The 11th Generation Intel Core i5-11600K is a good option for those in the market for a capable mid-range processor though the previous-gen of this CPU may be the better value. However, the 11600K is a six-core processor that features very strong single-core performance which makes it a very good processor for gaming and other productivity tasks. But to get the most out of this CPU, you will need to pair it with a good motherboard. As a result, we have created this helpful guide containing the best motherboards for i5-11600K.
Based on Intel’s TDP figures of the processor’s total power consumption, a motherboard with a capable VRM is important to ensure you get the best performance from the 11600k CPU especially if you plan to overclock it.
We have come up with this comprehensive list of motherboards for the i5-11600K based on their power delivery system, connectivity, and networking options as well as aesthetics. We have also considered the varying budgets and form factor requirements. So, do take a look and pick the motherboard that best suits your needs.
Best ATX Motherboards for i5 11600k
MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5333 | Expansion slots: 2 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16, x8/x8) + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4)| Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.6 | Rear USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel WiFi 6EKey Features
- Intel 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel WiFi 6E
- 14+2+1 VRM power delivery system
- Extended VRM heatsink for improved cooling
- MSI Mystic Light RGB
With a 14+2 stage power delivery system coupled with MSI’s core boost technology that offers stable power to the processor, the Intel Core i5-11600K is sure to perform exceptionally well in both the standard and overclocked cases especially if you can provide adequate cooling. A PWM heatsink also cools power components for better stability and durability.
Those looking to run the latest generation of graphics cards can use the single PCIe x16 slot wired with 16 of the newest generation PCIe lanes. An additional x16 slot is available for less bandwidth-heavy devices. For extra fast NVMe SSDs, you have the option of populating up to three M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 4.0 for up to 64Gbps transfer speeds.
Finally, for ports, we have a decent selection of USB 3.2 ports at the rear. Network options include high-speed 2.5Gb LAN and the latest Intel WiFi 6E that can support 6GHz bands for faster speeds.
ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5133 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16) +1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4)| Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2,2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6Key Features
- Intel 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6
- 14+2 VRM Phase Design
- Reinforced PCIe slots
- Included Thunderbolt Header
- ASUS Aura Sync RGB with four RGB headers
Asus’ TUF Gaming motherboards have long been known to offer a premium set of features in the mid-range segment, and the TUF Z590 does just that. The motherboard features an all-black look with a fair share of the TUF branding present on the VRM and chipset heatsinks.
The onboard power delivery system features the industry-leading Digi+ VRM with a 14+2 DrMOS power stage configuration identical to the ones found on the more expensive Strix and Maximus lineups and is sure to render the best performance out of your Intel Core i5-11600K.
The 16x PCIe slot on the motherboard also benefits from the TUF protection and is made to be more retentive and resistant to a GPU’s shearing force. You will only run a single GPU on the board since the other x16 slot has only four Gen 3 PCIe 3.0 lanes. For storage, you have three M.2 slots, out of which one supports PCIe 4.0 for high-speed SSDs.
The motherboard also comes with a range of connectivity options ranging from USB 3.2 ports to a Thunderbolt header. The Intel 2.5 Gigabit LAN and WiFi 6 networking are also what you would expect from a modern system.
GIGABYTE B560 AORUS PRO AX
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5133 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16) +1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4) + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x1)| Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2,1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 5x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Intel I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6Key Features
- Intel WiFi 6
- Intel 2.5GbE LAN
- Q-Flash for easy BIOS installation
- 12+1 Phase Power Design
- RGB Fusion 2.0
While Z590 motherboards may have a ton of additional features that may come in handy if you plan to run multiple GPUs or SSDs or need a ton of high-speed USB ports, the extra cost associated is seldom worth it for the average buyer. The Gigabyte Aorus Pro X is a premium motherboard that makes the best use of the B560 to offer a decent set of features for your Core i5-11600K.
Starting with a 12+2 phase power solution with each DrMOS power stage rated for 50A, you can be sure that your i5-11600K will perform exceptionally well under both stable and overclocked clocks. The motherboard’s thermal design is also quite good, with heatsinks for the VRM, chipset, and M.2 slots.
