The 12700K is the newest flagship high-end gaming CPU to come out of Intel’s extensive product line. It is a direct competitor to the Ryzen 7 5800X and has more cores and threads than its predecessor, in addition to an increase in its instruction per clock rate (IPC). The CPU is capable of supporting a variety of new technologies, the most notable of which are PCIe 5.0 and DDR5. Because it requires a new socket, the best motherboard for the i7 12700K will be a similarly innovative and interesting update when it comes out.
When there are so many products relating to Alder Lake released at the same time, it can be difficult to differentiate between those that are of high quality and those that are not. Because of this, you’ll be able to make an informed decision quickly and with less effort by following these instructions. Our choices are varied, and as a result, everyone should be able to find at least one outstanding recommendation for a mobo within these pages. Continue reading to find the best CPU for you, regardless of whether you’re interested in overclocking, hassle-free gaming, or saving money while still taking advantage of the latest technology.
1. Gigabyte Z690 AERO G DDR4
The i7 12700K is a productivity powerhouse that delivers outstanding multitasking to the mainstream. It is not quite as potent as the Ryzen 9 5950X, but it is still very powerful. The most recent iteration of the Aero board from Gigabyte is designed with the creative community in mind. It comes with a variety of ports ranging from fast to exotic, has enough cooling, and can even be overclocked. Although it does not have the most eye-catching design of the boards on the list, that was never the point of this product.
The Aero has a professional appearance, but in the right circumstances, it might still attract people’s attention. Its steel and black surfaces, which contrast with one another, are flat, and the only ornamentation they have are grooves and tiny streaks. Unless you use the headers to add some lights at a later time, the RGB functionality is replaced by color-changing strips that are located on the chipset heatsink and the I/O shroud.
The Aero G’s capacity for storage is a major selling point for the product. All four of the available slots for high-speed M.2 drives come equipped with sizable heatsinks, which is to be expected from Gigabyte. They are all compatible with PCIe 4.0, and three of them can fit even the longest SSDs. A total of 10 SATA ports are available, although you’ll only get access to eight of them if you don’t install a SATA-based disc in the final M.2 slot.
Since just the highest PCIe 5.0 GPU slot is covered, there is not an excessive amount of armoring like on Gigabyte’s gaming-oriented motherboards. This indicates that the RAM slots are standard as well, albeit improved to the point that they are able to accommodate sticks operating at 5333MHz.
Although VRM is not the primary focus of the Aero G, it performs admirably in this capacity. It is broken up into 16+1+2 phases, with the largest portion sending 70A to the 12700K each and every time. You don’t have to be concerned about the temperatures if you use the optional 4-pin EPS connector because it will allow you to clean up the flow. The heatsinks are deep and deeply grooved, which contributes to a welcome increase in the total surface area of the heatsinks.
Because there are eight headers that are connected to cooling, the temperature of the board and the area around it may be easily maintained. There are four that are solely devoted to the system fans, while the remaining two are hybrids that can also support the water loop components. Adding temperature and noise sensors on top of that will allow you to further customize the way that your cooling system is set up.
The motherboard features an onboard Thunderbolt connector as well as a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 header compatible with the most recent USB-C case designs. Debugging is available and takes the shape of a diagnostics tool with four LED lights, which is reasonable given the cost of the product.
The sleek white I/O board features a good number of clearly labeled connections. Vision-Link USB-C is the most exciting of the three because it functions as a video out in a manner analogous to that of Thunderbolt 4. The alternate connection for monitors is called HDMI 2.1, but DisplayPort 1.4 is likely to be preferred by artists. Other USB connections are less exciting but nonetheless serve a necessary purpose. Connectivity is handled by 2.5G Ethernet and WiFi 6, and the superior new ALC4080 codec is used for the audio stack.
