This article will discuss choosing a motherboard for Intel's Core i9 13900K processor. Check out my Recommended Motherboards
below, along with compatible CPU coolers and memory.
Motherboard Requirements for Core i9-13900K Processors
For Intel's 13th generation Core i9 13900K processor, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket and a compatible 700-series or 600-series chipset. However, 600-series chipsets were designed for the 12th generations Core processors and may limit the capabilities of your system.
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 13900K means it's an unlocked processor that supports overclocking. You will need a motherboard with overclocking support to overclock this CPU. Motherboards with the Z690 or Z790 chipsets typically support CPU overclocking. If you don't want to use the overclocking functionality at this time, you can use a motherboard with Intel's other 700-series or 600-series desktop chipsets (e.g., H770, B760, H670, B660, H610).
The W680 and Q670 chipsets are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.
To use 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs with the 600-series chipsets, you'll need an updated BIOS. You either need to purchase one with an updated BIOS, perform the update with a 12th Gen CPU installed, or use the USB BIOS Flashback feature (if available).
Products that ship with a compatible BIOS are typically marked as "Ready" for 13th Gen Intel processors.
For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-13900K CPU?.
Find Z790 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find H770 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find B760 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find Z690 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find H670 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find B660 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Find H610 Chipset Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Check out my Recommended Motherboards for the 13th Gen 13900K below.
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
DDR4 or DDR5 Memory
Because DDR4 and DDR5 are not backward compatible, you must decide which one you want to go with before selecting a motherboard.
DDR5 memory is currently more expensive than DDR4.
However, it offers up to double the stock data rates of DDR4. Overclockers could push this limit even further.
Additionally, DDR5 supports higher-capacity DIMMs (256 GB vs. 64 GB).
DDR5 may experience slower timings at initial release but should be much better than DDR4 as the technology matures. However, keep in mind that the timings scale inversely with the clock rate (frequency). The timing values are in units of clock cycles, but more cycles are happening per second with DDR5. For example, DDR3-2133 CL10 has nearly the same latency as DDR5-8400 CL40. So don't let the CL40 latency of DDR5 scare you away; the number just looks bigger!
| DDR4 | DDR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Max UDIMM (Unbuffered) Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB |
| Bandwidth | 12800–25600 MB/s | 38400–57600 MB/s |
| Transfer Rate | 1600–3200 MT/s | 4800–7200 MT/s |
| Base Frequency | 800–1600 MHz | 2400–3600 MHz |
| Effective Frequency | 1600–3200 MHz | 4800–7200 MHz |
| Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.1 V |
| On-die ECC | No | Yes |
Other Considerations When Choosing a 13900K Motherboard
In addition to selecting a motherboard with a socket type and chipset compatible with the 13900K, here are a few other things to consider when picking a motherboard. Some of these considerations will help determine the best chipset to use.
Memory Overclocking
To be able to overclock DDR memory, such as via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking.
Find which chipsets support overclocking in my article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-13900K CPU?.
Video Output Port
The lack of an "F" in the 13900K model name indicates that the CPU has integrated graphics support. You will need to make sure that your motherboard also has a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use the integrated graphics.
Even if you primarily connect your monitors to a graphics card, integrated graphics can be beneficial when troubleshooting and fixing graphics card problems.
Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports
NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest form of SSD storage. However, you need to ensure that your motherboard includes enough slots.
The Z790, H770, Z690, and H670 chipsets support the most PCIe 4.0 lanes, which means that motherboards with these chipsets are likely to have the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots available.
Learn more about storage types in my article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.
Connectivity
USB
Make sure that the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z790, H770, Z690, and H670 can support the most USB ports at USB 3.2 2x2 (20 Gbps), USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps), and USB 3.2 1x1 (5 Gbps) speeds. The devices that are likely to need the high bandwidth rates will typically be limited to storage devices and high-resolution video devices.
Audio
Make sure that the motherboard has your desired audio outputs.
For example, if you have a surround sound system, ensure that it comes with rear and center speaker ports.
