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Best Motherboards For Intel Core i7-13700KF In 2023

Best Motherboard For i7-13700KF Cover

Raptor Lake is finally here; with this, consumers are finally getting their hands on some new processors from Intel. Tech publications report some excellent benchmark scores in gaming and other tasks: making enthusiasts line up and buy them like hotcakes.

One of these 13th-generation processors is the i7-13700KF, essentially just the i7-13700K without the integrated graphics indicated by the “F” letter in its name.

With a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a Max Turbo Frequency of 5.40, this processor is a gaming and productivity workhorse.

These solid specifications make the i7-13700KF a no-brainer for many people as a part of their next build.

However, with a new generation of processors in the market, companies like MSI, ASUS, and many others have saturated the market with their offering for the LGA-1700 motherboards.

Now, the question of which motherboard to buy is confusing as there are many things to consider, so I have decided to do the thinking for you and shortlisted some of the best motherboards for i7-13700KF for you.

So, without further ado, let us get right into it. Keep in mind that this list is in no particular order.

Key Points:

  • This article will dive into which motherboards are the best for the i7-13700KF.
  • The motherboards on this list are also going to 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 i7-13700KF – Comparison Chart

Image Name Price Rating Specs
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
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: E-ATX
  • Size: 12 x 10.2 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR5 at 8000MHz
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F
  • 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
MSI MPG Z790 Edge D4
  • 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
EVGA Z690 Classified
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: E-ATX
  • Size: 12 x 10.8 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR5 at 6400MHz
MSI MEG Z690 ACE
  • Socket: LGA 1700
  • Form Factor: E-ATX
  • Size: 12 x 10.9 In
  • E-Slot: PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
  • RAM: 4x/128GB, DDR5 at 6666MHz

A quick look at the best motherboard for i7-13700kf:

  1. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E (NeoGamr’s Pick)
  2. GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master (Premium Pick)
  3. ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F (Most Affordable)
  4. MSI MPG Z790 Edge (Universal Pick)
  5. EVGA Z690 Classified (Best Value)
  6. MSI MEG Z690 ACE (Best High-End)

Best Motherboard For i7-13700KF

The 13th generation of Intel Processors has finally made their way to shelves. Companies like ASUS, Gigabyte, EVGA, MSI, and many more are churning out motherboards for them at a very high pace.

The sheer volume of choices available is overwhelming, so I am giving you a list of some of the best motherboards available for the i7-13700 KF.

#1- 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:

  • Designed for Gamers.
  • Great Implementation of RGB.
  • Powerful VRM, which can be used to squeeze every last bit of performance from the i7-13700KF.
  • Chock full of features.

– Drawbacks:

  • Early Adopter Tax is reflected in the price.
  • Motherboards in the same Price Category offer 10 Gbe LAN.

The first motherboard I have chosen as one of the best for the i7-13700KF is the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E. ASUS ROG, for a long time, has been one of my favorite motherboard companies due to their products having aesthetics that are designed for gamers.

The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E maintains that tradition very well and even improves upon it. The VRM has the ROG eye, which is lit by RGB lighting. This makes the motherboard stand out and look extraordinary sitting in a case.

Thermals and Overclocking

With the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E, you are getting a very powerful motherboard that gives you an 18+1 phase VRM which is not only ideal for running your i7-13700KF and all the adjoining components but can give you an FPS boost in your favorite games by squeezing out more performance from your processor through overclocking.

However, overclocking can also introduce a lot of heat into your VRM, which is handled by the large heat sinks on the motherboard. During my testing, I found this motherboard kept its thermals stable even when I had overclocked my processor.

Features and Ports

The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E has a lot of features in its arsenal on offer. On the back, I counted 12 USB slots which were more than ample for my own use case. However, I also found nine internal USB headers which could be connected to the case.

You get support for 128 GB of DDR5 RAM, which can be installed on the 4 DIMM slots on the motherboard. The HDMI and Displayport handle the Video output; however, this feature is redundant on the i7-13700KF.

A 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port is available for wired internet; however, it would have been better if a 10 GbE LAN had been provided instead.

WiFi 6E, standard on Z790, is also available for wireless internet connectivity. The Storage is handled by 5 M.2 slots and 4 SATA connector headers.

#2- GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master

– Specifications:

  • GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z790
  • Power: 20+1+2 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 4x SATA Connectors, 5x M.2
  • Form Factor: E-ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128GB DDR5-8000
  • USB Ports: 9x Internal, 14x rear
  • Video Output: DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 10 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Powerful VRM.
  • DIMM slots with the fastest RAM compatibility.
  • 10 GbE LAN
  • A lot of USB ports.
  • Beautiful Metallic finish and wise implementation of RGB.

– Drawbacks:

  • A bit pricey.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master has been one of the motherboards I had a great time testing out, and I ultimately decided to make it a part of my next personal build.

