Products at a Glance
The Intel i5-13600K features 14 cores, 6 P-cores, and 8 E-cores; for 20 threads; it also has a 3.5 GHz base frequency that can be boosted up to 5.1 GHz. Besides, the 24MB shared cache memory allows the CPU to perform nicely gaming tasks. Finally, it features a TDP of 125W which might feel high but is average in the last gen CPUs.
How we picked the best motherboards for Core i5 13600K
When it comes to building the perfect gaming rig, you need a motherboard that will let your Core i5 13600K processor reach its full potential. To make sure you have the best possible setup, we set out to compare and contrast some of the top motherboards on the market. After researching dozens of boards and assessing their specs and features, we were able to narrow down our list to five standout products.
In this article, we’ll go through each motherboard in detail so you can decide which one is right for your own gaming needs. We took into account performance metrics such as overclocking capabilities, connectivity options like SATA ports and USB 3 ports, expandability options like multiple M.2 slots or PCI-Express 5.0 lanes as well as aesthetic factors such as RGB lighting and built-in fan control systems.
Product Reviews
- Great connectivity
- Fast DDR5 connection
- Good set of PCIe 5.0 support
- Great audio quality
- No DDR4 support
You’ve decided to buy the latest generation of CPU on the market right now, and you want to get the best out of your K processor, so you can go for the latest motherboard technology out there. The Z790 AORUS Elite will provide the i5-13600K with the best environment to thrive in any game you want. If you match this with a powerful GPU you’ll have the perfect gaming rig for a while. One of the best parts of this board is that it comes ready for the 13th gen right out of the box.
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX DDR5 features a memory support of up to 128GB for DDR5 7600MHz, 1x PCI-E 5.0 x16/x8 Slot, 2x PCI-E 4.0 x16 Slots, 4x PCI-E 4.0 x4 Slots, and 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0.
The motherboard offers a good set of support for fast SSD connections and DDR5 RAM too, while the I/O panel is suited to the fastest USB ports and audio cards. If you’re looking for the top match with good value, this is our pick of the best motherboards for the i5-13600K processor. It’ll have you covered for a long time.
- Amazing performance
- Great power delivery system
- Last-gen WiFi and Lan connectivity
- DDR5 and DDR4
- Pricey
If you’re willing to pay for the best high-end to match the i5-13600K then ASUS is the path to take, building your rig based on this amazing Z790 motherboard. The ROG Strix family from Asus has always been known for delivering the best gaming and productivity performance and connectivity in the market. And this is no exception.
ASUS has developed an extensive VRM setup. With the aid of the substantial heatsinks, it has constructed a huge 16+1-phase 90A power circuit. This involved cooling solution and the VRM setup are more than sufficient to suit the Intel Core i5 13600K without problems.
The board’s distinctive style and ASUS ROG sport design are featured on the board. The prominent red lighting over the IO cover looks especially distinctive and really helps the board stand out.
- Well-priced
- Great overclocking potential
- DDR5 RAM up to 6400 MHz
- Not the best connectivity
Building a gaming rig is not always about getting the most expensive component; the majority of the time and for the majority of users budget is a big deal. If you still want to get amazing performance at a great price, then this is your choice. Get ready to fall in love with the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi; one of the best motherboards from the 690 generations.
The MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk Wi-Fi uses a 16+1+1 configuration, with each 1 stage being for the GPU, the propagation of AUX, and the 16 phases for the CPU. Similar to the ASUS AORUX Z790 ELITE AX, the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk also has a 6-layer PCB with 2 ounces of copper, which is enough to put together a high-quality circuit board.
In terms of memory, the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi supports dual-channel quad-channel memory in 4 x DIMM slots. The motherboard also has memory support of up to 6400 MHz, which allows you to overclock. Overall, it can support 128 GB of RAM, which is likely more than you’ll ever need.
Given the price? Our budget pick in the best motherboards for the Core i5-13600K.
- 20+1 power stages VRM design
- Great cooling
- Overclockable DDR5 RAM
- 12x rear USB ports.
- Expensive
If you’re planning to overclock your machine then you may want to choose the ROG Maximus Z790 HERO. This motherboard has the best features to allow you to go as fast as you can when it comes to system performance – plus the speed of data transferring this motherboard can achieve is impressive.
The ROG Maximus Z790 HERO’s VRM design includes 20 individual power stages for delivering the i5-13600K a lot of power. In addition, the heat generated by such an outstanding VRM design (and the associated PWM fan headers and huge aluminum heat sinks) is likely eliminated thanks to the amazing design.
Even with its extremely impressive memory clock speed capacities, the sheer overclocking potential of the Motherboard is a clear consideration for enthusiasts. With four DIMM slots consuming up to 128 gigabytes of DDR4 memory, you can overclock your RAM to climb to 7800 MHz, which is impressive.
Features and considerations
The i5-13600K is a 13th Gen processor, so it works with the 1700 Intel socket. Luckily Intel decided to keep backward compatibility with previous-gen motherboards and DDR4 support. Just keep in mind that if you’re getting one of those, you’ll have to perform a quick BIOS update. If, on the other hand, you want to get a cutting-edge 700 motherboard you won’t need to do that.
However, you might need to consider keeping the motherboard costs low. As this is mainly a gaming CPU and you won’t need the top-of-the-notch specs. Getting a strong and fast motherboard will be the best choice for your rig; besides you might even save some money to get a better GPU or a PSU; you’ll certainly need it.
Our Verdict
In conclusion, building a rig with the Intel Core i5-13600K is the most versatile experience. You can go budget-wise with the MSI, really high with the ASUS ROG Strix or the ASUS ROG Maximus, or you can stay right in the sweet spot going with the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX DDR5.
We consider the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX DDR5 as top of our best motherboards for Core i5-13600K list due to its versatility. It will allow you to use the CPU as you feel, meeting all the needs for almost any type of user.