5 best gaming motherboards for Intel Core i7-12700K
The Intel Core i7-12700K, a 12th-gen Intel CPU launched in 2021, remains a fantastic processor to this day. It has 12 cores and a clock speed of 5GHz, so it's perfect for both productivity workloads and gaming. The best part about this CPU is its price, which is low considering the level of performance it can deliver. However, you need a good motherboard to take advantage of all the power inside this processor.
This article lists some of the best motherboards you can buy for the Intel Core i7-12700K.
Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
What are the best gaming motherboards to buy for Intel Core i7-12700K?
1) ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II
Price: $319
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II is one of the best motherboards you can buy for the Intel Core i7-12700K. It is adorned with the latest technologies, including Wi-Fi 7, dual USB Type-C ports, 2.5G Ethernet, and more. It also has a total of five M.2 SSD slots, so you won't have any storage issues in the long run.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II has a robust 16 + 1 digital power stage and can deliver 70A of power, so your Intel Core i7-12700K will have no issues running. It also has ALC4080, which is a premium audio chip, and it is connected to powerful amplifiers to boost the audio experience.
Pros
- Resilient power delivery system for better stability and performance.
- Has modern connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 7, dual USB-C ports, and more.
- Equipped with a total of five M.2 slots.
Cons
- Quite expensive.
- No PCIe Gen 5 support for M.2 slots.
2) GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master EATX
Price: $229
The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master has the best price-to-performance ratio and provides incredible value. It costs 28% less than the ASUS Z790 we just checked out earlier but has almost all its features and then some. It has a 20 + 1 + 2 digital power stage, delivering a lot of power to the CPU, which overclocking enthusiasts will love.
The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master has PCIe Gen 5 support for M.2 SSD, so you will be able to take advantage of all newer Gen 5 SSDs that are slowly releasing in the market. Apart from this slot, it has four other M.2 slots, which only support up to PCIe Gen 4.
Pros
- Its 20 + 1 + 2 VRM system is enough for extreme overclocking capabilities.
- Has PCIe Gen 5 support for SSDs.
- RAM sticks can be overclocked to 8000+ MT/s speeds for more performance.
- Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E.
Cons
- Its E-ATX form factor won't fit every PC case.
3) MSI PRO Z690-A WiFi ProSeries
Price: $175
The MSI PRO Z690-A WiFi ProSeries is a solid Z-series motherboard that is available for under $180. It is designed with a 14 + 1 + 1 digital power stage that can not only power the Intel Core i7-12700K but also the top-end Intel Core i9 CPUs. This means you will be able to upgrade to a more powerful newer generation processor without replacing the motherboard.
The MSI PRO Z690-A WiFi ProSeries is equipped with a total of four M.2 slots. Three of them have support for PCIe Gen 4, while the remaining one is limited to Gen 3.
Pros
- Equipped with a stellar 14 + 1 + 1 VRM system for the best power delivery.
- Has a total of four M.2 slots.
- Has overclocking support.
- Will support future PCIe Gen 5 GPUs.
Cons
- RAM overclocking is a bit limited.
4) ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI
Price: $159
The ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI is available for $159. It has everything from Wi-Fi 6 to PCIe Gen 5, so you will get support for almost all the latest technologies. It also has a total of four M.2 slots with PCIe Gen 4 SSD support to ensure you get the best speeds out of your system.
The ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI allows you to overclock a compatible RAM to 7200 MT/s for improved performance with the Intel Core i7-12700K, especially in modern games that are memory-sensitive. The motherboard also has a USB Type-C port.
Pros
- Has Wi-Fi 6 support to connect all your wireless accessories.
- Allows memory overclocking.
- Has support for PCIe Gen 5 graphics cards that should be released soon.
Cons
- No CPU overclocking.
5) ASRock B760M Pro RS
Price: $99
The ASRock B760M Pro RS is the cheapest motherboard on this list, but it supports DDR5 RAM kits, which are usually reserved for more expensive options. Even though it costs under $100, it has PCIe Gen 5 support for future graphics cards, making it a perfect budget alternative for the Intel Core i7-12700K.
You can install a total of three M.2 SSDs on the ASRock B760M Pro RS, and they will run at super-fast speeds for the best performance. The motherboard also allows you to overclock the RAM. Additionally, it has a USB Type-C port for better connectivity.
Pros
- Provides incredible value for your money.
- Is available in Micro-ATX form factor for SFF builds.
- Has support for PCIe Gen 5.
- Equipped with a total of three M.2 slots.
Cons
- No PCIe Gen 5 support for SSDs.
These are the best motherboards to pair with Intel Core i7-12700K. If there are no price constraints, go for the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master EATX, which has a ton of ports, connectivity options, a VRM system, and more. However, the ASRock B760M Pro RS is also great if you want something on a budget.