Best Motherboards to Buy for the Intel Core i7 13700KF

Suggested Article: Best Motherboards to Buy for the Intel Core i7 13700

Hardware Considerations

Z790 motherboards are comprised of two major types: DDR4 and DDR5 designs. Boards that support the older DDR4 memory are a better pick for price conscious buyers, or those looking to reuse existing RAM kits. Conversely, DDR5 boards are the best shout for someone looking to future proof their builds towards the next generation of memory. When choosing a Z790 motherboard, it’s therefore important to consider what memory you’ll be looking to pair with it.

All of the motherboards in this roundup also feature support for up to two full 8-pin connectors for the CPU. This allows for greater power delivery to the chips, and therefore increases the amount of overclocking headroom you’ll find on most boards.

Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i7 13700KF

1. ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F Gaming WiFi

Key Specs:

• Form Factor: ATX
• Supported Memory: 128GB DDR5
• PCI-E x16 Slots: 1x PCI-E 5.0, 2x PCI-E 4.0
• PCI-E x4 Slots: 4x PCI-E 4.0
• Rear IO: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0
• Networking: 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E

Starting off this roundup, we have the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F Gaming WiFi, a great mid-range motherboard which will make for a perfect match for the 13700KF.

In terms of storage expansion, the Z790-F Gaming WiFi features 4 M.2 slots and 4 SATA ports. This will provide a more than adequate storage expansion for most users. The rear panel of the motherboard is almost completely covered by a nice mix of both useful and cutting-edge IO. This includes a whopping ten USB-A ports, and even two very fast USB-C ports, capable of delivering speeds of up to 10Gbps.

As a whole, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F Gaming WiFi is an amazing board in terms of the features it comes with for the price. With great CPU power delivery, internal expansion, and amazing rear IO, there’s very few areas where this motherboard falls short, or will disappoint.

Buy the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F Gaming WiFi on:

2. Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX

Key Specs:

• Form Factor: ATX
• Supported Memory: 128GB DDR5
• PCI-E x16 Slots: 1x PCI-E 5.0, 1x PCI-E 4.0, 1x PCI-E 3.0
• PCI-E x4 Slots: 4x PCI-E 4.0
• Rear IO: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0
• Networking: 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E

Under their AORUS brand, Gigabyte produce some of the most stunning motherboards, both in terms of aesthetics and features. The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX is no exception. Despite it being the most budget Z790 motherboard in the AORUS line-up, it is still able to compete feature-wise with much more expensive Z790 boards.

Starting off with CPU power delivery, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX features 16+1+2 power phases, rated at a maximum of 70A. This, in combination with the two 8-pin EPS power connections for the CPU, ensures the CPU will not be bottlenecked by power delivery, while also providing a lot of room for overclocking.

Gigabyte motherboards have become popular in recent years for the amount of USB-A ports present as part of the rear IO, even in their most budget offerings. The Z790 AORUS Elite AX is no different, with 9 USB-A ports. What’s important to note is that in terms of USB-C, this motherboard includes just one of these ports, which can only run at 10Gbps. While that will still be enough for most consumers, many other motherboards in this roundup offer two type-C ports instead, with some even at 20Gbps speeds. Like with all Gigabyte motherboards in the past years, audio options are also quite limited, with just two audio jacks at the back, alongside optical S/PDIF.

Buy the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX on:

3. Gigabyte Z790 AERO G

Key Specs:

• Form Factor: ATX
• Supported Memory: 128GB DDR5
• PCI-E x16 Slots: 1x PCI-E 5.0, 1x PCI-E 4.0, 1x PCI-E 3.0
• PCI-E x4 Slots: 5x PCI-E 4.0
• Rear IO: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1, 2x USB 2.0
• Networking: 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E

Another fantastic offering from Gigabyte is the Z790 AERO G. The AERO G line is typically intended for creative workstations, but still offers all the key necessities for a gaming PC, on top of some exciting exclusive features.

Despite being a board for creatives, the Z790 AERO G still includes great power delivery for the CPU to make the most of the unlocked 13700KF. With 16+1+2 power phases rated at 70A, this motherboard is on par with the gaming-oriented Z790 AORUS Elite. Consumers should know however, that this board only comes with 8+4 power connectors for the CPU. All of this means that the support for high-speed CPUs and memory, will be almost identical between these two motherboards.

High-speed storage is a big priority for the Z790 AERO G given its target audience. That means it is one of the few motherboards in this roundup to include support for PCI-E 5.0 NVMe SSDs. Of the whopping five M.2 slots, one of them supports PCI-E 5.0, with the rest running at Gen 4 speeds.

