The Best Intel Motherboards in 2023

With the value and performance that many Intel 12th and 13th-generation Intel CPUs provide, it’s hard to argue against selecting them for a gaming build. The asking prices of these processors are as wide-ranging as the number of motherboards that support these CPUs, catering to even modest budgets. The latest Intel motherboards like the B760 and Z790 offer cutting-edge specs like compatibility for the fastest DDR5 memory and PCI Express 5.0. However, with often subtle differences between features, it’s often difficult for gamers to decide on the best Intel motherboard for their new PC.

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To simplify the buying process for modern Intel motherboards, gamers should focus on considerations including form factor and the number of ports and slots for storage devices and memory. Compact motherboards with the LGA1700 socket include Mini-ITX options ideal for smaller and more power-efficient systems. Conversely, E-ATX motherboards require larger PC cases but can provide more USB ports and SATA 6Gb/s connections for hard drives. While ATX motherboards are the most commonplace in PCs, among the following Intel motherboards, there is the perfect candidate for any gaming build.

All Intel platform-based motherboards mentioned below function with Intel’s 12th and 13th-generation processors out of the box. If you wish to purchase a relevant 12th or 13th-generation CPU for these motherboards, you can check out our comprehensive guide that extensively covers the best of both generations.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi Gaming Motherboard is essentially a wishlist of what you would want from a modern motherboard at a price that is just somewhere in the middle of high-end Z790 motherboards and budget boards. It does come with plenty of I/O connections and ports in addition to a silver theme that might be hit-and-miss for some users but helps gives the motherboard a premium feel.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi supports DDR5 RAM out of the box with clock speeds of up to 7200MHz as stated by MSI, but users might be able to trump that with ease with newer BIOS updates. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 and a 2.5G Ethernet port that allows you to download at excellent speeds in wired mode. With an outstanding power delivery mechanism, it is a perfect motherboard for overclocking with multiple users having successfully overclocked their Intel Core i9-13900Ks to 6GHz with ease. With overclocking, however, results vary from chip to chip and other external factors, so your experience could be dissimilar to user reviews.

All in all, if you can disregard MSI’s penchant for pushing with more M2 slots versus some M2 PCI-E 5.0 slots, this is the best Intel motherboard for gaming and productivity in 2023. If you feel particularly strongly about the lack of PCI-E 5.0 M2 slots, you can simply upgrade to a higher-end MSI MPG Z790 Carbon Wi-Fi Gaming Motherboard which has you covered in this respect.

The MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 is our candidate for the best Intel motherboard with the B760 chipset and for good reason. It offers PCI-E 5.0 speeds and works with older DDR4 memory as DDR5 prices continue to plummet and find a sweet spot, and it has solid power delivery and a comprehensive set of I/O that makes it a credible B760 offering. If DDR4 is not your weapon of choice for an upgrade, you can simply pick up the DDR5 version for $10 less, which is also an excellent option if you are planning to upgrade to or have already bought DDR5 RAM.

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While the M2 slots on the board are limited to x4 PCI-E 4.0 speeds, they do come with an effective heatsink for all 3 in the shape of the M.2 Shield Frozr by MSI that does help them keep temperatures in check and prevent thermal throttling.

Even though it skimps on some extras like RGB lighting, the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 is a fairly budget-friendly motherboard packing plenty of cutting-edge features.

The GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX is the top candidate we could find for the best gaming motherboard for buyers on a budget. It comes with an excellent feature set that rivals some much more expensive Z790 motherboards with current-generation Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support coupled with excellent overclocking potential when it comes to DDR5 memory.

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At the same time, it does feel somewhat underwhelming in terms of future-proofing due to there being a complete lack of PCI-E Gen 5 support altogether as the motherboard skips on both a PCI-E Gen 5 x 16 graphics card slot and x4 M2 port, limiting future upgrades from performing to their maximum capacity, especially M2 SSDs that have already pushed past PCI-E 4.0 speed limitations.

Overall, the GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX is a solid motherboard at an appealing price point and offers a promising feature set. This motherboard should have you sorted for at least a few years without breaking the bank and then potentially upgrade down the line to an alternative that supports PCI-E 5.0.

For many gamers, the difference between B760 and Z790 motherboards is trivial. Still, when trying to squeeze out every bit of potential performance, the Intel Z790 gives gamers the best chance to maximize their rigs. Surprisingly, some motherboards like the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC cost only marginally more than B760 alternatives. The main advantages of the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC over older motherboards include more VRM and power phases, additional DMI lanes for faster communication between the CPU and chipset, as well as added USB and SATA 6.0 ports.

Despite it meeting the Intel Z790 standards, the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC is probably not the best motherboard for overclocking. Yet, the Gigabyte board utilizes a Twin 16+1+１Phases Digital VRM Solution and the manufacturer’s Turbo Boost Technology driver, which maximizes CPU performance in Windows operating systems. Compared to the Gigabyte B760 AORUS Elite AX, the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC boasts PCIe 5.0 x 16 support, to support any graphics cards in the future that may take advantage of the added bandwidth. If a gamer is ever frustrated when trying to install or remove a large graphics card, this Gigabyte motherboard includes EZ-latch which makes it a breeze to safely deal with these giant expansion cards.

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For a lower-end Z790 motherboard, Gigabyte doesn’t cheap out on the number of USB ports. The highlight of the Z790 UD AC’s connectivity is the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, but there are five other USB 3.2 ports as well as four USB 2.0 ports on the back panel alone. Unfortunately, the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC lacks PCIe Gen5 M.2 support for the fastest storage solutions possible, but there are 3 PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 connectors on the board. The Gigabyte Z790 UD AC also comes complete with support for 2.5 GbE Ethernet in addition to the latest Intel Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth 4.2

This Gigabyte Z790 motherboard isn’t too impressive in the looks department, ditching any RGB lighting to keep costs down, and emphasizing durability instead. Regardless, if a gamer must have the latest and greatest motherboard to support 12th and 13th-generation Intel CPUs, the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC is the best gaming motherboard available on a budget.

Asus is known for their excellent gaming laptops, but they also manufacturer top-tier desktop components. The ASUS ROG Maximus Hero is an excellent high-end Z790 motherboard that can be considered if your new Intel-based build or upgrade does not have budgetary concerns. You get USB4 support out of the box coupled with one of the best power delivery systems you can find on a Z790-based motherboard. There are plenty of I/O options including PCI-E 5.0 M2 and dual PCI-E 5.0 X8/X8 or single X16 slots depending on how you wish to run your future build, allowing you to max out your options on either the GPU or the M2 slot (Z790 offers only 16 PCI-E 5.0 lanes making this a necessary but welcome option on the Hero)

The ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a complete package sans the future-proofing on the Ethernet port and if you feel that is a deal-breaker, you can buy the much better-looking and more premium-feature-packed ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme. That motherboard does tend to cost more than any processor you could possibly pair with it currently but is justifiable if you are building yourself the best-possible Intel-based PC money can buy.

The EVGA Z790 Classified Gaming Motherboard is a high-performance motherboard that comes as a capable gaming performer with a premium backplate design. It rotates the CPU and DRAM slots in a bid to make them easier to access for overclockers who might need to hot-swap memory periodically while looking to hit that sweet spot in terms of stability and high clock speeds. The motherboard does take on an E-ATX form factor to accommodate for the extra space required to do so. Even so, it’s an excellent motherboard to pair with a beefy RTX 4090 graphics card.

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The EVGA Z790 Classified is the best gaming motherboard for a steep asking price and has rear USB4 (Type-C) ports in play as well as right-angle connectors built onto the motherboard for cleaner installs. With 10G Ethernet along with dedicated power and reset buttons built onto the motherboard, the Classified covers you as an overclocker and a gamer looking to max out your system’s performance and while the Classified isn’t made explicitly for gaming, it doesn’t mean it can’t do it exceptionally well.

The ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 Gaming Motherboard is a feature-packed motherboard whose size belies the underlying tech which should keep most mITX-based system builders more than happy. With Thunderbolt4/USB4 support out of the box for high-speed transfers coupled with high overclocking potential for RAM in addition to plenty of storage options, the Z790 PG-ITX TB4 covers all bases quite easily. It also costs significantly less than the competition while featuring everything you could ask for from a compact mITX-based motherboard.

At the same time, the Z790 PG-ITX TB4 does seem to be a hit-and-miss on QC issues with its primary failing being memory compatibility which has forced some users to return the motherboard. However, the manufacturer’s response to any problems has been overwhelmingly positive making it a well-rounded entry when it comes to a compact Z790-based motherboard that covers all your bases in 2023. The ASRock Z790 PG-ITX/TB4 is the best gaming motherboard for builders assembling a small but mighty rig.

Case builders often rely on separate control boxes to coordinate the RGB lighting of fans and led strips. However, there are motherboards that can only accomplish the same thing with integrated headers and also showcase RGB lighting on the board itself. The Asus ROG Strix Z790-E is another addition to the manufacturer’s extensive line of Aura Sync-capable peripherals and components, which have widespread compatibility with third-party software. The Asus ROG Strix Z790-E is rather an understated-looking motherboard until you peek at the translucent shroud near the I/O panel, which lights up in a variety of impressive patterns.

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Among Z790 motherboards, the ROG Strix Z790-E is a mid-range option, though it demands a fairly serious investment. It has many of the qualities that gamers look for in a premium Z790 motherboard, without going overboard on power phases, USB, and SATA ports. This ROG Strix motherboard still offers a generous 18+1 power solution with 90 amps per stage making overclocking a possibility. The AI Overclocking and AI Cooling II features are ideal for new PC enthusiasts wary about pushing the limits of their CPU since the technology can predict safe settings before modifying clock speeds.

