7 Best Motherboards for Core i5-11600K

Introduction

It seems like Intel is really bringing their A-game to the market with the i5-11600K processor. Built on a 14nm processor, Intel has brought back the 10nm Sunny Cove design with this one, which looks extremely promising. The 11600K also has the Xe GPU architecture which promises a substantial IPC increase. With 6 cores and a 12-thread design, this processor has a base clock of 3.9GHz which can be overclocked up to 4.6GHz. As a direct competitor for the Ryzen 5 5600X, this Intel processor may be a better choice for someone who’s on a tighter budget but is looking for stellar performance. The PCI 4.0 inclusion also scores points in its favor, and while this processor may consume more power than its competitors on the market, it surely makes up for it in performance. Not to mention, the heat levels from the power are very easy to manage with the right cooler and power cable in place!

It’s already been established that the i5-11600K promises great power delivery and an intense gaming experience, but this can only be unleashed if you have the right system supporting your processor. Ultimately, it is the motherboard that becomes the star of the show because it unlocks the maximum potential of all your components.

Since choosing the right motherboard is the most common question that people usually have, OvrClock has put its expertise to the test and hunted out the 7 best motherboards for Core i5-11600K. Check them out below!

1. Best Z590 Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: Gigabyte Z590I Aorus Ultra
2. Best Gaming Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: Asus ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming WIFI
3. Best Motherboard for PC Build for Core i5-11600K: MSI Z590-A Pro
4. Best Budget Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WIFI
5. Best B560 Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: ASRock B560 Steel Legend
6. Best Mid-range Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: GIGABYTE B560 AORUS PRO AX
7. Best High-end Motherboard for Core i5-11600K: ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E

Quick Summary:

Image	Motherboard	Features	Price
Best Z590 Motherboard	Gigabyte Z590I Aorus Ultra 10+1 Power Phase Design Supports up to 128GB DDR4 (3200 MHz) 3 M.2 Slots | 4 SATA III Ports PCIe 4.0 Compatible  7 USB Type-A | 1 USB Type-C WiFi 6 | BlueTooth 5	9.9	Check Price
Best Gaming Motherboard	Asus ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming WIFI Gaming Aesthetics  Extensive Heatsinks | 14+2 Power Phase PCIe 4.0 | WiFi 6   Supports up to 128 GB DDR4 (5333 MHz) 3 M.2 Slots | HDMI 2.0 ROG SupremeFX ALC4080 HD audio codec	9.8	Check Price
Best Motherboard for PC Build	MSI Z590-A Pro 8+4 Phase Power Stages | Premium Quality Connectors   Triple M.2 slots | 6 SATA III Posts Up to 5333 MHz 2.5G LAN Frozr AI Cooling USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Port (20 GB/s speeds)	9.8	Check Price
Best Budget Motherboard	MSI MAG B560 Tomahawk WIFI 12+2 Power Design Extensive Heatsink Design 1 USB 3.2 Type-C | 4 USB 3.2 Type-A 4 DIMM Slots | 128 GB Capacity (5000 MHz) 2.5G LAN | Wi-Fi 6E  3 M.2 Ports | 6 SATA Ports	9.7	Check Price
Best B560 Motherboard	ASRock B560 Steel Legend 10 Power Stages  WiFi 6 | BlueTooth 5 3 M.2 Connectors | 6 SATA Ports Realtek ALC897 HD codec Audio DDR4 4800 MHz (Overclocked)  2 PCIe slots: 4.0 x16 and 3.0 x4	9.6	Check Price
Best Mid-range Motherboard	GIGABYTE B560 AORUS PRO AX 12+1 Power Phase Design | MOSFET Heatsink 128 GB DDR4 (3200 MHz) 3 Full-length PCIe Slots | 6 SATA III Ports  1 USB 3.2 Type-C port | 1 USB 3.2 Type-A port | 4 USB 3.2 Type-A | 2 USB 2.0 ports Realtek ALC4080 HD Audio Codec 3 M.2 Ports	9.6	Check Price
Best High-range Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E 14 + 2 Power Stages High-end Japanese-made Chokes and Capacitors 4 M2 Heatsinks 128 GB Capacity (5333 MHz) 6 SATA Ports | 4 M2 Ports ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Audio Codec	9.4	Check Price

Since this is a mini-ITX board, some of you may be apprehensive about its performance given its small size. But, the Z590I Aorus Ultra packs in an impressive amount of power with a power design of 10+1 phases, each with 90 Amp Power Stages. For cooling, there is a thermal base plate made from aluminum as well as the heatsink covering the M2 slots, along with 2 heat pipes and 4 additional fan headers in case you need the extra support. Supporting 11th gen Intel processors, the board also comes equipped with two DIMM slots that support 3200 MHz of DDR4 memory. The four SATA ports that provide 6GB/s accompanied by two M2 slots take care of all your storage concerns. The sole PCIe 4.0 slot on the board has been reinforced with steel armor to bear the weight of GPUs along with the DIMM slots to ensure lasting durability.

