The 7 Best Motherboards For i5-13600K In 2023
It’s time to upgrade now that the brand-new Intel Core i5 13600K is available. Intel has really outdone themselves with this CPU in terms of value for money. A good motherboard for the i5 13600K can be difficult to choose if you are building a new PC using this new Raptor Lake processor. You may have difficulty narrowing down your choice to the ideal motherboard that provides the best value and performance with the wealth of options available on the market. The Best Motherboards For i5-13600K are are designed to work with Intel CPU only to give the best performance possible.
In order to provide you with the perfect motherboard for your Core i5 13600K, our hardware experts have compiled a list of the best motherboards available, catering to every budget and use case. If you are looking for some more premium options, we recommend our list of top motherboards for i9 13900K.
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ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi
Best Overall Motherboard for i5 13600K
Pros
Extraordinary VRM Design
Attractive RGB Lighting
Superb Features
Five M.2 Slots
Cons
Quite Expensive
Review
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z790 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-7800+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 12x rear IO, 9x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi 6E | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | VRM: 18+1 Phase
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi motherboard tops our list because it falls more in the mid-range price range. It is not cheap, but it is a better choice than the flagship Z790 motherboards for the Core i5 13600K. This motherboard features nearly all the top features available on more expensive Z790 motherboards, but at a more affordable price. It also looks fantastic thanks to its distinct design aesthetics and incredible RGB implementation.
As far as the price is concerned, we can safely say that the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming is one of the best gaming motherboards on the Z790 platform, so we cannot criticize the motherboard’s performance or features.The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming is a strong 18+1 phase power delivery system that gives it strength as well as flair. It has a strong 18+1 phase power supply system that gives it more than just aesthetics. A great thing about this motherboard is that it has an outstanding VRM design, which makes it more than capable of supporting the Core i5 13600K even at overclocked settings. Given that it has a mid-range price tag, the power delivery system is extremely impressive.
There are two VRM heatsinks on the motherboard that help transfer heat more efficiently away from the components. As a result of their heat pipes, ASUS has also taken the necessary precautions to ensure the VRM is as stable and cool as possible.
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Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master
Best Premium Motherboard for i5 13600K
Pros
10 Gigabit Networking
Supreme Power Delivery
Great for Overclocking
Superb Features
Cons
Extremely Pricey
Review
Form Factor: E-ATX | Chipset: Z790 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-8000 | Video Outputs: DisplayPort | USB Ports: 14x rear IO, 9x internal | Network: 1x 10 GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi 6E | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | VRM: 20+1+2 Phase
In this review, we highlight the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master as one of the top premium motherboards for the Core i5 13600K. In addition to providing the best performance possible for your CPU and memory, it is packed with features. Intel’s latest processors can be supported by the Z790 chipset, which is equipped with a robust VRM. This 20+1+2 phase power delivery system on the Z790 platform is one of the most durable we have ever encountered, and it excels at overclocking CPUs. The AORUS Master excels in this area. This VRM ensures stable and cool overclocking of the i5 13600K. The heatsinks are equipped with fins, further increasing the surface area of the heatsink, which is crucial for proper heat dissipation.
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MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi DDR4
MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 12th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1700 Socket, DDR4
Pros
Value Oriented Option
DDR4 Support
Excellent Power Delivery
Understated Looks
Cons
No RGB Lighting
Review
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z790 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5333 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi 6E | Storage: 4x M.2, 7x SATA | VRM: 16+1+1 Phase
In our motherboard roundup for the i5 13600K, we also included a DDR4 variant, since this combination offers a great deal of value. MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi DDR4 is our pick for the best DDR4 motherboard for the i5 13600K. Aside from its slightly annoying name convention, the board offers a lot of features that actually compete with boards much more expensive. Tomahawk boards are quite popular for this reason, and the Z790 variant keeps the trend going with its 16+1+1 phase VRM setup, which is very robust for the price. This particular motherboard is the perfect match for the Core i5 13600K because the CPU can be overclocked to its heart’s content and the board can keep up with it.
