Intel’s 13th-generation processors require a motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket, and since this socket has been around since 2021, plenty of compatible boards are available for the 13700K. From high-end chipsets like Z790 to budget chipsets like B760, all of them will work perfectly fine with the i7-13700K as they have the LGA 1700 socket.
However, high-end chipsets offer better overclocking support, and the 13700K is unlocked for overclocking to unleash its full potential. That said, it also comes down to budget and how much you spend on a motherboard.
We’ve selected a handful of options based on their price, features, form factor, and the performance they showcased during our in-house testing so we can recommend only the best options. So, let’s get right to it, shall we?
Products at a glance
- Best motherboard for i7-13700K
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 DARK HERO
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: Z790
- Form Factor : ATX
- PCIe Version : PCIe Gen 5 storage, Gen 5 GPU
- Memory speed : 8000+(OC)
- Memory capacity : 192GB, DDR5
- Best budget motherboard for i7-13700K
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: B760
- Form Factor : mATX
- PCIe Version : PCIe Gen 4 storage, Gen 4 GPU
- Memory speed : 6800+(OC)
- Memory capacity : 256GB, DDR5
- Best high-end motherboard for i7-13700K
ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: Z790
- Form Factor : ATX
- PCIe Version : PCIe Gen 4 Storage – PCIe Gen 5 GPU
- Memory speed : DDR5 7200+(OC)
- Memory capacity : 192GB
How we picked
We researched the market and found various options from different manufacturers. We filtered those options based on price, compatibility, performance, and other features. We also have a PC Guide Testing Lab in which we’ve mentioned our testing process for various components. If you’re wondering how we select and review products, we’ve got your back there as well.
Our top picks
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: Z790
- Form Factor : ATX
- PCIe Version : PCIe Gen 5 storage, Gen 5 GPU
- Memory speed : 8000+(OC)
- Memory capacity : 192GB, DDR5
- It has excellent performance
- It has a high memory capacity
- The build quality is top-notch
- It comes with a hefty price tag
- The backplate adds to it’s weight
- The Armory Crate experience is subpar
The Intel Core i7-13700K is a solid mid-range processor for gaming and work. For that, we recommend the Maximum Z790 Dark Hero motherboard, as it is an enthusiast-level board with a high-end chipset. We also tested it in-house for our Maximus Z790 Dark Hero review, and it has exceptional performance and efficiency.
For starters, this is an ATX motherboard with dimensions of 12 inches x 9.6 inches (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm), meaning it won’t fit inside a low-profile PC case, but the best full tower casing should have plenty of space to accommodate it.
It also has features worthy of an enthusiast motherboard, such as PCIe Gen 5 for storage devices and GPU. This means that you should get the best performance out of these devices, as the bandwidth of PCIe 5.0 is twice that of PCIe 4.0, so bottleneck issues shouldn’t be a concern. If you want to learn the difference between the two PCIe generations, we’ve got you covered with our PCIe 5.0 vs PCIe 4.0 article.
Besides that, it has a massive memory capacity of 192 GB of DDR5 RAM, which is honestly overkill for anything you can think of, but having a substantial overhead is always nice. So, if you feel like your rig’s performance could need a boost, you can slap another DDR5 RAM stick and take it to the next level.
The motherboard’s robust power delivery system facilitates this beautifully, and it’s packed with all the lastest high-end features and connectivity.
PC Guide
In addition, the Maximus Z790 Dark Hero supports a maximum memory frequency of 8,000 MHz. This is extremely fast, and the memory with this clock speed is one of the best you can get right now. However, the upcoming 800-series motherboards are said to have memory speeds even faster than this.
Regarding its performance, we paired it with the Intel Core i5-14600K and the RTX 4070 Ti Super and ran multiple benchmarking software to simulate varying workloads. The maximum power draw from the socket was recorded at 311W, while the 14600K was able to hit its PL1 limit of 181W in almost all tests.
This means that the motherboard did not limit this processor’s performance in any way, and it should be the same for the 13700K. The thermal design is also good, as the maximum VRM and mobo temperatures were around 50°C and 37°C, respectively. That said, since our test bench is open, the temperature should be lower in a case with properly oriented case fans.
Overall, if your budget allows for it, this is one of the best motherboards for 13700K and shouldn’t limit its gaming or productivity in any way. However, it does cost a premium, and the LGA 1700 socket has reached its end of term with the 14th-generation CPUs. So, you can only upgrade to the 14th generation and have to consider whether you want to invest in an expensive board with limited options.
What user say
The Amazon reviews for this motherboard are massively positive, but the price is a hot topic, and many think that it isn’t justified. One reviewer said: “I chose the ASUS Z790 Dark Horse primarily for it stable and reliable power handling and its onboard NVME M.2 capacity.”
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: B760
- Form Factor : mATX
- PCIe Version : PCIe Gen 4 storage, Gen 4 GPU
- Memory speed : 6800+(OC)
- Memory capacity : 256GB, DDR5
- It is pocket-friendly
- It has excellent performance
- It is lightweight and small
- It doesn’t have a protective backplate
- It only has two M.2 slots
- It tends to run hot
For those who are operating on a budget or don’t want to spend too much on an LGA 1700 motherboard, we recommend the MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard. This board comes at an affordable price point, and in our MSI B760 review, it has excellent performance and efficiency.
To begin with, this is a Micro ATX motherboard with a B760 chipset, which is why it isn’t as expensive as other options. It also has PCIe 4.0 for storage and GPU, and while that might sound like the performance won’t be great, just because PCIe 5.0 is better, doesn’t negate the value of PCIe 4.0. So, gaming and professional performance should be just fine with this motherboard.
