Best Motherboards for i5-11600K

Atif Liaqat | Last Updated On July 19th, 2022

Intel Rocket Lake processors were released in Q1 2021, providing up to 20% improved performance compared to Comet Lake processors. The Core i5-11600K is a mid-range processor from the 11th-generation Core-series processors and comes with six cores and twelve threads. Intel has released the 500-series motherboards for this generation, with the Z590 chipset being the flagship chipset, followed by H570, B560, and H510 chipset. The Z590 chipset can overclock the unlocked motherboards, while in 500-series chipsets, B560 and H570 motherboards can overclock the memory but not the processor. Since 400-series chipsets use an LGA-1200 socket, you can use H410, B460, or Z490 chipset motherboards with this processor, too; however, you won’t be able to get the latest features such as PCI-E 4.0 while using these chipsets. In this article, we will look at some of the best motherboards for i5 11600K that can prove to be a viable suitor to this latest processor.

Quick Motherboard Recommendations for i5 11600K

Award Model Price
Most Expensive Motherboards for i5-11600K ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-E Check Price Read Customer Reviews
Least Expensive Motherboards for i5-11600K ASRock B560 Steel Legend Check Price Read Customer Reviews
Smallest Motherboards for i5-11600K GIGABYTE Z590I AORUS Ultra Check Price Read Customer Reviews
Best Motherboard for an Intel Core i5-11600K ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi 6 LGA 1200 Check Price Read Customer Reviews

Quick Buying Tips!

Shopping for a motherboard is a troublesome task once you get to know the number of various motherboard models and check their specifications. That is why we have created this buying guide for those who cannot differentiate between various motherboards and need help selecting the best motherboard for Core i5-11600K.

Chipset: The first thing you should decide is the chipset of the motherboard. Various motherboard chipsets have distinctive capabilities. The Z-series motherboards are capable of overclocking the processor and memory. The B-series chipsets are mainstream budget chipsets that provide basic functionalities and good-quality I/O features. The H-series chipsets are slightly cheaper than B-series chipsets and include lesser I/O features. Both the B-series and H-series chipsets were incapable of overclocking the processor and memory, although Intel has enabled memory overclocking on the latest B560 and H570 chipsets. This guide will help you how to check if your CPU is overlocked.

Close up of a chipset heatsink on motherboard

I/O Features: The I/O features of a motherboard are among the basic requirements of a user. A motherboard comes with many rear I/O ports such as USB ports, LAN ports, display ports, and audio ports. Some motherboards come with fewer ports for cost savings, while high-end motherboards come with the latest ports, and the number of ports is higher than budget motherboards.

PC build by 2019

Exclusive Features: Many manufacturers provide unique features in their motherboards these days to get an edge over competitors, and these features matter a lot to enthusiasts. Sometimes, these are the only differences between some motherboard variants, which is why you must pay attention to the exclusive features of a motherboard before finalizing a product. For instance, some motherboards come with small OLED displays on them for diagnostic and statistical purposes, which not only help the user but also look fantastic.

So with that out of the way, now you have a good idea about the basic components in the motherboard and the most necessary features, so let’s get down to our list where I’ve featured three motherboards including the one, I believe, is the best for your Core i5-11600K.

Best Motherboards for i5 11600K Reviews

ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-E

Most Expensive Motherboards for i5-11600K

Need to go a little further, further than you’ve ever gone before? Well with the ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-E you can, even for your mid range Intel Core i5-11600K. It looks better than most typical motherboards and performs just as well. But before you start buying, start saving first, as this one isn’t cheap. 

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  • Chipset
    • Intel Z590
  • Form Factor
    • ATX
  • Memory Slots
    • 4
  • Memory Speed
    • DDR4 5333 MHz (OC)
  •  Maximum Memory
    • 128 GB
  • M.2 Slots
    • 4
  • USB ports
    • 6 x USB 3.2 Type A (Rear, Gen1 and Gen 2)
    • 2 x USB 3.2 Type C (Rear)
    • 2 x USB 2.0 Type A (Rear)
    • 1 x USB 3.2 Type C (Front)
    • 2 x USB 3.2 Type A (Front)
    • 4 x USB 2.0 Type A (Front)
  • Connectivity
    • 2 x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet
    • 2×2 Tri-Band Intel Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac/ax/az + BT5.2 (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
  • Dimensions
    • 13.5 x 10.75 x 3.03 inches

Review

An 11th generation i5 is no joke. Therefore, it’s reasonable to desire a high-end motherboard to go along with it, especially one that provides more future-proof features. For this situation, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-E is an amazing choice.