A large heatsink assembly and multiple fin stacks, along with a heat pipe, have been included in the thermal solution for the VRMs. Even under extended load, the VRM setup remains cool and stable with this cooling solution, and it is more than sufficient for the power delivery components of this board. There is no RGB lighting on this motherboard, however, which may be a controversial choice given your position on the matter. It would be a perfect fit for an all-black or stealthy build that is quite popular today. However, in our subjective opinion, it looks quite appealing in its simplicity.
The MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi DDR4 has no obvious shortcomings. It’s possible to see the DDR4 memory generation and the lack of RGB lighting as drawbacks, but they aren’t that significant.
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ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming WiFi
Pros
Nice Aesthetics
Good Storage Options
Relatively Affordable
Decent VRM Design
Cons
Limited Rear I/O
Review
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z690 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-5333 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi 6E | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA | VRM: 16+1 Phase
With its mid-range price tag, the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A is one of the most popular Z690 motherboards on the market. Even though it has a few cutbacks here and there, the overall product is still quite good. It provides top-notch performance and features at an affordable price, making it a great option for gamers and enthusiasts alike.
Using a 16+1 phase VRM design, the ROG Strix Z690-A can power newest Intel CPUs based on the Raptor Lake architecture. As a result of the premium components and adequate cooling, this power delivery configuration stands out due to its ability to deliver clean, consistent power to processors like the i5 13600K, even when they are overclocked. Its VRM is well-rounded, offering excellent power delivery and overclocking capabilities even under extended loads, thanks to its a number of large heatsinks.
Its distinctive design and color scheme might be the board’s most appealing feature. ASUS’ commitment to ROG theme is evident in the ROG Strix Z690-A’s sophisticated design language. The color palette on the ROG board is dominated by white and black, with hints of blue scattered throughout. It’s an unusual contrast between the white and blue colors.
Additionally, the board comes with RGB lighting, which can be customized with the Aura Sync application. In our roundup of motherboards for i5 13600K, this board is the best-looking one. It looks amazing in white-themed setups. ASUS has done a fantastic job with the board’s design.
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ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I~ Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi 6E LGA 1700 (Intel 12th Gen) mini-ITX gaming motherboard (PCIe 5.0,DDR5,
Pros
Great for Compact Builds
Decent Networking
Attractive Design
Cons
Limited Expansion
Expensive
Reviews
Form Factor: Mini ITX | Chipset: Z690 | Memory: 2x DIMM, 64GB, DDR5-6400 | Video Outputs: HDMI | USB Ports: 9x rear IO, 5x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi 6E | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA | VRM: 10+1 Phase
Among the best mini ITX motherboards available for the i5 13600K on the outgoing Z690 platform, the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I is one of the best. A compact gaming PC is currently quite in demand, and this motherboard is one of the best options if you are looking for a high-performance, small Z690 motherboard. It also stands out due to its distinctive design.
As a result of its 10+1 phase configuration and superior components, the ROG Strix Z690-I VRM is quite durable. As a result, the VRM is not as powerful as some of the more expensive ASUS motherboards, but it still delivers reliable power. This ensures stable power delivery, even when overclocking Raptor Lake CPUs that are more demanding.
There are practical limits to the power of the Strix Z690-I due to its large metal heatsinks that aid in cooling the VRM. It can handle almost any 13th Gen CPU, however, it does have practical limitations. As one of the best CPUs for gaming, the Core i5 13600K is the perfect combination for this motherboard.
Connectivity
Besides HDMI and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports at the back, the motherboard provides a wide range of connectivity options. Because of its limitations, the Strix Z690-I suffers from the same limitations as mini-ITX motherboards in general. You get limited expansion slots, and the upgrade path for memory is also pretty weak. There’s no doubt that gamers are quite attentive to appearances, and this motherboard is no exception. With the RGB lighting adding a dash of elegance while maintaining the classic gaming aesthetic, this motherboard will appeal to consumers. The I/O cover on the motherboard also looks nice and keeps the PCB organized. On the corner of the I/O cover, ROG has placed its eye, which has become a recognizable design element in gaming devices.
