Choosing the motherboard for a specific Intel model is tough. In this guide, I ranked and reviewed the 10 Best Motherboards for i7 11700k, along with our top 3 choices, so you can pick the best one for you.
- Best Overall
Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Xtreme
- Form Factor: E-ATX
Chipset: Intel Z590
Socket: LGA 1200 - Cheap Option
MSI Z590-A Pro Motherboard
- Form Factor: ATX
Chipset: Intel Z590
Socket: LGA 1200 - Don’t Miss
Asus ROG XIII Maximus Apex
- Form Factor: ATX
Chipset: Intel Z590
Socket: LGA 1200
- What makes i7 11700K different from the i9 11900K?
- What Are The Best Motherboards For Intel Core i7-11700k In 2023?
- 1. Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Xtreme
- 2. Asus ROG XIII Maximus Apex
- 3. MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon Wifi
- 4. ASRock Z590 Taichi Motherboard
- 5. MSI Z590-A Pro Motherboard
- 6. MSI MEG Z490 ACE Gaming Motherboard
- 7. ASUS Prime Z590M-PLUS microATX Motherboard
- 8. MSI MEG Z590 Unify Gaming Motherboard
- 9. GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS ELITE Motherboard
- 10. ASROCK Z590M PRO4 Micro ATX Motherboard
- Bye Bye!
- Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes i7 11700K different from the i9 11900K?
The Intel 11th-generation Core i7 11700K CPUs boost single-core performance by up to 20% over the 10th-generation processors. The Intel Core i9-11900K is the generation’s flagship processor, although, unlike the Core i9-10900K, it is an octa-core processor.
The i7-11700K 8-core and 16-threaded beast makes it a little more expensive than the 11900K. The addition of PCIe 4.0 compatibility for 11th Gen is the icing on the cake. To place things in perspective, this processor can attain a maximum boost clock of 5GHz which makes it different from the i9 11900K.
The Intel Core i7-11700K is a great processor for gaming and productivity, but it requires a solid motherboard to get the most out of the CPU performance.
Don’t worry, in this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best Core i7-11700K motherboards for enthusiasts, gamers, and those having a limited budget.
Related: How to buy a Motherboard (Complete Guide)
What Are The Best Motherboards For Intel Core i7-11700k In 2023?
Our recommendations are carefully curated through rigorous research and testing to guarantee that only the top products reach you. Learn more about how we test motherboards & how we test everything.
1. Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Xtreme
Price: $840 | Buy now from Amazon
Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Xtreme includes heatsinks, 20+1 power stages, and Q-code displays; these are all major design elements. The RGB lighting is nearly a must-have feature at this price bracket, and Gigabyte’s handling of RGB is typically elegant. RGB lighting can be seen on the shield, the chipset heatsink, and the board’s sides, and it can be adjusted using the Gigabyte RGB Fusion software. This motherboard has a massive 20+1 VRM layout with 100A DrMOS power stages.
The excellent VRM is also accompanied by a respectable thermal design. The Aorus Xtreme is equipped with a Fins-Array II heatsink, a NanoCarbon baseplate, and an 8mm Direct-touch II heat pipe. In essence, this is a premium heatsink system that assures optimal heat dissipation and low temperatures. With such high-quality components, you can fully overclock your 11700K.
The Z590 Aorus Xtreme has four dual-channel DIMM slots that can support 128GB of DDR4 RAM at overclocking speeds of 5400MHz. By purchasing this best motherboard for i7 11700K, you’ll get a triple M.2 arrangement with dedicated heatsinks that supports PCIe 4.0 x4/PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds. The board includes six SATA3 6GB/s connectors, giving you plenty of storage options.
There is one long PCIe 4.0 x16 slot that supports x8 speed and one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot that supports x4 speed and both these slots serve as an expansion for adding RAM, audio cards, or much more! Steel armoring protects your cards from bending in these full-length slots.
