Intel's 13th Gen Core i5-13600K might have been pushed to "last-gen" by its Core i5-14600K successor, but the older Raptor Lake processor (CPU) is still an outstanding option available at a very competitive price. Add in the fact that the newer 14th Gen chip really doesn't represent that big of an upgrade despite running hotter, and you have a ton of PC builders and gamers sticking with the Core i5-13600K. It's arguably the best all-rounder for the mid-range category, supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 memory speeds.
The best motherboards for the Core i5-13600K use the LGA 1700 socket, and they range in features and pricing. That means you should find something well-suited to your needs. Here, we've collected the best motherboards using the balanced Z690 chipset and the cutting-edge Z790 variants, with even a B660 board to suit a more budget-focused build.
Best Z690
We used the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi to great effect in our Core i5-13600K review, and it remains a stellar option for anyone interested in a high-end build. It's still readily available at Adorama, and it's cheaper than ever now that it's a couple of years old. The Z690 Carbon supports DDR5 RAM and has five M.2 slots for storage. Ready for overclocking with an 18+1+1 design, this modern board even supports Wi-Fi 6E.
Value Z690
A more affordable alternative that uses previous-generation DDR4 RAM, the MSI PRO Z690-A is perfect for anyone sticking with the older memory standard. An 8+4 power delivery for overclocking plus PCIe 5.0 support and plenty of USB options make it a worthy choice. It lacks native Wi-Fi support, but it does have a 2.5GbE port for a fast wired connection. You can easily find the MSI PRO Z690-A for sale at Amazon.
Best Z790
Those looking to pair the Core i5-13600K with DDR5 memory might want to consider Gigabyte's AORUS Elite AX motherboard as a Z790 upgrade. It's similar to our top MSI Z690 pick, but an upgrade to a 20+1+2 power delivery comes with 14 USB ports for accessory-heavy spaces and onboard Wi-Fi 6E alongside a 10GbE port. It's still sold straight from Amazon and comes at a very competitive price for what you're getting.
Z790 alternative
MSI's MAG Z790 Tomahawk Wi-Fi is a great Z790 motherboard if you're happy sticking with DDR4 RAM. It features a 16-phase power delivery with PCIe 5.0 support and four M.2 sockets for rapid storage, making it a great choice for those who like to save a ton of games locally. You still get Wi-Fi 6E, but Ethernet suffers a slight drop to 2.5G LAN. Its cheapest price appears to be at Amazon, but it remains available at numerous retailers.
Budget B660
If you're looking to spend less than $100 on a new motherboard for your Core i5-13600K, ASRock's B660M PRO RS should do the trick. It's a MicroATX board with 8-phase power, DDR4 RAM support, and PCIe 4.0 compatibility, with M.2 slots for storage and tons of USB I/O for your accessories. Gigabit LAN is included, but it does not feature built-in Wi-Fi support. At this price, it's an easy omission to ignore.
Premium pick
If only the best will do, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero should be your first choice to pair with the Core i5-13600K. It's now about $100 cheaper at Amazon than when it first launched, making it even more attractive than ever. A 20+1 power stage setup offers simple overclocking with the EzMode UEFI interface, and DDR5 RAM support sits alongside plentiful expansion slots. It even comes with Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth support.
Choosing the best motherboard for Intel's Core i5-13600K
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Building a PC around Intel's 13th Gen Core i5-13600K CPU gives you a wide range of options, from a budget-conscious mid-range rig to an enthusiast-level powerhouse.
When we reviewed the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi, it became clear that it was a top Z690 motherboard thanks to its killer design, DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support, five M.2 slots, and otherwise wide range of I/O connectivity. It was a top choice when we reviewed it in 2022, and it's even better now that the price has dropped; Adorama lists it for about $380.
Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino summed it up by saying in the review, "If you want a Z690 motherboard that offers enough in terms of features and overclocking stability without decimating your PC build budget, look no further than the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi."
If you'd like to spend less on a Z690 motherboard, the MSI PRO Z690-A is standing by. It doesn't support DDR5 RAM, but those happy sticking with DDR4 should love the 8+4 power delivery for overclocking, PCIe 5.0 support, and 2.5GbE Ethernet. You can regularly find it for less than $200 at Amazon.
Budget PC builds centered around the Core i5-13600K are very common, and in that case, the ASRock B660M Pro RS might be your best bet. You can usually find it for less than $100 at Amazon, and its MicroATX design will be great for more compact builds.
Of course, you can push the envelope with a more extreme pick like the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, which competes with some of the best motherboards if you can afford it. In our ROG Maximus Z790 Hero review, former Senior Editor Rich Edmonds handed it a Windows Central Best Award, noting that it's "a fantastic motherboard for 12th Gen and 13th Gen Intel processors. Supporting ridiculous DDR5 RAM speeds and fully equipped for PCIe 5.0, this is well worth the high asking price." It's available at Amazon, with prices much closer to $500 now that it has aged a couple of years.
Be sure to check out our favorite PC build tools and accessories to find just about everything you'll need to properly tackle your next project.
Is the Intel Core i5-13600K a good CPU?
Despite being released in 2022, Intel's Core i5-13600K remains an extremely popular mid-range desktop CPU for gamers in 2024. Intel's 14th Gen desktop refresh wasn't particularly impressive, at least compared to the 13th Gen hardware, and when you add in the fact that you can get the Core i5-13600K for a cheaper price — around $280 at Amazon — many people haven't found a reason to upgrade to the newer generation.
You can see how its performance compares to its prime competition in the tables below.
In our Intel Core i5-13600K review, Daniel Rubino called it "an easy recommendation for PC enthusiasts and anyone looking for a new custom or pre-built desktop computer." That remains true even in 2024, and pairing the CPU with one of the great motherboards we've collected above is a sure way to get off to a great start with your new build.
Be sure to have a look at our picks for the best RAM for the Core i5-13600K, as well as other great LGA 1700 motherboards that are compatible with Intel's CPU.
