Products at a Glance
How we picked the best motherboards for Intel Core i7-12700K
In order to find the best mobos for the Core i7-12700K, we started by researching dozens of motherboards from leading brands, including Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte. We then read reviews from both experts and end-users in order to evaluate each board’s performance and features, then looked at important factors, such as price-to-performance ratio and customer support options, when rating each motherboard. Finally, after carefully evaluating all of our options, we selected the top four motherboards that offer the best combination of features and value.
Features and consideration
When shopping for a motherboard for the Intel Core i7-12700K, it’s essential to consider the product’s available features. High-end processors like this one demand compatible motherboards that can handle their power and offer plenty of advanced features. Here are some key points to consider before purchasing a motherboard for the Intel Core i7-12700K.
Firstly, look for motherboards with an LGA 1700 socket, as this type of socket is specifically designed to support Intel’s 12th Generation desktop processors, including the Core i7-12700K. It’s also important to check that any chosen model supports DDR4 RAM or even DDR5. This will ensure your system has enough memory capacity and speed to efficiently manage data processing various tasks and gaming activities.
Product Reviews
- Easy to build qualities
- 90-amp power phases
- Backwards compatibility with LGA 1200 CPU coolers
- Not the latest ethernet connection
Whenever talking about motherboards, ASUS always makes an appearance and a major splash at that. If you’re in the market for the best motherboard of the last generation, then this one is your best option. The Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero was built to endure the most demanding tasks. The solid built quality and the always reliable 90-amp power phases give this board the capacity to endure your core i7 12-gen speed and power with ease.
Gaming, content creation, overclocking, no matter what your hobbies are, this motherboard will never fail you. The ROG Maximus was built with the Socket LGA1700 for perfect compatibility with Intel’s 12th generation. The board also has 20+1 teamed power stages rated for 90 A, incredibly well-design VRM heatsinks, and triple M.2 heatsinks. On top of that, the board has also PCIe 5.0 support, DDR5, and DDR4 support, and Twin Thunderbolt 4 ports.
- Multiple PCIe M.2 sockets
- A lot of UBS ports
- Amazing audio
- Easy GPU access
- DDR5 performance is not the greatest
If you’re looking for a motherboard perfect for your gaming nights, you’ll want to snag this one. The ROG Strix-E is easily the best performance-to-price motherboard of the Strix series. The Strix Z690-E has five M.2 sockets (one PCIe 5.0 x4), flagship audio, 12 USB ports, strong power delivery, and a Q-Release button for easier access to the GPU.
The Asus ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi is a powerful motherboard designed for enthusiasts to build their dream PC. Featuring support for the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors, DDR5 memory, and multiple M.2 slots, this board is ready to take on any challenge. With onboard WiFi 6 and 2.5Gb LAN connectivity, gamers can experience smooth and stable online gameplay with low latency and minimal lag.
The board also includes exclusive technologies from ASUS, such as AI Overclocking, AI Cooling, and 5-Way Optimization, all to ensure that your system is running at optimal performance no matter the task you are running. The board also boasts comprehensive cooling options, including fanless designs with advanced heatsinks, integrated water pumps, and large radiator support for liquid cooling solutions – all of which make it an ideal choice for extreme overclocking, too!
- LGA 1700 Socket
- 5600 MHz DDR4
- Premium Thermal Solution
- 2.5G LAN Solution
- No PCIe 5.0 support
If you have gaming in your mind and overclocking for limitless performance, this is the perfect option for you. The MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 is the best board for budget-conscious overclockers/gamers. One of the reasons that make this board so well-suited for such workflows is its VRM heat sinks. The set of sinks that MSI built on the board is more than adequate for most average/moderate – up to even higher-end gaming.
If you’re looking for a melt-your-face style board, then you shouldn’t jump at this board. However, if you like to find the boundaries between good price and performance, this piece won’t disappoint.
- Good price
- Amazing design
- Capable cooling system
- 20-phase voltage regulators
- Five M.2 slots
- No PCIe 5.0 support
MSI’s mid-range motherboard, the MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi, features an overclocking and networking framework that is quite satisfying. Where the MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi shines is its storage capabilities, which support five or more PCI Express M.2 slots and six SATA slots.
The motherboard has 20-phase design voltage regulators, of which 18 are dedicated to the processor and 75A MOSFETs for Vcore are underneath the heat sink. The heat sink looks less substantial but is set at a sufficient length to improve the space and is joined using the heat pipe.
The fact that this motherboard doesn’t have PCIe 5.0 support is a hard part to ignore, but its price makes an effort to increase this motherboard’s attractiveness.
That’s all of the very best motherboards for the Intel Core i7-1200K, a fantastic CPU that deserves a reliable and powerful mobo to run it. Asus remains the top dog in the space, sporting all the major features and overclocking capabilities one might need, while MSI is a reliable secondary option for those looking to save some bucks on their rig.
Our Verdict
The motherboard is an essential part of your build. Not selecting the correct board can end up in netting bad performances, overkilling your rig, and spending more money than necessary. That is why we compiled a solution for different buyers and budgets.
That said, if you’re willing to pay for the best high-end board, the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero will be the one for you. This motherboard packs the best components and specs in that market range. On the other hand, if you want something more budget-friendly, the MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 and MSI MPG Z690 Carbon D5 are great. You’ll have to sacrifice some features, like DDR5 or PCIe 5-gen in some cases, but you’ll have a great performance and price right out of the box.