are no PCIe 4.0 GPUs yet, much less PCIe 5.0 GPUs, so plugging it into one of the two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots halved the other’s bandwidth.

As NVMe drives start coming out next year, the card gives you an advantage by adding two slots. If you fill every advanced storage slot, you can still connect six older disks through SATA. The M.2 slots are all equipped with rotatable latches for a secure but screwless fit, while the Q-Release button makes it easier for builders to release the GPU.

Four headers are used specifically for the board’s custom water loops, putting the board’s cooling potential on par with that of the board’s power.

Its I/O is designed flawlessly by ASUS, with plenty of ports fitting on with no waste. There’s WiFi 6, and perhaps the board’s only stumbling block, 2.5G Ethernet. The audio stack is gold-plated and runs on a tweaked version of the Realtek ALC4082 codec. While not bad, the Master’s is 4x faster at a lower price.

The next thing on the list is USB, and it’s a lot of it. There are eleven ports, two of which double as Thunderbolt 4 connectors, and one of which can transfer data at 20Gbps. At the far left, you’ll find a single HDMI 2.1 port and buttons for flashing the BIOS and clearing the CMOS.

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Gigabyte-Z690-AORUS-Master~best budget lga 1700 motherboard

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Type: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 6400MHz |Max RAM: 128GB

Pros:

Room for lots of high-speed storage drives

Overkill VRM great for top CPUs

Attractive armor that adds to thermal efficiency

Cons:

Expensive

Review

To accommodate the ever-hungry Alder Lake chips, all of the best motherboards for LGA 1700 have significantly increased the amount of power they can handle. But there’s only one that reigns supreme in that respect and it has a fitting title to boot. In addition to offering a multitude of cooling and storage options, it is bundled in an attractive, heavily armored piece of high-quality hardware, which is also the master of high core clocks and low temperatures.

Due to the fact that the Master is large and heavy, unboxing it counts as a workout each day. Almost all of the front of the board is covered in massive heatsinks and armor plating due to a full backplate and massive heatsinks. There’s no doubt that weird takes on mascots are in vogue, as evidenced by the distorted AORUS eagle. Conversely, the lighting is demure if you’re not adding more.

The Z690 Master board doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the VRM. This board has 22 single phases, 19 of which power the CPU, while the rest power the iGPU, PCIe, and memory controllers. Each phase supplies 105A! That’s way overkill, even for a power-hungry flagship like Alder Lake. It’s also good news as the VRM doesn’t get hot either. In case of heat buildup, the heat is promptly dissipated by a unique finned heatsink duo with seven times more surface area than classic heatsinks.

Cooling & Overclocking the Gigabyte Way

With its excellent build quality and support for other hardware, the Master is geared towards heat mitigation. Due to its close GPU proximity, the top drive is fitted with a separate, even thicker heatsink die. This is evident in the large heatsinks covering much of the bottom and four out of five M.2 drives. Since it’s the only one with PCIe 5.0 capabilities, you should install it in the top slot. However, the drive layout does not allow x1 PCIe slots.

In addition to ten associated headers, the Master allows you to build wind tunnels or water cooling setups of any complexity. Moreover, four of them are hybrids, so you can connect either case fans or water cooling equipment as needed. Among the useful internal connections are USB-A & C headers for the case I/O, as well as debuggers and power buttons for overclocking.

Whenever you thought the Master was over, the I/O comes up with two USB-C plugs that have 20Gbps throughput. You’ll recognize & appreciate them right away. The Ethernet jack looks ordinary, but it’s actually from Aquantia and offers 10Gbps bandwidth if your ISP provides it. You can also use the iGPU with the DisplayPort, since it comes with high-speed WiFi 6E and optical S/PDIF out. A Q-flash and a clear CMOS are also a given.

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MSI-MPG-Z690-Carbon-WiFi~best lga 1700 motherboard 2023

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Type: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 6666MHz |Max RAM: 128GB

Pros:

The potential for overclocking is exceptional

Internet access via wireless and wired connections at high speeds

Cooling and thermal management are excellent

Cons:

Power consumption is high

Review

Despite standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the top two boards on this list, the MEG Z690 Unify is our top pick from MSI as it provides a great balance of features at an affordable price. In terms of PCIe 5.0 and M.2, it matches more expensive boards, has good I/O, and is one of the best-looking boards of this generation.