If your audio equipment requires an optical input, consider getting a motherboard with this port.
Alternatively, you can purchase a separate PCIe or USB sound card to add additional port types such as optical or RCA.
Form Factor
Motherboards typically come in one of three form factors. ATX is the most common motherboard form factor for a desktop PC.
You might also consider Mini-ITX or MicroATX form factors to build a mini-PC. Keep in mind that these smaller form factors typically have fewer PCIe card slots, fewer RAM slots, and can not support as many storage devices.
These smaller Mini-ITX and MicroATX motherboard form factors are backward compatible with standard ATX cases. They use a subset of the ATX mounting holes. You can also use Mini-ITX motherboards in MicroATX cases.
You will need a computer case compatible with your motherboard form factor.
PCIe Expansion Slots
The Z790, H770, Z690, and H670 chipsets provide the most flexibility, allowing multiple PCIe 5.0 graphics cards in the dual x8 configuration.
The H610 chipset, on the other hand, is very limited, with only a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.
Recommended Motherboards for the 13th Gen 13900K
Best Feature Motherboard
- Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Core i9-13900K:
MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming Motherboard Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 5.0 support
- It supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory (DDR5 provides the fastest memory speeds)!
- 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port is faster than any home Internet speed available with tons of room to spare for file transfers.
- Wi-Fi 6E makes it easy to reach the fastest speeds and future-proof your Wi-Fi system.
- Bluetooth 5.3 is great for streaming music to Bluetooth headphones.
- Five x4 NVMe M.2 slots, which is fantastic! One of these supports PCIe 5.0 speeds, and the rest run at PCIe 4.0 speeds.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 offers 20 Gbps USB speeds!
- Check the latest price of the MSI MEG Z790 ACE Gaming Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
Runner-Up Motherboard
- Our recommended runner-up motherboard to pair with the Core i9-13900K:
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 5.0 support
- It supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory (DDR5 provides the fastest memory speeds)!
- 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port is faster than any home Internet speed available with tons of room to spare for file transfers.
- Wi-Fi 6E makes it easy to reach the fastest speeds and future-proof your Wi-Fi system.
- Bluetooth 5.3 is great for streaming music to Bluetooth headphones.
- Five x4 NVMe M.2 slots, which is fantastic! One of these supports PCIe 5.0 speeds, and the rest run at PCIe 4.0 speeds.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 offers 20 Gbps USB speeds!
- Check the latest price of the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi 6E on Amazon (affiliate link).
Best Value Motherboard
- Our recommended Value motherboard to pair with the Core i9-13900K:
MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 Gaming Motherboard Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 5.0 support
- It supports up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory.
- 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port is faster than any home Internet speed available with tons of room to spare for file transfers.
- Wi-Fi 6E makes it easy to reach the fastest speeds and future-proof your Wi-Fi system.
- Bluetooth 5.3 is great for streaming music to Bluetooth headphones.
- Three x4 NVMe M.2 slots, which is fantastic! These slots all support PCIe 4.0 speeds.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 offers 20 Gbps USB speeds!
- Check the latest price of the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 on Amazon (affiliate link).
Considerations When Choosing a CPU Cooler
Thermal Dissipation
A CPU cooler's TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating indicates how much heat it can dissipate in watts. If the cooler can't keep your CPU cool enough, your CPU may throttle (slow down), and your cooler will constantly run at full speed.
Intel CPU specifications indicate this power dissipation number as "Processor Base Power" and "Maximum Turbo Power."
Depending on the workload, the Core i9-13900K has a TDP of 125–253 watts.
A CPU cooler can still work with a lower TDP rating than the TDP of a CPU. However, the CPU will eventually throttle itself to a lower frequency to allow itself to cool.
The CPU may not achieve or maintain maximum turbo speeds without adequate cooling.
Types of Coolers
Air coolers use a combination of heatsinks and fans. They are the cheapest, but also the loudest.
