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Best Motherboards For Intel Core i5-13600KF (Best Picks)

Best Motherboard For i5 13600KF Cover

With the release of the 13th generation Raptor Lake processors, Intel has outdone itself by providing some of the best performance increases recorded in a generation.

The consistent performance in gaming and productivity of these processors have garnered them a recommendation from almost tech outlets.

One of these processors is the i5-13500KF which is the twin brother of the i5-13500K with the integrated graphics removed from it. This processor, despite being a mid-range processor, has some impressive specifications.

With a base clock of 2.60 and a max turbo frequency of 5.10 GHz, this CPU makes short work of any task you throw at it, making it a no-brainer for budget-conscious PC enthusiasts.

So, if you are one of those people who have set their mind up to create a build around the i5-13500KF and are confused about which motherboard to use, then you are in luck, as I am going to be giving you a list of the best motherboard for the i5 13500KF. So without further ado, let us get right into it.

Key Points:

  • This article will dive into which Motherboard is the best for the i5-13600KF.
  • The motherboards on this list will also be evaluated on their overclocking prowess and thermal efficiency.
  • Finally, the motherboard specification will be discussed in detail, and the pros and cons associated with every pick will be listed.

Best Motherboard For i5-13600KF – Comparison Table

Image Name Price Rating Specs
MSI PRO Z690-A ProSeries
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Size: 12 x 9.6 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR5 at 6400MHz
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Size: 12 x 9.6 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR5 at 7800MHz
MSI MPG Z790 Edge
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Size: 12 x 9.6 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR4 at 5333MHz
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Size: 12 x 9.6 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR4 at 5333MHz
MSI MPG Z690 Edge
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Size: 12 x 9.6 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR5 at 6400MHz
ASUS ROG Strix B660-A
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Size: 12 x 9.6 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR4 at 5333MHz

A quick look at the best motherboard for i5 13600KF:

  1. MSI PRO Z690-A ProSeries (NeoGamr’s Pick)
  2. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E (Best High-End)
  3. MSI MPG Z790 Edge (Universal Pick)
  4. ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus (Mid-Range Pick)
  5. MSI MPG Z690 Edge (Best Value)
  6. ASUS ROG Strix B660-A (Best Budget)

Best Motherboard For i5 13600KF

With every new generation of processors released by Intel and AMD, companies like ASUS, MSI, and many others are always quick to produce a myriad of supported motherboards, with a lot of advertising claiming that they are the best motherboards available on the market.

I have tested most of the motherboards available for the i5-13500KF and have come up with a list of the best, which are as follows.

#1- MSI PRO Z690-A ProSeries

– Specifications:

  • MSI PRO Z690-A ProSeries
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z690
  • Power: 14+1+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 6x SATA Connectors, 3x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128Gb DDR5 6400+
  • USB Ports: 9x Internal, 11x rear
  • Video Output: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Attractive Price
  • Robust VRM and Power delivery system.
  • A solid set of features.

– Drawbacks:

  • Only 3 M.2 Slots.

A lot can be said about my first pick, which is the MSI Pro Z690-A Pro series; however, I would like to say that this is a budget motherboard that can overclock your CPU.

You have a 14+1+1 Phase VRM that supplies clean power to your Motherboard and also leaves you with a lot of headroom to overclock your i5-13500KF.

On the design side of things, the MSI Pro Z690-A Pro Series is very generic. However, that is only where cost-cutting measures have been implemented, and you are still getting a lot of features which I will discuss in detail.

Connectivity and Features

Despite the MSI Pro Z690-A Pro Series being a budget motherboard, there are still more features here than you think.

First up is the rear IO, where you have 11 USB slots to connect various peripherals to your PC. However, you can connect the case to the 9 Internal USB headers if you want more.

For storage, you have 3x M.2 slots that are used for fast NvMe storage. On the other hand, you have 6 SATA connectors for further storage expansion by the use of SATA mechanical hard drives and SSDs.

For connection to the internet, the Motherboard provides you with the standard 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6E.

The RAM is handled by the 4 DIMM slots, which support 128 GB DDR5 running at up to 6400 Mhz.

Finally, a redundant feature for the i5-13500KF, yet worth mentioning, is the HDMI and DisplayPort, which can run two monitors simultaneously.