Carbon’s name is earned by the dark gray color that permeates most of the board. Rows of slanted gray & white squares add to the appeal of this board. When you turn the PC on, the chipset heatsink and I/O shroud are illuminated by bright LEDs, giving them an even more captivating appearance. The effect is impressive and can always be enhanced by adding more strips.

Because the PCIe area is completely covered in thermal padding, you can see Gigabyte’s influence. A double-sided cover is provided for the primary M.2 drive, while thin covers are used for the other four. In addition to shielding and reinforcing the three full-length x16 slots, they are reinforced to prevent GPUs from sagging when installed. Six SATA ports are angled at 90 degrees on the side, making it easy to plug in disks in small spaces.

The Carbon’s VRM isn’t as ridiculous as the Master’s, but it’s plenty to let a 12700K run free. It has the same layout as the more expensive board, 18+1+1 phases, but delivers “only” 75A apiece. While this does put a little more strain on the VRM, you won’t experience excess heat since the heatsinks are so large. They’re strong, but have several diagonal cutouts that allow for heat dissipation.

The Epitome of High-End Value

In spite of its lack of flagship status, the Carbon can still work with 6666MHz memory. At least in theory – if you add more sticks, their maximum clock rate is reduced.

The internal connection of the Carbon is similar to those of more expensive models. Eight headers are dedicated to cooling, while others are dedicated to power and USB. If you have an add-in card for Thunderbolt, you can also hook up a Thunderbolt connection. A two-digit POST code reader and reset button are also useful for debugging and overclocking.

There are ten USB ports, with four of them 20Gbps USB-C, but one of the video out plugs could have been removed to gain more space. Despite the fact that four of them are USB 2.0, the I/O is well organized and labeled. Through 2.5G Ethernet and WiFi 6, you are connected to the internet. The audio stack is equipped with high-quality capacitors and the ALC4080, ensuring you get great sound. Upgrading the BIOS is easy with the small flash button.

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ASUS ProArt Z790-Creator WiFi~best budget lga 1700 motherboard reddit

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Type: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 7200MHz | Max RAM: 128GB

Pros:

On the back, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports

Networking excellence

Eight SATA ports and four M.2 slots

Cons:

S/PDIF output is not optical

Review

It used to be AMD’s domain to handle productivity and multi-threaded performance, but Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs prove that Intel can do it just as well.

That’s excellent news for content creators who enjoy some hardcore gaming. But many of our recommendations cater to the latter – this is the time for a motherboard that focuses on creativity, and the Z790 ProArt does exactly that! For those who use their computer to create new worlds rather than just get lost in them, this is the best LGA 1700 motherboard. It’s packed with the latest in connectivity and storage.

As a result of its black PCB and equally dark padding, the ProArt stands out from the flashy and gaudy gaming motherboards one encounters so often. Its lack of RGB lighting further accentuates the board’s stealthy appearance. With its smoky transparent plastic and gold logo, the I/O shroud is its most visually interesting feature.

In a motherboard designed for content creation, storage is a top priority, and this motherboard has plenty of it. Since content creators are more likely to need the fastest drive available for file transfer, all four slots are PCIe 4.0, some might consider it a missed opportunity.

Heat management

For futureproofing, it would be better not to interrupt the GPU’s lanes, not to mention the excess heat PCIe 5.0 drives generate.

While some of the SATA ports are disabled if you install drives into all four faster slots, plenty are left for projects you don’t often need quick access to.

Because the ProArt isn’t a gaming board, its VRM is comparatively mediocre. In this case, mediocre means being modest compared to boards such as the Hero and Master. Compared to X570 and Z590 boards, the ProArt’s 16 75A stages and cooling hardware are more than adequate. Any LGA 1700 CPU can find a home here.

