Introduction
Intel’s 13th-Gen range of CPUs have been an overwhelming success since their launch back in October of 2022. But with any brand new set of CPUs, you’ll need to pair up your shiny processor with a motherboard that sits at a similar level of performance with a price tag you’re comfortable with.
In this motherboard buyers guide we’ll be rounding up the best motherboards to pair up with Intel’s Core i5 13600, a powerful CPU without the overclocking capability. We’ll also be briefly delving into what the different chipsets are, and what they offer in terms of features.
Suggested Article: Intel Core i5 13600K Review – A Mid-Range Performance Titan
Our Top Motherboard Picks
Intel’s Core i5 13600 is an excellent mid-range CPU that performs similarly to the ‘K’ and ‘KF’ variants, but without the overclocking support. For this reason, it doesn’t make much sense to pick up a more expensive motherboard that has higher VRM phases to sustain a higher clock speed. So we’ve picked out a range of motherboards that synergises well with the performance of the 13600, whilst sitting at a reasonable price point.
Best Motherboards for the Core i5 13600
1. ASUS ROG Strix B760-G Gaming WiFi D4
👑 The best white motherboard for i5 13600.

The ROG Strix B760-G Gaming WiFi D4 from ASUS, is a Micro-ATX motherboard that we’ve reviewed in full on the website. Overall, this board offers a great aesthetic with an eye-catching steel and white theme, with various ROG logos across the heatsinks with plenty of RGB. You are losing out on a few PCI-E slots due to the compact form factor, but this board makes up for that with a bountiful set of rear IO, and support for the next generation of Gen5 graphics cards. If you’re looking for a smaller and cheaper motherboard that has plenty of features, the B760-G is a great option!
Key Specs
Key Specs | ASUS ROG Strix B760-G Gaming WiFi D4 |
---|---|
Form Factor | micro-ATX |
Supported Memory | 128GB DDR4 5333MHz |
PCI-E x16 Slots | 1x PCI-E 5.0, 2x PCI-E 4.0 |
PCI-E x4 Slots | 2x PCI-E 4.0 |
Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
Networking | 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E |
Things We Like
Great for white-themed builds: With multiple heatsinks donning and white and silver look, this motherboard will fit perfectly into an all-white gaming PC. Although, it will look odd in more traditional gaming PCs.
Extensive rear IO connectivity: To support the strong connectivity for components, the rear IO has a range of high-quality connections for top-tier performance with gaming peripherals. The sound options on this board are particularly strong thanks to the vast amount of audio ports available.
Things We Don’t Like
Micro-ATX form factor: Whether a smaller form factor is a weakness or not is mainly up to personal preference, but the majority of mid-range gamers will find an ATX form factor more suitable for their system. The smaller size of this board may cause airflow issues when placed into a larger case, meaning performance of the components such as the GPU will not be optimised.
PCI-E 5.0 slot for SSDs: This motherboard provides almost everything a mid-range gamers would need for a great gaming experience at least the next generation of components. But the one key feature missing is the lack of PCI-E 5.0 support for SSDs, as this would give gamers access to the performance benefits that are bound to come with the arrival of Gen5 storage.
Summary
Overall, the ASUS ROG Strix B760-G Gaming WiFi D4 is a great motherboard for mid-range gamers, providing everything they need to enjoy the latest games for years to come. In addition, the strong connectivity options on the rear IO means that there should be no problems when hooking up peripherals and audio devices to enhance the gaming setup. The only reason i5 13600 users might not want to pick this motherboard is due to the design choices restricting options for components that match with the aesthetic.
Pros
- Exceptional price point.
- White and steel design looks great.
- Full audio suite with an excellent set of rear IO.
Cons
- Micro-ATX form factor won’t be for everyone.
- Doesn’t support Gen5 SSDs.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG STRIX B760-G Gaming WiFi D4 on:
2. Gigabyte B760M AORUS Elite AX D4
👑 The best compact motherboard for i5 13600.

Gigabyte‘s B760M AORUS Elite, is another Micro-ATX board featuring an alternative steel design that looks awesome. The B760 AORUS features a small amount of RGB located towards the bottom right of the board, which is ideal for those that prefer a minimalist style. In terms of networking, the AORUS Elite offers 2.5 Gigabit LAN for a more stable connection, and WiFi 6E for those that would rather avoid wires. This board unfortunately doesn’t offer any PCI-E Gen5 slots, but users can utilise the latest graphics cards and SSDs in this board due to the PCI-E 4.0 support.