2. Gigabyte Z690 AORUS MASTER
For multiple generations now, Gigabyte has used the word “Master” as a code word to indicate world-class overclocking. The Z690 model is an even greater improvement over its already remarkable predecessor, with the addition of a VRM that absurdly outperforms expectations and internet connectivity that is lightning quick. Nothing in the middle to upper price range comes close to the board in terms of its overclocking capability, despite the fact that it is cumbersome, cumbersome, and expensive. Do you want to set new benchmarks with your computer? If so, you should get this i7 12700K motherboard because it’s the best one available.
Black has been a recurring design motif for the Z690 generation, and the Master executes this idea really well. There is some good news, though, as the I/O shroud and chipset heatsinks also feature vibrant RGB zones that can be readily customized with RGB Fusion. With typical AORUS fashion, the motherboard has practically all of its exposed areas covered in armor. Because there is so little free space, you can get the impression that it’s a Mini-ITX. It is very possible that it may give Reinhardt from Overwatch a run for his money!
All of that additional weight is there to protect the components of the motherboard from excessive heat and to preserve the stability of the motherboard. The first M.2 slot is protected from overheating by its own tall heatsink, while four further slots are hidden beneath the much bigger component that connects them to the processor. The other slot, which is compatible with PCIe 3.0, can also handle Optane while the other four perform faultlessly with PCIe 4.0 drives. You’ll find reinforcement on everything from the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and the two 8-pin EPS connectors all the way down to the DDR5 RAM slots and everything in between.
Now we get to the exciting part: overclocking! The Master’s 19+1+2 digital phase arrangement is just one more indication of how adaptable this console can be. In addition to that, each of the VCORE phases outputs 105A! All of this adds up to a power delivery that is so excessive that the 12700K won’t even come close to utilizing it to its full potential. This is the purpose, as it reduces the amount of stress placed on specific phases and brings down the amount of heat produced.
Because of improvements to the heatsinks on the VRM, the heat that your CPU does generate is promptly absorbed into the rest of the chassis. Both contain several fin arrays that together exponentially increase the total surface area. One more thing to take into consideration is the heat capabilities of the steel backplate.
The Master makes overclocking and system monitoring even easier by providing clear CMOS and BIOS flash buttons on the I/O along with a two-digit error code readout located next to the ATX connector. In addition, the I/O is located in the same location as the connector for the ATX power supply. You have the ability to improve upon the already remarkable heat management capabilities of the board by using any of its ten headers, four of which are hybrid and can be used with both fans and water pumps.
Next up is the I/O, which features one of the most well-thought-out designs we’ve seen so far. The features include Aquantia’s provision of WiFi 6E and 10Gbps Ethernet connectivity. Nevertheless, two USB-C plugs and nine additional regular USB plugs are amazing in their own right. Gigabyte made a smart decision by delegating the responsibility of video output to a single DisplayPort, while the company spared no cost in gold plating the audio stack.
3. MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4
Since Intel’s B-series motherboards continue to become better with each new generation, we wouldn’t think twice about recommending one for some of Alder Lake’s most impressive components. The MSI B660 Tomahawk WiFi is the first product that comes to mind while considering this. In spite of its low cost, it offers the same degree of adaptability and dependability that the 12700K demands. You will not be able to manually overclock the chip on this one, but the vast majority of users won’t be bothered by this limitation.
MSI’s LGA 1700 Tomahawk motherboards feature a more professional design than previous iterations. The jumble of grey and white particles that you would encounter on their Ryzen equivalents has been replaced by a mostly black look with a brushed texture and scores of indented holes as the only decorative elements. This is in contrast to the Ryzen equivalents, which have a look that is predominantly grey and white particles. Additionally, there is no native RGB, which makes this board one of the stealthiest options currently available.
When compared to the more powerful Z690 boards, the B660 makes storage sacrifices. The fact that the Tomahawk comes with three M.2 slots, however, means that you are getting a better price than you did before. The one on top, which is located above the PCIe 4.0 x16 GPU slot, is the one that shares a lengthy heatsink with the other two, which are located near the bottom of the board. Although having six SATA plugs restricts you from using older drives, it does increase your flexibility once all three fast slots have been filled.