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MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi
Pros
Quite Affordable
Acceptable Power Delivery
Good Networking Options
Cons
No RGB Lighting
Few Rear USB Ports
Review
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z690 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6400 | Video Outputs: HDMI and DisplayPort | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 9x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi 6E | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA | VRM: 8+4 Phase
MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi motherboards are among the best affordable motherboards on the market right now. Despite some small-scale cost-cutting, the Z690-A WiFi is still a very respectable Z690 motherboard overall. Its reasonable price and powerful feature set make it a good choice for gamers looking for a 13th Gen motherboard.
Our top Z690 motherboard selection also included this motherboard. MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi’s VRM stands out as the most robust and capable of supplying adequate power to any CPU. There are a number of high quality components in the 8+4 phase VRM, and it is adequately cooled through the use of heatsinks that perform an excellent job in dissipating heat.
The VRM on this motherboard keeps cool while under load, which ensures stable overclocking even for Core i5 13600K processors. However, you must keep the voltages within a reasonable level when using this motherboard. With its Wi-Fi and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet networking features, the MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi is a very capable motherboard designed specifically for gamers. Additionally, the board has six SATA ports for storage and four M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs.
It does have six USB ports on the rear of the motherboard. This is not a lot for a modern Z690 motherboard in terms of connectivity. It is possible to expand your connectivity with the internal headers, but we would find it more convenient to have more high-speed USB ports on the rear.
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ASUS PRIME Z690-A
ASUS Prime Z690-A LGA 1700(Intel 12th) ATX Motherboard
Pros
Attractive White Theme
Quite Inexpensive
Cons
Mediocre VRM Cooling
Limited Rear I/O
Lack of WiFi
Reviews
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z690 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6000 | Video Outputs: HDMI and DisplayPort | USB Ports: 8x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA | VRM: 16+1 Phase
Our final pick of the day is the ASUS PRIME Z690-A, one of the cheapest Z690 motherboards available. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable motherboard for the i5 13600K. As a result of the abundance of alternatives available for the Z690 motherboard, the PRIME Z690-A is an underappreciated one, but it is still one to keep an eye out for.
In addition to our selection of the best B450 motherboards, we also offer a selection of value-oriented motherboards. Because it is a value-oriented motherboard, the PRIME’s VRM components aren’t the best in the industry. It is, however, sufficient for the majority of Intel 13th Gen Raptor Lake SKUs, excluding a few of the most demanding SKUs. In spite of this, you can rely on the 16+1 phase VRM to handle the Core i5 13600K fairly well, even if you overclock it. Moreover, it has substantial heatsinks that are connected by a heat pipe for adequate cooling. This board’s thermal performance is a little below that of some ROG boards, but it is still suitable for the vast majority of Intel CPUs.
One of the best motherboards
With its beautiful appearance, the ASUS PRIME Z690-A is one of the best motherboards on the market. It has a minimalist and fashionable appearance that is enhanced by its all-white color scheme. This is the motherboard’s distinguishing quality, which is certainly a selling point. White-themed gaming PC builds, which are on the rise right now, are a perfect fit for the board.
As the ASUS PRIME Z690-A is the best white motherboard for i5 13600K on the market right now, it also features RGB lighting that can be adjusted for a variety of styles. For anyone looking for a high-quality Z690 motherboard that does not go over budget, the ASUS PRIME Z690-A is a good choice. The ASUS PRIME Z690-A has a good power delivery system and all the features you could desire in a board. It provides excellent value for the Core i5 13600K and is definitely worth checking out.
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How we picked and tested the Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
In addition to the difficulties associated with finding the best motherboard for every single CPU, the Core i5 13600K presents an additional challenge.
However, our highly qualified team of hardware experts exudes nothing but enthusiasm when it comes to selecting the finest motherboards for this CPU. In our roundup, we only included Z-series motherboards since pairing a locked motherboard with an unlocked CPU like the Core i5 13600K does not make sense.