What we liked:
- Superior VRMs
- Premium-quality design
- Integrated with two Thunderbolt 4.0 ports
- Includes 10Gbe Ethernet port
What we disliked:
2. Asus ROG XIII Maximus Apex
Price: $369 | Buy now from Amazon
It comes with three black heatsinks that surround the CPU socket and are linked by a U-shaped heat pipe. The rear I/O cover has a beautiful silver metallic finish with ‘ROG’ letters carved on it. The grooves on the left heatsink are in sync with the grooves on the I/O cover. Grooves also have integrated RGB, giving the motherboard a lovely appearance.
Heatsinks cover the majority of the motherboard. Asus appears to have used heatsinks as the base with the PCB attached to it, rather than placing heatsinks over the PCB like other boards. The power circuits of this motherboard include a 20-phase VRM with 90A MOSFETs in an 18+2 configuration. It has enough power to easily push the 11700k beyond its limitations.
To give maximum performance, extremely robust power delivery is combined with outstanding cooling. The beefy heatsinks are also linked to the back I/O cover, providing more surface area for heat dissipation. Not only that but the U-shaped Heatpipe beneath the heatsinks is equipped with thermal pads. Apart from the heatsink, two of the four M.2 slots include extra backplates, allowing you to install M.2 SSDs without concern about thermal throttling.
In short, even at severe overclocked settings, you’ll face no issues with power supply or thermal performance. The standard four DIMM slot arrangement is used on this E-ATX motherboard. Also offers another configuration for M.2 slots. Two of the M.2 slots powered by the CPU are PCIe 4.0 x4 compatible which lets you take full use of PCIe 4.0 functionality. Moreover, the eight SATAIII ports help you to connect any storage device for storing a vast amount of data.
What we liked:
- Outstanding thermal design
- Offers robust power delivery
- Integrated with four M.2 Slots
- Includes 10G fastest LAN slot
What we disliked:
3. MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon Wifi
Price: $179 | Buy now from Amazon
In terms of design, this MSI motherboard has a 6-layer all-black PCB made of server-grade material. Furthermore, it has a carbon-fiber theme that can be observed on the chipset heatsink and the I/O cover. This best motherboard for i7 11700K features a 16+1+1 VRM architecture with 75A power stages that sustain its stability and lifespan.
To boost heat dissipation, it is integrated with two large heatsinks connected by a heat pipe. Increased airflow is also possible with a plated VRM heatsink design. Additionally, MSI states that the enlarged chipset heatsink increases thermal performance and provides superior cooling.
It has four DIMM slots and a dual memory design that supports around 128GB of RAM. In terms of extension slots, there are three PCIe x16 slots and two PCIe x1 slots that allow you to connect peripherals with this board. Moving on to the back panel which comes with a pre-installed I/O shield.
In addition, it has four USB 2.0 ports that increase the total number of USB ports to ten, which is sufficient for most users. In the case of networking features, there is one Intel 2.5G LAN port as well as the most recent WiFi solution. A BIOS Flashback button is also included to help you with the quickest installation procedure. It also has five audio ports powered by the Realtek ALC4080 codec, which is standard for the top Z590 motherboards.
What we liked:
- Durable VRM design
- Includes 10 USB slots
- Offers 5333MHz RAM Speeds
- Integrated with a WiFi card
- Incredible thermal system
What we disliked:
4. ASRock Z590 Taichi Motherboard
Price: $319 | Buy now from Amazon
This eye-catching motherboard is directly aimed at RGB lovers and fans of innovative design. The Z590 Tachi motherboard is undoubtedly the best in the lineup. It has carbon fiber-themed heatsinks on an all-black PCB. The moving gears on the I/O cover, a very unusual design element, are the most noticeable feature of this motherboard. There’s also a lot of RGB: it’s on the chipset heatsink, near the I/O cover, and on the right side of the board. The RGB lighting can be adjusted using the Polychrome software.
The Taichi is powered by a solid 14-phase VRM architecture with 90A smart power stages. The CPU’s 12-phase architecture ensures reliable power delivery and great overclocking headroom. A heat pipe connects the VRM heatsinks for efficient heat dissipation. Not only that, but you also receive an out-of-the-box small fan that can be mounted on the heatsink to keep your CPU cool.
Also has a dual-memory design with four DIMM slots and a memory capacity of 128GB at 5000+ MHz. Moreover, this board includes three M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds while the others are limited to PCIe 3.0 x4 while eight SATA3 connections offer around 6GB/s speed.
