Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13400F
Six B760 boards for the locked Core i5-13400F compared on DDR4 or DDR5 support, M.2 slots, Wi-Fi and size.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The Core i5-13400F is a locked chip with no integrated graphics, so a Z790 board adds nothing. B760 boards run it at full speed.
We compared 6 boards for it. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Value DDR5
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1DDR5, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN at a low price.
Best for: Most 13400F builds.
Check price for MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Features
GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AXA 12+1+1 layout, three M.2 slots and Q-Flash Plus.
Best for: Builders who want more storage.
Check price for GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for DDR4
ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 IIDDR4, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN on Micro-ATX.
Best for: Reusing DDR4 memory.
Check price for ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
ASRock B760M PG Riptide WiFiThe B760M PG Riptide offers a 14+1+1 layout on a Micro-ATX DDR5 board with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for: Buyers who want 14+1+1 power stage layout.
Check price for ASRock B760M PG Riptide WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
ASUS Prime B760M-A AXThe Prime B760M-A AX is a Micro-ATX DDR5 board with two M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for: Buyers who want front usb 3.2 gen 1 type-c header.
Check price for ASUS Prime B760M-A AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
ASRock B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFiThe B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi is a Micro-ATX DDR4 board with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for: Buyers who want memory support to ddr4-5333 (oc).
Check price for ASRock B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Value DDR51 of 6
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1
The B760 Gaming Plus WiFi is a low-cost DDR5 ATX board with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Most 13400F builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: only 2 M.2 slots.
Why we like it
Two M.2 slots limit storage. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B760M-AYW D4 and the Prime B760M-A at 2. It also offers Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper B760M-AYW D4 and the pricier B760M PG Riptide, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 2
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- DDR5, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN at a low price
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
Best Features2 of 6
GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX
The B760 AORUS Elite AX offers a 12+1+1 layout, three M.2 slots and Q-Flash Plus, which updates the BIOS without a CPU installed.
Best for
- Builders who want more storage.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the strongest B760 board here. On M.2 slot count it leads this guide at 3, ahead of the B760 Gaming Plus (2). No other pick in this guide offers 12+1+1 power stages; compare the B760M PG Riptide, which has 14+1+1 power stages.
It also offers EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal and Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Only the Prime B760M-A came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 12+1+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU
- EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- Most M.2 slot count of the picks (3)
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
Best for DDR43 of 6
ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II
The B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II is a Micro-ATX DDR4 board with two M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN at a low price.
Best for
- Reusing DDR4 memory.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when only 2 M.2 slots is a problem.
Why we like it
It matches the B760 Gaming Plus and the Prime B760M-A on M.2 slot count (2). Like the Prime B760M-A, it has a wi-Fi 6, while the B760 Gaming Plus uses a wi-Fi 6E. Like the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi, it has a DDR4 memory type, while the B760M PG Riptide uses a DDR5 memory type.
You also get a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot and a front USB 5Gbps port. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. It takes DDR4 memory only, so reuse or buy a DDR4 kit; DDR5 sticks do not fit its slots. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the B760 Gaming Plus was closest.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 2
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR4
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot
- Front USB 5Gbps port
- DDR4, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN on Micro-ATX
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits
- M.2 slot count of 2, behind the B760 AORUS Elite AX (3)
The catch
What it gives up: M.2 slot count of 2, behind the B760 AORUS Elite AX (3); by contrast, the B760 AORUS Elite AX offers 3.
Well-Rounded Choice4 of 6
ASRock B760M PG Riptide WiFi
The B760M PG Riptide offers a 14+1+1 layout on a Micro-ATX DDR5 board with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want 14+1+1 power stage layout.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits compact builds with a Core i5 or i7. No other pick in this guide offers 14+1+1 power stages; compare the B760 AORUS Elite AX, which has 12+1+1 power stages. It also offers front and rear USB-C and memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC).
It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots. There is no published M.2 slot count figure, whereas the B760 AORUS Elite AX offers 3.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 14+1+1
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- 14+1+1 power stage layout
- Front and rear USB-C
- Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC)
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
Solid Alternative5 of 6
ASUS Prime B760M-A AX
The Prime B760M-A AX is a Micro-ATX DDR5 board with two M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want front usb 3.2 gen 1 type-c header.
Skip if
- Pass on it if only 2 M.2 slots rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits compact Core i5 builds. It matches the B760 Gaming Plus and the B760M-AYW D4 on M.2 slot count (2). Like the B760M-AYW D4, it has a wi-Fi 6, while the B760M PG Riptide uses a wi-Fi 6E.
It also offers a front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C header and DisplayPort output. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was priced above the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi and below the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 2
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- Front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C header
- DisplayPort output
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- M.2 slot count trails the B760 AORUS Elite AX (3)
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on M.2 slot count, where the B760 AORUS Elite AX offers 3.
Worth Considering6 of 6
ASRock B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi
The B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi is a Micro-ATX DDR4 board with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want memory support to ddr4-5333 (oc).
