It's a bit hard to argue against the MSI Z690-A Pro Wi-Fi DDR4, it doesn't look fancy, doesn't have any RGB, but does have a good rear I/O, built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, four M.2 slots, would support a 12600K without problems. Best Motherboard for i5 12600K At a Glance: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro. .wp-classic-pros-cons { color: #000; The MSI MEG Z690 also offers dual 2.5G LAN alongside the latest WiFi 6E solutions, thus, gifting their users a lag free life. The board features thee M.2 slots which are all paired with a heatsink for better temperature control. Gigabyte B660 AORUS MASTER - The undisputed value champ. Keep in mind that a motherboard can only support one type of memory. If the board doesnt go with the theme of your PC case, then it might not look as good as you want it to. It gives great graphics efficiency. Cables: Asiahorse Ice Blue/Black/Gray. 291. r/pcmasterrace. Here at Tech4Gamers, after proper testing and benching, we choose the best for you. I/O connectivity comprising USBs is managed by four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports comprising two Type-A ports and six USB 2.0 ports. } It will help you choose the hardware accordingly. All thanks to the two thick heatsinks from Asus attached to the metal I/O shield keeping our VRM temps very low. The VisionLINK allows users to Transfer data, charge their gadgets and even output video all through a single USB Type-C cable. , Great Power Delivery, Stealthy Looks, 5x M.2 Sockets, Very Aesthetic, 5x M.2 Sockets, 11x USB Ports, High-quality digital Power IC, Support for PCIe 5.0, Good Overclocking Potential, Built-in WiFi i5 12600k Motherboard. Furthermore, it features various power-saving and overclocking features such as Core Boost and Memory Boost. } border: none; } You already know the Best Motherboard For i5 12600k, now, lets talk about the Processor. This MSI PRO Z690-A also offers a 2.5G LAN and WiFi 6E Network solution. } All this technology is built into their 2.5G LAN chipsets, paired with Lightning M.2 and PCIe Gen4x4 compliant. It doesnt have any onboard video output ports, so youll have to get a dedicated graphics card to get a display. The board does fall in the mid-range price bracket and may not compare to the number of features you find in regular ATX motherboards, but it still is an exceptional piece by ASUS ROG that deserves a place on this list. ASUS is well known for its high-quality but reasonably priced motherboards, and if youre looking for a motherboard that falls into the mid-range price bracket but offers great performance and overall good features for your i5 12600K, then the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F is the best choice for you. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming is our go-to board for this processor, thanks to its impressive power setup and feature list. The Core i5-12600K: Intel's 12th Gen Ace in the Hole. In the box we also get a few goodies like, Cable labels, Stickers, Brushes and even MSIs own screwdrivers, now thats customer service for me!! In terms of heat dissipation, the extra chokes and the enlarged chipset heatsinks contribute to creating a good gaming environment because they make for maximum heat dissipation. The Fins Array III offers some serious cooling to the massive power coming in, enabling us get the most out of our AlderLake CPUs. As for audio, Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC provides outstanding audio for a unique sound signature. The M.2 drives and the VRM have their dedicated heatsinks(MOSFETs for VRM) for better temperature control. As for expansion slots, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot supporting x4 mode, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot supporting x4 mode, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots provide numerous options to operate at PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 interfaces. The VRM is powerful enough fully utilize the overclocking capacity of your processor and memory. Youll have to buy fans and coolers separately to keep the motherboards temperature under control. If you're not a fan of ASUS motherboards or want something a little different, we recommend checking out the MSI MPG Z690 CARBON WIFI. A PCH heatsink is also added for easier PCH cooling. are subjective to each to own, some folks might prefer stealth look while on the other side, some will go for the full RGB show. MSI MAG B660 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 does have a drawback, and that is the price. The MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X also comes with a System Saver option , with just a click of a button the MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X allows you to Clear your CMOS or Flash your BIOS. width: 10px; The MSI PRO Z690-A is an excellent budget option for an i5 12600K. From a numerous number of B660 motherboards from each