It’s a high end motherboard with enough features to guarantee future upgrades from your current medium-level build, into a high-end build, in no time. (provided that you gather the other necessary parts, of course)

As it is the case with many expensive motherboards, the aesthetics are top notch. I just love the overall design and layout. Although the layout looks a little more messy, mostly owing to the fact that they didn’t use larger heatsinks, it is still a very beautiful motherboard. Despite its lack of integrated RGB, it makes up for in function and overall finish.

Speaking of functions, this mobo has some awesome specs, there’s support for NVIDIA 2-way SLI. Sorry, there’s no Crossfire support. There’s Wi-Fi and bluetooth along with 4 M.2 slots, 4 DIMMS and a 14+2 power stage. If this won’t impress your i5-11600K, then nothing will.

What We Like
Performance - The specs are awesome, maybe a bit overkill for an i5 but you can always upgrade to an i7 without changing motherboards. The environment is very safe for overclocking so you will be able to fully utilize the unlocked Core i5-11600K. In terms of raw performance this is going to be the best mobo that matches your CPU.
Aesthetic - Future-proofing and high-performance features aside, this mobo looks cool, so it’s hideous-proof as well. The Aura Sync capabilities and the iridescent ROG logo are very nice additions. Sometimes it might conflict with a different color scheme but other than that, this motherboard is perfect for showcasing your sick DIY liquid cooling builds. 
Know Before Buying
Price - This mobo is a little pricey so unless you’re a serious content creator or competitive gamer, I wouldn’t recommend this. Budget gamers, beware of this motherboard, you can do a lot better with the meager sum in your hands.
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ASRock B560 Steel Legend

Least Expensive Motherboards for i5-11600K

A more viable option for the i5-11600K. Don’t be fooled by it’s affordable price tag, the ASRock B560 Steel Legend, actually lives up to it’s legendary status. The specs are good enough for most budget builds while still providing lots of breathing room to upgrade to a later stage. For gamers, this is a solid investment.

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  • Chipset
    • Intel B560
  • Form Factor
    • ATX
  • Memory Slots
    • 4
  • Memory Speed
    • DDR4 4800+ MHz (OC)
  •  Maximum Memory
    • 128 GB
  • M.2 Slots
    • 4 (including one Key-E for Wi-Fi)
  • USB ports
    • 4 x USB 3.2 Type A (Rear)
    • 1 x USB 3.2 Type C (Rear)
    • 1 x USB 3.2 Type C (Front)
    • 2 x USB 3.2 Type A (Front)
  • Connectivity
    • Dragon 2.5 Gigabit LAN
    • Key-E Wi-Fi from M.2 slot
  • Dimensions
    • 14 x 11.8 x 2.8 inches

Review

This mobo has got some good specs, especially for a budget build, we are looking for a suitable mobo for an 11th gen Core i5, so it’s not actually entry-level but, relative to the other two mobos, this is the cheapest you’re gonna have to get.

The design is all over the place and it looks very messy, but there’s beauty in the chaos. The snowy camouflage theme really stands out. It’s a very bold move by ASRock and although this motherboard won’t cooperate with different color schemes it will however shine bright with the perfect one. The added RGB is nice but with this winter theme looking thingy, I don’t see them being a good match.

Considering the specs however, I love it! These are perfect for an entry level while at the same time it has enough features to be upgraded into a mid-level build as well. Although there’s no direct mention of SLI/Crossfire integration there are 2 PCIe x16 slots. Just make sure you size up a good enough PSU.

This motherboard also provides a good environment for overclocking as there’s good power efficiency and Intel XMP profile support.

Overall, this is my second best motherboard on this list as it’s affordable and consists of many of the key features I’m looking for in an 11th gen i5-based build.

What We Like
Price - The price is really a good bargain. Relative to the i5 and the other specs you will want to incorporate into such a mid-level PC, this is a very viable motherboard. Although it’s not actually entry level, I highly recommend this mid-level motherboard for anybody trying to start off with the i5-11600K.
Performance - The overall performance is good enough and the features are so versatile that it will stand strong, even if you decide to upgrade to an i7. Even if it won’t be the best for content creators and professionals, it is still a worthy entry for the typical gamer.
Know Before Buying
Aesthetics - The aesthetics look a bit weak in my opinion, the RGB is not properly integrated and the winter camo theme is just not my style. This color scheme makes it very difficult to incorporate multi-colored themes into your PC. If pleasing the eyes is something that is important to you, you might want to reconsider.
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GIGABYTE Z590I AORUS Ultra

Smallest Motherboards for i5-11600K

A Mini-ITX for your mid-range build, it’s not the most ideal but it's capable enough. The GIGABYTE Z590I AORUS Ultra packs a lot of key features inside the small Mini-ITX form factor. It’s perfect for those minimalist builds or if you want to make some extra room in your case.