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 7+1+1 layout suits a Core i5. No other pick in this guide offers 7+1+1 power stages; compare the B760 AORUS Elite AX, which has 12+1+1 power stages. Like the B760M-AYW D4, it has a DDR4 memory type, while the B760 Gaming Plus uses a DDR5 memory type.
It also offers memory support to DDR4-5333 (OC) and Dr.MOS power stages. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. It takes DDR4 memory only, so reuse or buy a DDR4 kit; DDR5 sticks do not fit its slots. As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 7+1+1
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR4
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- Memory support to DDR4-5333 (OC)
- Dr.MOS power stages
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits
- No published M.2 slot count
The catch
There is no published M.2 slot count figure, whereas the B760 AORUS Elite AX offers 3.
How We Chose These Core i5-13400F Motherboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 6 picks leave out M.2 slot count.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the B760 Gaming Plus to the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi, state wired network speed, wi-Fi and form factor and share LGA1700 socket and B760 chipset.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The B760M PG Riptide and the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi give no M.2 slot count; the B760 Gaming Plus, the B760M-AYW D4 and the Prime B760M-A give no power stages.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B760M-AYW D4 ($50 to $100) to the B760 AORUS Elite AX ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Core i5-13400F Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much M.2 slot count you need
Here M.2 slot count runs from 2 on the Prime B760M-A to 3 on the B760 AORUS Elite AX, a 50% spread. The B760 AORUS Elite AX is the pick for M.2 slot count. The B760M PG Riptide and the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi give no M.2 slot count figure, so 4 of 6 picks are compared here.
Power stages
The B760 AORUS Elite AX lists 12+1+1; the B760M PG Riptide lists 14+1+1; the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi lists 7+1+1. Sort out power stages before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
Extras that separate them
The B760M PG Riptide: memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). The Prime B760M-A: DisplayPort output. The B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi: Dr.MOS power stages.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the B760M-AYW D4; $100 to $150 buys the B760 Gaming Plus, the B760M PG Riptide, the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi, the Prime B760M-A and the B760 AORUS Elite AX at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Most 13400F builds: the B760 Gaming Plus. Builders who want more storage: the B760 AORUS Elite AX. Reusing DDR4 memory: the B760M-AYW D4.
How to Choose a Core i5-13400F Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most 13400F builds | B760 Gaming Plus | DDR5, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN at a low price |
| Builders who want more storage | B760 AORUS Elite AX | A 12+1+1 layout, three M.2 slots and Q-Flash Plus |
| Reusing DDR4 memory | B760M-AYW D4 | DDR4, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN on Micro-ATX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The B760 AORUS Elite AX leads on M.2 slot count at 3, ahead of the B760 Gaming Plus at 2. "Not listed" marks M.2 slot count where the B760M PG Riptide and the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi leave the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B760 Gaming Plus | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Not listed |
| B760 AORUS Elite AX | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+1+1 |
| B760M-AYW D4 | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6 | Not listed |
| B760M PG Riptide | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+1+1 |
| Prime B760M-A | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6 | Not listed |
| B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 7+1+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The B760M-AYW D4 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the B760 AORUS Elite AX the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | B760M-AYW D4 |
| About $100 to $150 | B760 Gaming Plus, B760M PG Riptide, B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi, Prime B760M-A, B760 AORUS Elite AX |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the B760 AORUS Elite AX ahead of the B760 Gaming Plus on M.2 slot count?
The B760 AORUS Elite AX tops M.2 slot count at 3; the B760 Gaming Plus follows at 2, 50% apart. The B760M PG Riptide and the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi don't state a M.2 slot count figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 4 of 6 picks are ranked.
What does the B760 AORUS Elite AX add over the B760M-AYW D4?
On paper it adds M.2 slot count (3 against 2). On our last price check the B760M-AYW D4 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the B760 AORUS Elite AX in the $100 to $150 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if M.2 slot count decides your purchase.
Why is the B760M-AYW D4 our Best for DDR4 pick?
It earns the label for DDR4, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN on Micro-ATX. It suits reusing DDR4 memory.
Do the B760 Gaming Plus and the B760M-AYW D4 differ on wi-Fi?
The B760 Gaming Plus, the B760 AORUS Elite AX, the B760M PG Riptide and the B760M Pro-A/D4 WiFi use Wi-Fi 6E; the B760M-AYW D4 and the Prime B760M-A use Wi-Fi 6.
What extras do the B760 Gaming Plus and the B760 AORUS Elite AX include?
The B760 Gaming Plus: Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E. The B760 AORUS Elite AX: Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU. The B760M-AYW D4: a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot.
Bottom Line
The B760 Gaming Plus WiFi is the budget DDR5 pick, the B760 AORUS Elite AX the stronger one. The B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II suits DDR4 reuse.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Budget Intel Motherboards
- Related guideThe Best B760 Motherboards
- Related guideThe Best DDR4 RAM Kits
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13600K
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5-14600K
- ExplainerATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX
- ExplainerMotherboard Chipsets Explained
- Check compatibility: processorsHow to Check CPU and Motherboard Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i7-13700K
- Topic hubAll motherboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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