TOP 13. Best Motherboards 2023

PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 speeds are becoming the norm, with plenty of room for the future. AMD has released the B650E, X670E chipset (for the AM5 socket) for many years. And Intel has slightly improved the Z690 chipset into the Z790. Motherboard manufacturers are already trying to make their product special.

This article contains the top 13 best motherboards of 2023. The list of models will be expanded, as will our selection. In the case of AMD – something new, and Intel – slightly improved. Therefore, after updating the BIOS, Z690 motherboards support Intel 13th generation processors.

Best LGA 1700 Motherboards

MSI MEG Z790 ACE

• Compatibility: Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron 12th/13th generation for socket LGA 1700;
• Power supply system: 24+1+2 phase power supply with 105A and two ProCool II power connectors;
• Construction: Multilayer radiator, two U-shaped tubes with direct contact;
• Connection: 2 Intel 2.5Gbps network adapters and Intel Wi-Fi 6E in M.2 slot (Key-E);
• Interfaces: 2 порта Mini DP и Thunderbolt4, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A/C и M.2 PCIe Gen4+5.

The MSI MEG Z790 ACE and MEG Z690 ACE ditch the ATX for the E-ATX form factor. Three PCI Express x16 slots (2x Gen 5.0 x16/8). Transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps and charging up to 15 W with the Thunderbolt4 interface. Support for 8K displays and 60 W of power via USB.

ASRock Z790 Taichi

• Compatibility: all LGA 1700 processors – Intel Core 12th and 13th generation (out of the box);
• Construction: Composite VRM radiator: fan, enlarged radiator and tubes;
• Power supply system: 24+1+2 power supply configuration, 100% Japanese capacitors;
• Connection: network adapters Killer 2.5G, Intel 1G and Killer 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, 1 Blazing M.2, 4 Hyper M.2, 8 SATA3 и много USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C.

This is the top model of the ASRock Z790 family, E-ATX form factor. So, Thunderbolt 4/USB4 with a transfer rate of up to 40 Gbps. Ten USB ports, not six, like in the Z690. Charging speed up to 9V&3A 27W with the new PD 3.0! Fast charging Type-C 60W (20V&3A) on the front panel…

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO

• Compatibility: 13th generation Intel Core and 12th generation Core, Pentium, and Celeron processors;
• Construction: massive radiators connected by a casing and an L-shaped heat pipe;
• Power supply system: 20+1 phase (90A each), long-life capacitors and chokes;
• Connection: Intel 2.5G network adapter and Intel Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with ASUS LANGuard;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, M.2 slot – PCIe 5.0 and Thunderbolt 4 with Quick Charge 4+ support.

Compared to its predecessor Z690, the new hero has received minor changes. More PCIe 4.0 lines from the chipset, without PCIe 3.0 x4. Instead of USB 2.0, four USB 3.2 Gen1 ports. And higher memory frequency. They left the button that opens the video card latch.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER

• Compatibility: 12th and 13th generation series processors; for Intel LGA 1700 socket;
• Construction: Fins-Array III radiators, aluminum base and 8mm heat pipe;
• Power supply system: 20+1+2 phase digital solution, highest quality components;
• Connection: контроллеры Marvell AQtion 10GbE LAN & Intel Wi-Fi 6E Ready 802.11ax с DCT;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, 5 M.2 connectors (1 – PCIe 5.0 x4), USB-C 10 Gbps and 2 – 20 Gbps.

This is an interesting representative of the top Aorus series. The motherboard has 5 M.2 form factor slots. And many fast USB – max. 23 ports. 10 Gbps network controller. A switch between PCIe slots, an EZ-Plus button – for easy removal of video cards.

Biostar Z790 VALKYRIE

• Compatibility: Intel Core i9/ i7/ i5/ i3 12th and 13th generation, Pentium and Celeron processors;
• Construction: Large VRM heatsinks, chipset, NMVe drive cooling and backplate;
• Power supply system: 19+1+1 (105A) provide high frequency performance;
• Connection: Intel I226-V 100/1000/2500 Mbps, and check for the presence of a Wi-Fi 6 module;
• Interfaces: DP1.4, HDMI 2.1 and USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-C ports with DP, PCIe 5.0 interfaces.

Everything is as it should be: three PCIe slots, five M.2 with support for RTX 40 series graphics cards. It has a wide range of built-in security features and built-in reset and power buttons. Dual BIOS technology offers a backup BIOS chip. And the WiFi 6E module was not included.

EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N

• Compatibility: Intel Core 13/12th generation, Pentium Gold and Celeron for socket LGA 1700;
• Construction: huge heatsinks on VRM, chipset and cooling of each M.2 drive;
• Power supply system: 21-phase voltage regulation module, 14-layer printed circuit board;
• Connection: Marvell -10! and Intel network adapters – 2.5 Gbps + Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.2;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, PCIe Gen4 and Gen5 M.2 for NVMe, multiple USB port options.

The main feature of this motherboard is the horizontal orientation of the connectors, socket and memory. There are various buttons, switches, contacts for measuring voltage. It switches the CPU x16 PCIe Gen 5 lines between slots 1 and 2. Eight SATA ports – 6 Gbps.

