Intel and AMD motherboard processor sockets differ from each other, as we know, and motherboards are designed to be used with a specific type of processor. We have compiled a list of the Best Gaming Motherboard For i5 7600k, which are specially designed for the i5 7600k processor and will help you to pick the right one.
Are you planning to build your own gaming PC?
Well, to be honest, a gaming PC, fully dedicated to gaming is far better than having a gaming console. The reason why many people consider it is the freedom they get. You can build a machine according to your needs.
Unfortunately, people usually focus on the processor, RAM, and GPU of a gaming PC. A motherboard would not be marked somewhere at the top of their priority list.
If you are new to it, then it would be necessary for you to know the importance of the motherboard. A good motherboard can be a make-or-break thing. It would be the foundation of your gaming PC.
Imagine having an amazing graphic card for the gaming PC, and then end up having a motherboard that cannot support it. Or purchasing a 64GB RAM, but then ending up having a motherboard that cannot support the required power supply. It can be really disappointing.
Therefore, it is necessary for you to choose the most suitable motherboard. Fortunately, there are several types of motherboards available, and a layman might get confused while choosing one. Therefore, to help them we have compiled these seven reviews, along with a buying guide.
Before we share with you the reviews for the seven best motherboards which are compatible with i5 7600k, let us have a look at the buying guide.
Things You Know Before Choosing Gaming motherboard
You need to make a checklist for the following features before buying a motherboard for your gaming PC.
- Socket.
- Memory.
- Size of the motherboard.
- PCIe or GPU support.
- Budget.
- Required ports.
- The compatibility with CPU.
These are the mains, you might need to consider a few more such as the cooling systems etc. we have discussed each one of these in detail. Keep reading.
Sockets for CPU
It is the point where you will connect the processor or your PC. Currently, there are three types of CPU sockets, these are the LGA, PGA, and BGA CPU sockets. The most common ones are the LGA ones, and they are compatible with most of the processors by intel.
However, those thinking of an AMD processor must go with the PGA CPU socket.
In this article, we are helping you find a motherboard compatible with the i5 7600k processor, so most of these motherboards have the LGA socket.
Random access memory
The greater the RAM, the better a gaming PC would perform. Every gamer will wish for greater RAM. However, it entirely depends on the type of motherboard, if it is not built to allow a bigger RAM you cannot do anything about it.
You should consider two things for the RAM. First is the size of the RAM that can go with the motherboard. Then the number of RAM slots available. For an ideal gaming PC, 4 slots are the best, however, there are a few motherboards with only two slots, those are also great for beginners.
For the RAM size, it would be better to choose almost 16GB RAM capacity or more. Otherwise, running a powerful GPU would not be possible, and online gaming will be very difficult.
Form
The form or form factor of a motherboard is also important. Choosing the right one will help you place all the components properly. Currently, there are three types of form factors available. The most common and the most general design is the ATX. The other two are micro-ATX and Mini-ITX.
If you want more space, and can manage it properly, then you should go for the ATX form. If not then the other two would work for you. Make sure that you have done some paperwork before choosing the form factor for your PC.
PCI slots
Many people think that PCI slots are only for the graphic card, in fact, they are used for other cards too. Therefore having multiple PCI express slots is necessary. The favorite one for any gaming PC is the PCI-e x 16. An ideal motherboard will have almost four slots for the cards.
SATA
How can we ignore the storage? One must ensure that the motherboard he has bought is the SATA 3.0 which is the most compatible SATA connection for any kind of optical drive and storage drive.
Ports
For a fully functional professional gaming PC, you will need a motherboard that has all the necessary ports. One must check for the following ports, without these you might not be able to attach different output or input devices with the gaming PC.
- USB 3 ports.
- HDMI ports.
- USB 3.1 gen 2 ports.
- USB type-C.
- Audio ports.
- PS/2 ports.
- Thunderbolt ports.
Budget
You cannot just go out and buy any motherboard for your PC. Although motherboards designed for gaming PCs are expensive, one must have an idea about the price. There is no fixed price; however, you should know that making a gaming PC must not cost you as much as a ready-made gaming PC.
For a beginner’s PC the average price for the motherboard would be around 150 dollars, however, if you are a professional then you must have nearly 250 dollars to purchase a compatible motherboard.
The layout
Ask a beginner how important the layout is. Layouts and descriptions on a motherboard are far more necessary than a manual. If you want to have a motherboard that is self-explanatory so that one can easily identify where he should install which device, then you must look for the ones with labels.
Aesthetics
Many gamers wish to create a gaming PC for themselves only because they cannot have the mundane gaming PC available in the market. Thus, if you are planning an exciting and appealing gaming PC, then you must check for the RGB lights too.
9 best Gaming Motherboard For i5 7600k
There are many Motherboards that support Core i5 7600k Processor, but we’ve compiled the best ones for you.
MSI Enthusiastic intel Z170A MotherBoard
Why We Picked This Motherboard First From Our List Of The Best Motherboards For i5 7600k.