On the B660 platform, the Tomahawk has a very good VRM implementation, which is one of the best. It makes use of a six-phase controller that has two stages for each phase and is laid up in a 12+2 configuration. The power equation receives a contribution of 60A from each level. This configuration is adequate to keep the 12700K comfortable, despite the fact that it is not as developed as other, more expensive boards.
One of the more telling signs regarding the status of this board is the absence of a diverse range of internal connections. You can make use of five different cooling headers, but other than that, there is really little else you can do because there is only one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot and nowhere else to connect sensors or expansion cards. However, it does come with a USB-C port for the enclosure, in addition to an LED-based debugger.
On the other hand, we are rather content with the I/O located in the rear. In addition to the eight Type-A connectors, it also has a USB-C interface that can transfer data at 20 Gbps. There is no question about where you should connect your devices because four of them are USB 2.0 ports. The ALC1220 is used in the audio stack to ensure that the sound output is of good quality. You may connect to your monitor using the newest DisplayPort and HDMI connections, and you can stay connected to the rest of the world using both 2.5G Ethernet and Wifi 6.
4. ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi D4
The costs of constructing an Alder Lake system might soon pile up, particularly for early adopters who probably won’t be able to get their chips at the MSRP price. There are tactics you can employ to alleviate some of the strain on your wallet. For example, opt for a Z690 motherboard that not only supports DDR4 but also comes at a price that is not prohibitive. In a nutshell, that’s what the TUF Gaming Z690-Plus is all about.
The TUF line has been running strong for years, promising components with military-grade specifications at a price that is lower than that of the ROG and Strix lines. TUF boards are easily identifiable by the signature touch of yellow that is added to each one. This time, though, it is confined to the chipset heatsink, while the overall appearance of the board is predominately comprised of vast areas of black. Even the RGB is really understated. It is focused on the chipset heatsink and the eight edge, and it emits a gentle yet pleasing glow that does not compete with other sources, such as your RGB keyboard.
There is little doubt that ASUS has prepared for the increased power requirements of Alder Lake. The VRM consists of 14+2 phases, each of which supplies 960A to the CPU and an additional 160A to the SOC. This is on par with models from prior generations that were significantly more expensive and provides a solid foundation for overclocking the 12700K. The heatsinks that are associated with the component have not been altered. This is excellent news because the Z590 version included large ones that had two thermal contact points apiece as well as a large number of cutouts that facilitated more rapid heat dissipation.
When you consider that even the motherboard with the lowest price tag on the list has room for four M.2 slots, it is easy to develop a new appreciation for the benefits that Z690 delivers. All are PCIe 4.0 compliant! The abundance is continued with the adjacent lanes, which include one PCIe 5 x16 and four more PCIe 3.0 lanes that range in connection size from x16 to x4 to two x1 lanes. Unfortunately for SATA, there are only four ports available, although it is becoming increasingly clear that this limitation is losing its significance.
The number of options for internal headers is restricted but pertinent. The availability of seven related headers demonstrates that ASUS did not compromise on the cooling infrastructure. The enclosure comes equipped with both USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and if necessary, you can even put in a Thunderbolt add-in card.
The fact that the back I/O featured both 10 and 20Gbps USB-C was a pleasant surprise for us. HDMI and DisplayPort are not ideal connections, however, they are required because of the cost. Another requirement is a stable online connection, which can be attained with the assistance of WiFi 6 and 2.5G Ethernet. In addition to an optical S/PDIF output, the audio stack features an older codec that is yet of high-end quality. You might be disappointed that the BIOS flash button wasn’t included, but costs had to be reduced somewhere.
5. MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi
There are times when the most affordable i7 12700K motherboard is the one that ends up being the best option. This is the concept behind MSI’s newest Carbon WiFi motherboard, which approaches Hero levels of performance while saving you some money in spite of the generational price jump. The motherboard is as aesthetically pleasing and adaptable as it has ever been, it has adequate overclocking capabilities, and it provides sufficient storage to comfortably handle a significant portion of your Steam backlog.
MSI deserves praise for successfully implementing the carbon look while preserving the Z690’s signature black style. The combination of a matte black PCB and accents of dark grey carbon really drives the point home, and this becomes much more apparent once the LEDs are turned on. This allows the dragon and CARBON logos to light up, creating a beautiful glow over the board and throughout your system. MSI now provides three different standards ARGB headers for further upgrading, and for the fourth, they have formed a partnership with Corsair.
On paper, the VRM doesn’t appear to have the same level of excessive engineering as that of the Master or Hero. Despite this, the fact that there are 18+1+1 phases capable of producing 75W each phase is encouraging because this number is significantly higher than what the 17200K requires. This is yet another motherboard that provides two EPS ports for improved voltage management, and it does so in a variety of configurations. The Z590 variant of the Carbon has a more aesthetically pleasing cube pattern on its surface. The new solid metal chunks, on the other hand, have a greater weight to them.
The lower part of the Carbon skillfully blends various features that can be found in its competitors. AORUS armor comes to mind when considering the single huge heatsink that guards the processor as well as the four M.2 slots. On the other hand, thanks to ASUS, the drives now come equipped with miniature latches that can be rotated in order to secure them in place. In this location, you will also discover two shielded PCIe 5.0 x16 slots as well as a single PCIe 3.0 slot that operates at x4, both of which are suitable for expansion cards.
Our ranking of the best motherboards for the i7 12700K includes three different models, each of which is compatible with DDR5 memory. When it comes to the maximum supported RAM frequency, the Carbon comes out on top. Although it only has one slot, it is compatible with DDR5 memory running at 6666 MHz.
The Carbon has an abundance of internal connectors, beginning with eight headers that may accommodate a variety of fan and water cooling configurations. Upon closer examination, the circuit board displays a number of USB headers in addition to debugging and POST code LEDs. These come with a 10Gbps USB-C connector as well as two USB 3.2 Gen1 headers for the I/O on your case.
We are huge fans of well-organized I/O layouts, and MSI has really nailed it with the Carbon. Because every connection has a name, it is simple, for instance, to differentiate the USB 2.0 connectors from the plugs for more modern devices. One of the 10 ports is a USB-C port that supports 20Gbps. DisplayPort and HDMI are present on the board, and there is also a Q-flash button, which makes it easier to keep the motherboard in its most recent version. The high-end Realtek ALC4080 codec is utilized by the audio stack, which also features an optical S/PDIF out as an output format. Internet connectivity is finally available in the form of WiFi 6 and Ethernet running at 2.5 gigabits per second.
Conclusion
I really hope that the list that was just shown to you has helped you understand things better! I have included all of the greatest motherboards that are now available on the market from a variety of price points, whether they are at the very top of the value-for-money scale! The findings of the research are based on facts and data; nonetheless, despite the abundance of excellent options, making a decision can be fairly challenging.
If you are still having issues, I have one more piece of advice for you: the motherboard you choose should not skimp on the power delivery department, also known as the VRM ratings. The VRMs are in charge of delivering power to your processor, and the list contains the best motherboards for i7 12700K.
The specifications of the motherboard are all that concern the vast majority of people; however, I suggest that you look into the quality of the VRMs and the PCB layers in order to ascertain whether or not this motherboard will be a suitable choice for your needs.
I would suggest going for the Gigabyte Z690 AORUS MASTER Gaming motherboard if you still aren’t able to make a decision and if money isn’t an issue. This motherboard has all of the necessary features that are required to push this beast of a processor to its limits, so it is the best choice if you have the option.