Key Specs
Key Specs | Gigabyte B760M AORUS Elite AX D4 |
---|---|
Form Factor | micro-ATX |
Supported Memory | 128GB DDR4 5333MHz |
PCI-E x16 Slots | 2x PCI-E 4.0 |
PCI-E x4 Slots | 2x PCI-E 4.0 |
Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
Networking | 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E |
Things We Like
Rear IO connectivity: This motherboard includes a wide range of ports on the rear IO, including plenty of USB slots and a choice of 2.5Gb and WiFi 6E for online gaming. On top of this, the rear IO is surrounded by an integrated shield, which improves durability and makes the installation process much easier.
Affordable option: By no means is this motherboard the cheapest option with a B760 chipset, but it is one of the more affordable options that includes enough features to satisfy most mid-range gamers. The multiple PCI-E 4.0 slots ensures that gamers will benefit from the full performance of current-gen, and leaves space for an upgrade if necessary.
Things We Don’t Like
Limited aesthetic: This motherboard has a fairly barebones appearance that will make it less appealing to i5 13600 users with funds to spare. Plus, the silver heatsinks provide an look that will struggle to fit in with the aesthetics of a lot of PC builds, further limiting this board’s use-case.
Smaller design: Similarly to the previous entry in our roundup, this motherboard has a compact micro-ATX form factor. Though this will benefit gamers looking to build a more portable gaming PC, mid-range systems typically include ATX motherboards for the increased connectivity and better integration with other mid-range components.
Summary
As one of the more affordable mid-range motherboards on the market, the Gigabyte B760M AORUS Elite AX D4 provides a solid combination of performance and connectivity within its relatively compact design. With multiple slots for each component and a versatile rear IO, this board comes with plenty of upgradeability for mid-range systems. However, the design limitations from the reduced price point are somewhat of a concern.
Pros
- Plenty of high speed USB ports.
- 2.5 Gigabit LAN and WiFi 6E support.
- Integrated IO shield.
Cons
- Somewhat barebones look.
- Less PCI-E slots due to smaller form factor.
Where to Buy
Buy the Gigabyte B760M AORUS Elite AX D4 on:
3. ASUS TUF Gaming B760-Plus WiFi D4
👑 The best looking motherboard for i5 13600.

The TUF Gaming B760-Plus WiFi D4 is another board that we’ve reviewed in full on the website. This awesome design from ASUS offers a gaming oriented aesthetic, shown off on various heatsinks, over an all-black PCB. This board also features a PCI-E 5.0 slot, ready for the next generation of graphics cards, along with three PCI-E 4.0 slots allowing users to install blazing-fast drives. The TUF B760 offers a full audio suite including S/PDIF, making it ideal for those with speaker setups, or perhaps creators that need more audio connections.
Key Specs
Key Specs | ASUS TUF Gaming B760-Plus WiFi D4 |
---|---|
Form Factor | ATX |
Supported Memory | 128GB DDR4 5333MHz |
PCI-E x16 Slots | 1x PCI-E 5.0, 1x PCI-E 3.0 |
PCI-E x4 Slots | 3x PCI-E 4.0 |
Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1x USB 2.0 |
Networking | 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6 |
Things We Like
Awesome aesthetic: The industrial-inspired look on TUF Gaming motherboards is one of our favourite designs to slot inside of a gaming PC, as the mechanical aesthetic provides a build with a look that matches the futuristic tech you would stumble across in most modern gaming titles.
M.2 storage capacity: Any gamers with a large backlog will be happy to see this motherboard features plenty of PCI-E 4.0 slots for M.2 storage. This allows gamers to install more high-speed SSDs to store games, which eliminates the need to delete or move games around to optimise performance.
Things We Don’t Like
Limited USB ports: Though the rear IO includes a lot of USB 3.2 ports, which provide superior speed and lower latency compared to USB 2.0, the total number of ports is fairly limited for mid-range gamers. This could cause problems for those gamers that want to connect multiple peripherals such as mice and keyboards up to their PC at once.
