10 best Z790 motherboards for 13th Gen Intel CPUs

Intel's 13th generation "Raptor Lake" processors are now available, and that means a whole new range of motherboards to go with them. While they're not much of an upgrade over the Alder Lake line, these new processors have more cores and larger L2 caches than before, further cementing Intel's lead over AMD.

Intel 13th Gen CPUs use the same LGA1700 socket as previous 12th Gen CPUs, which means the new 13th Gen processors will also work with Z690 motherboards. However, the new Z790 platform is the best way to get the most out of your 13th Gen Intel CPU.

Here are the best Z790 motherboards available today.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

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No need to introduce much about ASUS' ROG Maximus Z790 Hero. It may not be cheap, but it is definitely the best Z790 motherboard to build your Raptor-Lake-based system. This board has everything you need to make the ultimate gaming PC, from a 20-phase, 90A VRM capable of pushing the new Intel Core i9-13900K to its limits to a full PCIe 5.0 design and support for DDR5 memory.

MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi

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MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is a mid-range Z790 motherboard that outperforms competitors in the same segment. It's packed with premium features, such as support for the latest PCIe 5.0 graphics cards and DDR5 RAM, allowing you to build a powerful PC that can match the performance of flagship Z790 motherboards at a much more affordable price point.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX

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Those on a tight budget but still looking to build a future-proof 13th Gen Intel Raptor Lake-based PC should consider the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX. It's one of the most affordable Z790 boards with DDR5 support, and just because it's an affordable option doesn't mean it doesn't include some of the latest technology, including PCIe 5.0 and WiFi 6E support.

ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara

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The prices of high-end Z790 motherboards are known to be sky-high, but the ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara is proof that you don't have to overpay to get the best that the Z790 platform has to offer. With PCIe 5.0 support for your M.2 GPU and SSD, DDR5 coverage, two 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports, WiFi 6E, and overkill power delivery, this motherboard offers everything an enthusiast could want to build a high-end Raptor Lake-based system at a price much lower than boards with similar specs.

ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4

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ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 is one of the best Z790 motherboards with DDR4 support. It covers all the basics well, with a power-efficient setup, PCIe 5.0 for graphics cards, and four high-speed M.2 slots. It supports Wi2Fi 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet, both of which are fast enough for gaming and streaming. Additionally, 8 USB ports, including a 20Gbps USB-C port, provide enough connectivity options for your desktop and gaming accessories.

MSI MPG Z790I Edge WiFi

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Top ITX motherboards are mostly on the higher end of the price range, but the MSI MPG Z790I Edge WiFi has a slight edge over competing boards from ASUS and ASRock. It packs some of the best features of the Z790 with minimal, reasonable sacrifice, making it the best LGA 1700 Mini ITX motherboard to build your 13th Gen PC.

ASUS Prime Z790M-Plus

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ASUS Prime Z790M-Plus can handle a standard Core i5-13600K or Core i7-13700K without any issues, you can even overclock the memory up to 7200MHz to boost performance. The built-in heatsinks do a great job of keeping temperatures tolerable when paired with a good cooler, but it doesn't have any heatsinks for the M.2 slots. However, that's something you can easily fix by purchasing an M.2 SSD with a built-in heatsink.

Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master

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GIGABYTE Z790 Aorus Master is a giant EATX Z790 motherboard designed for those who want to create "huge" desktops. Of course, with all this extra space, GIGABYTE has packed some important technology into this motherboard. From the latest PCIe 5.0 and M.2 connectivity to WiFi 6E and Bluetooth, this board has been designed to make sure you have everything you need. It even has up to 14 USB ports in the rear IO.

MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE

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The MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE is a large EATX motherboard, which means you have enough room for multiple GPUs, an all-in-one cooling system, or even add your own custom cooling loop. One of the most ingenious designs of this motherboard is the connector placements, all of which are located around the edge of the motherboard or at the end, making it a great choice for those who are particularly concerned with their cable management.

MSI MPG Z790I Edge WiFi

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With its tiny Micro-ITX form factor, the MSI MPG Z790I Edge WiFi is the perfect motherboard for creating a compact yet powerful desktop.

While most Micro-ITX motherboards fall short when it comes to connectivity, MSI has done a great job of packing everything you need into a small space. You'll find built-in WiFi 6E, support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, and even Audio Boost 5 for an immersive gaming experience.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 24 July 2023