Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i7-11700K

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for Intel's 11th generation Core i7-11700K, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i7-11700K Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

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Motherboard Requirements for the Core i7-11700K Processor

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For Intel's 11th generation Core i7-11700K processor, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1200 socket and a compatible 500-series or 400-series chipset.

Motherboards for Intel processors are made with chipsets provided by Intel. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.

The "K" in the model name 11700K means it's an unlocked processor that supports overclocking. You will need a motherboard with the Z590 or Z490 chipset to support CPU overclocking.

For compatiblity with Intel's 11th generation Core processors, you can use any of the 500-series chipsets: Z590, H570, B560, H510. These are roughly sorted from most to least functionality. The W580 and Q570 chipsets are also compatible, but are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.

While the budget-friendly 400-series B460 and H410 won't work with the 11th generation Core processors, the Z490 and H470 400-series chipsets are compatible. However, these chipsets were designed for the 10th generations Core processors, and will limit the capabilities of your system. The W480 and Q470 chipsets are also compatible, but are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-11700K CPU?.

Check out out Recommended Motherboards for the 11th Gen 11700K below.

Other Considerations When Choosing a 11700K Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the 11700K, we considered several key factors beyond socket type and chipset compatibility. These include form factor, expandability, power delivery, and features like USB ports, audio quality, and Wi-Fi support. By focusing on these elements, you can identify what matters most for your specific needs and ensure an optimal, future-proof setup.

Memory Overclocking

To overclock DDR memory via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset must support memory overclocking. Find which chipsets support overclocking in our article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i7-11700K CPU?.

Video Output Port

The absence of an "F" in the 11700K model name indicates the CPU has integrated graphics support. Ensure your motherboard includes a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use integrated graphics.

Even if you primarily connect monitors to a dedicated graphics card, we found that integrated graphics can be beneficial when troubleshooting graphics card issues.

Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports

NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest SSD storage form. We recommend ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots for your needs.

The Z590, Z490, and W480 chipsets support the most PCIe 3.0 lanes, meaning motherboards with these chipsets typically offer the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots.

Learn more about storage types in our article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.

Connectivity

USB

Ensure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z590 supports the most USB ports for the 11700K at USB 3.2 2x2 (20 Gbps), USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps), and USB 3.2 1x1 (5 Gbps) speeds.

High-bandwidth devices typically fall into two categories: storage devices and high-resolution video equipment. These devices depend on high-speed data transfer for optimal performance. In our testing, we've encountered instances where insufficient bandwidth significantly impeded performance, particularly when working with large data transfers and high-resolution video editing.

Audio

When choosing a motherboard, prioritize one with physical audio ports if sound quality matters to you. Look for color-coded 3.5mm jacks (green for front speakers, black for rear, orange for center/subwoofer) to ensure proper connections for surround sound systems.

If you're using a soundbar or AV receiver, we recommend selecting a motherboard with an optical (S/PDIF) port. It provides cleaner audio by avoiding electrical noise, which makes a noticeable difference in sound quality.

While built-in audio quality isn't the most critical factor, choose a motherboard with a high-quality audio codec if you're using high-end headphones. It can reduce background noise, especially at higher volumes. If the motherboard's audio doesn't meet your standards, consider an external audio solution like a USB DAC as a reliable backup. It's an affordable way to bypass onboard limitations and improve sound quality for both desktops and laptops.

Choose a motherboard whose ports are compatible with your current equipment to avoid costly upgrades in the future.

Form Factor

When it comes to motherboards, we've encountered three primary form factors. In our experience, ATX stands out as the most common for desktop PCs. We've also explored Mini-ITX and MicroATX for building mini-PCs, and found they typically offer fewer PCIe slots, RAM slots, and storage support.

We've observed that these smaller form factors are backward compatible with standard ATX cases, using a subset of their mounting holes. In fact, we've frequently used Mini-ITX motherboards in ATX cases.

One crucial consideration is ensuring your case matches your motherboard's form factor. We've learned from experience how important it is to choose a case that aligns with your motherboard's specific needs.

PCIe Expansion Slots

The Z590 chipset provides the most flexibility when paired with the 11700K, allowing multiple PCIe 4.0 graphics cards in dual x8 configuration.

The H510 chipset, however, is very limited with only a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.

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Best Feature Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero

  • Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Core i7-11700K is the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero:

  • ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
    Max PCIe Version 4.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 4
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates. Its Z590 chipset supports overclocking for K-prefixed CPUs. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This board also includes various headers for accessories, including 3 ARGB headers for lighting control and separate liquid pump header.

  • We found that the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6E technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.

  • We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero. It features four NVMe M.2 slots (two @ PCIe 4.0 speeds, two @ PCIe 3.0 speeds), allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.

  • Overall, we concluded that the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.

Best Value Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi

  • Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Core i7-11700K is the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard:

  • ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi
    Max PCIe Version 4.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 3
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the Z590 chipset.

  • We found that the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6 technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.

  • We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi. It features three NVMe M.2 slots (one @ PCIe 4.0 speeds, two @ PCIe 3.0 speeds), allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.

  • Overall, we concluded that the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.

Learn More About the Intel Core i7-11700K

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