Weaker wireless networking: One of the main areas in which this motherboard falls behind in terms of performance is networking. Even though the choice between wired or wireless online connectivity is very convenient, the WiFi 6 module is significantly weaker than the WiFi 6E module that appear on a lot of other B760 motherboards.
Summary
In our opinion, the ASUS TUF Gaming B760-Plus WiFi D4 is one of the best looking motherboards that i5 13600 users can pick up right now. The aesthetics of this board are a perfect addition to any gaming PC, as it will provide the inside of the build with a futuristic and industrial look. Also, this board has more than enough features to go alongside the premium appearance. There are some weak points to consider, but this is a great choice for mid-range gamers.
Pros
- Awesome gaming-oriented design.
- Full audio suite.
- Plenty of M.2 drives.
Cons
- Only six USB ports on the rear.
- WiFi 6 instead of 6E.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS TUF Gaming B760-Plus WiFi D4 on:
4. Gigabyte B760 Gaming X AX
👑 The best DDR5 motherboard for i5 13600.

Gigabyte‘s B760 Gaming X AX is a budget-oriented DDR5 motherboard with plenty of features despite sitting at a much lower price point. On the PCI-E front, consumers have access to Gen4 for both graphics cards and SSDs, allowing consumers to make use of AMD‘s and NVIDIA‘s latest releases. Although rear IO doesn’t offer a huge amount of high speed ports, consumers still have access to USB 3.2 Gen2, alongside two Gen1 ports. Networking is also great, the B760 Gaming X offers 2.5 Gigabit LAN, ideal for Esports and other games, with an integrated WiFi 6E module for those that don’t need such high stability.
Key Specs
Key Specs | Gigabyte B760 Gaming X AX |
---|---|
Form Factor | ATX |
Supported Memory | 128GB DDR5 7600MHz |
PCI-E x16 Slots | 1x PCI-E 4.0, 2x PCI-E 3.0 |
PCI-E x4 Slots | 3x PCI-E 4.0 |
Rear IO | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
Networking | 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E |
Things We Like
Affordable DDR5 design: DDR5 memory is still considered more of a luxury in gaming PCs, with the small boost in performance often struggling to justify the increased price tag. However, this design throws expectations out of the window by offering support for the latest memory at a very reasonable price point.
Versatile connectivity: As an ATX design, this motherboard is able to provide a greater amount of connections such as PCI-E slots and USB ports. This is great for i5 13600 users, as it provides plenty of room for additional components to enhance the performance of their PC build.
Things We Don’t Like
Simplistic look: Even though the black and grey colour combination provides this motherboard with a distinct look, the lack of additional features on the heatsinks or connections makes the overall aesthetic fairly underwhelming. This makes this board a better fit for stealthier PC builds, as it lacks the typical gamer aesthetic.
Lack of futureproofing: Whilst this design provides a large quantity of connectivity option, a lot of them are lower quality choices. For example, the GPU support mainly consists of PCI-E 3.0 slots that limit the performance capabilities of current graphics card. Instead, this motherboard could have provided a PCI-E 5.0 slot, which would open up the possibility to upgrade to next-gen graphics card as soon as they release.
Summary
The Gigabyte B760 Gaming X AX is one of the cheapest DDR5 compatible offerings on the market, making it a great choice for mid-range gamers wanting the best performance they can get right now. Paired with bountiful connectivity for all the latest components, this offers a good value for current systems. However, the focus on performance for a current gaming PC does result in less futureproofing, making it less than ideal for those wanting a build that is guaranteed to last for a number of years.
Pros
- Good networking options.
- Gen4 slots allow users to install the latest GPUs.
- Very cheap for a DDR5 motherboard.
Cons
- Very barebones aesthetic.
- No Gen5 compatibility.
Where to Buy
Buy the Gigabyte B760 Gaming X AX on:
5. MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi D4
👑 The best value motherboard for i5 13600.

For our final motherboard we’ve picked out MSI’s MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi D4. We’ve reviewed this motherboard in a full review, and spoiler alert – it is awesome. This one of the best boards to pickup if you’re looking for more of a mid-range offering at a great price point. The B760 TOMAHAWK features a plethora of USB ports giving you access to lightning-fast transfer speeds. The B760 TOMAHAWK also offers a Gen5 PCI-E slot, which will be perfect for consumers that plan on upgrading to the next generation of GPUs when they release.