A Closed-Loop Cooler (CLC), also called an all-in-one (AIO) cooler, is a type of liquid cooler. All-in-one liquid coolers provide a more straightforward setup in a single pre-built package.
Liquid cooling can provide even better TDP performance at lower noise levels but are more expensive and take up more room. The noise level and ability to cool your CPU will depend on the liquid cooling solution's radiator size and the number and size of the fans.
Find LGA 1700 AIO Coolers on Amazon (affiliate link).
Open-Loop Coolers are also a type of liquid cooler, except you construct them yourself. They allow for more flexibility in building your perfect cooling solution but can also be more complicated to set up. Open-loop systems give you the flexibility to cool additional devices, such as your graphics card's GPU.
Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Noise
More fans typically mean better cooling. However, they also mean more noise.
Larger fans are typically quieter than smaller fans, as they can move the same amount of air at lower speeds.
If a cooler is struggling to cool a CPU, it will run at its maximum speed, which will be louder.
Fan noise levels are measured a dB. Lower dB values are quieter.
You can often configure your motherboard's BIOS to use specific fan speeds at particular temperatures. This configurable fan speed allows you to have a near-silent computer while your computer is idle.
Mounting Brackets
CPU coolers can have various mounting brackets to work with different socket sizes. Make sure that your cooler comes with a compatible mounting bracket.
The easiest way to find a CPU cooler that will work for your computer is to search by socket type. For example, the 13900K uses an LGA 1700 socket, so you would search for an LGA 1700 CPU cooler.
In some cases, such as when a new socket size is released, there may not be many compatible coolers. In these cases, you can often purchase a separate mounting/
Size
Before buying the biggest cooler possible, ensure that your case and motherboard configuration have room.
Also, ensure that other components on your motherboard won't interfere due to size constraints. For example, do your memory modules (DIMMs) have tall heat spreaders?
Dual-fan coolers often take up quite a bit of room. Liquid cooling solutions typically position fans at the top or bottom of the case.
Lighting
Some CPU cooler fans come with LED lighting. Similarly, liquid cooling pump heads can also come with LEDs or even LCDs!
If you want to turn off the lights when they get annoying, make sure your CPU cooler has that option.
Price
In general, air-based coolers will be lower cost than liquid cooling systems.
CPU coolers that support a higher TDP are also typically correlated with a higher price.
The more advanced lighting features tend to also come at an extra cost. You can decide between a practical, low-cost solution and a dazzling light show.
Recommended CPU Cooler for the 13900K
The distance between heatsink screw holes for the LGA 1700 socket increased to 78x78 mm from the 75x75 mm spacing typical of recent sockets. This new spacing means you'll need a new cooler/
Locked Intel CPUs may come with a stock CPU cooler. These CPU models do not have a "K" in the name. While stock coolers will prevent your CPU from overheating, your CPU will throttle its performance during games and other intensive tasks. Higher TDP coolers will keep your CPU at turbo speeds for longer durations. Stock coolers are often quite loud at their maximum speed.
The LGA 1700 socket will require a CPU cooler that supports the new socket size. Some manufacturers are releasing upgrade kits for LGA 1200 heatsinks to support the new size.
Best AIO Liquid Cooler: Enermax Liqmax III 360
- This Enermax liquid cooler has an excellent cooling capability with a 360-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
- Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 2066, 2011-3, 2011, 1700, 1200, 1366, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 and AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1.
- Quiet operation at 14-27 dBA.
- You can get the LGA 1700 Enermax Mounting Kit for LIQMAX III on Amazon (affiliate link) or request a free LGA 1700 mounting kit via the LGA 1700 Mounting Kit Request Form.
- Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space!
Enermax Liqmax III 360 Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Best Dual-Fan Air CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
- Dual 140 mm fans provide 220-watt TDP (183 NSPR) of cooling capability.
- Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM2+.
- Quiet operation at 24.6 dBA.
Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Runner-Up - Dual-Fan Air CPU Cooler: Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
- This CPU cooler doesn't have any fancy LED lights, but the dual 120 mm fans do a great job of cooling LGA 1700 CPUs.