There are a lot of things that this motherboard does right. It has a very nice aesthetic with its metallic finish. The motherboard has more RGB than what you can do, and with the lights turned off, my room was lit by it.

You also get a 10 GbE LAN which other companies usually reserve for their higher-echelon motherboards. Also, some of the fastest DIMM slots available on the market are on this motherboard.

I can talk all day about what beast of a motherboard this is, but I will reserve my ramblings about that for the next section.

Thermals and Overclocking

One of the things that made me a firm believer in the capabilities of the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master is its 20+1+2 phase VRM.

I cannot preface enough how much power this VRM can push out. You will be able to power your i7-13700KF with this beast and squeeze every last iota of power out of it by overclocking.

Overclocking without good thermals might be a recipe for disaster. But this motherboard comes through once again thanks to it being covered entirely by thermal armor.

The temperatures throughout my testing did not exceed more than the safer limits. All in all, it passed with flying colors in the thermals and overclocking test.

Features and Ports

The Gigabyte AORUS Z790 Master is a motherboard that spares no expense when it comes to its feature set. First, you get 4 of the fastest DIMM slots available in the market. These DIMM slots support up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM running up upto 8000 Mhz.

Next up, you will find 4 M.2 slots for NvMe Storage. However, if you want cheaper mechanical hard drives or SATA SSDs, then 6 SATA connectors are also available.

The rear IO on this motherboard has an impressive collection of 14 USB ports on the back. If that’s not enough for you, nine more can be added by connecting the case to the internal USB headers.

For display, the motherboard gives you a Displayport, which will not work with the i7-13700KF; however, other processors with integrated graphics could take advantage of it.

Finally, the 10 GbE LAN is another differentiating feature of this motherboard, as this is the fastest LAN port currently on the market. For wireless connectivity, the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master has a WiFi 6E installed on it.

#3- ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F

– Specifications:

  • ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z690
  • Power: 16+1 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 6x SATA Connectors, 4x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128Gb DDR5 6400
  • USB Ports: 7x Internal, 10x rear
  • Video Output: HDMI
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Good Bang for the Buck.
  • Gamer Aesthetics.
  • The 16+1 Phase VRM allows for enough power to overclock.

– Drawbacks:

  • More Internal USB headers would have been appreciated.

The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F is one of those motherboards that will need a BIOS update before you can use the i7-13700KF on it; however, once you do so, a myriad of excellent features open up to you.

This motherboard has a premium look even when it costs comparatively less than some of the other motherboards in my lineup. The VRM is designed very well, and the RGB lighting makes it look one of a kind.

Now let us look at the features available to you with the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F.

Thermals and Overclocking

Even though the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F comes from a lineup of budget motherboards, ASUS still manages to pack in a powerful 16+1 phase VRM.

This VRM has plenty of power, giving you enough power to run the monster, the i7-13700KF, but it also leaves you with enough headroom to overclock it.

You are going to see a nice FPS boost with the overclocks here. During my testing, the thermal performance of this motherboard also did not disappoint by any means.

Even when the processor was given a significant overclock, the temperatures remained stable and controlled.

Features and Ports

ASUS never uses the ROG logo or the ROG branding in vain, even if they are slapping it on a comparatively budget motherboard.

They give that motherboard a good set of features which is evident in the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F. The rear IO has 10 USB slots, with more than seven available to users if they want more.

The Storage is handled by the 4 M.2 slots and 6 SATA connector ports which can be used to connect NvMe SSD and SATA Drives.

For memory, the motherboard has 4 DIMM slots which support up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM at 6400 Mhz. The HDMI slot on the rear IO handles the display.

For a fast connection to the internet, the motherboard is equipped with a 2.5 GbE LAN and WiFi 6E.

#4- MSI MPG Z790 Edge D4

– 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:

  • Potent 16+1+1 Phase VRM.
  • Feature Galore.
  • One of the best-looking motherboards available on the market.

– Drawbacks:

  • A little on the pricier side.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge is arguably the most beautiful motherboard from the folks at MSI, with a black and white design. The VRM has the MSI dragon illuminated by RGB, making it look absolutely astonishing.

To run the i7-13700KF, this motherboard has an 18-phase VRM, which results in the processor running at its max turbo frequency.

Additionally, the processor can be overclocked to its full potential, cashing out your silicon lottery with this power delivery system.

Thermals and Overclocking

You will not want more when it comes to the overclocking prowess of the MSI MPG Z790 Edge. The VRM is a powerful 16+1+1 Phase that can very easily run not only the i7-13700KF but also the flagship i9-13900K to their full potential.

If you want to cash in on your silicon lottery, this motherboard is a fine choice, as it can churn out more than enough power to overclock it.

The MSI MPG Z790 Edge also aced all the thermal efficiency tests I laid out for it, thanks to the large heat sink attached to it.

