Best motherboard for Intel i7-13700K 

Intel is about to drop its 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs, and we couldn’t be more excited. In fact, the scheduled release date is only the 20th of October 2022. We’re particularly excited about the 13700K and its rumored price-to-performance ratio. Motherboards for the 13th gen CPUs are selling out fast, grab your new motherboard for 13700K below!

Consider buying a 13th-generation Intel CPU

We’ve all seen the performance metrics of the 13th generation, particularly the 13900K and all of its accomplishments over Alder Lake, up to a 15% better single-core performance gain, and up to 41% better multi-thread performance gain. But today, the 13700K takes the spotlight, as we’re going to find the best motherboard for the Intel Core i7-13700K. 

The i7-13700K is a pretty powerful CPU in and of itself, so the motherboard you select needs to reflect that.

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Ideally, the best motherboard for the Intel Core i7-13700K will be one belonging to the Z790 chipset. This is because the Z790 carries all the latest hardware and features, built around the 13th-generation Intel CPUs.

Intel Core i7-13700K specifications 

The Intel Core i7-13700K is designed to be sat at the higher end of CPUs, not quite at the top of the pile, but be the pinnacle of the eight-core Intel CPUs. The 13700K was designed with power and performance per dollar in mind. 

Here are the specifications of the i7-13700K

The 13700K is a middle ground in the current 13th generation of Intel CPUs, offering an excellent price-to-performance ratio. The motherboard you choose for the 13700K should reflect that, you can either go big or go budget because the 13700K has you covered on both ends. This is why we suggested a variety of different motherboards.

Things to consider when looking for the best motherboard for Core i7-13700K 

Here are some things to consider when picking up a new motherboard for the Intel Core i7-13700K. 

Socket

Bear in mind that the only socket that will fit the i7-13700K is socket LGA 1700. Any other CPU socket is incompatible with the Core i7-13700K. All of Intel’s 12th and 13th-generation Processors are based upon socket LGA 1700. 

Currently, there are only two motherboard generations that carry socket LGA 1700, these are the Intel 600 series, and the Intel 700 series motherboards. For example, the flagship chipset for both of these motherboard generations would be the Z690 and the Z790. 

Memory

Intel first introduced DDR5 memory support with its 12th-generation CPUs, offering the chance for users to upgrade to a platform supporting the new standard of memory. Intel, however, also manufactured DDR4 capable motherboards for the 12th gen Alder Lake CPUs to ease the transition into the later technologies as DDR5 memory at the time was expensive

Intel seems to be offering the same choice with its 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs. Intel is allowing the manufacture of both DDR4 and DDR5 motherboards on the LGA 1700 socket. Just make sure you get the right memory for your motherboard and vice versa. 

Power

The Intel 13th-generation CPUs require more power than previous generations. In fact, these are some of the highest TDPs we have ever seen from a desktop CPU. Over 250W of TDP can be produced by the 13900K in its default state alone. Because of this, you’re going to want a motherboard with at least a 20 + 2 power stage configuration.

The more VRMs you have scrubbing and dividing the power towards the CPU, the better. This is especially true for overclocking purposes, as voltage and TDP increase with any additional overclocks you place on the CPU. Do your CPU a favor, and get the most advanced power configuration you can, because you get a lot out of a CPU when its power situation is properly configured and supported.

Not only that, but a lot of modern motherboards require additional PCIe power to the motherboard to enable features like fast charging on the USB type C slots.

Best motherboard for i7-13700K

The i7-13700K is a price-to-performance god, so you can take the motherboard a couple of ways. You can either get the best, a mid-range, or a more budget option. 

Here are the top motherboards for the Intel Core i7-13700K:

ROG MAXIMUS Z790 EXTREME

ROG MAXIMUS Z790 EXTREME

USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C and front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2, and two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots

The Maximus Z790 Extreme is the best of the best, built for only the most avid PC enthusiasts. 

The Maximus holds a 24 + 1 power stage setup rated for 105A with dual ProCool II power connectors, high-quality chokes, and the best metallic capacitors. Designed to take overclocking to a whole new level. 

We also have full PCIe Gen 5 support on a single M.2 SSD slot and both of the PCIe X16 slots, ensuring you have access to the fastest speeds for both GPUs and storage.