The board has an overall black matte PCB with the AORUS eagle logo on it, but the RGB and addressable RGB header turn the motherboard into an empty black canvas that you can experiment with. As is standard with most mITX boards, the Z590I AORUS Ultra has integrated Wi-Fi and 2.5GB Ethernet along with a DisplayPort. The rear panel features seven Type-A USB ports along with a single Type- C and for the audio AORUS paired the board with ALC 1220 Codec, which rounds off the whole unit quite nicely. So, if you’re looking to invest in a budget-friendly motherboard that makes the most out of everything, then the Z590I Ultra is the way to go.

As a gamer, we’re sure you’re all about performance and speed which is why the ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming WIFI is the best bet for your Intel Core i5-11600K processor. With low-key white and silver aesthetics on a black PCB, this motherboard has everything a gamer wants and more. 

Starting from the basics, the Z590-A is built on 14+2 power stages and has alloy chokes that vastly improve its durability. The chipset heatsink features the ASUS branding on the top, and you also get three heatsinks for the M2 slots as well as a backplate for the PCIe 4.0. The board actually has three full-length PCIe 4.0 slots and a half-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. As for storage, there are three M2 slots along with an abundance of SATA ports with support for RAID arrays. Asus also provides 128 GB of memory capacity in the form of 4 DIMM slots that support DDR4-5333 memory. Overall, the board is power-packed with lots of features and finesse. The biggest selling point of this board is its ability to disperse heat at fast speeds, which is appealing to a lot of gamers out there.

The networking is also commendable, with HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4, as well as W-Fi 6, Intel 2.5 GB Ethernet, and ASUS LANGuard. For audio, the board has a ROG SupremeFX ALC4080 HD audio codec for an immersive gaming experience. The rear panel of the board is also adorned with a plethora of USB ports, consisting of a mix of both Type-A and Type-C.

When you’re designing your own build from scratch, there are a lot of things you need to factor in, like budget and space. Luckily, we’ve done all the math for you, and if you’re designing your own build, then the MSI Z590-A Pro checks all the boxes.

Right off the bat, we see that the board is built on an 8+4 power phase design that has premium quality connectors and a 6-layer PCB, so it’s evident that stability and performance go hand in hand. Plus, it’s just as fierce from the outside, with the jet-black PCB exuding class and power.

The board comes with 4 memory slots that have a 128 GB capacity in DDR4 memory, and the RAM supports speeds for up to 5333 MHz. The board also has the flagship M.2 Shield Frozr that protects the SSD slots from overheating, thus ensuring that the board operates under extreme conditions without any choke points. There is an extended PWM heatsink for quick heat dissipation and an additional 8 fan headers for extra support that you can use according to your need. The heatsinks also have silver accents, which goes well with the black PCB.

The storage opportunities are plentiful with this one, with three M2 slots as well as 6 SATA ports that are straight-angled and cut out into the PCB for improved cable management. One PCIe expansion slot operates at 4.0 x16, and the other two at 3.0 x16. To provide connectivity, the Z580-Pro has an I225-V 2.5 GbE controller, DisplayPort, HDMI video output, and a mix of USB Type-A and Type-C ports. 

Selling at a competitive price point with an array of features to get you on your feet, the B560 Tomahawk WIFI is a sensible choice for everyone who is starting out in the PC world. The looks are straightforward, with a black PCB being accentuated by the gray gunmetal heatsinks, giving it a minimalistic look. To customize the motherboard, there is also an RGB header that allows for LED strips to operate according to your choice.

The powerful VRM has an intense 12+2+1 power delivery system, and the high-end capacitors and connectors aid in its performance. The rear panel is adorned with USB ports, featuring a USB 3.2 Type-C, four USB 3.2 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports. The HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 output complete the video requirements, and Realtek HD takes care of the audio. Wi-Fi 6e and 2.5 G Lan are also part of the package, so it’s clear that the rear I/O is packed with connectivity.

The board also features 4 DIMM slots that have speeds up to 5000 MHz and a combined capacity of 128 GB. There are three M2 slots present on the board, as well as six SATA ports to accommodate your storage concerns. As for expansion, MSI has provided a set of 2 PCIe slots that operate at 4.0 x16, along with a 3.0 slot. And to keep things from heating up, the board has an extended heatsink along with the flagship M.2 Shield Frozr that is designed for high-functioning cooling.

If you want to understand the world of motherboards by getting first-hand experience, then the MAG B560 Tomahawk WIFI is a smart purchase.

We now move on to reviewing a good B560 motherboard, and the ASRock Steel Legend is as good as it gets in the mid-range category. It has the DR.MOS 10 phase power design as well as SuperAlloy micro-fine chokes that deliver the power. ASRock also includes four DIMM slots with a maximum capacity of 128 GB of DDR4 memory, overclockable up to 4800 MHz.

