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By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: January 21, 2023
One mid-range processor that is making waves right now is the Intel Core i5-13600K. It offers strong performance at a competitive price point, with a generous core and thread count for the money. When pushed to its limits, the Core i5-13600K remains relatively cool even when paired with a 240mm AIO cooler.
For gaming enthusiasts, this processor also offers great value, as it has 6 performance cores and 8 efficient cores, for a total of 14 cores. Moreover, the processor has 20 threads, which allows you to take advantage of simultaneous multi-threaded tasks such as streaming, video editing, and more.
The Core i5-13600K also offers great clock speeds. Its max turbo frequency is 5.10 GHz on the performance cores and 3.90 GHz on the efficient cores. The base frequency is also decent at 3.50 GHz on the performance cores and 2.60 GHz on the efficient cores. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers who want high frame rates without breaking the bank.
The Core i5-13600K is a great mid-range processor that offers good performance at a competitive price. It is an ideal choice for gamers, streamers, and content creators who are looking to get the best bang for their buck. As such, it is important to pair the processor with a compatible motherboard that can provide ample power and support for the device. This is why in this article, we will be looking at the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13600K. But before we dive into the reviews, it’s important to first consider which features are necessary when selecting a compatible motherboard.
When it comes to motherboards for Intel’s Core i5-13600K processor, one of the most important factors is socket compatibility. The processor uses an LGA 1700 socket which means you will need a compatible motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket as well. Every motherboard in this list will be compatible with the Intel Core i5-13600K processor.
If you are planning to overclock your Intel Core i5-13600K processor, it is important to select a motherboard with a good VRM or Voltage Regulator Module. A good VRM will be able to provide enough power for the processor to reliably achieve higher clock speeds without causing any damage. Some of the motherboards in this list feature quality VRMs that make them capable of overclocking the Intel Core i5-13600K. However, not all motherboards are designed for overclocking especially those budget-type ones. On the other hand, if overclocking isn’t your thing, our budget-type motherboard recommendation will suffice.
As with any purchase, budget and features play an important role in selecting a motherboard for the Intel Core i5-13600K processor. The motherboards in this list range from budget options to more expensive models that offer superior performance and additional features. So depending on your needs and budget, you should have no trouble finding the perfect motherboard for your rig.
We hope our guide has helped you find the best motherboard for the Intel Core i5-13600K processor that meets all your needs. Now let’s take a look at some of our recommended motherboards and see which one is best suited for your system.
 | ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 |
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 | MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4 |
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 | MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 |
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 | ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi |
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 | ASRock Z790M-ITX WiFi |
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Best Value Motherboard for Core i5-13600K
The combination of excellent build quality and VRM design makes the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 an ideal motherboard for the Intel Core i5-13600K.
VRM-wise, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 features 16+1 DrMOS, ProCool sockets for maximum durability and performance, and Digi+ VRM for advanced tuning options. To ensure a long lifespan, ASUS has implemented military-grade TUF components throughout the board.
For even better cooling performance, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 features a dedicated VRM heatsink and PCH fanless heatsink making sure your build stays cool and stable. An M.2 heatsink is also included for extra protection against heat-related damage. ASUS has also included hybrid fan headers and a Fan Xpert 4 utility to ensure precise control over your system’s cooling performance.
In terms of networking performance, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 has all the latest features such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Intel I225-V 2.5Gb LAN, and TurboLAN technology, ensuring a reliable and ultra-fast connection for your gaming needs. There’s also TUF LANGuard for added network protection from potential EMI interference.
Ultimately, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 offers unmatched quality. It is constructed with premium materials for increased resilience and longevity.
All in all, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 offers great performance making it one of the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13600K processor. With its excellent build quality and feature set, this motherboard will deliver a consistent performance whatever you choose to do with your system. Whether you need it for gaming or productivity tasks, it won’t let you down.
Best Affordable Motherboard for Core i5-13600K
Our second monitor recommendation might be the cheapest one on this list but it still comes with the necessary specs to make it a great option for Core i5-13600K. The MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4 is an affordable motherboard that supports the latest Intel processors (13th gen), including the Core i5-13600K. It has an enhanced power design with a 14+1+1 power stage, and dual 8-pin CPU power connectors for reliable performance.
The MSI PRO Z790-P also provides excellent thermal solutions with extended heatsinks for proper cooling. It also comes with MOSFET thermal pads rated for 7W/mK, additional choke thermal pads, and M.2 Shield Frozr for higher performance and a non-stop gaming experience.
This motherboard supports DDR4 memory up to 5333+(OC) MHz, so you can easily overclock your RAM to get more performance out of it.
In terms of build quality, it has a high-quality 6-layer PCB made from 2oz thickened copper and server-grade level material, ensuring maximum stability and reliability.
The MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4 also offers a variety of connectivity options, such as PCIe 5.0, Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN, and Intel® Wi-Fi 6E for ultrafast wireless speeds. It also includes USB 3.2 Gen2 ports with double bandwidth to ensure that your peripherals are connected in no time.