Turning Your Dreamscapes into (Virtual) Reality

This board has three CPU and five miscellaneous cooling headers so you don’t have to worry about keeping your system cool. It’s lacking in internal connection variety, but it has everything a non-gamer could want, including a thermal sensor header for monitoring, and four ARGB headers for colorful lighting. You’ll get 20Gbps USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 1 in the case.

In addition to having latches on all M.2 slots, ASUS’s top PCIe 5.0 x16 slot also features the same release mechanism as other upscale ASUS models.

Even though DDR5 hasn’t convinced us it’s a clear upgrade for gaming yet, it performs better in applications like Blender and Adobe’s programs, which many creatives will gladly take advantage of. As a result of the Z790 chipset, the ProArt is able to run at higher frequencies than its predecessor.

Besides Thunderbolt 4, the ProArt offers six 10Gbps USB-A ports as well as two DisplayPort connections that act as inputs and outputs.

Even Gigabyte’s best looks mundane with its 10G and 2.5G Ethernet ports, while WiFi 6E ensures interference-free wireless networking. It is puzzling that there is no optical S/PDIF on this board. There is a BIOS flashback button to replace it, so updating the firmware shouldn’t be a problem.

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MSI-MAG-Z690-Tomahawk-WiFi-DDR4~best lga 1700 motherboard reddit

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Type: DDR4 | Memory Speed: 5200MHz | Max RAM: 128GB

Pros:

Comprehensive VRM & cooling

Great build quality & attractive all-black aesthetic

Six system fan headers

Cons:

One video out would have been enough

Review

Our list of the best LGA 1700 motherboards includes several DDR4-compatible models, including MSI’s newest Tomahawk. As opposed to Alder Lake, DDR5 has not yet emerged as a significant gaming upgrade. You can use your existing DDR4 kit and it costs less than the models we have discussed so far.

There are no distracting RGB elements on the Tomahawk, but diagonal lines and pips spread over a brushed aluminum texture make the board far from dull even though it’s black. There’s no color other than the yellow line that separates the audio area, unless you add RGB yourself.

As the Tomahawk has four slots instead of five, there’s less coverage for the fastest storage drives. The PCIe goodness continues with three x16 slots. All but one accept PCIe 4.0, and six SATA drives should cover your slower storage needs. The top slot is PCIe 5.0 compatible. There’s also one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot between its two slower x16 cousins if you want to add a capture or expansion card.

The Compelling DDR4 Alternative

Considering the board’s asking price, the VRM is in line with it, though it boasts 16+1 70A phases. On a board under $300, we didn’t expect a second 8-pin EPS connector, but we’re glad it increases power delivery stability. In addition, the related heatsinks conform to a high standard. The left heatsink is particularly tall, and both extend to engulf the chokes.

Tomahawk’s internal connection selection is impressive. Eight headers cover cooling, so you can create an airflow or water loop that works for you. POST code readouts are understandable, but you can still isolate boot-up problems faster with the EZ debugger. Two corresponding ports on the case I/Os are powered by the 5Gbps USB 3.2 header, while the 10Gbps version powers the front panel USB-C.

Its mid-tier status is evident from the Tomahawk’s I/O. There are only eight USB ports, and HDMI and DisplayPort use up a lot of space. The audio stack’s 3,5mm jacks are stylish black & red, and there’s an optical S/PDIF output as well. The BIOS flash button is identical to the Carbon’s, and the online connection can be made via 2.5G Ethernet or WiFi 6.

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ASUS-ROG-STRIX-Z690-I-Gaming-WiFi~Best LGA 1700 Motherboards 

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: Mini-ITX | Memory Type: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 6400MHz | Max RAM: 64GB

Pros:

On a Z690 mITX board, this is the best VRM design to date

It makes excellent use of the limited space available

Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C ports

Cons:

Costly

Review

An SFF case for a 13900K? Surely, we’ve heard of crazier build ideas, particularly since ASUS’ mITX board has the power to handle it. Despite its tiny size, the STRIX Z690-I Gaming WiFi offers lots of overclocking, connectivity, and robustness. Since it’s cheaper and has Gigabyte’s attention to VRM, the ITX version of the AORUS Ultra deserves special mention as well.