Performance and Overclocking

If you want a motherboard that is light on price but has the ability to overclock your i5-13500KF to its full potential, then the MSI Pro Z690-A Pro series is an excellent option for you.

The 14+1+1 Phase VRM has more than enough headroom for overclocking this chip and even cashing out your silicon lottery.

A good heat sink is a must for a motherboard that has support for overclocking. MSI has thought of that with this Motherboard and gave it a heatsink with adequate finning, which dissipates the heat introduced by the VRM pushing power to the CPU.

#2- ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E

– Specifications:

  • ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z790
  • Power: 18+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 4x SATA Connectors, 5x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128Gb DDR5-7800+
  • USB Ports: 9x Internal, 12x rear
  • Video Output: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • ROG Design.
  • RGB lighting.
  • Powerful VRM, which is great for overclocking.
  • Chock full of features.

– Drawbacks:

  • Very Costly.
  • Lack of 10 GbE LAN

The next Motherboard that has made my list of the best motherboards for the i5-13500KF is the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E.

ASUS, under the ROG branding, has been creating some of the best gaming motherboards that are targeted toward gamers. This Motherboard is also a culmination of these design decisions.

There are a ton of features that the ASUS ROG Z790-E has for its audience of power-hungry gamers. The biggest one of that is the powerful 18+1 Phase VRM which can squeeze every last bit of power from your i5-13500KF.

Connectivity and Features

There is a solid range of features that the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E has on offer. For storage, you have the ability to connect 6x fast NvMe storage devices using the M.2 slots. If you want to expand this storage, you can do so by adding 6 SATA Hard drives or SSDs to it.

The Motherboard has 4 DIMM slots that support 128 GB of DDR5 RAM running at 7800 Mhz. On the rear IO, you can find 12 USB slots; on the front, 9 USB slots can be added by connecting the case to the internal case headers.

The 2.5-gigabit ethernet port handles the networking. If you want to go wireless, then Wi-Fi 6E is also available.

If you have a processor with integrated graphics, then the Motherboard also allows you to run two monitors using the HDMI and Displayport.

Performance and Overclocking

The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E is designed with overclocking in mind. From the design to all its features, this Motherboard defines the term high performance.

You get a very robust 18+1 Phase VRM that can push the i5-13500KF to its limit, leaving no performance on the table.

The thermal performance of this Motherboard is also on point, thanks to its relatively large heat sink. The heat sinks have a very large surface area that efficiently dissipates the heat from the VRM. This allows it to maximize performance and efficiency while keeping the temperatures cool.

#3- MSI MPG Z790 Edge

– Specifications:

  • MSI MPG Z790 Edge
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z790
  • Power: 16+1+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 7x SATA Connectors, 5x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128GB DDR5-7200+
  • USB Ports: 7x Internal, 10x rear
  • Video Output: HDMI, DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Powerful VRM
  • A ton of features.
  • One of the best-looking motherboards available on the market.

– Drawbacks:

  • A little on the pricier side.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge is arguably one of my favorite motherboards due to its exquisite aesthetics. The Motherboard looks absolutely incredible, thanks to its black and white design.

The MSI dragon on the VRM is illuminated by RGB, which looks great when you have turned the lights off.

Other than the looks of the MSI MPG Z790 Edge, you are also getting a solid feature set on this Motherboard.

The 16+1+1 Phase VRM supplies clean power to the Motherboard with no losses. No BIOS update is required to run this Motherboard as it is compatible with the i5-13500KF out of the box.

Connectivity and Features

When it comes to the MSI MPG Z790 Edge features, you are getting much more than what you are paying for.

The rear IO has 10 USB slots which are enough for most people. However, if that’s not enough for you, you can add seven more by connecting the case to the internal USB headers.

For networking and fast internet, the Motherboard has a 2.5-gigabit ethernet port for wired internet. If you prefer wireless, you can go wireless, thanks to Wi-Fi 6E.

The Motherboard has 4 DIMM slots that can support up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM running at up to 7200 MHz.

If you want to connect fast storage to the PC, you have 5 M.2 slots for NvMe storage. However, if you want more storage, 7 SATA connectors for hard drives and SSDs are also available to you.

Finally, for video out, the Motherboard has a DisplayPort and HDMI.

Performance and Overclocking

The i5-13500KF is an unlocked processor, and if you want to leave no performance on the table, then the MSI MPG Z790 Edge is the perfect choice for you.

