Best motherboards for 13400 & 13400F
Both the Core i5-13400 and 13400F are Intel’s most cost-effective CPUs in the market. They ensure an amazing performance at a great cost. To have those CPUs work at their best you’ll need a good motherboard to match them up.
In this article, we will provide the best motherboards for 13400 & 13400F based on price, efficiency, and compatibility so you don’t have to waste more time surfing the web.
The Intel Core i5-13400 has 10 cores, but thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading technology, it effectively has 16 threads. It has 20MB of L3 cache and runs at a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz, with a boost clock of up to 4.6 GHz, depending on the workload. It is manufactured using a 10nm process, and has a locked multiplier, limiting the overclocking potential.
On the other side, the 13400F features the same specs with the sole difference that this one doesn’t include the integrated graphics solution: UHD Graphics 770 of the 13400. Other than that, it is the same processor but cheaper.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best motherboards for 13400 & 13400F
When we were choosing the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13400 and i5-13400F processors, several factors were considered. Some of the key factors include compatibility and power delivery; the motherboard must be compatible with the LGA 1700 socket and the Raptor Lake architecture used by the i5-13400 and i5-13400F processors.
Furthermore, we checked the overclocking abilities, although that shouldn’t be a big deal. Additionally, we looked at connectivity, expansion options such as the number of PCIe slots for expansion, M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs, and other interface options such as Thunderbolt 4.
Product Reviews
- High-quality components
- Great performance
- Good connectivity
- Nice price
- Only one PCIe x16 slot for storage
ASUS always keeps its boards competitive. This time, with the release of the 13400 and 13400F CPUs, ASUS is able to provide the best connectivity and support with the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming.
Those CPUs are the entry-level units of Tema Blue, and ASUS complements the price and specs perfectly with this motherboard.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming is a simplified version of the ROG Strix E-series model. It features one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for expansion. It also has four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots for storage and six SATA ports that support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. The motherboard has four memory slots that support DDR5-6400 and a total capacity of 128 GB.
On the back of the motherboard, there are a variety of ports for connecting peripherals. Included are one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports.
Similar to the E model, the F model also has HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs. There are also five 3.5 mm audio jacks and a S/PDIF optical output for audio, which are powered by a SupremeFX ALC4080 HD audio codec and Savitch SV3H712 amplifier. The networking is handled by an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller and Intel Wi-Fi 6E CNVi.
- Supports DDR5 Memory, up to 5600(OC) MHz
- PCIe 5.0 support
- M.2 Shield Frozr
- Could use more UBS connectors
- Not the best audio solution
ASUS can’t be loved by everybody. An alternative to the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming is the MSI MPG Z690 CARBON WIFI. It offers a similar feature set with support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0, as well as a 2.5Gb LAN port and other notable features such as high-quality components. It is worth considering if you prefer MSI motherboards or are looking for a different option.
The MPG Carbon WiFi has good-quality components that deliver great stability and good performance. Its WiFi capability adds a good feature to the motherboard.
Additionally, it comes with a user-friendly BIOS and software suite that allows for easy control and monitoring of system settings. Overall, It is a great option for those looking for a powerful and feature-rich motherboard for a high-performance gaming or content creation build.
The motherboard supports DDR5 Memory, up to 5600(OC) MHz, and has a 2 DIMM solution delivered for overclock lovers, quadruple M.2 Connectors with three Lightning Gen 4 solution, and outstanding cooling solutions: VRM Heat-pipe, 7W/mK thermal pads, M.2 Shield Frozr and MOSFET Baseplate
- Great build quality
- 90-amp power phases
- Twin Thunderbolt 4 ports
- High priced
- Only 2.5Gbps LAN
This is a premium motherboard, but certainly, the strong hybrid architecture of the 13400 and 13400F will be glad to have a feature-rich board to work with. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero has an impressive VRM setup and power delivery design which allows for safe overclocking of even the most powerful Core i9 processors without any power-related issues. This motherboard also offers an ample number of M.2 slots, support for PCIe 5.0, support for DDR5 RAM, and an attractive aesthetic design.
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero offers a variety of storage options, including support for up to five M.2 drives and up to six SATA ports. Specifically, there is one PCIe 5.0 x4 and PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot pairing made available through an included ROG Hyper M.2 add-in card, one integrated PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot that is powered by the processor.
Additionally, it has two more PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, one of which supports SATA drives and is powered directly by the chipset. The six SATA ports in the bottom right-hand corner support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays.
- Best available Mini-ITX option for Z690
- Awesome performance for i5 CPUs
- Great connectivity
- Cool design
- Mini-ITX form
- Expensive
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming Wi-Fi is a suitable option for those looking to build a compact PC using the Core i5 processor. It does not require heavy-duty cooling and supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5 RAM, and has a 10+1 power delivery design using high-quality components. The motherboard is capable of some overclocking, making it perfect for a smaller PC that can also function as a media center. It also offers 2.5Gb LAN and WiFi, as well as two M.2 slots for high-speed storage options.
The ROG Strix Z690-I features 10+1 power stages with 105 amps, DDR5 RAM support, a PCIe Gen 5 16x slot, two M.2 slots with M.2 latch, 9 USB ports on the back, including two Thunderbolt 4, the Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and 2.5Gbe LAN. You can’t get better specs for this price.
Things To Consider
These two processors are entry-level units, however, the new and improved hybrid architecture on Intel has their performance match the Core i5-12600K results. So it’s important to have a motherboard that can help these CPUs thrive.
The main thing to consider is to forget about top-tier motherboards, getting a board like that one would be overkill for this budget and performance; you won’t have enough power from the CPU and GPU to give use to the whole features of a high-end motherboard. Instead, you can opt for a B650 or similar to ensure the best performance and the fittest price.
Once that’s clear, you should check the motherboard power delivery system, the form factor, how many I/O ports it has and of course the price. A mix of good built quality and features will ensure the best performance money can buy for your rig.
Our Verdict
In conclusion, when it comes to finding the best motherboard for the 13400 and 13400F Intel CPU, the MSI MPG Z690 CARBON WIFI stands out as the top choice. It is a powerful and feature-rich motherboard that offers support for DDR5 RAM, PCIe 5.0, 2.5Gb LAN port, and WiFi capability.
The MSI MPG Z690 CARBON WIFI also has high-quality components that deliver great stability and performance. Additionally, it comes with a user-friendly BIOS and software suite, allowing for easy control and monitoring of system settings. Overall, it is a great option for those looking to build a high-performance gaming or content-creation PC with the 13400 or 13400F Intel CPU.