vendor, it was a difficult task to pick the Best B660 Motherboard for i5-12600k. For audio, you get the Realtek ALC897/ALC892 7.1 HD Audio along with Nahimic Audio Enhancer. Yes, the i5 12600K holds great overclocking potential. Asus TUF Z690-Plus D4. The AORUS PRO uses ALC4080 Audio, paired with High-end audio capacitors to provide noise-free and high-quality audio to the user. Regarding expansion slots for GPUs and network cards, we get a pretty simple setup with a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for GPU and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for the network card. You can either have DDR4 or DDR5, but not DDR4 and DDR5 both. } For audio, you have the SupremeFX audio codec that provides high-quality audio for gaming and listening to music. A board is the biggest part of hardware inside your PC case and serves as the foundation for anything else. These debug LEDs can also be very helpful while building a PC, so youll know where to look if your PC doesnt boot up. This Intel i5-12600K motherboard has x2 DIMM DDR5 slots with a maximum of 64GB RAM. Make sure to also check out all Z690 Motherboards available. If budget isnt an issue and youre looking for the best motherboard for your i5 12600K in the market, then this motherboard is the perfect choice for you. The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi uses seprate layers in the PCB ensuirng flawless sound quality to both left and right channels. the MSI MPG Z690 WiFi comes pre installed with the I/O shield, making our Motherboard installation very effortless. The Gigabyte Z690 Aero D, is indeed, a Motherboard everyone would want with their white builds; Packed with premium controllers, good compatibility and high-end features the Gigabyte Z690 Aero D makes it to our top list of Best Motherboards for the Intel Core i5 12600K. MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi. It also comes with four DDR4 memory slots and six PCI Express, which can be used for graphics cards. No, the i5 12600K doesnt come with a fan, like its competitor, the Ryzen 5 5600x. Theres no WiFi and Bluetooth aid for wireless connectivity. H610 chipset doesnt have Memory overclocking support so the Motherboard cant assist it either. MSI MEG Z590 ACE. NY 10036. First off, the Z690 AORUS PROoffers next to no onboard RGB lighting except for the AUROS logo. Talking of Aesthetics, once again the MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X is available in all black with no signs of RGBs. Hunting for the best motherboards for i5-12600K? This can be very confusing for new PC builders, but dont worry because well try to explain it all. 6800 MHz of memory speed. In terms of design, the board looks quite plain compared to some of the other mid-range motherboards, but that is expected at the boards price range. We also have diverse expansion slots with a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for your GPUs and Network cards. As a result of its heatsink, the system does not overheat; In addition, there are LED error code indicators and troubleshooting LEDs on the MSI MPG Z690 WiFi making the mid-tier product get all the attention it deserves. Meaning youll be able to enjoy 10x faster Ethernet connections than the standard RJ45 Ethernet. Conclusion: We think ASUS TUF Z690 Gaming PLUS is the best motherboard for i5 12600k. As for storage, ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 consists of one M.2 Gen3 x4 slot, one M.2 Gen3 x2 slot and four SATA 3.0 Ports. Its 19+2 VRM with 105A power can get the best Intel i5-12600K overclocking potential. 2023. Best Overclocking Motherboard For i5 12600K, Chipset: Z690 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 2x DIMM, 64GB, DDR5-6800 | Video Outputs: None | USB Ports: 9x front (1x Type-C, 4x Type-A, 4x USB 2.0), 10x rear (1x Type-C, 7x Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 )| Network: 2x Intel 2.5Gb, 1x Wi-Fi 6E, 1x Bluetooth 5.2 | Storage: 5x M.2, 6x SATA. The issues range from the usual frame rate drops to VRAM consumption. As the Best Turbo Boost Motherboard for the i5 12600K the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi possesses many features that I adore. The icing on the cake is the Memory overclocking assistance along with ASUS OptiMem support which makes it the Best DDR4 Motherboard for i5-12600k too. Why you can trust Windows Central Then, we had to take into account the overclock ability of each motherboard. Although the CPU uses modest amounts of energy, a budget to mid-range dual tower cooler should cool it without any issues. Given the performance, it is really the best bang for the buck motherboard you can get for an i5-12600K. Depending on the motherboard you choose, you'll need to use either DDR4 or . The Digi+ VRM comes with 16+1 power stages, with each consuming about 70A. It is important to note that there is no onboard RGB available on this motherboard. Best Motherboard for i5 12600K. The Gigabyte Z690 Aero D makes use of the new M.2 Thermal Guard III design, by elevating your M.2 and increasing the surface area Gigabyte lets you enjoy higher transfer speeds all day long. When building a PC there should be no compromise in the Power department. } Part of the Motherboards heatsink design, the new M.2 Sheild Frozr, offers users even more for their SSDs. This board has been specially enhanced circuit design for gamers which is why it includes high-end connectivity features including AI overclocking motherboard i5 12600k so that the gamers never have to worry about performance intel core i5 12600k as well as speed. The Intel i9 12900K might be topping charts, but the i5 12600K isnt coming slow as well, with competitive prices and a tough competition to its Ryzen counterpart the 5600x (you can check our take comparing both processors in gaming benchmarks here), the i5 12600K is here to rock the mid-range market. It comes with a VRM design of 19+1+2 phase coupled with 105A smart power stages capable of handling all Intel high end AlderLake CPUs. Specifications = Chipset: H670 Chipset | CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory Support: 4 DIMM slots, Dual channel DDR4 5066MHz (OC) max, 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (for Graphics) | Storage: 2x M.2 Gen4 x4 slots | USB Ports: 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (1 Type-C + 2 Type-A), 7x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (On rear: 3 Type-A) and 5x USB 2.0 ports | Graphics: 1x DisplayPort 1.4 and 1x HDMI 2.1 | LAN: 1x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet | Wireless/Bluetooth + Audio: No Wi-Fi and Bluetooth + Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC] Having Fins on the heatsink will help dissipate heat faster than traditional heatsinks. The MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X allows you to add a total of 64GB system memory with speeds upto 6800Mhz. To fully unleash the processors power, youll need to pair it with a strong and powerful motherboard with a robust enough VRM that can handle the processor. While we want as many of the new features the Z690 chipset . You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds. Now you might be wondering about the Best Motherboards For i5-12600k? Along with that, you also get 2x Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports. Please share your positive feedback. font-size: 10px; That basically sums up to three M.2 slots and six SATA ports which are plentiful for your NVMe SSDs and storage expansion for storing numerous games and testing your i5-12600k. Of course, we also take into account the user experience when writing our reviews. When it comes to professional-level ATX motherboards with impressive power and circuitry, The MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Pro-Series is an outstanding choice for budget gamers. Amazon.com: Intel Core i5-12600KF Desktop Processor 10 (6P+4E) . 6. Mussab Ali - 11 April, 2023. To build a PC with i5-12600K, first you need Continue reading "Best Motherboard for Intel Core i5-12600K" If that's a little too much and you won't find yourself using DDR4 RAM, which will add yet more additional cost to the upgrade, there's always the budget-friendly MSI PRO Z690-A. However, you can make use of the RGB fans and headers to make your board light up. Check Latest Price. The 12600k is the one CPU that it absolutely makes sense getting the 'K' version even if you don't plan to overclock. We are a group of individuals willing to provide, all out there, seeking free and trusted reviews. This MSI motherboard comes rocking the same Z490 chipset found in our top ASUS recommendation, making it a good match for the Intel Core i5 processor. If you have the excellent compatibility of the LGA 1700 CPU socket, then the motherboard with the Intel Z690 chipset will be the best choice. The MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X is also, or as MSI calls it, DIY-Friendly. Intel Core i5-12600K is equipped with 10 cores / 16 threads the manufacturer used a combination of 6 cores / 12 threads based on a more efficient architecture and 4 cores / 4 threads based on power-saving architecture. The AI features, overclock ability, and the huge number of PCIe and USB ports make this motherboard easily one of the best. Join. The USB game is strong too, with one Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 22 20Gbps, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps consisting of four Type-A and one Type-C port, two Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports and eight USB 2.0 ports. If you can afford it, the Motherboard is a no-brainer, as it comes with many features, a well-designed VRM structure, and top-of-the-line cooling. With its 6 Performance cores paired with 4 Effecient cores, the i5 12600K turns up to be the best multi-core performing chip in its department. Core i5-12600K. This would be a match made in heaven should you already have DDR4 RAM modules available and wish to cut down on waste. MSI always try to come up with something innovative, with their DIY Friendly Motherboards they surely achieved that. .wp-classic-pros-cons .wppc-verdict-wrapper { The Motherboard also supports adequate storage options like two M.2 Gen4 x4 64Gbps slots, one M.2 Gen4 x2 32Gbps slot and six SATA 3.0 Ports. The prices are reasonable and very in reach of all gaming enthusiasts. We've compiled a list of only the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-12600K. Maximum RAM Capacity. We try to choose a Motherboard that ticks in all the boxes. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming is the sweet spot for the Intel Core i5-12600K. Best i5 12600K Motherboards. The Core i5 12600K is the best CPU for gaming in 2021. Also make sure you choose the correct chip and lga socket. In terms of looks, Asus always win the game with its eye-catching ROG logo. But, with all the crazy looks and VRM power, cooling also matters. 1. There isnt anything significantly wrong with the motherboard. It also features Q-latch for M.2 drives which lets you remove the SSDs without relying on any tools. You get two M.2 slots assistance for NVMe SSDs, which is excellent considering the value for money angle. There is also no onboard RGB lighting, but you can make up for it using RGB fan headers. When buying Motherboardfor the Intel Core i5 12600k it should be kept in mind that the, Motherboard should have optimal VRM power capable of running your CPU, it should also be equipped with latest heatsinks to further help cooling. Overall, this is an excellent motherboard for Intel Core i5 12600K. 6 of these cores are called performance cores. The heatsink is paired with heat pipes and MOSFET thermal pads rated at 7W/mK to provide an advanced thermal solution. Chipset: Z690 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6200 | Video Outputs: 1x DisplayPort | USB Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 6x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 8x USB 2.0| Network: 1x Intel 2.5GbE , 1x Wi-Fi 6, 1x Bluetooth 5.2 | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA. It also gives us the all new Intel WiFi 6E wireless solution, packed with the new dedicated 6GHZ band, you can be assured uninterrupted network anywhere!! One can say that he loves to get into the nitty gritty details of PC hardware such as PCB analysis, VRM performance, memory/core overclocking potential, cooling potentials of AIOs, and the list goes on and on. This board also has some great user-friendly features such as diagnostic LED, M.2 Q-Latch, CPU lever protection, and many others. It is also quite amazing how this motherboard features AI overclocking, which automatically chooses the best overclock settings for your CPU and Memory depending on your hardware and temperatures to achieve the best results. Aimed for the high-end segment, it comes as no surprise that it is quite an expensive board. What should I know before buying a Motherboard for Core i5 12600k? Best Overclockable Motherboard for I5 12600k. It features the latest LGA1700 sockets and specific connectivity for upgrading your computer. MSI MAG B660 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 contains wired and wireless connectivity built-in to the Motherboard. We live, breathe, and eat motherboards here at appuals.com. The 16+1+2 Phase Twin Hybrid Digital VRM ensures smooth power delivery throughout the motherboard. Chipset: Z690 | Form Factor: Micro-ATX | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6000 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 | USB Ports: 10x rear, 6x internal | Network: 1x Intel 2.5Gb, 1x Wi-Fi 6E, 1x Bluetooth 5.2 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA. For example, if your PCs temperature goes too high, the AI cooling feature will automatically increase the fan speeds so that the temperature comes in control. The Motherboard is priced at around $100, a pretty economical option for supporting the i5-12600k Processor. It has PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 RAM support, a 16+1 power delivery design, high-quality components, 2.5Gb LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, plenty of USB ports, and a striking yet subtle design. It's faster than a Core i9 11900K, and brings with it support for the latest tech in DDR5 and PCIe 5. . Best i5-12600K Motherboard for Content Creators: GIGABYTE Z690 AERO G DDR4. The LGA 1700 is compatible with several chipsets with different properties. A motherboard with lower efficiencies, unresolved grudges, and a specific drop in performance cannot be allowed. Ace Luke is a Washington Accord certified computer engineer with a keen interest in gaming and reviewing computer hardware since childhood. Best B560 Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: ASRock B560 Steel Legend. 1: MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X: View On Amazon: 2: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master: View On Amazon: 3: GIGABYTE Z690 AERO G: View On Amazon: 4: MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi: Realtek 8125BG 2.5Gbps LAN covers the wired connection angle providing pretty fast ethernet speeds. Overall, DDR5 is a much better option in any case, but if youre upgrading from an older DDR4 motherboard, and dont have the budget for a DDR5 PC with separate memory sticks, then you can definitely go for a new DDR4 motherboard to save the older DDR4 sticks from getting wasted. The only thing that we dislike about the Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming is its pricing. matters, if you plan to add on a second GPU later on, then make sure you have more than 1 slot for it. However, we dont just rely on our experience we also put every motherboard we review through a rigorous testing process. MSI MAG B660 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 is a minimalistic black-themed motherboard that comes in an ATX form factor. I think the Mystic lights deserves to be mentioned, with sixteen million colors and fancy LED effects to choose from, i think MSI has really given us alot to drool over. With its small form factor but big gains, the Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming deserves to be on this list. The other 4 cores are called energy cores which are designed on power-saving architecture. The aggressive VRM heatsink design and 75A power stage maximizes efficiency despite hectic conditions. Learn More. When it comes to choosing Motherboards always think ahead. The other unique thing about this processor, or the Alder Lake generation in general, is the fact that you can use both DDR4 and DDR5 Memory modules with this processor. The i5 12600K is an unlocked processor, which means it has a good overclocking capacity. Now, you might already own a PC or might be thinking of building one. The VRM is also heatsinked, so the temperature remains in control. See On Amazon. The VRM setup and power delivery design are exceptional, allowing you to safely overclock even a Core i9 without power issues. Hence, the MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ProSeries Motherboard makes it to the top of the list in terms of versatility. Release Year. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is a white motherboard that can be made even more beautiful using the vast customization options. MSI has provided all the extreme power users with DIY stands set, helping users bring to their PC to life with all ease. As said above, choosing a motherboard should always be a work of art, and art without proper knowledge is hard to execute. The processor itself has fairly low requirements, and you can use it with any chipset that is compatible with the LGA 1700 socket. The Motherboard also comes in with a Pre-installed I/O shield and a Tuning Controller. Note that even though this board does support CPU and memory overclocking, it is not recommended to go for this option if your main goal is overclocking due to the 8+4 phase VRM. The board only has x2 DIMM DDR5 slots, so the max RAM you can get is 64GB. The first glimpse of the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master and ive got to admit this is one good looking board, the majority of the board is black and covered in massive heatsinks but it comes with a few gun metal bit accents here and there, it also offers some RGB lighting effects over the massive I/O cover offering a very sleek look. It supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory (DDR5 provides the fastest memory speeds)! Having writers and editors with hand on experience, we have made a name in the Tech industry, providing reviews (+150 in our Review section) and covering all aspects of Technology, Consoles, PC and Entertainment. There is so much to like about the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi that we cant just select one thing. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. It supports 12th Gen Intel Core, Pentium, and Celeron Processors, compatible with most devices today. Buy on Amazon: Best Compatible Motherboard for i5 12600K: ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming. MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Motherboard startle the computing system with increased memory speed by delivering pure data signals which in return helps provide faster gaming speeds and better overclocking performance. The Gigabyte Z690 Aero D is capable enough to run any Intel AlderLake CPU with this power. All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards. The board also comes with AURA SYNC RGB options for better personalization. These chipsets are Z690, H670, B660, and H610. Despite looking drop-dead gorgeous, it is disappointing to see that the Gigabyte Z690 Aero D has no RGB. Other than that, the board also features ProCool II power connectors. . background: #212121; Choosing a Motherboard with more connectivity options, but bad thermals? The Intel Core i5 12600K is the best value for your buck processor, with almost similar performance to the i9 and alot alot cheaper than the Intel i9, the Intel Core i5 12600K is the best choice for Gamers. The i5 12600K features a total of 10 cores. The MSI MPG Z690 WiFi also makes use of MSIs new heat sink design, the M.2 Shield Frozr. Our teams key expertise lies in the area of VRM testing, both for quality and long-term reliability. 6. Chipset: Z690 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5200 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort | USB Ports: 9x front (1x Type-C, 4x Type-A, 4x USB 2.0), 8x rear (1x Type-C, 3x Type-A, 4x USB 2.0 )| Network: 1x Intel 2.5Gb, 1x Wi-Fi 6, 1x Bluetooth 5.2 | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA. Ensuring lower temps and keeping the looks aesthetic, Gigabyte has covered the Motherboard in massive heatsinks keeping the perfect balance in looks and performance. .wp-classic-pros-cons .wppc-btn-wrapper .jd-wppc-btn { MSI PRO Z690-A is the latest motherboard with unique features and specifications. ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming WiFi. Most modern PC cases are usually transparent on one side, so you can clearly see the insides of the case. It is also important that the Motherboard removes heat from the PCB to maintain optimal temps. Probably the greatest motherboards designed for i5 12600K is the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming motherboard. Check Price. That is why the one we chose is the best. If you want a board that looks good, but cuts costs at the right places (WiFi exclusion and DDR4 inclusion), the Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X DDR4 will be the best intel i5-12600K motherboard for you. background: #F9F9F9; CPU consumption can reach 100Watts when using Cinebench or Blender. MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X Gaming Motherboard is the best for you looking for an overclocking that will bring the best hardware performance. Specifications: Chipset: Z690 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6400 | USB Ports: 8x rear IO, 11x internal | Network: 1x 10 GbE LAN, 1x 2.5GbE, 1x Wi-Fi 6 | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA. USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports are enough, but theres no USB 3.2 Gen 22 port soldered on the Motherboard, which is a drawback. Which is the best budget motherboard for i5 12600k? In that case, standard ATX form factor motherboards wont fit inside your PC case, and youll have to look for motherboards of the required form factor to make full use of it. Overall, it is an excellent choice if youre looking for a decent motherboard for your Micro-ATX Casing. Aside from the chipset, we also had to choose from both DDR4 and DDR5 options for the Z690 Motherboards. With additional choke thermal pads and MSI M.2 Shield Frozr, your components are protected under the most extreme gaming conditions. It does cost more than an average mid-range motherboard, but it has all the good features that make a board worth buying. To make things easier and a bit more specific, we decided to focus on only one chipset, the Z690, since the other chipsets that support the LGA 1700 socket lack overclocking capacity and performance, and component quality. You should get the motherboard that you think will sit well, along with the rest of your hardware. Though I'd recommend the 12700f at $314 over the 12600k if you can afford it. background: #F9F9F9; Motherboard: ASUS Prime Z690-P WiFi. It also has decent cooling options to go with all that power consumption. The other thing about this motherboard is the 2x Lightning Gen 5 PCIe 5.0 x16 slots which can deliver up to double the speed of the previous generation. Alongside, these, keep in mind, there are other Motherboards like B660 as well, that support i5-12600k. It also has the M.2 drives covered by a double-sided heatsink and several fan headers for better temperature control. It also comes packed with PCIe Gen 5.0 offering crazy transfer speeds. Asus has made use of High-end chokes and durable capacitors, making the Motherboard stand against any temperatures. MSI MAG B660 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4 has plenty of USB 3.2 ports so you wont have an issue plugging supported devices. It is, as said by MSI, The Next Gen M.2 Thermal Solution. The i5 12600K or all the 12th-Gen Alder Lake processors are based on the LGA 1700 socket. A highly powerful VRM can easily handle more demanding processors from the Alder Lake generation, such as the i9 12900K. Best Budget Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WIFI. The motherboard also has great upgradeability as you can also fully overclock the i7 and i9 processors from Intels Alder Lake generation. DIGI+ VRM is an industry commended standard providing clean and steady power to the CPU and other components, helping you get the best out of your system.