The board proves that small doesn’t mean boring as new details emerge every time you take a look at it. Details like the glossy RGB-lit eye logo at bottom left. Or the vented I/O shroud. To bling the board out further, you can connect two RGB strips.

Gigabyte has had an influence on the board as the 10+1 stages pack 105A each! This makes it among the best motherboards for LGA 1700. Due to necessity, the heatsinks keeping everything cool are smaller than usual, but still large for the format. If things escalate with the 13900K, a shroud-mounted fan helps, but you shouldn’t have to deal with that unless you overclock it hard.

A Study in Space Utilization

On the bottom of the board, there are two oddly-placed USB plugs that power a tiny daughterboard that houses four SATA ports, audio and front panel power. The board’s clever space-saving layout makes it even more interesting. To the left stands a larger removable board. This motherboard offers two-sided protection to two M.2 drives. It also contains the hardware needed for the board’s main audio. It also has a sandwich design.

For context, ASUS managed to fit two Thunderbolt 4 ports and five more regular USB ports of varying generations alongside everything else seen on ATX boards! They managed to fit two Thunderbolt 4 ports and five more regular USB ports of various generations alongside everything else seen on ATX boards. It’s got three 3.5mm jacks, but optical S/PDIF output.

In addition to the online connectivity plugs, there are clear CMOS and BIOS flashback buttons. Thunderbolt’s DisplayPort may be redundant, but it’s not at all unnecessary because nothing was gutted to accommodate it.

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Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Elite AX~Best LGA 1700 Motherboards 

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Socket: LGA 1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Type: DDR5 | Memory Speed: 6000MHz or 5333MHz | Max RAM: 128GB

Pros:

Affordability without excessive features

PCIe 4.0 is supported in all four M.2 slots

CPUs with mid-tier VRMs

Cons:

There are only two 3.5mm audio jacks on this device

Review

A cheap z690 motherboard can help soften the blow if you can’t comfortably handle new games like Forza Horizon 5. Putting together an Alder Lake build won’t be easy on your wallet, especially if your current GPU cannot handle new games. Furthermore, choosing a model like the AORUS Elite AX won’t disappoint since its lower price barely reflects its robust features.

It shares a similar aesthetic with Gigabyte’s AORUS lineup, so much so that the Elite AX is nearly identical to the Pro, which is slightly more expensive and has marginally better specs. As opposed to the Master, the Elite AX lacks a backplate, exposing more PCB. AORUS is also featured on the I/O shroud, and there’s a RGB strip to the right.

There is a definite downgrade in VRM composition and robustness from the Master. The mobo uses single 70A phases with a 16+1+2 layout, so even the cheaper version is formidable. Even an overclocked 12600K will not generate excessive heat on these motherboards. They’re among the best LGA 1700 motherboards to get for the CPU until B660 is released.

Upbeat Price, Acceptable Compromises

Gigabyte makes many of its midrange models available in both DDR4 and DDR5 variants. This one is no exception. You can go with DDR4 and save even more by using existing hardware or get advanced without spending a fortune.

As a result of cost cutting, the Elite AX has fewer M.2 slots than its rivals. Gigabyte partially compensated for this by making all four PCIe 4.0 compatible. There are six standard SATA ports, one of which can be configured into a RAID configuration. The heatsink coverage is smaller than it was on the Master, revealing some lovely red WIMA capacitors that audiophiles will appreciate. Only the top GPU lane works with PCIe 5.0, while the bottom two are still using PCIe 3.0 at reduced transfer speeds.

This board has far fewer headers related to heat management, but they are still adaptable enough to accommodate either AIO or air cooling. The I/O offers no overclocking aids, but there are reset, Q-flash, and clear CMOS controls included in the internal connections.

I/O consists of 10 USB ports, ranging in speed from USB 2.0 to USB-C 20Gbps. DisplayPort and HDMI support second-generation Xe graphics, and WiFi6 antennas and 2.5G Ethernet handle connectivity. In spite of its basic audio setup, the Elite AX gets a black mark. WIMA capacitors and Realtek’s ALC1220 codec aside, there is only one audio-out jack, a mic jack, and optical S/PDIF output.

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