Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5-14600K
Six LGA1700 boards for the Core i5-14600K compared on chipset, power stages, M.2 slots and BIOS readiness.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The Core i5-14600K uses LGA1700 and needs a BIOS that supports 14th Gen. Z790 boards let you tune it; B760 boards run it at stock.
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 All-Round
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFiFive M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout.
Best for: Most 14600K builds.
Check price for MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFiFour M.2 slots and a 14+1+1 layout at a low Z790 price.
Best for: Keeping costs down.
Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
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)
Best White
ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W IIA white finish with three M.2 slots.
Best for: White builds.
Check price for ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
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)
Solid Alternative
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)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout. | Most 14600K builds. | Check price for MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Four M.2 slots and a 14+1+1 layout at a low Z790 price. | Keeping costs down. | Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS 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) |
| A white finish with three M.2 slots. | White builds. | Check price for ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W 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) |
| 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) |
Our Picks
Best All-Round1 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
- Most 14600K builds.
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). You get a wi-Fi 7 here, which sets it apart from the Z790 Pro RS and its a wi-Fi 6E.
16+1+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Z790-AYW W II uses 12+1 power stages. It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the Z790 Eagle AX and the PRO Z790-A II, based on our last check.
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
Best Value2 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
- Keeping costs down.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a problem.
Why we like it
On M.2 slot count it ties with the PRO Z790-A II at 4. You get 14+1+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the Z790 Eagle AX and its 12+1+1 power stages. It also comes with 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. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper B760 AORUS Elite AX and the pricier 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 Considering3 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
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. It also offers 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. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper Z790 Tomahawk MAX and the pricier Z790-AYW W II, at the time of writing.
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
Best White4 of 6
ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II
The Z790-AYW WiFi W II is a white Z790 board with three M.2 slots and two USB 10Gbps Type-C ports.
Best for
- White builds.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the B760 AORUS Elite AX, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its Wi-Fi 6 is a generation behind most boards here. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B760 AORUS Elite AX and the Z790 Eagle AX at 3. You get a wi-Fi 6 here, which sets it apart from the PRO Z790-A II and its a wi-Fi 6E.
12+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Z790 Pro RS uses 14+1+1 power stages. You also get 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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the PRO Z790-A II.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Power stages
- 12+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- Z790
Pros
- White finish
- Two rear USB 10Gbps Type-C ports
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 6, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice5 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It is the strongest B760 board here. It matches the Z790-AYW W II and the Z790 Eagle AX on M.2 slot count (3). Like the Z790 Eagle AX, it has 12+1+1 power stages, while the Z790 Pro RS uses 14+1+1 power stages.
You get a B760 chipset here, which sets it apart from the Z790-AYW W II and its a Z790 chipset. 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. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the Z790 Pro RS the next step up.
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
- B760 chipset, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count of 3, behind the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5)
The catch
What it gives up: M.2 slot count of 3, behind the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5); by contrast, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
Solid Alternative6 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It is a plain Z790 board for Core i5 K builds. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z790-AYW W II and the B760 AORUS Elite AX at 3. It shares 12+1+1 power stages with the B760 AORUS Elite AX; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX goes with 16+1+1 power stages.
It also offers 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. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Z790 Pro RS and the pricier 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
- M.2 slot count trails the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5)
- Costs more than the B760 AORUS Elite AX at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
How We Chose These Core i5-14600K 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 set side by side six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 7 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while power stages has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the Z790 Tomahawk MAX to the Z790 Eagle AX, state M.2 slot count, wired network speed and wi-Fi and share LGA1700 socket and DDR5 memory type.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PRO Z790-A II gives no power stages.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B760 AORUS Elite AX ($100 to $150) to the Z790-AYW W II ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Core i5-14600K Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
M.2 slot count across these picks
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX tops M.2 slot count at 5 and the Z790 Eagle AX sits lowest at 3. The Z790 Pro RS comes second at 4, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Z790 Tomahawk MAX.
Power stages
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX lists 16+1+1; the Z790 Pro RS lists 14+1+1; the Z790-AYW W II lists 12+1; the B760 AORUS Elite AX and the Z790 Eagle AX list 12+1+1. Sort out power stages before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 1, 1 and 1.
Extras that separate them
The Z790-AYW W II: two rear USB 10Gbps Type-C ports. The B760 AORUS Elite AX: EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal. The Z790 Eagle AX: Q-Flash BIOS updating.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the B760 AORUS Elite AX and the Z790 Pro RS; $150 to $250 buys the Z790 Eagle AX, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX, the PRO Z790-A II and the Z790-AYW W II at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Most 14600K builds: the Z790 Tomahawk MAX. Keeping costs down: the Z790 Pro RS. White builds: the Z790-AYW W II.
How to Choose a Core i5-14600K Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most 14600K builds | Z790 Tomahawk MAX | Five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout |
| Keeping costs down | Z790 Pro RS | Four M.2 slots and a 14+1+1 layout at a low Z790 price |
| White builds | Z790-AYW W II | A white finish with three M.2 slots |
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 power stages where the PRO Z790-A II leaves the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z790 Tomahawk MAX | 5 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+1+1 |
| Z790 Pro RS | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+1+1 |
| PRO Z790-A II | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Not listed |
| Z790-AYW W II | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6 | 12+1 |
| B760 AORUS Elite AX | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+1+1 |
| Z790 Eagle AX | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+1+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The B760 AORUS Elite AX was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Z790-AYW W II the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B760 AORUS Elite AX, Z790 Pro RS |
| About $150 to $250 | Z790 Eagle AX, Z790 Tomahawk MAX, PRO Z790-A II, Z790-AYW W II |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Z790 Pro RS compare with the Z790 Tomahawk MAX on M.2 slot count?
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX leads at 5, with the Z790 Pro RS at 4. The Z790 Eagle AX is at the other end of this group with 3.
Why is the Z790-AYW W II our Best White pick?
It carries the badge for a white finish with three M.2 slots. 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 makes sense for white builds.
Do the Z790 Tomahawk MAX and the Z790 Pro RS differ on wi-Fi?
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX uses Wi-Fi 7; the Z790 Pro RS, the PRO Z790-A II, the B760 AORUS Elite AX and the Z790 Eagle AX use Wi-Fi 6E; the Z790-AYW W II uses Wi-Fi 6.
What extras do the Z790 Tomahawk MAX and the Z790 Pro RS include?
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX: Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7. The Z790 Pro RS: memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). The PRO Z790-A II: 80A SPS power stages.
Who should choose the Z790 Tomahawk MAX?
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX carries our Best All-Round label for five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout. It ranks first of 6 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits most 14600K builds.
Bottom Line
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX is the most complete board here. The Z790 Pro RS saves money, and the Z790-AYW WiFi W II suits white builds.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best Z790 Motherboards
- Related guideThe Best DDR5 RAM for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Intel Motherboards
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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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