The Motherboard has a 16+1+1 phase VRM which can be used to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your CPU and increase your FPS in games.

The Motherboard, due to its large VRM, also has an ample heat sink. The heat sink is rather large that takes advantage of its surface area to dissipate the heat.

During my thermal tests for an overclocked i5-13500KF, the Motherboard stayed at very manageable temperatures.

#4- ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus

– Specifications:

  • ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z790
  • Power: 16+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 4x SATA Connectors, 4x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128Gb DDR5
  • USB Ports: 7x Internal, 8x rear
  • Video Output: HDMI, DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Best Value for Money.
  • TUF design.
  • 16+1 Phase VRM.

– Drawbacks:

  • Little RGB.

If you are someone that wants a good motherboard for a good price without any consideration for how it looks, then the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus is the Motherboard for you.

The TUF brand from ASUS has kept looks on the back burner for the most part; however, they do not compromise on their solid performance and excellent feature set.

Even with the looks not being a priority for ASUS, you can see that the Motherboard still manages to look good.

The VRM has the TUF gaming branding, which looks good when you sit it down. All in all, this Motherboard deserves its spot, which will become evident in the subsequent paragraphs.

Connectivity and Features

If you want a motherboard that is value for money with a solid feature set and outstanding performance, then the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790 Plus is a solid contender for your next build.

Looking at the rear IO, you can find 8 USB slots that can be used to connect several external devices. The USB slots can be expanded by connecting the case to the seven internal USB headers.

For fast NvMe storage, the motherboard has 4 M.2 slots, and if you want to add additional storage, you can add SATA hard drives and SSDs by using the 4 SATA connectors on the Motherboard.

The DIMM slots on the Motherboard have support for 128 GB of DDR5 RAM. You get a 2.5-gigabit ethernet port for a fast internet connection using wired ethernet. However, if you prefer wireless, you can use the onboard Wi-Fi 6E.

The video outs which are redundant in the case of the i5-13500KF are a DisplayPort and HDMI.

Performance and Overclocking

You are getting a 16+1 phase VRM with the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus, which is powerful and robust enough to power your CPU and all other components.

Apart from that, the VRM also can push out enough power to overclock your CPU and squeeze every last bit of performance out of it.

A/Z series motherboard and a good heat sink go in hand. That is why ASUS has ensured that the heat sink on this motherboard is big enough with adequate finning to dissipate any heat that comes its way. The thermal tests during my overclocks were satisfactory.

#5- MSI MPG Z690 Edge

– Specifications:

  • MSI MPG Z690 Edge
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z690
  • Power: 16+1+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 6x SATA Connectors, 4x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128GB DDR5-5300+
  • USB Ports: 7x Internal, 11x rear
  • Video Output: HDMI, DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Robust 16+1+1 Phase VRM.
  • A lot of USB Slots.
  • Beautiful RGB implementation.

– Drawbacks:

  • Slightly expensive.

Regarding the MSI MPG Z690 Edge, one of the first things that come to mind is its admirable design aesthetics. The Motherboard has a large heat sink with MSI logos all around it.

The VRM has the MSI dragon etched on it, which is illuminated by RGB, giving it a very mean look while sitting in a case.

There are also a lot of features that are on offer with this Motherboard. However, one thing you should keep in mind before buying this Motherboard is that you will need to do a BIOS update to make it compatible with the i5-13500KF.

Connectivity and Features

MSI gives a solid feature set in their MPG Z690 Edge. On the rear IO, 11 USB slots are available for connecting various peripherals to the PC.

If you want to add additional USBs to the mix, you can do so by connecting the case to the seven internal USB headers.

For the RAM, you get 4 DIMM slots that can support up to 128 GB of DDR5 running up to 6400 Mhz.

The 4 M.2 slots and 6 SATA connectors handle the storage. The networking can be done by the standard 2.5 GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 6E.

The redundant feature here is the video outs, the DisplayPort, and HDMI, which are still worth mentioning.

Performance and Overclocking

The MSI MPG Z690 Edge is a great motherboard if you want to overclock your i5-13500KF. This becomes evident as this Motherboard gives you a very robust 16+1+1 phase VRM.

This VRM is powerful enough to overclock the processor to its max, leaving no performance on the table. You are going to be able to cash in your silicon lottery if you go with this Motherboard.

