The latest 13th generation processor lineup from Intel is nothing short of impressive, especially the top-of-the-line Core i9 13900K. But with so many motherboard options available, it can be challenging to choose the right one that perfectly complements this processor. In this article, we will evaluate a wide range of 13th Gen-compatible boards to help you decide on the best motherboard for your i9 13900K.
From CPU overclocking to Thunderbolt 4, we will also discuss the essential features to look for in a motherboard and how to determine which boards are up to par for Intel’s high-end, 13th Generation i9 processor. Keep reading to learn more about each motherboard in our top picks.
When it comes to selecting the best chipset for the i9 13900K, the Z790 is the most optimal choice. Although the older Z690 chipset is compatible and more affordable B660 and H670 designs are technically compatible, the Z790 is undoubtedly the best option. This is because a chipset determines the features available to the consumer on a motherboard. With Intel’s highest-end processor, you want to access as many of these features as possible, including overclocking support, which allows you to push the i9 13900K even further, and PCI-E 5.0 support for next-generation NVMe SSDs.
Higher-end chipsets also offer more PCI-E lanes, resulting in more bandwidth for the devices in your system. This equates to support for a larger number of PCI-E cards, including graphics and sound cards, faster ethernet ports, and connections like Thunderbolt 4. Z790 boards also have enhanced power delivery, making them ideal for the increased TDP of the i9 13900K compared to last generation’s 12th Gen processors. With the right chipset and motherboard, you can take full advantage of the i9 13900K’s potential.
Which Chipset is Best for i9 13900K? When it comes to choosing the optimal chipset for the 13th Gen i9 processor, the Z790 is undoubtedly the best choice. While the B660 and H670 designs are technically compatible, the Z790 chipset is ideal for accessing as many features as possible, including overclocking support and PCI-E 5.0 support for next-gen NVMe SSDs. Moreover, higher-end chipsets provide more PCI-E lanes, allowing for more bandwidth for devices within your system, leading to better support for a larger number of PCI-E cards, more NVMe SSDs, faster ethernet ports, and connections such as Thunderbolt 4. The Z790 motherboard also offers improved power delivery, ideal for the i9 13900K’s increased TDP compared to the previous generation’s 12th Gen processors.
Chipset Compatibility Table:
To help you select the best motherboard for your i9 13900K, we have compiled a compatibility table of various chipsets.
| Chipset | Compatibility | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Z790 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Z690 | ✅ (with a BIOS update) | ✅ |
| B660 | ✅ (with a BIOS update) | ❌ |
| H670 | ✅ (with a BIOS update) | ❌ |
| H610 | ✅ (with a BIOS update) | ❌ |
| Z590 | ❌ | N/A |
| B560 | ❌ | N/A |
| H570 | ❌ | N/A |
| H510 | ❌ | N/A |
Thermals & Boosting:
It’s essential to consider thermals and boosting when selecting a chipset for the i9 13900K. The processor has two clock speed figures, including the boost block speed of 5.8GHz, defining the upper limits of how fast the chip can reach under certain conditions. When running at its top speed of 5.8GHz, the chip can pull in over 250W and even more if overclocked to 6GHz or beyond. Therefore, selecting a motherboard that can handle this much power is crucial, an area where some B660 boards may fall short. It’s worth investing in a capable all-in-one liquid cooler to ensure that you can hit these all-important boost clock speeds. For more information, check out our article covering the best CPU coolers for 13th-Gen CPUs, which provides details on the best coolers for all of Intel’s 13th Generation line-up.
Best Motherboards For The Core i9 13900K
Looking to build a powerful PC with the Core i9 13900K processor? Then you’ll need a high-performance motherboard to match. We’ve compiled a list of the best motherboards for the Core i9 13900K to help you make the right choice for your needs.
This ATX motherboard offers support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at 6666MHz, as well as dual PCI-E 5.0 slots for Gen5 compliant GPUs, and a plethora of M.2 slots with Gen4 compatibility for lightning-fast load times and file transfer speeds. The UNIFY isn’t the top-of-the-line option from MSI, but it still offers plenty of power phases and cooling to keep your VRMs from overheating. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the UNIFY-X model, it’s a more affordable option that’s ideal for enthusiasts and overclockers.
This ATX motherboard offers support for up to 64GB of DDR5 memory at 6600MHz, as well as dual PCI-E 5.0 slots for Gen5 ready graphics cards. With a plethora of high-speed USB ports, including a Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2x2, this motherboard is well-suited to handle even the most demanding of peripherals. Additionally, it offers a ROG GPU holder to ensure physical stability for your graphics cards, along with customizable RGB lighting using the AuraSync software.
This E-ATX motherboard offers support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at 6400MHz, along with a 22 power phase design that’s perfect for overclocking your Core i9 13900K. With a dual 10 Gigabit LAN port and WiFi 6E, this motherboard is perfect for productivity or low-latency gaming. Plus, with an insane amount of USB ports and excellent performance, it’s one of the best motherboards on the Z690 chipset.
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 Hero is a powerhouse of a board with impressive specs. Its dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and multiple high-speed USB ports make it perfect for transferring large files and connecting multiple accessories. The board features two PCI-E 5.0 slots that provide ample bandwidth for the latest graphics cards, and it comes with ASUS’s signature ROG Hyper M.2 card that supports the next-gen SSDs. The only downside is that the Gen5 slot is only available through the included Hyper card, and it doesn’t support 10 Gigabit LAN.
Next up is the ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara, which is part of ASRock’s anniversary series of motherboards. This board has a unique white marbled design that makes it perfect for building a stylish all-white PC. It features three Gen5 slots for graphics and SSDs and additional Gen4-compatible PCI-E x4 slots for expanding storage. The rear IO has two Thunderbolt 4 ports with a speed of 40Gb/s, which is insanely fast. The only downsides are that the rear IO shield doesn’t have the same marbled design, and the RGB lighting is minimalistic.
Finally, we have the MSI MEG Z790 ACE, which is one of the most expensive Z790 motherboards on the market but also one of the most impressive. This board has Dual 2.5 Gigabit LAN, 10 USB ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a full audio suite with S/PDIF. The expansion capabilities of this board are phenomenal, with two full-size PCI-E 5.0 x16 slots for the latest graphics cards and five M.2 slots, one of which is Gen5 compatible. It’s a top-notch board that offers excellent RGB lighting, but it may be overkill for many users.
Also read: Best Motherboard CPU Combos for Gaming in 2023
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the best motherboard for i9 12900K?
A: The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master Gaming is our top choice, with excellent performance and features. The Asus ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming Wi-Fi 4 is the runner-up, with great performance and connectivity. The MSI MPG Z690 Edge Gaming is the best choice for connectivity, and the ASUS TUF Gaming B660M-PLUS WiFi is a great mid-range option.
Q: Is Intel Core i9 good for gaming?
A: Absolutely! With extra cores and threads, the i9 is well-suited for higher-end gaming and demanding applications.
Q: What is the best gaming motherboard for Intel i9 11900k?
A: Our top pick is the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming, which is one of the best mid-range offerings for Intel’s 10th and 11th Gen series of processors. We also reviewed the AMD X570 version of this board, and it was excellent.
Q: Is the i9 12900K good for high-end gaming?
A: Yes, the Core i9 12900K is the most powerful processor available today, and it performs brilliantly in video games. It surpasses the AMD flagship, the Ryzen 9 5950X, by a significant margin in most games.