- Suppose you think this cooler will take up too much space. In that case, Thermaltake has a few single-fan TOUGHAIR variants which use different orientations.
- This CPU cooler has a 2000 RPM max speed for optimal cooling.
- 180-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Recommended RAM
Before purchasing memory, review your motherboard specification to verify which speeds are supported. For example, if a DDR4 motherboard stated that it supports "DDR4 3400(O.C.) / 3333(O.C.) / 3300(O.C.) / 3200 / 3000," that would mean that it could support DDR4-3400, DDR4-3333, and DDR4-3300 with memory overclocking, and DDR4-3200 and DDR4-3000 at stock speeds. Motherboard specifications also indicate the maximum capacity per stick of RAM (DIMM) and across all slots.
Best Stock-Speed DDR5 RAM for 13900K: Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB
The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB (5600 MHz version) DDR5 RAM is an exceptional choice for non-overclockers looking to pair it with their Intel Core i9 13900K CPU. With 32 GB capacity in a 2-module kit, this RAM provides ample capacity and is well-suited for demanding applications like gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 5600 MHz DDR5 RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
This RAM has a clock speed of 5600 MHz and a latency of 13 ns (36-36-36-76 timings), allowing the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 RAM to deliver lightning-fast performance. It is perfect for demanding tasks that require high-speed data processing. The DDR5 version of this RAM significantly improved over its predecessors, offering faster speeds and lower latency compared to its predecessors, making it one of the most advanced memory modules on the market.
This RAM is a must-have for any high-end gaming rig or workstation, working well with the Intel Core i9 13900K CPU. Its voltage of 1.25 volts is around average for most DDR5 RAM. The high-quality aluminum heatsinks provide excellent thermal performance and give the modules an elegant and premium look. Additionally, the Intel XMP 3.0 profile ensures that the RAM is optimized for Intel processors, providing users with a seamless and reliable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it has a lower clock speed, which is intentional since it's meant for people who want stock-speed DDR5 RAM without the desire to overclock.
Read the full overview of the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32 GB DDR5-5600 CL36 RAM.
Corsair DOMINATOR PLATINUM RGB DDR5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) 5600 MHz RAM
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Best Overclocking DDR5 RAM for 13900K: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 6000 MHz
The G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB (6000 MHz version) DDR5 RAM stands out as a superb option for users to pair with their Intel Core i9 13900K CPU and those who want the ability to overclock their RAM to higher speeds. This 32 GB kit, comprising two 16 GB modules, offers great memory capacity, making it perfect for intensive applications such as gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 6000 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
Sporting an impressive clock speed of 6000 MHz and a latency of 12 ns (36-36-36-96 timings), the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 RAM delivers outstanding performance at breakneck speeds. It is well-suited for tasks that necessitate rapid data processing. The DDR5 iteration of this RAM has made significant strides compared to its predecessors, boasting faster speeds and reduced latency compared to previous generations, which positions it as one of the most cutting-edge memory modules available.
The G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 RAM is essential to any high-performance gaming rig or workstation, working well with the Intel Core i9 13900K CPU. Its voltage of 1.35 volts is around average for most RAM. The premium aluminum heatsinks provide excellent thermal management and lend the modules a sophisticated and luxurious appearance. Furthermore, the Intel XMP 3.0 profile guarantees that the RAM is fine-tuned for Intel processors, delivering users a smooth and dependable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it's a little costly due to it being a higher clock speed DDR5 kit, but it's worth it for the speed boost.
Read the full overview of the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB DDR5-6000 CL36 RAM.