The thermal armor on this Motherboard is a solid choice by MSI. A thermal armor makes it so that the surface area of the Motherboard increases, which maximizes heat dissipation.

Even when I tested this Motherboard for its temperatures, it stayed relatively cold and under very manageable temperatures.

#6- ASUS ROG Strix B660-A

– Specifications:

  • ASUS ROG Strix B660-A
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: B660
  • Power: 12+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 4x SATA Connectors, 3x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128GB DDR5-5333
  • USB Ports: 6x Internal, 9x rear
  • Video Output: DisplayPort, HDMI
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6

– Advantages:

  • A Capable VRM
  • Great ASUS ROG design.

– Drawbacks:

  • A little expensive when compared to the competition.

My last pick is for those who want to buy a good-looking motherboard and run their i5-13500KF at stock speeds but also want to keep their budget low, which is why I have chosen the ASUS ROG Strix B660-A as my final pick.

The Motherboard has a black-and-white aesthetic with RGB sprinkled around in the right quantities throughout. This makes it very appealing to sit in a case. The Motherboard also gives you a ton of features I discussed in the successive paragraph.

Connectivity and Features

There are a lot of features that the ASUS ROG B660-A has on offer. The Motherboard has 9 USB slots on the rear IO and six more on the front if you connect your case to the internal USB headers.

To connect high-speed NvMe storage to the PC, you get 3 M.2 slots, and for additional expansion, 6 SATA connector ports are available to connect HDDs and SSDs. The Motherboard has 4 DIMM slots with support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 running at 5333 MHz.

The video out is handled by the Displayport and HDMI port. Finally, you have a 2.5 GbE LAN port and Wi-Fi 6E.

Performance and Overclocking

The B660 platform is locked, so you cannot overclock your CPU on the ASUS ROG Strix B660-A. You still get a good power delivery system with a 12+1 phase VRM which supplies clean power to your processor with no power leaks or shorts to speak off.

The heat sink on this Motherboard is also a beefy one. The thermals of the Motherboard stayed within safe ranges, making it a solid choice for the i5-13500KF.

How To Choose The Best Motherboard For i5-13600KF?

Here are a few things that you should consider while purchasing a motherboard for the i5-13600KF.

Overclocking Performance

The first thing you should keep in mind while buying a motherboard for your processor is its overclocking prowess. This can be determined by looking at the VRM phase of the Motherboard.

image of rog strix z590 e gaming board
Credits: ASUS

The higher Phase a VRM is, the better its overclocking prowess. For example, a motherboard with an 18+1 phase VRM would have a better potential for overclocking than a 14+1 phase VRM.

No of Ports and Features

The next thing you must remember is the number of ports and features available on the Motherboard. Here are some of them:

PCIe Expansion Slots and The Socket

The latest generation of PCIe slots, the PCIe Gen 5, is also a part of the latest motherboards for the 12th and 13th generation of Intel processors.

If you are going to use a high-end graphics card for gaming, it is vital that if you want to take advantage of its full potential, then getting a motherboard with PCIe gen 5 should be a no-brainer for you. The latest PCIe Gen 5 is almost twice as faster as the last Gen PCIe 4.

The 13th generation of processor works on the LGA 1700 Socket. Therefore, when buying a new motherboard for the i5-13500KF, buy one with the LGA 1700 socket.

Related motherboards:

Z690 vs Z790 vs B660: Which Mobo is best for i5-13600KF?

A few differences need to be addressed between the Z790, Z690, and B660.

  • The Z790 motherboards are compatible with the 13th-generation processors out of the box; therefore, all you need to do here is plug and play. You will have the advantage of overclocking here, and the Z motherboards are unlocked.
  • The Z690 motherboards are not compatible out of the box and need a BIOS update to run 13th-generation processors. You can also overclock your processor with this Motherboard.

With these differences in mind, the best motherboard chipset for the i5-13500KF is the Z790, which gives you out-of-the-box compatibility and the ability to overclock.

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Hamza Naeem

Hamza Naeem

Enthusiastic about gaming and PC hardware, he found his gateway to the gaming world when he was young and first experienced the open world of Grand Theft Auto. Since then, he has developed a strong love for gaming. Being inspired by it, started working as a full-time writer on NeoGamr, sharing his love for games and knowledge about gaming hardware one article at a time. My expertise is in Gaming, Application software, Video Games, Software, and Computer Hardware.

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