Overall, the MSI PRO Z790-P WiFi DDR4 offers excellent performance and reliability at an affordable price point. If you’re looking for a capable yet budget-wise motherboard to pair with your Core i5-13600K processor, then this is our top recommendation.
Best White Motherboard for Core i5-13600K
As white theme builds become more and more popular, many motherboard manufacturers have started to produce them. The MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 is the perfect white motherboard for a Core i5-13600K processor. The board features an LGA 1700 socket, and it is fully compatible with any of the 13th gen Intel processors including the Core i5-13600K.
The board is equipped with an enhanced power design—16+1+1 Duet Rail Power System providing enough power to your CPU. It has two 8-pin CPU power connectors, Core Boost and Memory Boost to ensure stable and consistent performance. Additionally, the board supports DDR4 memory up to 5333+(OC) MHz.
In terms of speed and gaming capabilities, the MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 is unmatched with its Lightning Gen 4 x4 M.2 slot, PCIe 5.0 slot for the high-end graphics card, and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support. Also, you get an upgraded network solution with 2.5G LAN and Intel Wi-Fi 6E that delivers a secure, stable, and fast network connection.
The build quality of the MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 is excellent. It has a 6-layer PCB made of server-grade material and comes with an I/O shield pre-installed for EMI protection and convenience during installation. To top it all off, this white motherboard looks stunning in any build with its white accents and bright LEDs.
The combination of great aesthetics and excellent performance makes the MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi DDR4 an ideal choice for any white-themed build. With its powerful hardware, quality components, and features, this board is a great pick for any Core i5-13600K processor. If you’re looking to add some style to your rig, this is one of the best white motherboards out there.
High-End Motherboard for Core i5-13600K
Moving on with our high-end motherboard recommendation, we have the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi. This motherboard is ready to support the 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, giving you the power and performance to handle even the toughest tasks with ease. Not only that, but it has PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Windows 11 compatibility right out of the box.
If you are planning to overclock your Core i5-13600K, this motherboard should be on the top of your list as it comes with an excellent VRM design consisting of 18+1 90A power stages with a ProCool II power connector. It also comes with high-quality alloy chokes and durable capacitors for additional stability and reliability.
To make sure you get the best gaming experience, ASUS has also equipped this board with AI Overclocking for automatically optimizing your CPU’s performance, AI Cooling II for monitoring fan speeds and temperatures to ensure optimal cooling performance, AI Networking (GameFirst VI) for reducing latency for the smoother gaming experience, and AI Noise Cancellation for eliminating background noise from incoming audio.
Similar to other high-end ASUS motherboards on the market, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi comes with an optimized thermal design. It features a VRM heatsink, double-sided M.2 heatsink, PCH fanless heatsink, hybrid fan headers, and the Fan Xpert 4 utility for maximum cooling performance and minimal noise levels.
Connectivity-wise, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi motherboard comes with Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard for secure and reliable network connections, On-board WiFi 6E for next-gen wireless speeds, Thunderbolt 4 for attaching high-end devices, 5x M.2 slots and 1xPCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for fast storage performance, and a front panel USB 3.2 port to quickly connect your external devices.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi is one of the best high-end motherboards available that can easily handle just about any task that you throw at it. If you’re looking to build a powerhouse computer around Intel’s Core i5-13600K processor, this board should be part of your setup.
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for Core i5-13600K
Our last motherboard recommendation is suitable for people who plan on building a compact PC around the Intel Core i5-13600K processor. The ASRock Z790M-ITX WiFi is a mini-ITX motherboard with an impressive feature set that fully supports the 13th Gen Intel Core Processors.
In terms of power delivery, the ASRock Z790M-ITX WiFi is equipped with a 7+1+1 Phase Power Design and Dr.MOS for VCore+GT, which makes it suitable for general computing needs, but not so much for overclocking. It has two DDR5 DIMMs that support up to 6800MHz+(OC) and one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot so you can are able to take advantage of the new and powerful graphics cards today.
Build quality is also top-notch. The ASRock Z790M-ITX WiFi utilizes an 8 Layer PCB design, which provides stable signal traces and power shapes delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency for memory overclocking. It is also made using high-quality materials ensuring reliability and durability even after extended use.
All in all, the ASRock Z790M-ITX WiFi is an excellent mini-ITX motherboard for those who are looking to build a Core i5-13600k based system but don’t want something too large or too expensive. It offers great performance and features, as well as an excellent build quality that won’t let you down in the long run.
There you go, the best motherboards for Intel Core i5-13600K have been outlined! The Core i5-13600K is an amazing processor, and any of these motherboards will do it justice. Whether you’re looking for a budget board or something more high-end, there are options to choose from. We’ve mentioned the best quality boards on the market so you can make your decision with confidence.
We also include a quick buying guide so that you can find what you need in no time flat. Consider all of your personal needs when making a purchase, each motherboard in this list comes with a different set of features that you should take into account.