This one is for the big PCs, if you are planning to have a great setup without any limits, then you must pick this one. It comes with the 64GB RAM slot space so that you can easily install the maximum possible RAM size for your PC, even though not many gamers would need 64GB RAM but it would be more than enough, but there are four memory slots, and you can have RAM according to your need.
Making it a fine choice for the confused ones, who are starting off with having a motherboard first.
One thing which often confuses gamers while building a PC is the PCI-E slots. Worry not here you get three PCI-E 3.0 x 16 connections and four PCI-E x 1 connections. This sixteen-lane configuration would be a fine choice for the heavier GPU setup, and having three of them will enhance the ability of your PC. Then the 3-way crossfire 2 way SLI ready feature, makes it an ideal motherboard for Nvidia and other GPU set up.
Now coming towards the main CPU, it offers the LGA 1151 for intel 6th generation core, well, it might sound a bit confusing to anyone who is currently using a laptop with intel 10th or 11th generation process, it is not the case. For PCs, the 6th generation core would be just perfect. Moreover, it is supported with a Z170 chipset, which is again a great sign, to make the PC a fully efficient gaming PC.
Next for the power supply, it has the advanced ATX, which can handle all the advanced additions, which were not very common for the older motherboards.
Pros
- Very stable.
- Easy overlocking.
- Ideal for different types of RAMs.
- RGB lighting.
- User friendly lay-out.
Cons
- Not suitable for AMD.
GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS PRO Motherboard
Those wishing to have a motherboard that can handle a higher generation of processors can consider this one. It can support both the advanced 9th and 8th generation processors, which would be a fine deal for professional gamers and designers.
As far as the RAM is concerned, you can have the 4 DIMMs slots, offering you an opportunity to install RAM of almost 32GB without any issues. One thing which we really admire about it is the RGB layout so that you can boldly color it so that you can understand the settings and troubleshoot them easily.
Then there are the multiple heat sinks. These are pretty necessary for the gaming PC as you will be using a heavy GPU setup and processors. Increased temperatures can damage the setup, thus, these heat sinks will be a lifesaver. Moreover, it also has thermal guards with the M.2 connectors, making it an amazing choice for the gaming PC.
Connectivity would not be an issue, as it comes with the amazing and robust intel CNVi 802. You can easily set a Wifi connection. Next, you can easily connect the GPU setup as it has the PCIe 3.0 x 16 slots. Overall it is an amazing motherboard for the gaming PC.
Pros
- User friendly VRM designs.
- Amazing cooling system for the effeinet working.
- Supports all kinds of windows.
- No voltage regulation issues.
- The amazing and reliable audio system.
- Heat sinks with M.2 connectors.
Cons
- No CMOS button.
MSI Z390-A PRO LGA 1151 Motherboard
It is undeniable that MSI Z390-A PRO is also the best gaming motherboard for the i5 7600K processor, and here’s why.
A heavy-duty motherboard, which can easily support the octal and quad-core processors. The manufacturer says that you can go as high as 9th generation intel processors with it.
One thing, which makes it stand out is its amazing memory speed. You will not have to face any delays while playing online games. It offers a 4400 MHz memory speed, which is fine for a gaming PC. Once you have set the processors, you do not need to worry about the current delivery, turn the switch on, and the adequate amount of power would be supplied without any interruptions.
Next to the RAM, it has a dual-channel socket for the DDR4 RAM, and probably it is what all gaming PC makers would require. However, the dual-slot might disappoint the ones planning to have a larger RAM.
Another promising feature is the voltage regulator module, it is not the ordinary module, but the one with a heat sink. Providing intelligent cooling to the entire PCB. One of the features which every gamer would love is the GPU setup. It not only comes with the PCI-E gen 3 x 4 slots but also has these turbo M.20 slots which are capable of transferring data at a high speed, which is almost 32Gb/s.
Lastly, to prevent the graphic card from sagging it has PCI-E steel armor. Helping you make a very reliable and efficient motherboard for a gaming PC.
Pros
- You can use different types of storage devices such as SSD or HDD.
- Amazing audio supporting port. #reliable and efficient.
- User friendly layout.
- Compatible with different windows including windows 8.
- Lighting fast speed.
- Designed for gaming PCs.
- It has Built In POST speakers.
Cons
- The LAN connections are difficult to understand.
MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge Motherboard
This one is compatible with Windows 10, which is probably the most common operating system we all are using for the gaming PC. This one is also similar to the MSI Pro motherboard but with a few differences.
It has the same 4400 Mhz memory speed, which is essential when you are to connect heavy-duty GPU and processor. It has the LGA 1151 socket with an excellent and precise power supply; thus, you can have the latest Intel processors for this motherboard.
To support the GPU/ NVMe SSDs it has the M.2 connectors with thermal controllers. Additionally, these are four advanced PCI-e 3rd generation slots, which are enough to maximize your graphic processing unit, apparently the backbone for the gaming PC.
The extended heat sink makes it an all-time favorite for all the gaming PC developers, because no matter how many cooling units you connect with the PC, if the motherboard is not designed in a way to control the temperatures, then it would be a fruitless effort.
One additional feature, which you might not get in the other MSI motherboards is the color palette to match the motherboard with the exclusive look of your gaming PC.