NZXT N7 Z790

• Compatibility: with Intel Core i9, Core i7, Core i5 13th and 12th generation processors;
• Construction: the board is hidden by a modular metal casing with heatsinks without tubes;
• Power supply system: 19-phase VRM power subsystem, the same design 16+1+2 phases;
• Connection: Realtek: RTL8125BG 2.5G; support Dual Band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, three M.2 – PCIe 4.0, seven USB, one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port.

As usual, a high-performance model with a recognizable design. The chipset and motherboard itself support all modern standards. PCIe Gen 5 interface speeds and DDR5 memory. The manufacturer added power and reset buttons, CMOS CLR and a Q LED.

Best AM5 Motherboards

MSI MEG X670E GODLIKE

• Compatibility: AMD Ryzen 7000 series desktop processors, socket AM5;
• Power supply system: 24+2+1 phase power supply with 105A SPS and two power connectors;
• Construction: with wave fins, cross-over heat pipe and M.2 Shield Frozr;
• Connection: Marvell AQC113CS-B1-C 10Gbps, Intel I225V 2.5Gbps and AMD Wi-Fi 6E;
• Interfaces: PCIe 5.0 slots, front USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port with 60W USB power delivery.

This is a premium board, which is made in the E-ATX form factor. The kit includes SATA cables, a Wi-Fi antenna, AIC Gen5 and an M-Vision touch panel. In total, there are 19 USB ports, a 10 Gbps network adapter, and PCIe 5.0 speeds. The MSI MEG X670E ACE model is a little simpler.

ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X670E EXTREME

• Compatibility: AMD AM5 platform for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors;
• Power supply system: 20+2 phases, high quality capacitors, ProCool II connectors;
• Construction: large radiators, with aluminum casing and five M.2 radiators;
• Connection: a Marvell AQtion 10GbE controller, Intel 2.5G Ethernet and a Wi-Fi 6E module;
• Interfaces: PCIe 5.0, M.2 slots with support for PCIe Gen5 speeds, USB4 ports.

As usual, we get PCIe Gen5, DDR5 memory, USB4 ports, 10 Gbps network adapter and more… What’s interesting? Second-generation GEN-Z slot and PCIe 5.0 expansion card. Sound card with USB-C to 3.5 mm connector. And also OLED display and AniMe Matrix directly on the motherboard and more…

GIGABYTE X670E AORUS XTREME

• Compatibility: AMD Socket AM5: support for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors;
• Power supply system: Direct 18+2+2 phase digital VRM solution, 2 power connectors;
• Construction: Fins-Array III radiator with NanoCarbon coating and 8mm heat pipe;
• Connection: Marvell AQtion 10GbE and Intel Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax network adapters;
• Interfaces: DP 1.4, PCI Express 5.0 interface and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C (up to 20 Gbps).

ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara

• Compatibility: AMD Ryzen 7000 series desktop processors, socket AM5;
• Power supply system: high quality polymer capacitors, 24+2+1 phase circuit;
• Construction: VRM radiator with fan and heat pipes and M.2 fan;
• Connection: Killer E3100G 2.5G LAN, Killer 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E, с Killer DoubleShot Pro;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, 4x M.2,  2x USB4 Type-C и 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2, а также PCIe 5.0.

This is the new AM5 socket (LGA 1718 socket) and AMD’s first attempt at using DDR5, PCIe Gen5 and Gen5 M.2. In addition, a high-quality power supply system, Killer network controllers and two USB4 Type-C (40 Gbps). The kit differs from the regular version by the presence of an additional fan.

BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE

• Compatibility: supports all Ryzen 7000 series processors (socket AM5);
• Power supply system: 18+2+2 phases, high-quality chokes and reliable capacitors;
• Construction: closed radiator with heat pipe (two parts), chipset and M.2;
• Connection: Intel I225V 2.5G, M.2 (Key E) slot for Wi-Fi module — not included;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 и DisplayPort 1.4, 4x M.2, 11x USB 3.2 Gen2 и 2x PCI Express 5.0.

Aggressive design with RGB lighting. One of the best motherboards for Ryzen 7000. In the ATX form factor, it easily handles Ryzen 9 7950X under load. Supports DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 for graphics and storage devices. BIOS update and quick CMOS reset buttons are left.

NZXT N7 B650E

• Compatibility: supports Ryzen 7000 series processors (for socket AM5);
• Power supply system: 16+2+1 phase with 90A Intelligent Power Cascade (SPS);
• Construction: one-piece case with built-in heatsinks for power and chipset;
• Connection: Realtek RTL8125BG 2.5G and module 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E с Bluetooth:V5.2;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 1/2 or Type-C ports and optical S/PDIF output.

The atypical design of this NZXT model was helped by ASRock (PCB and BIOS). Instead of the X670E chipset, NZXT decided to use the B650E. All the flagship features are still there, such as PCI Express 5.0, but there are fewer lanes and ports. Three M.2 slots – one PCIe 5 and two PCIe 4.

Conclusion

Manufacturers try to add a lot of interesting things. For example, a unique set, controls, expansion slots, and even OLED screens. The choice can be influenced by both the design itself and the software. Basically, a high-quality power supply system is everywhere.

When choosing motherboards for Intel 13th generation, check out their potential!