Key Specs
Key Specs | MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi D4 |
---|---|
Form Factor | ATX |
Supported Memory | 128GB DDR4 5333MHz |
PCI-E x16 Slots | 1x PCI-E 5.0 |
PCI-E x4 Slots | 3x PCI-E 4.0 |
Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 4x USB-C 3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
Networking | 2.5 Gigabit LAN, WiFi 6E |
Things We Like
PCI-E 5.0 support: For mid-range systems in particular, having the ability to eventually upgrade to more powerful components is an important feature that increase the value of motherboard significantly. That’s why the PCI-E 5.0 slot on this board is a great inclusion for i5 13600 users, as it opens up the possibility to next-gen graphics cards when they inevitably enter the market.
Stealthy appearance: Even though the subtle tones of this board are unlikely to turn heads, the detailing throughout the design bolsters the overall aesthetic of a gaming PC, and does a great job at elevating other components within a system. Whether you are opting for a stealthy or RGB-heavy build, this motherboard will blend into most builds without any issues.
Things We Don’t Like
Lack of PCI-E 5.0 storage: In terms of features, this motherboard will tick the majority of boxes for gamers that have picked up the i5 13600 as their CPU. However, one small missing piece of the puzzle is the lack of a PCI-E 5.0 slot for storage, as this would allow gamers to upgrade to Gen5 SSDs as soon as they release.
USB 2.0 on rear IO: The rear IO on the MAG B760 TOMAHAWK is an improvement on a lot of its B760 alternatives, mainly thanks to the increased number of USB 3.2 ports. But the choice to include multiple USB 2.0 ports on top of the USB 3.2 options might do more harm than good, as gamers could easily confuse the two options, leading to less efficient performance for peripherals and external devices.
Summary
Overall, the MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi D4 is a stellar mid-range motherboard that offers reliable performance, strong connectivity, and a sophisticated appearance. In addition, the PCI-E 5.0 GPU slot means this is prepared for the next generation of graphics cards, adding at least a few years to the longevity of any gaming PC featuring an i5 13600 processor. Whilst the same treatment for the storage options and a more refined rear IO would have taken this motherboard to the next level, it is still an extremely valuable choice for a mid-range system.
Pros
- Awesome all-black design.
- Gen5 PCI-E x16 Slot.
- Huge amount of USB ports.
Cons
- Doesn’t support Gen5 SSDs.
- Uses USB 2.0.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi D4 on:
Chipset Differences
Before purchasing a motherboard, a great starting point if you’re unsure, is to look at the chipsets on offer. The chipset of a motherboard is effectively the determinant for the kind of features you’ll have access to. This means you may have to sacrifice a certain set of features dependent on the chipset that you’ve chosen. For this reason, it can be vital to determine which chipset you’re going to choose, as this will directly affect pricing and the available features.
Although this roundup is going to predominantly looking at B760 motherboards (due to the lack of overclocking capability with the Core i5 13600K). It is worth briefly discussing the differences between a B760 and Z790 motherboard. Our recommendations are normally well-rounded, but you may decide to pick up a Z790 motherboard for the sake of upgradeability and longevity.
As a general rule of thumb, Z790 motherboards are the flagship option, offering the most amount of features available with the platform. This means users get access to overclocking support, the max amount of PCI-E lanes, alongside USB ports, and more. This means that Z790 motherboards are generally more enticing due to the feature set, but this obviously comes at a higher price tag.
B760 motherboards cut the available features in half, compared to Z790 board. Where you’d have 28 usable PCI-E lanes on the Z790 chipset, B760 motherboards get 14. This tends to be similar for other features as well. B760 motherboards do have less features overall compared to Z790 options, but what is two less USB ports when you can pick up a motherboard for a much lower price. Again, weighing up these decisions is vital to ensure you can pick up a motherboard that has a price you’re comfortable with, versus a reasonable amount of features.