This motherboard has a massive memory capacity of 256GB of DDR5 RAM, which is even higher than our top pick. It also features a maximum memory speed of 6,800 MHz, which means that you shouldn’t run into any issues due to having less memory.
This motherboard is a fantastic pick for those looking for performance on a budget, it doesn’t offer a lot in terms of features, but it makes up for that in terms of power.
PC Guide
The MSI B760’s design features white with blue accents, giving it a unique look and a good fit in white builds. It also has excellent connectivity options, like USB 3.2 Gen 1 5 Gbps and USB 3.2 Gen 2 10 Gbps ports.
This board’s power delivery is triple-layered with 12 + 1 + 1 phases. This means that the power has to go through three layers and multiple phases to get filtered before reaching the CPU. This is great as the cleaner and stable the power is, the better the processor’s performance.
That said, the 14600K showcased excellent performance in all benchmarking tests. This board pulled a maximum of 337.9W from the wall, and the 14600K managed to hit 194.4W, well above its PL1 limit. So, you should be able to overclock it easily without any issues.
However, the surprising bit was that the 14600K performed better paired with this board than the Z790 Dark Hero and Prime Z790. So, better performance at a lower cost—what more could you ask for?
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this board has good performance and excellent value. One user stated: “The value is good since it comes with built in wifi6, a SSD heatsink, 4 memory slots (supporting up to 128gb), and multiple pcie slots. It’s been very stable in running small tasks to running intense games.”
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: Z790
- Form Factor : ATX
- PCIe Version : PCIe Gen 4 Storage – PCIe Gen 5 GPU
- Memory speed : DDR5 7200+(OC)
- Memory capacity : 192GB
- It doesn’t cost a lot
- It has a good price-to-value ratio
- It has a good design
- The I/O shield isn’t pre-installed
- It doesn’t have the best OC support
- Other boards offer more features
For those who aren’t bothered by spending a good amount on a motherboard for the 13700K, we recommend the ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi motherboard. In our Prime Z790-A WiFi review, it showcased good performance.
The Prime Z790-A motherboard features an enthusiast-level chipset, Z790, with good overclocking features. It is based on the ATX form factor and measures 12 inches x 9.6 inches (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm). So, you’ll need a mid- or full-tower case to house it comfortably.
It has a maximum memory capacity of 192 GB, which is more than enough for 4K gaming and even data science workloads. The maximum memory speed is 7200 MHz, which can be overclocked to run faster. However, the higher the frequency, the higher the temperature will also increase with its performance. So, ensure you have adequate airflow inside your case, and we recommend the best PC case fans.
For storage devices, this board features PCIe 4.0, but for the GPU, you’ll get PCIe 5.0. That said, even for storage devices, it shouldn’t make a noticeable difference, and in gaming, the GPU should benefit from the higher bandwidth of PCIe 5.0, leading to a smooth gaming experience.
The ASUS Prime Z790 is a no-thrills motherboard that can give you the best price-to-performance ratio of any Z790 on the market. It’ll allow your CPU to stretch its wings, and the design fits almost any build aesthetic.
PC Guide
This board has a 14 + 1 power delivery system, meaning the power gets filtered through 14 phases on the first layer and one more time on the second layer before reaching the CPU.
As for its performance, we saw a lower power draw with this board, with the maximum power recorded at 281.7W. That said, the 14600K was also only able to hit a maximum of 159.34W, which is considerably lower than its power limit 1 of 181W. However, it did have lower VRM and mobo temperatures of 44°C and 31°C.
Overall, this is a good motherboard with excellent features. While the 14600K wasn’t able to reach its full potential, its output varied only by a couple of points compared to other motherboards. So, as long as the performance is the same while consuming less power, I think that is a win.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this board has a good design, stability, and performance. One reviewer said: “The ASUS Prime Z790-A motherboard shines with its stability, allowing me to push the Intel CPU to its limits without any system instability or overheating.”
How to choose the best motherboard for 13700K
Selecting a motherboard isn’t just about picking the option with the most bells and whistles, as those options can cost an arm and a leg. On top of that, depending on your processor, you might not even need all the features it is offering.
So, before investing in any motherboard, there are a couple of factors you need to keep in mind. They’ll help you make an informed decision and operate within your budget.
Budget
This might be a no-brainer, but your budget is the most important aspect you need to consider before making a decision. There are plenty of motherboard options available, varying in size and chipset. The higher up you go, the more they cost and have better features like better VRM and more expansion slots.
However, it is best to filter the available options based on your budget so you’re presented with motherboards that won’t break the bank. After that, choose the one that offers the best balance between performance and value, whether that is a budget or a mid-range motherboard. Also, unless you plan to overclock your processor to the extreme, you’ll be fine with a mid-range or even entry-level board.
Compatibility
Compatibility between the CPU and motherboard is crucial. The Intel Core i7-13700K is based on the LGA 1700 platform, meaning it needs a board with the LGA 1700 socket, which could be either on the 700—or 600-series chipset, for example, the Z790 or the B660. Remember, enthusiast-level chipsets like the Z790 or Z690 cost a lot due to being on the upper end of the performance hierarchy.
Size
The motherboard comes in various shapes. There is the standard ATX, which has the E-ATX or Extended ATX, larger than ATX; Micro ATX, smaller than ATX; and Mini-ITX, the smallest board you can get, perfect for low-profile builds. So, depending on how much space you have in your PC case or the type of PC case you have, you can get any of these motherboards, but they all have their pros and cons.
Micro ATX boards cost less but have fewer expansion slots and cooling solutions on board compared to ATX boards, which cost more. So, you’ll have to factor in your budget in this case as well. If you’re looking to build a low-profile PC, we’ve got you covered with our best mini-ITX motherboard, case, and GPU, all of which have our top picks.
