Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13600K
Six LGA1700 boards for the unlocked Core i5-13600K compared on chipset, power stages, M.2 slots and memory type.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The Core i5-13600K is unlocked, so a Z790 board lets you tune it. At stock settings a good B760 board runs it too.
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 Z790
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFiFour M.2 slots and a 14+1+1 layout at a low Z790 price.
Best for: Most 13600K builds.
Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
GIGABYTE Z790 Eagle AXThe Z790 Eagle AX pairs a 12+1+1 layout with three M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for: Buyers who want ez-latch for tool-free card removal.
Check price for GIGABYTE Z790 Eagle AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Complete
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFiFive M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout.
Best for: Builders who want every feature.
Check price for MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi IIThe PRO Z790-A WiFi II offers four Gen4 M.2 slots and 80A power stages.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.
Check price for MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AXThe 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: Buyers who want q-flash plus bios updating without a cpu.
Check price for GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for DDR4
MSI PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4DDR4 support with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for: Reusing DDR4 memory.
Check price for MSI PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four M.2 slots and a 14+1+1 layout at a low Z790 price. | Most 13600K builds. | Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Z790 Eagle AX pairs a 12+1+1 layout with three M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN. | Buyers who want ez-latch for tool-free card removal. | Check price for GIGABYTE Z790 Eagle AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout. | Builders who want every feature. | Check price for MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The PRO Z790-A WiFi II offers four Gen4 M.2 slots and 80A power stages. | Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion. | Check price for MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi II on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 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. | Buyers who want q-flash plus bios updating without a cpu. | Check price for GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| DDR4 support with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN. | Reusing DDR4 memory. | Check price for MSI PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Value Z7901 of 6
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi
The Z790 Pro RS WiFi is one of the cheapest Z790 boards here, yet offers four M.2 slots, a 14+1+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Most 13600K builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It matches the PRO Z790-A II on M.2 slot count (4). No other pick in this guide offers 14+1+1 power stages; compare the Z790 Eagle AX, which has 12+1+1 power stages. It also offers 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. 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 PRO B760-P DDR4 and below the Z790 Eagle AX at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 14+1+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- Z790
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 14+1+1 power stage layout
- Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC)
- One of the lowest Z790 prices here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing
Worth Considering2 of 6
GIGABYTE Z790 Eagle AX
The Z790 Eagle AX pairs a 12+1+1 layout with three M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want ez-latch for tool-free card removal.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It is a plain Z790 board for Core i5 K builds. It matches the B760 AORUS Elite AX on M.2 slot count (3). Like the B760 AORUS Elite AX, it has 12+1+1 power stages, while the Z790 Pro RS uses 14+1+1 power stages.
You also get EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal and Q-Flash BIOS updating. 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. It was priced above the Z790 Pro RS and below the Z790 Tomahawk MAX at the time of writing.
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
- Z790
Pros
- EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal
- Q-Flash BIOS updating
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing
Most Complete3 of 6
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout.
Best for
- Builders who want every feature.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the B760 AORUS Elite AX, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the most complete Z790 board for its price here. On M.2 slot count it leads this guide at 5, ahead of the Z790 Pro RS (4). It is the only pick here with a wi-Fi 7; the B760 AORUS Elite AX has a wi-Fi 6E instead.
It is the only pick here with 16+1+1 power stages; the Z790 Pro RS has 14+1+1 power stages instead. You also get Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7 and a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. 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. When we checked, only the Z790 Eagle AX and cheaper picks cost less, and the PRO Z790-A II cost more.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 5
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+1+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- Z790
Pros
- 5 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+1+1 power stage layout
- Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7
Cons
- Costs more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice4 of 6
MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi II
The PRO Z790-A WiFi II offers four Gen4 M.2 slots and 80A power stages.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Wi-Fi 6E is its only step back. It has four Gen4 M.2 slots with Shield Frozr, Wi-Fi 6E with BT 5.3 and a 20Gbps rear USB-C port. You also get memory support to DDR5-7800 (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. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Only the Z790 Tomahawk MAX came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- Z790
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 80A SPS power stages
- Memory support to DDR5-7800 (OC)
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing
Solid Alternative5 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
- Buyers who want q-flash plus bios updating without a cpu.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the strongest B760 board here. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z790 Eagle AX at 3. It shares 12+1+1 power stages with the Z790 Eagle AX; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX goes with 16+1+1 power stages.