Motherboard Compatibility
One of the major concerns with any new range of chipsets is whether old motherboards are compatible with the newer CPUs. For Intel 12th and 13th-Gen users, you won’t need to purchase a new motherboard. Z790 boards will support the Core i5 13600 out of the box, but these boards won’t be the definitive choice due to the lack of overclocking support. For those that are thinking about picking up a Z690 or B660 motherboard, you’ll need to update your board with a BIOS update, which can be found on the manufacturer’s website.
Motherboard Chipsets | Intel 12th-Gen CPUs | Intel 13th-Gen CPUs |
Z790 | ✅ | ✅ |
B760 | ✅ | ✅ |
H770 | ✅ | ✅ |
Z690 | ✅ | ✅(with a BIOS update) |
B660 | ✅ | ✅(with a BIOS update) |
H670 | ✅ | ✅(with a BIOS update) |
H610 | ✅ | ✅(with a BIOS update) |
Z590 | ❌ | ❌ |
B560 | ❌ | ❌ |
H570 | ❌ | ❌ |
H510 | ❌ | ❌ |
Why You Can Trust Us
Before we head into our product recommendation, we think its worth considering why you can trust our thoughts and opinions. The GeekaWhat team consists of PC hardware experts and gaming enthusiasts, who work hard to test the products that come through the office doors in a variety of gaming and general day-to-day situations. This continuous testing has given us a wide scope on the current market for PC gaming components and peripherals, along with a large catalogue of products to recommend. If you would like to know more about the GeekaWhat team, or want more details on our editorial promise, head over to the About Us section.
How We Picked the Best Motherboards for Intel Core i5 13600
In a case like this where we are looking at motherboards to pair up with a specific CPU, the main testing methods we use are benchmarks and general analysis of features and design choices. When we manage to get a motherboard into the office, our first instinct is to throw it into a PC build. Not only will this provide us with some important gaming benchmarks, it also gives an indication as to how easy the installation process is, as well as how easy it is to slot components into that particular board.
We’ll use the same motherboard in multiple builds with varying components to gain a general understanding of the how it performs under different conditions. Once we’re satisfied with the information gathered, we conjure our final verdict and relay to our audience through YouTube Videos or buyers guides -like this one! In this content, we make sure to include a general overview of our experiences with a particular product, acknowledging which gamers may benefit most from including it within their gaming setup.
As for the analysis of features, there are several key variables that we look out for. These include the form factor, the support for components such as RAM and GPUs, the rear IO connectivity, the networking options, the design choices, and the budget. We will also make note of any additional features a motherboard might possess, with an explanation as to how it will impact gamers wanting to use that particular board within their setup.
For more of a deep dive into our analysis and testing, take a look at our detailed reviews on B760 motherboards below:
Brand + Chipset | Review Link |
---|---|
ASUS ROG B760-A | ASUS ROG STRIX B760-A Gaming WiFi D4 Review |
MSI MAG B760 | MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi DDR4 Review |
ASUS ROG B760-G | ASUS ROG STRIX B760-G Gaming WiFi D4 Review |
ASUS TUF B760 | ASUS TUF Gaming B760-Plus WiFi D4 Review |
Conclusion
Out of all the motherboards we’ve discussed in this roundup, our number one pick for the Core i5 13600 would be the MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WiFi D4. Offering a satisfying combination of style and substance, this design will help elevate the components that will be placed alongside it, for a price that won’t break the bank of most builders picking up an i5 processor.
Those looking for something a little bit different, however, should consider picking up the ASUS ROG Strix B760-G Gaming WiFi D4. This board offers similar performance and connectivity, but wraps it all up in a completely different package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the i5 13600 worth it?
This mid-range processor from Intel offers great value for both budget and mid-range gamers. The i5 13600 is capable of running games at 1080p and 1440p pretty comfortably.

Can you overclock the Core i5 13600?
No, you cannot overclock the i5 13600. Only Intel CPU’s with a ‘K’ at the end of their name will support overclocking.

What motherboard chipset is best for the i5 13600?
We would suggest pairing this CPU with a motherboard featuring a B760 chipset. However, a H770 motherboard is a good choice for those wanting improved performance and connectivity.

How much money should I spend on a motherboard for the i5 13600?
For anyone picking up an i5 processor, we recommend sticking to a $300 limit. This should be more than enough to find a motherboard with the features needed to get the most out of this CPU.