In order to achieve maximum performance from the Core i5 13600K, we must examine the VRM design of the motherboards that support the CPU.
Furthermore, the motherboards also provided top-notch features. A modern networking and storage system is essential to the development of a gaming and productivity PC.
We also paid a lot of attention to aesthetics, even though it’s a very subjective subject. However, we monitored community feedback on the motherboard designs and changed the rankings accordingly. When selecting motherboards, the ultimate difficulty was choosing the boards based on their price, or more specifically the price-to-performance ratio. Z790 motherboards aren’t cheap, but there are some that have better value.
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Core i5 13600K vs. Ryzen 5 7600X for the Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
It’s the middle of the road CPU battle once more. Intel and AMD both offer the Core i5 13600K and Ryzen 5 7600X in this category, but who wins?
Based on initial benchmarks, the Core i5 13600K outperforms the Ryzen 5 7600X almost everywhere. The Core i5 13600K is often tied with the departing Intel flagship, the Core i9 12900K, which is impressive in and of itself. The Core i5 13600K is now without a doubt the fastest gaming CPU in its price range.
When it comes to productivity applications, the trend is even stronger. The Core i5 13600K still holds the lead in this category, even though the results are more varied. However, neither CPU is actually designed for heavy productivity workloads. While the Intel Core i5 13600K is a bit more expensive than the Ryzen 5 7600X based on MSRP, pricing is subject to change at the time of writing. Overall, the Intel Core i5 13600K appears to offer a better value for money than the Ryzen 5 7600X.
Compared to AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, the Core i5 13600K comes with a small price premium over the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, but that is offset by power savings and affordability offered by the cheaper Z690 motherboards. AMD has promised that the AM5 platform will last at least another three years, which means there will be a few more Ryzen generations on that socket.
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DDR4 or DDR5 – Which is better for Best Motherboards For i5-13600K ?
It poses a challenge for potential consumers to purchase a motherboard that supports their brand-new Core i5 13600K CPU. The 13th Generation CPUs (codenamed Raptor Lake) are capable of supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.
A similar to the Z690 motherboards, the new Z790 motherboards are available with DDR4 and DDR5. You must choose between DDR4 and DDR5 memory when buying your motherboard, since separate models are available for each memory generation. As a result, you will need to decide between the two technologies when you purchase your motherboard.
As well as having an established history, DDR4 memory is more affordable and has a long history. The performance gap between DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits, at the time of writing, was not as large as it appears. At present, DDR4 memory kits are significantly less expensive than comparable DDR5 memory kits, which gives them an advantage in terms of value. Also, DDR4 motherboards are less expensive than DDR5 motherboards.
For desktop PCs, DDR5 memory is the most recent memory technology. As DDR5 memory develops and becomes more efficient, this difference will only widen. At present, DDR5 memory offers slightly better performance in productivity and gaming than DDR4.
This memory technology is also future-proof, since it can be used with both Intel and AMD processors running in the future. DDR5 modules consume less power when compared to comparable DDR4 modules. In summary, if you have any DDR4 memory lying around, go ahead and use it until you build a new PC. However, if you would like to build a brand new PC, go for DDR5.
Buyer’s Guide for Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
In addition to being tedious and complicated, buying a motherboard can be a really difficult task. In addition, you might find it difficult to decide how much you should spend on a motherboard due to the useless marketing material and gimmicky jargon on manufacturers’ product pages. However, don’t worry, we’ve compiled a quick guide to help you understand everything you need to know about buying a motherboard for your Core i5 13600K.
CPU Overclocking
VRMs on motherboards are actually one of the most important components in a PC, but they often get overlooked. Providing power to the CPU is the function of the motherboard’s voltage regulator module (VRM), and its quality directly affects the system’s stability and overclocking potential.