Like the PRO B760-P DDR4, it has a B760 chipset, while the Z790 Tomahawk MAX uses a Z790 chipset. It also comes with 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. It undercut the PRO B760-P DDR4 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count trails the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5)
The catch
The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
Best for DDR46 of 6
MSI PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4
The PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4 is an ATX board for builders reusing DDR4, with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Reusing DDR4 memory.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
No other pick in this guide offers a DDR4 memory type; compare the PRO Z790-A II, which has a DDR5 memory type. It shares a B760 chipset with the B760 AORUS Elite AX; the Z790 Eagle AX goes with a Z790 chipset. 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. It takes DDR4 memory only, so reuse or buy a DDR4 kit; DDR5 sticks do not fit its slots. When we checked, only the B760 AORUS Elite AX cost less, and the Z790 Pro RS cost more.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR4
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- DDR4 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits
- No published M.2 slot count
The catch
If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the Z790 Tomahawk MAX instead: it offers 5, while this one gives no figure.
How We Chose These Core i5-13600K 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 6 picks leave out M.2 slot count.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Z790 Pro RS to the PRO B760-P DDR4, state wired network speed, wi-Fi and form factor and share LGA1700 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PRO B760-P DDR4 gives no M.2 slot count; the PRO Z790-A II and the PRO B760-P DDR4 give no power stages.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B760 AORUS Elite AX ($100 to $150) to the PRO Z790-A II ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Core i5-13600K Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
M.2 slot count
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX tops M.2 slot count at 5 and the B760 AORUS Elite AX sits lowest at 3. For less, the Z790 Pro RS is the runner-up at 4 ($100 to $150 tier). The PRO B760-P DDR4 gives no M.2 slot count figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
Power stages
The Z790 Pro RS lists 14+1+1; the Z790 Eagle AX and the B760 AORUS Elite AX list 12+1+1; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX lists 16+1+1. Settling power stages first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 1 or 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The PRO Z790-A II: memory support to DDR5-7800 (OC). The B760 AORUS Elite AX: EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal. The PRO B760-P DDR4: HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the B760 AORUS Elite AX, the PRO B760-P DDR4 and the Z790 Pro RS; $150 to $250 buys the Z790 Eagle AX, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX and the PRO Z790-A II at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Most 13600K builds: the Z790 Pro RS. Builders who want every feature: the Z790 Tomahawk MAX. Reusing DDR4 memory: the PRO B760-P DDR4.
How to Choose a Core i5-13600K Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most 13600K builds | Z790 Pro RS | Four M.2 slots and a 14+1+1 layout at a low Z790 price |
| Builders who want every feature | Z790 Tomahawk MAX | Five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout |
| Reusing DDR4 memory | PRO B760-P DDR4 | DDR4 support with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX leads on M.2 slot count at 5, ahead of the Z790 Pro RS at 4. "Not listed" marks M.2 slot count where the PRO B760-P DDR4 leaves the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z790 Pro RS | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+1+1 |
| Z790 Eagle AX | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+1+1 |
| Z790 Tomahawk MAX | 5 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+1+1 |
| PRO Z790-A II | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Not listed |
| B760 AORUS Elite AX | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+1+1 |
| PRO B760-P DDR4 | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the B760 AORUS Elite AX, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the PRO Z790-A II at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B760 AORUS Elite AX, PRO B760-P DDR4, Z790 Pro RS |
| About $150 to $250 | Z790 Eagle AX, Z790 Tomahawk MAX, PRO Z790-A II |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Z790 Pro RS compare with the Z790 Tomahawk MAX on M.2 slot count?
Between the top two, it is 5 on the Z790 Tomahawk MAX against 4 on the Z790 Pro RS, a 25% difference. The B760 AORUS Elite AX closes the ranking at 3. The PRO B760-P DDR4 doesn't state a M.2 slot count figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the PRO Z790-A II worth paying more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX?
The spec sheets show M.2 slot count (4 against 3) in its favour. The B760 AORUS Elite AX sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the PRO Z790-A II in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if M.2 slot count decides your purchase.
What makes the Z790 Tomahawk MAX the Most Complete?
The label rests on five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout. The B760 AORUS Elite AX, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits builders who want every feature.
Do the Z790 Pro RS and the Z790 Tomahawk MAX differ on wi-Fi?
The Z790 Pro RS, the Z790 Eagle AX, the PRO Z790-A II, the B760 AORUS Elite AX and the PRO B760-P DDR4 use Wi-Fi 6E; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX uses Wi-Fi 7.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Z790 Pro RS and the Z790 Eagle AX apart?
The Z790 Pro RS: memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). The Z790 Eagle AX: EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal. The Z790 Tomahawk MAX: Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7.
Bottom Line
The Z790 Pro RS WiFi is the value Z790 pick, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX the more complete one. The PRO B760-P DDR4 suits builders reusing memory.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Motherboards for Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best Z790 Motherboards
- Related guideThe Best DDR5 RAM for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Intel Motherboards
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5-13400F
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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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