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  • Chipset
    • Intel Z590
  • Form Factor
    • Mini-ITX
  • Memory Slots
    • 2
  • Memory Speed
    • DDR4 4600 MHz (OC)
  •  Maximum Memory
    • 64 GB
  • M.2 Slots
    • 2
  • USB ports
    • 5 x USB 3.2 Type A (Rear)
    • 1 x USB 3.2 Type C (Rear)
    • 2 x USB 2.0 Type A (Rear)
  • Connectivity
    • Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX200
    • Intel® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbit/1 Gbit/100 Mbit)
  • Dimensions
    • 9.25 x 8.94 x 3.74 inches

Review

I just had to include a Mini-ITX, it’s almost tradition at this point. From many of my recent experiences with motherboards there’s one thing I’ve learnt: size doesn’t equal performance (or even price for that matter). The GIGABYTE Z590I AORUS Ultra has enough capability to power your i5-11600K with ease.

In terms of aesthetics I’m having mixed feelings, the layout is messy but the heatsinks look cool enough so it’s kind of 50/50 for me. The black color is perfect for most builds and the RGB will enhance anything you throw at it.

What We Like
Performance - Overall, this motherboard is good for a Core i5-11600K. You won’t get to build those ultra high end rigs without 4 DIMM slots but it’s good enough for mid-level gaming.
Know Before Buying
Price - As it is the case with many of these Mini-ITX mobos, the price is a little on the “ouch” side. So don’t expect budget prices from this. It’s used for an 11th gen Core i5-11600K, so for budget gamers, I do not recommend it. 
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ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi 6 LGA 1200

Best Motherboard for an Intel Core i5-11600K

Oh I’ve seen this one before. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus is an amazing choice, it’s also been my go-to-favorite motherboard for the i7-10700K. If it’s good enough for a previous gen i7, it's almost as good enough for a newer generation i5-11600K. Highly recommend this for either of those CPUs.

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  • Chipset
    • Intel Z590
  • Form Factor
    • ATX
  • Memory Slots
    • 4
  • Memory Speed
    • 5133 MHz (OC)
  •  Maximum Memory
    • 128GB
  • M.2 Slots
    • 3
  • USB ports
    • 2 x USB 2.0 Type A (Rear)
    • 5 x USB 3.2 Type A (Gen 1 and Gen 2, Rear)
  • Connectivity
    • Intel® Wi-Fi 6 incl Bluetooth
    • 2.5 Gb Ethernet, TUF LANGuard
  • Dimensions
    • 13.31 x 10.74 x 2.68 inches

Review

A solid contender and a previous champion. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus has most of what you are looking for, it’s the perfect balance to set you off on your gaming journey. It is also one of the best motherboards for i7-10700K.

Considering the specs on this motherboard, there’s three M.2 slots, 6 SATA ports, more than enough USB ports, Wi-Fi, bluetooth, support for onboard graphics, the signature Optimem II; that reduces memory lag and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot with another that’s 3.0. These are more than enough for a basic setup and the chipset is good enough to support overclocking as well.

What We Like
Versatility - There’s lots of connectivity options and a lot of storage ports. The three M.2 slots are adequate for most gamers and there’s 6 SATA III ports as well. Overall, this motherboard has a lot of versatility for future upgrades.
Aesthetic - I love the shark-fin Wi-Fi antenna and the Aura Sync RGB options. The layout is a little messy but it’s ASUS, not MSI, both have different styles and this ASUS TUF gaming motherboard has acclaimed it’s own identity. Besides, unlike the ASRock B560 it goes with most of the various color schemes you might set up for your PC.
Know Before Buying
Price - This motherboard is almost as expensive as the CPU itself, and that is one of the red flags I look out for, I prefer the motherboard to be less expensive because I base everything on the CPU and GPU so, if you can’t afford this, don’t worry, there’s the ASRock B560 that’s uglier but cheap.
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Conclusion

Most Expensive Motherboards for i5-11600K
ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-E
Check Price
Least Expensive Motherboards for i5-11600K
ASRock B560 Steel Legend
Check Price
Smallest Motherboards for i5-11600K
GIGABYTE Z590I AORUS Ultra
Check Price

Intel Core i5-11600K is the latest i5 processor from the Blue Team, having six cores and twelve threads. The processor uses an LGA-1200 socket and is compatible with 400-series and 500-series motherboards. Since it is a K-series processor, it is overclockable, and thus it is best suited with a Z-series motherboard. The Z590 motherboard is the flagship motherboard chipset for this processor, while the B560, H570, and H510 chipsets are cheaper. Learn how to check how many CPU threads you have here.

The B460 and H410 chipset motherboards are the cheapest motherboards compatible with this processor, although 400-series motherboards do not provide the latest features such as PCI-E 4.0. For those who do not wish to overclock their processor, the B460 or B560 chipsets will suit them while for overclockers, the Z590 or Z490 chipset motherboards are best for them.

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