You’ll also find three lengthy steel-armored PCIe 4.0 x16 slots to handle all of your graphics needs. There is also a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot powered by the all-capable Z590 chipset that makes it different from other random boards on the market.
What we liked:
- Eye-catching and robust design
- Integrated with 2 Thunderbolt USB slots
- Integrated with a mini fan for heat dissipation
- Includes slots for PCIe 4.0 compatibility
What we disliked:
5. MSI Z590-A Pro Motherboard
Price: $98 | Buy now from Amazon
The MSI Z590-A Pro motherboard has an eye-catching black-and-white PCB. Because the heatsinks aren’t particularly huge, and the rest of the components occupy only a small piece of the board, the board appears to be quite stripped down. The heatsinks have a matte black surface with some silver embellishments. This best motherboard for i7 11700K is powered by a 15-phase VRM with a power configuration of 12+2+1. The VRM has MSI’s unique Core Boost technology, which claims to give accurate and continuous power to the CPU.
Moreover, to keep the motherboard components cool, this motherboard includes an extended PWM heatsink with a 7W/mK thermal pad. The M.2 slots come with standard Frozr heatsinks, which is a feature seen on practically all MSI motherboards. Considering the price point, the power supply meets expectations as long as you run your 11700K on default settings.
The Z590-A Pro has a quad-DIMM design that can store 128GB of RAM at 5333 MHz. In terms of graphics, you get two lengthy PCIe x16 slots, just one of which supports the most recent Gen 4 technology. There are also two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots supported by the Z590 chipset.
With all of these capabilities, it is obvious that the Z590-A Pro offers exceptional value for money. The back I/O panel isn’t too compromised, which is a plus point. This best motherboard includes additional DisplayPort and HDMI ports for onboard graphics connectivity. So, at such an affordable price you’ll get much more features than a high-end motherboard.
What we liked:
- Includes 15-Phase VRM layout
- Memory routing is shielded
- Produce around 5333MHz memory overclocking
- Offers premium-quality thermal system
What we disliked:
6. MSI MEG Z490 ACE Gaming Motherboard
Price: $380 | Buy now from Amazon
MSI MEG Z490 ACE Gaming Motherboard is capable of delivering the performance of most midrange Z590 motherboards. At first sight, this MAG Z490 Ace appears to be quite brilliant and vivid. Starting with the M.2 heatsinks, you get brushed aluminum with gold accents that look quite attractive. The Ace logo is read out by an LED feature on the chipset heatsink, which looks stylish.
The quad DIMM configuration supports up to 128GB of RAM at 5000MHz overclocked speeds. The three M.2 slots of this incredible motherboard have dedicated heatsinks, and the three full-length PCIe slots are steel-armored as well. Not only does the Z490 Ace look good, but it also performs well in terms of power delivery and thermals. It includes a 16+1 power phase design with a 90A smart power stage that supplies power to the CPU through a dual 8-pin connector.
It features a mirrored power configuration, which MSI believes is superior to a double configuration. The frozr heatsinks are linked by a heat pipe to take care of VRM cooling. A tiny fan on the left VRM heatsink intakes air for the VRMs, keeping them cool.
The Ace’s rear I/O panel includes a pre-installed shield and a sufficient number of connecting options. The connecting options include one 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, three 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, two 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. This motherboard also includes dual LAN support as well as a WiFi module making the networking department well-settled for you.
What we liked:
- Supports a total of 128GB of RAM
- The rear I/O panel is built strongly
- Includes dual LAN slots
- Integrated with a WiFi card
What we disliked:
7. ASUS Prime Z590M-PLUS microATX Motherboard
Price: $159 | Buy now from Amazon
This Asus Prime Z590m-Plus has an intriguing appearance. The PCB is black, with white stripes running along the board for a stunning appearance. Massive VRM heatsinks, which are coated in a beautiful silver tone, are the obvious features. To improve the appearance, the VRM heatsinks have black patterns painted on them. Perhaps the inclusion of integrated RGB would have elevated the aesthetics to another level, however, that isn’t the case. You can improve the appearance of your project by connecting some Addressable RGB Fans.