Best Stock-Speed DDR4 RAM for 13900K: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200 MHz
The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM (3200 MHz variant) is a reliable choice for users looking to achieve a harmonious performance boost when paired with their Intel Core i9 13900K CPU. This 2-module kit offers a 32 GB capacity, providing ample memory for demanding tasks such as gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
Featuring a clock speed of 3200 MHz and a 10 ns latency (16-20-20-38 timings), the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM ensures rapid and effective performance. However, it is worth noting that DDR4 technology is less cutting-edge than DDR5 and may deliver a different caliber of performance in certain situations. While DDR4 has made strides compared to its predecessors, it is less speedy and efficient than the most recent DDR5 iterations.
The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM is valuable for any budget-conscious gaming rig or workstation, harmonizing well with the Intel Core i9 13900K CPU. Its voltage of 1.35 volts is around average for most DDR4 RAM. The high-quality aluminum heatsinks provide excellent thermal management and endow the modules with a sleek, premium appearance that doesn't interfere with CPU coolers. The Intel XMP 2.0 profile also ensures that the RAM is optimally configured for Intel processors, offering users a stable and reliable experience.
The primary drawback of this RAM is its lower clock speed, which is by design as it caters to individuals who prefer stock-speed RAM without the need for overclocking and opt for DDR4 over DDR5.
Read the full overview of the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 RAM.
Best Overclocking DDR4 RAM for 13900K: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600 MHz
The Corsair Vengeance LPX (3600 MHz version) DDR4 RAM is a highly dependable option for users seeking a balanced performance upgrade to pair with their Intel Core i9 13900K CPU and those who want the ability to overclock their RAM to higher speeds. With a 32 GB capacity in a 2-module kit, this RAM offers sufficient memory for intensive tasks like gaming, content creation, and video editing.
Find the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3600 MHz RAM on Amazon (affiliate link).
This RAM boasts a clock speed of 3600 MHz and a latency of 10 ns (18-22-22-42 timings), enabling the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM to deliver swift and efficient performance. With that said, DDR4 is not as advanced as DDR5 RAM and does not offer the same level of performance in some instances. While DDR4 has improved performance compared to older versions, it is not as fast or efficient as the latest iterations of DDR5 RAM.
The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM is a valuable addition to any value gaming rig or workstation, complementing the Intel Core i9 13900K CPU. Its voltage of 1.35 volts is around average for most DDR4 RAM. The top-notch aluminum heatsinks offer superb thermal management and bestow the modules with a sleek and premium appearance while avoiding conflict with a CPU cooler. Furthermore, the Intel XMP 2.0 profile guarantees that the RAM is fine-tuned for Intel processors, delivering users a smooth and dependable experience.
The only downside to this RAM is that it has a lower clock speed than DDR5, which is intentional since it's meant for people who want the less expensive DDR4 RAM.
Read the full overview of the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-3600 CL18 RAM.
Learn More About the Intel Core i9-13900K
- Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core i9-13900K CPU?
- Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for Intel's Core i9-13900K
- Choosing the Best Power Supply for Intel's Core i9-13900K
- Is the Core i9-13900K CPU Good for Gaming?
- Best RAM for the Intel Core i9-13900K CPU
- Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core i9-13900K
- How Many Cores Do Intel Core i9-13900K CPUs Have?
- What Is the TDP of the Core i9-13900K CPU?
You can find detailed 13900K specifications on Intel's site.
Other Considerations When Building a PC
Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:
- Cases:
- CPUs:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5.0?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
- LGA 1700 CPU List
- LGA 1200 CPU List
- Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- CPU Coolers:
- Storage:
- Memory:
- PCI-Express:
- Motherboards:
- Graphics Cards:
- Power Supplies:
- Keyboards:
- Monitors:
A Note From the Authors
As technology experts, we are dedicated to providing accurate and helpful information on various technology products and services. Our goal is to provide valuable insights and recommendations that help our readers make informed decisions.
We understand that the technology industry is constantly evolving, and we strive to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. However, we recognize that there may be occasions when errors or inaccuracies slip through, despite our best efforts.
That's why we welcome feedback from our readers and encourage them to reach out to us with any corrections or suggestions they may have. By working together, we can ensure that our content remains accurate, helpful, and up-to-date.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for us, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We value your input and look forward to hearing from you.