For the RAM you can go as high as 64GB which would be the best thing for a professional gamer. These are DDR4 slots, which can support the advanced RAM type.
You do not need to worry about the power supply as it is ATX supported. Each section and part of the motherboard will get enough power without any fluctuations. Overall it would be the fine choice for any gaming PC, no matter if the beginners are using it or some professional gamer.
Pros
- No need to update BIOS.
- Can be used for Wi-Fi and ethernet both.
- Compatible with various types of processors.
- Ideal audio systems.
Cons
- A bit difficult to connect and install.
ASRock B365 PRO4 LGA 1151
Those who want to use their gaming PC for work as well, and their aim is to have a device that can be an all-rounder but in the budget, then this would be the ideal motherboard for such a PC.
Before we tell you what is fascinating about this motherboard, it would be better to have a look at what you might not get as advanced as others. The topmost thing is the memory speed, which is almost half of the MSI motherboard. However, it is pretty enough for beginners who do not want to install some heavy-duty items on their PC.
Even though the memory speed is not much but still, this amazing motherboard gives one an opportunity to have the 64GB RAM powered by a dual-channel DDR4 slot. It is undoubtedly a bit surprising.
Along with that, the LGA 1151 motherboard means that it is compatible with the latest generations of Intel microprocessors such as the 9th and 10th generations, and that is fair enough for any gaming PC.
Lastly, for the GPU setup, it comes with two PCI-e 3.0 x16 slots, which makes it an ideal motherboard for the various graphic processing units. The cherry on top is the compatibility with AMD Quad-core fireX.
The overall layout is not very impressive, but it is a pretty lightweight motherboard. Additionally, the temperature control is also on the average side, so you might not invest in the coolers afterward while setting the PC.
Pros
- Easy to set up BIOS required.
- Works fine with different processors.
- Can be upgraded whenever required.
- Portable and lightweight.
Cons
- The CMOS switch is on the wrong side, you will have to remove the video card for BIOS.
- The size is a bit small.
ASUS TUF Z390 Gaming Motherboard
If you are building your first PC, be it a regular or gaming PC, then this would be the best and most affordable motherboard for you. It can support the Intel 8th generation cores, which are compatible with any gaming PC.
Now coming towards the memory speed, well, if you are thinking from a beginner’s perspective who would be making his first PC, then the memory speed is just on point. It offers a 1000 Mhz memory speed, which feels a bit low, but it depends on the user’s needs.
One thing which would please anyone who does not want to upgrade the PC every now and then is the durability. TUF has been manufacturing these military-grade motherboards which would not stop working or damage any device that easily.
For cooling, it has the FanXpert 4 which would keep everything intact. It is not as powerful as the ones in the expensive motherboards, but for a beginners gaming PC, it would be more than enough.
Anyone building a gaming PC for the first time would wish to have it look according to his taste. This one can be personalized very easily with the built-in lighting setup. How can we ignore its gaming sound system, no gamer would ever enjoy his game without some fantastic sound support. Fortunately, this one comes with 8CH HD gaming audio for a crystal clear sound.
To enhance the efficiency it comes with the OptiMem II support, as it will make the motherboard capable of transferring all the data without any hurdles in the PCB layers.
Pros
- Enough memory slots for upgradation.
- Every connection is labelled.
- Good build quality.
- A durable motherboard.
- Supports LAN connectivity too.
- Amazing audio quality.
Cons
- The cooling system is not very impressive.
GIGABYTE H310M A Motherboard
Online gaming is not an issue when you have this motherboard at your back. It can easily support the LAN connections which are often required for online gaming for smooth sailing.
If you are planning to have the 9th or 8th generation intel processors then worry not it will easily support them. However you cannot use the latest octa-core processors with it, the regular quad-core or dual-core processors will work fine.
The smart fan 5 is a cool feature that will keep the machine working without damaging any connected device.
It is not the best for RAMs as it has dual-channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4 slots. These are not as great as the ECC ones but will work fine for a gaming PC which will be used only for regular online games.
For the storage, the SATA connections are all set and the best thing is that they are on the peripheral side. Thus, you can easily connect it with the HDD.
Pros
- Amazing audio quality.
- RGB seven colors layout for exciting display.
- Well labelled layout.
- Durable structuring and designing.
Cons
- It has only two fans, so it can be a bit risky.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best motherboard for core i7-7600?
The best motherboard for Core i7-7600 would be the MSI Enthusiastic Gaming Intel Z170A and the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS. These are for professionals and can be used for other processors too.
Is Core i7-7600 good for gaming?
Yes, it is a fine choice for mediocre gamers. However, the other generations which are more advanced than them are better.
Does the i7-7600k work on any motherboard?
Yes, it does. But for the i7-7600k processor, there is a limited variety.
Final word:
Hopefully, this list will help you choose the Best Gaming Motherboard For i5 7600k.
Without a compatible motherboard, you can never fulfill your dream of having a fine gaming PC. Selecting the suitable motherboard is pretty tricky, and for a layman, it would be a sort of research.
However, through proper guidance, one can find a perfect one. Anyone assuming that picking any random motherboard would work for him needs to go through the reviews and buying guide first.