If buyers intend to connect 2.5 or 3.5-inch SSDs and hard drives, they should be aware that ROG Strix Z790-E only includes four SATA 6.0 ports, when the maximum on the Z790 is eight. More positive is the fact that the motherboard can boast one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for blazing fast read and write speeds. There are also two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C connectors both on the rear I/O panel and ready for a connection to the front of the case. Also, there is a Thunderbolt 4 header on the motherboard, although buyers won’t find a port for it on the back panel.

When comparing the Asus ROG Strix Z790-E to budget motherboards, the price increase seems rather extreme for the added features it brings. Regardless, the Asus ROG Strix Z790-E is the best gaming motherboard with extensive support for RGB lighting and features aimed specifically at gamers looking to maximize the potential of their rigs.

Overclockers are a different breed of gamer, who spend as much time maximizing the capabilities of their PCs as they do actually playing games. The EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N is an ETAX motherboard, a large form factor that demands an appropriately sized case, but the benefits are plenty of space for a 21-phase VRM. The construction of this high-end EVGA motherboard is particularly strong, with a 14-layer PCB allowing gamers to test and overclock components without worry.

The EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N maintains a consistent dark color scheme, but there is enough gold trim set on the black motherboard to distinguish it from budget boards. More importantly, the DARK K|NGP|N has some unique design elements, especially the fact that the CPU socket and memory slots are rotated 90 degrees from a typical orientation. The result of this configuration is that CPUs are more directly in the path of airflow in a case with the help of two VRM fans.

When overclocking memory and CPUs, knowing exactly the status of a motherboard before trouble arises can make the difference between a successful performance boost or disaster. Testers can use the DARK K|NGP|N’s POST indicator to reveal important warnings about temperatures and system errors before a system even boots up. Similarly, a Probelt connector enables system builders to read voltages using probes before attempting to power up a gaming rig.

Even if not aimed at mainstream gamers, the DARK K|NGP|N is well-stocked in ports with 6 SATA 6GB/s connectors, and 8 USB ports including a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C connection plus additional headers. Sadly, for the fastest storage, the M.2 sockets on the motherboard are just PCIe 4.0 x 4. As expected with a Z790 motherboard, a PCIe 5.0 graphics card slot welcomes the most advanced graphics card.

It’s important to realize that despite costing more than the EVGA Z790 Classified, in comparison, the DARK K|NGP|N falls short with some features. The DARK K|NGP|N lacks the USB 4 port that the Classified offers and the less expensive EVGA motherboard also included four slots for up to 128 GB of memory as opposed to the K|NGP|N’s maximum 64 GB of RAM. However, with additional power phases and more ways to monitor temperatures and voltages, the enthusiast-oriented EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N is the best Intel Motherboard for overclockers.

Why Do LGA1700 Motherboards Vary So Much in Price?

Despite supporting the same 12th and 13th-generation processors, the latest Intel motherboards can cost anywhere from less than $200 to a whopping $800. The reasons for this disparity are directly related to the key factors a buyer must pay attention to when shopping for these essential components. With some exceptions, the more compact mini-ITX motherboards like the ASRock Z790 PG-ITX are less expensive than beefier E-ATX alternatives such as the EVGA Z790 Classified. Motherboards with larger form factors have the space to offer more USB ports and storage options but consume more power and require larger PC cases.

Ultimately, the reason why high-end Intel motherboards are so pricey is that buyers usually pay a premium for future-forward features. PCI Express 5.0 graphics cards are still largely theoretical, and by the time they arrive, many gamers may want to build a new rig anyway. Still, other capabilities like USB 4 ports or PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots for top-tier SSDs may have more immediate benefits.

Another reason why there is a substantial difference in prices among recent Intel motherboards results from the ability of some boards to withstand the stress of overclocking better than others. The EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N is an extreme example of a pricey LGA1700 motherboard, built for unlimited performance. Enthusiast motherboards come with more power phases and are ideal for testbeds where monitoring voltages are critical.

In reality, budget Intel motherboards like the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 will serve many gamers well for years who are content with running CPUs and memory at stock settings. Any of the above candidates is a great match for 13th-generation Intel processors such as the Core i5-13600K and Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card, to construct a killer gaming PC.

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FAQ

Q: What Motherboards should I get for Intel Core i9 13900K or 13900KS?

While all 12th and 13th-generation motherboards will work, only 13th-generation or Intel 7XX series chipsets will support 13th-generation processors out of the box. We recommend pairing your Core i9 with a Z790-based motherboard that can handle its high power draw and supports adequate cooling options out of the box.

Q: What is The Best Z790 Motherboard?

The best overall Z790 motherboard based on our testing and research is the MSI MPG Z790 Edge Wi-Fi Gaming Motherboard with the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero being a more preferable solution for those who are willing to shell out extra money for added features such as USB4 and the ability to use PCI-E 5.0 NVME storage at full speeds.