Overall, the board’s PCB is a mix of black, white, and gray, with silver accents on the heatsinks. The strip of RGB lights down the right side of the board gives it a glowy effect, perfect for customizing with your build. If you need more color action, there are also two RGB headers, and two addressable RGB headers to display your creativity. There is a large aluminum alloy heatsink on the board that efficiently takes away the heat from the MOSFET and guarantees stable performance.  

For storage, the board has six SATA ports that support RAID arrays, as well as three M2 slots. To enable expansion, the board has four full-length PCIe slots, with two that operate at 3.0 x1 and one each at 4.0 x16 and 3.0 x16 respectively. 

Finally, we move on to the features on the rear panel — and these are plentiful. There are 7 USB ports in total, along with HDMI and DisplayPort which are standard for B50 boards. The networking capabilities are supported by a 2.5 GbE controller and Realtek ALC897 HD codec for audio. 

This board has the right blend of features and connectivity, all while being in a reasonable budget if you are willing to spend without going overboard. The board has refreshing aesthetics, with an all-black PCB being set as a strong background in order to gel with the AORUS logo and silver accented heatsinks. The rear panel, on the other hand, is colorful thanks to all the networking ports. We see one USB 3.2 Type-C port, one USB 3.2 Type-A port, along with four USB 3.2 Type-A and two USB 2.0 ports. There’s the I225-V 2.5 GbE controller by Intel, Realtek’s latest ALC4080 HD audio codec, and DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4 all within a not-too-extra budget.

Built using 12+1 Phases Digital Power Design with DrMOS, the board uses premium quality chokes and capacitors as well as an ultra-durable PCB — so this board can deliver hardcore performance. There is a MOSFET heatsink on the board for apt heat dissipation, as well as thermal guards and an integrated I/O shield so there is minimal heat build-up in the back. 

This board also has six SATA ports and three M2 slots, but we see an upgrade in expansion since the AORUS PRO AX has three full-length PCIe slots running at PCIe 4.0 x16, 3.0 x4, and at PCIe 3.0 x1. There are also 4 DIMM slots that support up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory capable of 3200 MHz speeds.

When it comes to an individual build, your budget is very important to keep in mind. However, if you feel like a mid-range build is within your options, then definitely choose this motherboard, because it genuinely has a lot of features that make it worth the money.

Now that we have covered motherboards suitable for every category, it only seems fair to have one of the big players included too. That’s exactly what the ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E is — a big player. It has insane connectivity options, and is built to deliver performances that even the most hardcore overclockers will be impressed by.

Straight away, we see that the board has 14+2 Power Stages which can unleash intense power. This power is kept under check by high-end Japanese-made chokes and capacitors so that the board continues to power through for a long time without any problems. Furthermore, there is an L-shaped heat pipe on the board, as well as 4 M2 heatsinks and an M2 backplate to keep everything cool. There is also a bundled fan bracket and a VRM cooler in case extra cooling is required. 4 DIMM slots are present to accommodate the 128 GB memory capacity that can perform at up to a whopping 5333 MHz.

SLI support included, this board also has six SATA ports as well as four M2 slots with two of them supporting 4th Gen SSDs, which gives you plenty of options for storage. There are three PCIe x16 expansion slots, two of which include support for AMD CrossFire. The rear I/O panel is just as populated, with a variety of DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB ports, as well as the ROG SupremeFX 7.1 audio codec.

The board has some color to it, giving it a funky vibe against the black PCB. You also get the latest AuraSync lighting that allows for customization, thanks to RGB headers and addressable RGB headers.

Here at OvrClock, we are committed to keeping our editorial and product recommendation processes completely independent from our monetization — so, you can always be sure we are recommending the best PC Parts for you without any partiality.

The OvrClock team has been reviewing all parts of a PC build for years now, and we use our expert opinion and experiences when making recommendations. We try to get our hands on and actually test all of the products we recommend, in addition to the dozens of alternatives that are not on the final list. This allows us to provide insights beyond what you can find from reading other online reviews, and get a true and more clear understanding of the best options. Our diverse team and vast experience also allow us to highlight each product’s ideal use cases, as well as the perfect customer profile for any given product.

For Motherboards, we test things including but not limited to: power delivery setup, base and overclocking speeds, ports, audio and Wi-Fi connectivity, and RGB customizability, among many other factors. Our experience allows us to translate these insights into actionable conclusions and purchase recommendations for you, without you having to test all the products, or having to sift through piles and piles of data from our motherboard testing. All of the recommended motherboards and dozens of others not in this roundup have been tested with an Intel Core i5-11600K processor, and the aforementioned motherboards have been shortlisted based on their stellar performance with the Intel Core i5-11600K processor.

For any questions about our product selection and recommendation process, feel free to contact us.

Buying the right board is all about research, and lucky for you, OvrClock takes this job very seriously. Whether you choose to go with a high-end board, or a budget-friendly ATX, every board is thoroughly judged for its pros and cons, with the facts being presented to you. Now, your job is to make sure you find the right board for your PC, and the best motherboard for the i5-11600K for you. Happy building!