Even when the i7-13700KF was overclocked, the heat sink managed to dissipate the heat generated by the processor, which kept the PC’s operations under control.

Features and Ports

There are a lot of features that MSI MPG Z790 Edge has that live up to the tradition of MSI producing quality motherboards. The networking solutions on this motherboard are the 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port and WiFi 6E.

You can connect 5 NvMe SSDs and 7 SATA SSDs or HDDs, allowing you to have lots of Storage on a single PC. For the RAM, the motherboard has 4 DIMM slots which support up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM running at 5333 MHz.

The rear IO has 10 USB ports which can be used to connect various peripherals to the PC. However, the option to add seven more USB ports by connecting the case to the motherboard’s USB headers is also available.

This a feature that may be redundant on the i7-13700KF due to its lack of integrated graphics; however, it still needs to be counted as one are the video outs on this motherboard. The motherboard can run two monitors simultaneously with an HDMI port and Displayport.

#5- EVGA Z690 Classified

– Specifications:

  • EVGA Z690 Classified
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z690
  • Power: 19 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 8x SATA Connectors, 3x M.2
  • Form Factor: E-ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128Gb DDR5 6400+
  • USB Ports: 3x Internal, 9x rear
  • Video Output: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Large Thermal Armor.
  • Great design language.
  • Powerful 19-Phase VRM.

– Drawbacks:

  • Only Three USB headers, while the competition offers more than seven.
  • Only Three M.2 Slots, while Competition offers at least four.

The EVGA Z690 Classified is a 12th generation motherboard that can be made compatible to run the 13th generation of intel processors by giving it a BIOS update.

However, once you are over this compatibility hurdle, a decent number of features will open up to you.

The first thing that I am going to be talking about in the EVGA Z690 Classified is its beautiful aesthetics.

The heat sink, which I would like to term more as thermal armor, gives this motherboard more of a military look.

The RGB sprinkled throughout the motherboard makes it as if a lot of thought was put into the design.

Thermals and Overclocking

If overclocking is your main concern in buying a motherboard, then the EVGA Z690 classified does not disappoint.

You get a robust 19-phase VRM that can power your i7-13700KF to its full potential and leaves you with more than enough headroom to do overclocking.

The thermal armor on this motherboard is also more than capable enough to keep the entire motherboard cool.

The motherboard worked at its best thermal efficiency during my tests, even when the VRM pushed out a lot of power.

Features and Ports

I have some qualms about a few features on the Z690 Classified that need to be mentioned before you pull the trigger on the motherboard. First, there are 3x M.2 slots when competing motherboards give you at least four.

However, EVGA tries to balance that out by giving you 8 SATA connectors that can be used to add additional hard drives and SSDs.

Another qualm I have with this motherboard is that even though the rear IO has 9 USB ports, the front only gets 3 USBs when competitors give you more than 5. Besides, this motherboard has all the standard features you can expect from a Z690 motherboard.

The DIMM slots on this motherboard can support 4 RAM sticks of up to 128 GB DDR5 running at 6400 MHz.

The networking is handled by the 2.5 GbE LAN and WiFi 6E. Finally, a feature with mentioning yet redundant for the i7-13700KF is the inclusion of the HDMI and Displayport.

#6- MSI MEG Z690 ACE

– Specifications:

  • MSI MEG Z690 ACE
  • Platform: LGA 1700
  • Chipset: Z690
  • Power: 19+1+2 Phase VRM
  • Storage: 6x SATA Connectors, 5x M.2
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Memory 4x DIMM Slots Supports 128Gb DDR5 6666+
  • USB Ports: 10x Internal, 8x rear
  • Video Output: 1x Type-C DisplayPort
  • Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E

– Advantages:

  • Very Powerful VRM.
  • Ample M.2 Slots.
  • Beautiful black and gold design.
  • Large Thermal Armor.

– Drawbacks:

  • The features included do not justify the Price.
  • A complete lack of RGB.

The final motherboard on this list from the MSI folks is the MPG Z690 ACE. This motherboard has some great aesthetics. It is covered by thermal armor necessary to dissipate heat generated by the large 19+1+2 phase VRM.

There is no RGB to speak of here on the MSI MEG Z690 ACE. However, the black and gold design, which it carries over from its predecessor, the Z590 ACE, still looks very modern and pleasing.

This is a good motherboard despite its steep price, which I will discuss more in the later section of this article. 

Thermals and Overclocking

If you want a motherboard that can do insane levels of overclocking, then the MSI MEG Z690 ACE is the right fit for you. The 19+1+2 Phase VRM is highly potent and can push the i7-13700KF to its limit.

With lots of power being pushed out from the VRM, you are bound to find yourself in a situation that will excessively heat your motherboard.

MSI thought of that before pushing this motherboard to the market by giving the MEG Z690 ACE thermal armor around its chassis. The large surface area dissipates all the heat coming onto it and keeps the motherboard cool.

