Best motherboard for Intel i9-13900K in 2024 – our top picks

You need to get the best motherboard for Intel i9-13900K if you want to unlock the full potential of the powerful 13th-generation Intel processor and take your gaming to the next level. The motherboard needs to have modern connectivity options and be able to efficiently handle being pushed to the limit with overclocking.

The bad news is that there are a lot of motherboards on the market that meet those conditions, making shopping for one very difficult and time-consuming. However, the good news is that we’ve already put the work in for you, so you really don’t need to break a sweat.

Including a relatively affordable option for the more budget-conscious, here are what we think are the three best motherboards that you can buy for the Intel i9-13900K.

The Maximus Z790 Hero is the best motherboard for the powerful Intel i9-13900K, offering a nearly complete package that makes it worth the hefty price tag. It supports PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 and will allow you to run next-gen games at optimal settings.

Featuring a solid steel backplate, high-conductivity thermal pads, and large aluminum M.2 heatsinks, the Maximus Z790 Hero boasts a superb cooling system. It uses 20+1 power stages for efficient and stable power delivery, and as a result it can easily handle powerful CPUs and high-speed SSDs.

The connectivity options are just as impressive. In addition to HDMI and 2.5Gb Ethernet, you get an array of high-speed USB ports on the rear panel. Most impressively, you get not one but two Thunderbolt 4 ports. With each port allowing you to connect a 4K monitor, this monitor is beneficial for both gaming and productivity.

Overall, the Maximus Z790 Hero crushes it in looks, features, and performance, with few areas to complain about. It’s an excellent motherboard to pair with your Intel i9-13900K if you want to build a futureproof setup for high-performance gaming. You also get plenty of accessories in the box, including SATA cables, stickers, and a USB drive.

The Z790 Ace is a well-designed motherboard that looks fantastic, featuring a handsome black finish with a touch of gold. It offers strong performance and plenty of attractive features.

Built for high-performance gaming, the motherboard boasts an extreme 24+1+2 phases power design and a highly effective cooling solution, allowing you to push your PC to the limit safely. It supports PCIe 5.0, includes five M.2 connectors, and is DIY-friendly, making it a solid option if you regularly tinker with your PC and want a more futureproof setup for next-gen gaming. If you’re new to the DIY PC world, we’ve summed up PCIe 5.0 vs PCIe 4.0 to get you started.

Connectivity options are plenty on the Z790 Ace. There are two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear panel, allowing you to connect two 4K gaming monitors if you want an extreme multi-monitor setup. You also get dual 2.5Gb Ethernet, reliable Wi-Fi 6E technology, and several high-speed USB ports.

Although the Z790 Ace is still quite expensive despite being considered a mid-level motherboard, it doesn’t disappoint in most areas. It performs extremely well, offers a high-quality audio solution, and includes modern connectivity options. It’s an excellent motherboard, all things considered, with few areas to complain about unless you really nitpick.

Both products above bring a lot to the table, but their prices are definitely not for everyone. If you want a relatively more affordable option, check out the Prime Z790-A WiFi. It has fewer features and connectivity options, but it doesn’t come up short in performance.

Out of the box, the Prime Z790-A WiFi will instantly impress you with its numerous connection ports on the rear panel, which is beneficial for all-around usage, not just gaming. In addition to the video output ports (HDMI, DisplayPort), it includes 2.5Gb Ethernet and high-speed USB ports headlined by the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port. There are no Thunderbolt ports, as expected from a motherboard further down the price bracket.

The Prime Z790-A WiFi has excellent performance. It uses 16+1 power stages for stable power delivery and runs efficiently under heavy workloads, with its well-designed cooling system keeping components safe from overheating issues. You’ll be able to run modern graphics-heavy games at high settings without worrying about putting too much strain on your PC.

If you have a tighter budget, the Prime Z790-A WiFi is a highly recommended motherboard for the powerful Intel i9-13900K. It offers modern connectivity options and supports PCIe 5.0 for futureproofing. Although its space-themed aesthetic is a bit over the top, it delivers on areas that truly matter and is also DIY-friendly, which is a big plus for new PC builders.

Final thoughts

So there you have it, three of the best motherboards for Intel i9-13900K at three different price ranges, that all offer you exceptional performance. If you’re into motherboards, you could check out our top picks of the best motherboards for gaming to keep your system future-proof and powerful in performance.