As always on Gigabyte motherboards, the rear IO is mostly fantastic. It includes another unique selling point of the AERO G: Visionlink. This is a special multi-purpose USB-C port that even allows consumers to run displays from it or charge high-powered devices. The total of two USB-C ports and eight USB-A connectors make a very strong showing. Though once again, Gigabyte opted for just two audio jacks and optical S/PDIF.

The Gigabyte Z790 Aero G is a very unique motherboard with features that will appeal to anyone who wishes to build a more multi-purpose PC, not just for gaming. Despite that, it’s still a very competitive motherboard for pure gaming PCs, all at a very appealing price.

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4. MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi

Key Specs:

• Form Factor: ATX
• Supported Memory: 128GB DDR5
• PCI-E x16 Slots: 1x PCI-E 5.0, 1x PCI-E 4.0
• PCI-E x4 Slots: 5x PCI-E 4.0
• Rear IO: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1
• Networking: 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E

MSI offer some amazing motherboards this generation, and the MSI MPG 790 Edge WiFi is no exception. It remains competitive against other motherboards in this roundup in almost every area.

The MPG Z790 Edge WiFi manages to offer a very similar VRM solution to most other mid-range Z790 motherboards, with 16+1+1 power phases rated at 90A. Once again, this combination will be more than enough to provide ample headroom for overclocking, even for the 13700KF. While MSI doesn’t feel confident in rating the maximum memory speeds for DDR5 above 7200MHz, the strong power delivery should still allow consumers to overclock their memory past that, if they wish.

The Z790 Edge WiFi also offers more than enough internal expansion. With a whopping five M.2 slots and seven SATA connectors, consumers will not be running low on storage space. The rear IO is also fantastic, featuring everything from two USB-C connectors, to eight USB-A ports, a full array of audio jacks, and more. The great rear IO is one of many truly high-end elements of this motherboard that come together to create a truly stunning product for the price.

Buy the MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi on:

5. MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4

Key Specs:

• Form Factor: ATX
• Supported Memory: 128GB DDR4
• PCI-E x16 Slots: 1x PCI-E 5.0, 1x PCI-E 4.0
• PCI-E x4 Slots: 4x PCI-E 4.0
• Rear IO: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1
• Networking: 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E

MSI’s Tomahawk motherboards have always held a great value proposition in each generation. The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 is no different. Naturally, the largest difference in this motherboard is its support for DDR4, rather than DDR5 memory, as on all the previous motherboards in this roundup. This allows consumers to purchase much more affordable DDR4 RAM, whilst not having too large of an impact on the performance of the final build.

In terms of delivering power to the CPU, it is once again almost identical to the MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi. That means that just like that board, the Z790 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 will be just as good at powering a 13700KF, and providing a strong base for overclocking it.

This motherboard also shares another great quality with other mid-range Z790 motherboards from MSI, that being internal expansion. With plenty of flexible PCI-E slots, on top of four M.2 slots and seven SATA connectors, consumers will not feel limited by the connections on this motherboard. The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 is another fantastic motherboard from MSI that, despite its lower price, still keeps most of the same features as other MSI motherboards in this range. This makes it an amazing value pick and a great combination with the 13700KF.

Buy the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi DDR4 on:

6. ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi

Key Specs:

• Form Factor: ATX
• Supported Memory: 128GB DDR5
• PCI-E x16 Slots: 1x PCI-E 5.0, 1x PCI-E 4.0, 1x PCI-E 3.0
• PCI-E x4 Slots: 5x PCI-E 4.0
• Rear IO: 1x USB-c 3.2 Gen2,1x USB 3.2 Gen2, 8x USB 3.2 Gen1
• Networking: 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E

ASRock have a reputation of designing some of the most unique motherboards. Feature-rich and with affordable prices, these are just some of the things that make the ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi a great contender. The VRM solution is very solid. With 16+1+1 phases rated at 60A, and dual 8+8 EPS connectors, it’s a very strong basis for powering a 13700KF, whilst still leaving room for overclocking.

The internal expansion, however, is truly the Z790 Steel Legend WiFi’s biggest strength. Between three, full-size PCI-E slots, five M.2 slots, and a whopping eight SATA connectors, it is truly amazing how ASRock have managed to fit so many features within the ATX form factor. The board even features a PCI-E 5.0 M.2 slot, giving consumers access to the fastest storage currently available on the market.

The rear IO is no different, with ASRock making the most of the space at the back of the Z790 Steel Legend WiFi. One of the biggest highlights of the rear IO is the eight USB-A connectors, none of which are even USB 2.0. This motherboard also features a USB-C connector, running at 10Gbps, while most other motherboards in this roundup feature two, usually faster, USB-C ports. Overall, the ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi is a great motherboard. It’s truly staggering how many features it can offer to users all while maintaining a more than acceptable price.

Buy the ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi on: