Planning to use the excellent mid-range Intel Core i5-11600K? You're going to need a compatible motherboard. We've rounded up the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-11600K that cover enthusiasts, gamers, and those with a tight budget.
Best overall
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming
Staff pick
The ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming is one of the company's latest offerings for Intel's 10th and 11th Gen series of processors. This board introduces the Z590 chipset, which allows for PCIe 4.0 speeds, and you get the same excellent ASUS BIOS from other top-tier boards. Other highlight features include Wi-Fi 6E, 14+2 power stage design for stable overclocking, DDR4-5333+ RAM support, dual Intel 2.5Gb LAN, Thunderbolt 4, and four M.2 SSD slots.
Runner-up
Gigabyte Z590 AORUS ELITE AX
Our runner-up choice goes to the Gigabyte Z590 AORUS ELITE AX, which also comes rocking the Z590 chipset for impressive performance with the Intel Core i5 CPU. We're looking at a 12+1 power phase design, as well as support for PCIe 4.0 and speeds of up to 5400MHz for DDR4 RAM. Finally, there are numerous USB 3.2 ports on the rear for expansive PC builds.
Best enthusiast
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero
If you want to go all-out with some overclocking, you're going to need something like the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero. It's expensive, likely overkill for most PC builds, but it's a monster. This board uses a 14+2 power stage delivery design with high-quality chokes, capacitors, and other components for stable overclocking. Other highlights include 5Gb LAN, two M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6, high-quality audio, and plenty of RGB headers.
Best budget
ASUS PRIME Z590M-PLUS
But if you don't need the most powerful Z590 motherboard around, there's always the ASUS PRIME Z590M-PLUS. This motherboard comes in at less than $200, which can be considered budget territory for the Z590 chipset. It does, however, come with an 8+1 power phase design, high-quality components, Fan Xpert 4 for a quiet and cool PC, as well as all the rear USB ports you'll need.
Best ITX
MSI MEG Z590I UNIFY
And if you're planning a small PC build, ITX cases allow you to cram inside plenty of components for a compact system. You won't be able to fit inside an ATX motherboard, which is where the MSI MEG Z590I UNIFY comes into play. It supports DDR4-5333 RAM, PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 3, 2.5Gb LAN, and Wi-Fi 6. The power delivery design is good enough to handle even Intel Core i9 processors in such a compact chassis.
Choosing the best motherboard
If we had to recommend a single motherboard, it would be the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming. It's one of the best Intel Z590 motherboards, which makes it ideal for the Intel Core i5-11600K. Not only is it priced well (except during the current electronics shortage), but you also get plenty of features that allow you to safely overclock this processor.
You don't need to build a PC inside a mid-tower chassis for the best performance. It's possible to use a board like the MSI MEG Z590I UNIFY inside a compact PC case that can handle the best graphics card. This board rocks the same chipset as our top Intel recommendations but loses a few features due to size restrictions.
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