The Maximus Extreme is loaded with DDR5 support up to 7600MHz, almost unimaginable speeds for kits of memory. The Maximus is supporting your 13700K by making sure it has everything it could ever need in terms of RAM speed.

Not to mention the Maximus is also brimming with all the connectivity you could ever need. Here’s a list of some of the connectivity on the Maximus Extreme: Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C and front-panel connector, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C and front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2, and two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER 

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER 

USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, Q-Flash, Clear CMOS, and 10GB/s ethernet

Pros

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

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master is a motherboard in between the other two entries, offering the best without the premium ASUS price tag. 

The Aorus Master offers many features, the most noteworthy of which is power delivery. The Master offers a  20 + 1 + 2 power stage design, meaning it delivers only the cleanest power where your CPU needs it most. 

The Master has full PCIe gen 5 support, equipped with a single PCIe gen 5 M.2 slot and one PCIe Gen 5 x16 GPU slot. 

Similarly to the Maximus, the master is equipped with support for up to DDR5 7600MHz memory, meaning your 13700K will never be left wanting. 

One of the most impressive features of the Master is its impenetrable thermal armor, the thermal pad covering the power stages, and VRMs rated for 12 W/mk. Keeping your power delivery mechanisms at a safe operating temperature. 

You can expect to find all the connectivity on the Maximus you could ever need here also, such as USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, Q-Flash, Clear CMOS, and 10GB/s ethernet. 

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX

2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.

GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot

Pros

• 
  
  
  16+1+2 phase VRM design
• 
  
  
  WiFi 6E
• 
  
  
  Stealthy, less RGB than most models

Cons

• 
  
  
  not as feature rich as other motherboards in the same price range.

We highly recommend the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX. It is not the fanciest Z790 motherboard out there, but it definitely gets the job done.

Gigabyte has used a twin 16+1+2 phase VRM design with 70A power stages in this motherboard. This level of VRM efficiency should be capable of running any 13th Gen CPU on stock settings, and you can even mess in some light overclocking. The VRM is also very well-cooled thanks to large aluminum heatsinks.

You also get access to four M.2 slots and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the board for your storage needs. Networking is handled by a respectable 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E, which is a very reasonable combination for the price of this motherboard.

There is not a lot that stands out about the Z790 AORUS Elite AX, aesthetically. Most of the board is covered with black shrouds and there is subtle AORUS branding on the chipset heatsink. There is also a stark lack of RGB lighting, which might be a deal breaker for some potential buyers, but can be quite a breath of fresh air. Depending on your take on RGB

In essence, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a great Z790 motherboard to consider if you are on a relatively limited budget. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but it provides decent value for your money overall.

  

ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

16 + 1 DrMOS power stages

USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, and 2.5GB/s ethernet.

Pros

• 
  
  
  Cost effective
• 
  
  
  Compatible with 12 and 13th gen CPUs

Cons

• 
  
  
  Less features then premium boards on lesser chipsets

The ASUS Prime Z790 is the best budget motherboard for the Z790 chipset. Make no mistake, however, this chipset is still the best on offer for the 13th gen lineup.

The ASUS Prime comes with an impressive 16 + 1 DrMOS power stage design, keeping the power delivery to the 13700K clean and precise, the Prime, however, does not have a strong position in overclocking. But it will allow the 13700K to boost to its maximum boost speed automatically. 

The Prime supports DDR5 memory up to DDR5 7000MHz, which is a little less than we’ve seen so far from other entries, but it’s still plenty fast. 

However, PCIe gen 5 support is still supported on the ASUS Prime, offering one PCIe gen 5 x16 GPU slot. However, there is no PCIe gen 5 support on the M.2 SSD slots. 

The connectivity on the ASUS Prime has been toned down a little to accommodate lower cost, but you’d still find all of the features needed for a fantastic experience, such as USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, and 2.5GB/s ethernet.

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Final word 

The Intel Core i7-13700K is one of the best eight-core CPUs on the market, with an incredible price-to-performance ratio. This performance standard means you can take the motherboard, either way, you can get the best of the best and it won’t be out of place serving the 13700K. 

Or you can go for s more budget-orientated motherboard to try to save some money. Either way, these were the best motherboards for Intel Core i7-13700K.