There should be a lot of power phases in a good VRM, and the components should also be of good quality. Overclockers should always use a high-quality VRM, especially when battling power-hungry CPUs like the Intel 13th Gen Raptor Lake. Having more VRMs is always better. While the power demands might not seem that high for a midrange processor like the Core i5 13600K, they are incredibly high when overclocked to their full potential.
You would be surprised by how many motherboards on the market don’t have effective VRM cooling solutions. Because VRMs generate a lot of heat, you should make sure the motherboard you select has high-quality VRM heatsinks. If you don’t want to test a VRM setup, you should take expert reviews and user feedback into consideration.
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Features
Among the most critical components of building a PC is the motherboard. In order for all parts of the system to function properly, the motherboard must be compatible with all other parts. Therefore, before making a purchase, it is imperative that you carefully consider all of the features that the motherboard offers.
Considering the features of your computer, it is important to consider the networking capabilities of the motherboard. If you plan to use your computer for gaming or streaming, you will need a motherboard with a built-in WiFi or LAN interface. At the very least, you will need WiFi 6E capability and 2.5 GbE LAN on a modern PC with the Core i5 13600K.
Lastly, you’ll need to make sure that your motherboard is equipped with sufficient storage connectors and ports if you plan on installing multiple storage drives or using M.2 NVMe SSDs. Today, it is also important to consider the speed of M.2 slots as well as the PCIe generation that they support.
Last but not least, you should consider the type and number of USB ports available. You will need a motherboard with plenty of USB ports if you want to be able to connect a variety of peripherals and devices. You should also consider the speed and generation of the USB ports available on the rear I/O. In order to select the right motherboard for your needs, you must take the time to consider all of these factors.
Value for Money
If you are buying a new motherboard, you should also consider value, just like you would any other product. Price is certainly a major factor, but you should also take into account value for money and bang for the buck. In other words, you should find the right balance between performance and price.
You may be tempted to buy the most expensive motherboard on the market since there are a lot of different models available. The problem with motherboards nowadays is that they are actually packed with useless gimmicks and features that aren’t even useful for 5% of gamers. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best value for money.
With a value-oriented part like the Core i5 13600K, buying a motherboard in the midrange is even more sensible. You need to find the price range where the best features are offered for the best price. It may not be the cheapest or most expensive option, but it will work well for your build. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect motherboard that meets your needs. It’s important to do your research before making a purchase.
Design and Aesthetics
It is just as important to design a motherboard as it is to perform. There are plenty of motherboards on the market that cater to design-conscious consumers since no one wants to build a high-powered gaming rig that looks like a mess of wires and metal.
Adding a touch of style to any system with bright colors and RGB lighting patterns is one of the benefits of modern boards. Furthermore, many manufacturers offer downloadable software that allows users to customize their own color schemes and lighting effects. The result is that there is no need to sacrifice aesthetics for performance when choosing a motherboard. There have never been more options to choose from.
Future Upgrades for Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
In terms of building a new system using the Core i5 13600K, you should take into account the upgrade path. You should take into account the upgrade path regardless of the platform you are building the system on.
There is no official CPU series for the LGA 1700 socket other than the Raptor Lake series. Intel only keeps a socket around for up to two CPU generations, and this one is nearing its end. This socket (and chipset) will no longer be supported by Intel, so you will not be able to upgrade to newer CPUs on your Z690 or Z790 motherboards.
As of now, the 13th Gen Intel processors are the last option for Z790/Z690 motherboards. Later on, you will also need a new motherboard to update to a newer processor (such as the 14th Gen Intel processor). In addition, it is likely that the upcoming Intel generation will only support DDR5 memory. Another factor to consider when future-proofing is to purchase a DDR5 memory kit now for your 13th Gen machine so you can avoid changing your memory kit later.
In this regard, Intel 13th Gen CPUs also fall behind their AMD competitors, the AMD Ryzen 7000 series. The future upgrade path of the system should be considered when making a final decision on the motherboard. If you’re still unsure about what motherboard to choose, don’t worry. You can find the motherboard that fits both your needs and your budget with the assistance of our comprehensive motherboard buying guide.