Best motherboards for Intel Core i5-11600K 2021

Intel Core i9-11900K review
Intel Core i9-11900K review (Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows Central)

Planning to use the excellent mid-range Intel Core i5-11600K? You're going to need a compatible motherboard. We've rounded up the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-11600K that cover enthusiasts, gamers, and those with a tight budget.

Gigabyte Z590 AORUS ELITE AX

<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=44583&u1=hawk-custom-tracking&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fp%2FN82E16813145263" data-link-merchant="newegg.com""> Gigabyte Z590 AORUS ELITE AX

Runner-up

Our runner-up choice goes to the Gigabyte Z590 AORUS ELITE AX, which also comes rocking the Z590 chipset for impressive performance with the Intel Core i5 CPU. We're looking at a 12+1 power phase design, as well as support for PCIe 4.0 and speeds of up to 5400MHz for DDR4 RAM. Finally, there are numerous USB 3.2 ports on the rear for expansive PC builds.

ASUS PRIME Z590M-PLUS

<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=44583&u1=hawk-custom-tracking&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fp%2FN82E16813119373" data-link-merchant="newegg.com""> ASUS PRIME Z590M-PLUS

Best budget

But if you don't need the most powerful Z590 motherboard around, there's always the ASUS PRIME Z590M-PLUS. This motherboard comes in at less than $200, which can be considered budget territory for the Z590 chipset. It does, however, come with an 8+1 power phase design, high-quality components, Fan Xpert 4 for a quiet and cool PC, as well as all the rear USB ports you'll need.

Choosing the best motherboard

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

If we had to recommend a single motherboard, it would be the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming. It's one of the best Intel Z590 motherboards, which makes it ideal for the Intel Core i5-11600K. Not only is it priced well (except during the current electronics shortage), but you also get plenty of features that allow you to safely overclock this processor.

You don't need to build a PC inside a mid-tower chassis for the best performance. It's possible to use a board like the MSI MEG Z590I UNIFY inside a compact PC case that can handle the best graphics card. This board rocks the same chipset as our top Intel recommendations but loses a few features due to size restrictions.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.