The performance of this motherboard follows its appearance. This best motherboard for i7 11700K offers 8+1 DrMOS power stages for precise power regulation and efficient power delivery. Two large heatsinks surround the power circuitry and do an excellent job of dissipating heat. Thermal pads are also incorporated into the VRM heatsinks to increase thermal performance even further.
It includes four DIMM slots for memory, which can handle around 128GB of memory at 5133MHz rates, which is fairly good by micro-ATX standards. For high-speed storage, the slots are joined by three M.2 slots and five SATA 6GB/s connections. This powerful motherboard also includes two PCIe x16 slots with full PCIe Gen 4 compatibility.
These slots are steel armored for providing better graphics card retention and support. The I/O panel provides sufficient connectivity choices for all of your peripherals and devices. There are a total of 8 USB ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, and two USB 3.2 Gen2 and Gen1 ports. This motherboard also includes HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI-D connectivity ports, so there are no surprises in this board’s popularity.
What we liked:
- Offers advanced-level power solution
- Includes thunderbolt type- C slot
- Integrated with huge heatsinks having thermal Pads
- Offers the fastest connectivity options
What we disliked:
8. MSI MEG Z590 Unify Gaming Motherboard
Price: $160 | Buy now from Amazon
MSI MEG Z590 UNIFY is a strong challenger to the other board available on the market and is reasonably priced. It has an advanced design and is quite different from the other boards. The majority of this motherboard’s pieces have a brushed metal texture, while the I/O cover features a huge Dragon logo. The chipset heatsink is attached to the M.2 heatsinks, giving the motherboard a premium appearance.
The motherboard’s memory clock rate is limited to 5600 MHz, which is the maximum we’ve seen in a mainstream motherboard. Also has four PCI-E slots, one of which is an X16 slot, two of which are X1 slots, and the final of which is an X4 slot.
The motherboard’s overclocking capabilities are astoundingly good, thanks to its 16+2+1 phase digital VRM with 90A Smart Power Stage. The motherboard utilizes the Realtek ALC4080 audio chip featuring Audio Boost 5, which is the company’s most recent chipset and offers high SNR.
The VRM cooling system is integrated with expanded heatsinks having wavy fins, fans, a linking 8mm heat pipe, choke, and 7W/mK heat pads. The PCB cooling system includes an 8-layer PCB comprising 2 oz. thicker copper. Also, it includes an aluminum backplate to improve heat dissipation and durability. Moreover, the M.2 slots of this best motherboard for i7 11700K feature Shield Frozr’s double-sided design for minimizing thermal throttling. In short, this dynamic motherboard offers best features than other boards making it popular among customers.
What we liked:
- Supports DDR4 memory at high speed
- Includes dual Thunderbolt 4 slots
- Provide reliable connectivity options
- Offers powerful 8 phases of design
- Integrated with dynamic cooling solution
What we disliked:
9. GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS ELITE Motherboard
Price: $169 | Buy now from Amazon
This GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS ELITE is a mid-range Z590 motherboard with many features that people expect from a Z-series motherboard at a very low price. The motherboard’s design is not as nice as the company’s high-end options, such as the GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS MASTER, but it looks good when compared to competitors at this price.
The chipset heatsink has an RGB AORUS logo on it, and half of it is silver while the other half is black. In contrast, the VRM heatsink and I/O cover are completely black. GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS ELITE, like the PRIME Z590-A, is an ATX motherboard having four DIMM slots. It comes with two PCIe X16 slots and one PCI-E X1 slot. These slots let you connect additional peripherals with the motherboard so you can get the most out of this board.
You receive three M.2 storage slots, two of which have huge heat sinks. These heatsinks will dissipate excess heat from the motherboard. So, it won’t get jammed due to excess heat produced during a heavy workload. Although this motherboard isn’t as good as the PRIME Z590-A or other high-end motherboards, it still features 12+1 phase power delivery, which is powerful enough to push the i7-11700K to high clock rates.