Features and Ports

The MSI MEG Z690 ACE is a motherboard for overclocking and thermal efficiency. The feature on this motherboard is also some of the best. The rear IO has 8 USB ports. Connecting the case to the ten internal USB headers can add additional USB ports.

The networking is handled by the 2.5 GbE LAN and WiFi 6E. 4 DIMM slots support up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM running at 6666+ MHz.

5x M.2 Slots and 6 SATA connector ports are available on this motherboard. The Type-C Displayport handles the Video out on the motherboard.

Authors Note:

I have had a lot of fun testing out these motherboards despite them being one of the hardest things to test in the realm of PCs in general.

These motherboards I have listed have been shortlisted after testing out two dozen motherboards from the Z790 and Z690 chipset. So, I am very confident as the motherboards chosen are some of the best of the bunch.

However, if asked which is the best without any consideration for budget, that vote would go to the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master.

It has a very solid VRM, the fastest DIMM slots, tons of USB slots, a solid design, and much more, making it the best motherboard out of the six I have picked for you.

How To Choose The Best Motherboard for i7-13700KF?

Choosing a good motherboard for your next i7-13700KF build, or for that matter, for any PC, is arduous.

Unlike processors and CPUs with benchmark scores that can gauge their performance, motherboards are not very straightforward, as various factors need to be considered. I have listed some of those factors below.

More motherboard buying guides:

Connectivity and PCIe Expansion Slots

The connectivity of a motherboard means two things in the realm of motherboards. First up is the number of ports on the rear IO, including USB ports, Video Out ports, etc.

The second one is its connectivity to the internet and how the motherboard facilitates, for example, the inclusion of WiFi 6E and a 2.5 or 10 GbE LAN port on the rear IO.

Both these types of connectivity are essential to consider. A motherboard with a small number of USB ports might be unable to support all the devices you need to connect.

Image of IO ports on the back of asus tuf z590

Similarly, the exclusion of WiFi or a slower LAN port might force you to invest in a dongle that might not be as reliable as you want it to be.

Another thing that needs to be considered is the PCIe Expansion Slots on a motherboard. The latest motherboards have started including PCIe 5.0, which has double the transfer rate compared to the previous adoration, PCIe 4.0.

So buying a motherboard with PCIe Gen 5 will be very helpful as your GPU and NvMe SSDs transfer rate will increase.

Socket Compatibility

The Intel Core i7-13700KF belongs to the 13th generation of Intel processors, which works only on the LGA-1700 socket.

While considering which motherboard to buy, you should make sure that you buy a motherboard with an LGA-1700 socket.

I am not going to go into the chipset debate right now (but try to buy the Z790 or Z690 board for the i7-13700KF), but if you get the wrong chipset, you are going to end up with a processor and motherboard that are going to refuse to work with each other.

Warranty and Value

One of the most important things that are worth consideration in your motherboard purchasing decision is the warranty a company provides to you.

There may be circumstances where you might find yourself buying a motherboard that turns out to be nothing more than a paperweight and refuses to work.

In that case, you should have solid support from the company behind it, who will be willing to RMA it and then send you a new one or offer you a refund.

rams slots of asus tuf z590

In my many years as a PC enthusiast, I have had my fair share of PC parts that have broken at my doorstep. Having solid support from the company then proves to be a godsend.

The value behind such support is immeasurable, and I have supported those companies with my business even long after they RMA’ed my devices.

Cooling and Benchmarks

Motherboards, being devices that use electricity to run essentially, are bound to get hot. This heat often leads to the degradation of the internal circuitry, shortening the motherboard’s life span.

Therefore, while considering buying a motherboard, look around the motherboard review pages and check out the thermal efficiency of the motherboards. Heat sinks are attached to the motherboard, which is responsible for thermal efficiency.

So, if you see a motherboard with a large VRM but a small heat sink, it is better to skip it and consider another one.

Suggested info guides:

My Final Verdict:

This sums up everything I had about the best motherboards for the i7-13700KF. Almost every motherboard on this list had something good on it, which led it to become a part of this list.

These motherboards have solid specifications and a large VRM, which can give extra performance by overclocking the i7-13700KF. The heat sinks on all these motherboards are also upto the mark, keeping them cool.

Now, which motherboard to buy for the i7-13700KF? The answer to this question lies with you. But the choices I have given you here are all solid, and you will not regret going with any of them.

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Gregory Rosales

Gregory Rosales

I've been building gaming PCs for the last 13 years and purchased my first console seven years ago. My passion for exploring what's inside these things helped me develop professional writing skills. I benchmark the computer hardware first with the right equipment and post them here for you.
My expertise is in Computer Hardware, Gaming Hardware, Computers and Laptops, Gaming Consoles, and Consumer Technology.

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