What we liked:
- Compatible with 11th/10th Gen Intel processors
- Supports dual-channel DDR4 memory
- Offer dynamic 12+1l VRM solution
- The memory is shielded for providing better overclocking
What we disliked:
10. ASROCK Z590M PRO4 Micro ATX Motherboard
Price: $216 | Buy now from Amazon
ASROCK motherboards are well-known for their excellent value for money. ASROCK Z590M PRO4 is a micro-ATX motherboard that is less expensive than the preceding motherboards. Because of the boxy shape, the motherboard does not appear as beautiful as prior motherboards, but it tries to look appealing by including RGB lighting on the chipset heatsink. Because the heatsinks and I/O cover on the motherboard is white, this motherboard will look much better in a white case than in a black case.
Even though it has a micro-ATX form factor, has four DIMM slots. This motherboard’s highest memory speed is limited to 4800 MHz, yet it still provides much better performance than other boards. This motherboard also includes four PCIe slots out of which two are X16 slots and the other two are X1 slots.
These slots let you connect additional audio and video cards to enjoy an enhanced visual experience. Surprisingly, there are three M.2 slots on this motherboard, which is incredible for such a compact motherboard. With 12-phase power delivery, this motherboard’s overclocking potential for the Intel Core i7-11700K is quite good. With a variety of connectivity options including, 3 Antenna Mounting Points, a PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port, an HDMI Connector, a DisplayPort, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Ports, and 2 USB 2.0 Ports that come with ESD Protection.
Moreover, it also includes a LAN Port having an LED that shows whether it’s properly working or not. Also, this motherboard offers HD Audio Jacks so that you can easily and quickly connect the front speaker, microphone, or headsets with it. Overall, the ASROCK Z590M Pro4 is a competent motherboard for those looking for a micro-ATX motherboard for their compact cases.
What we liked:
- Includes a USB 3.2 Gen2
- The slots are covered with steel
- Integrated with Intel Z590 chipset
- Supports DDR4 RAM Technology
What we disliked:
Bye Bye!
Hopefully, this article will help you a lot to find the best motherboard for the i7 11700K processor. All the motherboard we’ve discussed above are the best High-end motherboards for an i7-11700K processor and offers great specifications, key features, and pros.
Each motherboard is unique and has its own set of pros and limitations. But they’ll surely suit your needs and let you get the most out of your gaming rig or PC.
However, the GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Xtreme Motherboard is at the top of the list and you won’t find any significant cons in it. Also, besides our recommendation, you can buy any motherboard from this list and they won’t let you regret it. Thanks for reading this article!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question 1: Is the i7 11700k processor integrated with a graphics card?
The latest Intel UHD Graphics 750 is integrated into the Core i7-11700K which is one of the features that distinguishes it from its rivals in terms of performance.
Question 2: Is the i7-11700K suitable for gaming?
When it comes to performance and efficiency, the Core i7-11700K is no doubt one of the top CPUs for gaming. But if only gaming is your major goal, then you must consider a less expensive choice, such as the Ryzen 5 5600X or Core i5-11400.
Question 3: Can I use any of the motherboards listed here to overclock my Intel i7 11700k CPU?
Overclocking a CPU is always a risky task, and we advise you to do so only if you have experience with overclocking. That being said, the Intel i7 11700k CPU may be overclocked using any unlocked motherboard. Because the CPU overclocking feature is already allowed by many manufacturers’ motherboards. So, if your board has a decent cooling system, you can attempt overclocking your CPU to see whether it gives a consistent performance with a faster processing speed.
Question 4: What motherboard do you recommend for the i7-11700k?
Our entire guide is essentially the solution to this question. However, if you want a quick answer, here it is. You should choose a motherboard that fits your budget and meets all of your specifications, whether they be I/O connections, aesthetics, or even form factor. We’ve compiled a list of motherboards from every potential price range, from luxury to low-cost. So, you can easily find the best motherboard according to your choice.
Question 5: Does the Z490 chipset support the 11th generation?
Yes, the Z490 officially supports 11th-generation processors, and the icing on the cake is PCIe gen4 support. Installing the 11th-generation processors on the Z490 chipset will activate PCIe 4.0 on the primary slot. So, if you already have a 10th-generation system with a Z490 motherboard, you can simply change the CPU for an 11th-generation model without losing PCIe 4.0 compatibility.
This article was originally published on Jan. 24, 2023