The top PCIe x16 slot supports a full 16 lanes of PCIe 4.0, while the bottom slot comes with only four, so you would be able to use only a single GPU with this board. A total of three M.2 slots, one with PCIe 4.0 and the rest with PCIe 3.0 or SATA connectivity, will allow you to hook up your motherboard with high-speed storage.
On the back, you get a decent selection of USB 3.2 ports and a Q-Flash port to update your BIOS without needing to add the processor and memory. Network options on the motherboard include Intel WiFi 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet, allowing you to achieve the best transfer and download speeds available.
ASUS ROG STRIX B560-A GAMING
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5133 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 (x16) +1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max. x4)| Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2,1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Realtek Ethernet, Intel Wi-Fi 6Key Features
- Realtek 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6
- 8+2 VRM Phase Design
- Reinforced PCIe slots
- Thunderbolt Header
- ASUS Aura Sync RGB with four RGB headers
Featuring a unique silver and black aesthetic, the ASUS ROG Strix is a premium B560 motherboard that is sure to be a favorite among PC builders. Beyond its looks, the motherboard also offers a decent power delivery system, ports, and expansion slots that make it a good choice for your Intel Core i5-11600K.
Starting with the power delivery system, the 8+2 DrMOS power stage system with an industry-leading Digi+ VRM should ensure you get good performance and stability from your processor. While overclocking may be possible, it would not be ideal given the lower number of power stages.
The motherboard comes with two M.2 slots, one of which supports the 64 Gbps PCIe 4.0 interface for use with the latest NVMe SSDs. The reinforced x16 PCIe slot comes with 16 lanes of the latest PCIe Gen 4 connectivity.
You have several USB 3.2 ports on the rear and a Thunderbolt header on the motherboard for connectivity. Intel’s WiFi 6 and Realtek 2.5 Gigabit ethernet are available for high-speed network connectivity.
ASROCK B560Steel Legend
Specifications
Form Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-4800 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16(max. x2)| Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Dragon 2.5Gb EthernetKey Features
- Dragon 2.5GbE LAN
- M.2 Key-E slot for WiFi
- 10 phase VRM power delivery system
- ASRock Polychrome Sync RGB
ASRock’s B560 Steel Legend is an excellent choice for those looking for a more affordable motherboard for their Intel Core i5-11600K without compromising much in terms of performance and features.
Equipped with a 10-phase DrMOS power delivery system, the motherboard offers enhanced performance and overclocking capabilities for your latest processor. Add to this the aluminum heatsink-based cooling solution for the power and SSDs, and you’ve got a motherboard capable of your needs.
You also get access to a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot that you can populate with the latest GPUs and three M.2 slots for use with high-speed SSDs. One of the M.2 slots features PCIe Gen 4.0 connectivity to enable you to use it with the fastest SSDs in the market.
Connectivity options include USB 3.2 and Dragon 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. You also have the option of adding WiFi to the motherboard via a separate M.2 Key E slot on the motherboard.
Best mATX Motherboard for i5 11600k
ASUS TUF Gaming B560M-PLUS WiFi
Specifications
Form Factor: mATX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5000 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 + 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16(max. x4)| Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Realtek 1Gb Ethernet, Intel WiFi 6Key Features
- Realtek 2.5GbE LAN
- Intel WiFi 6
- 8 +1 phase VRM power delivery system
- ASUS Aura RGB
- ASUS SafeSlot PCIe slot
Going with an mATX form factor and B560 chipset will net you the best savings without having to lose out on processor performance and features. We highly recommend the ASUS TUF B560M since it is one of the best B560 mATX motherboards and will be an excellent option for your Intel i5-11600K.
Utilizing 8+1 DrMOS power stages and a Digi+ VRM, the TUF B560M will undoubtedly be able to handle heavy workloads and give you a decent performance on stock settings. Overclocking might not be ideal considering the lesser power stages, but you should be able to get a bit more performance with some slight overclocking.
The PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is reinforced and can handle the heaviest of cards without any issues. The two M.2 slots present on the motherboard will allow you to add faster SSDs and feature a locking mechanism to restrain the attached SSD.
For connectivity, you get five USB 3.2 ports at the back and a Thunderbolt header on the motherboard. For networking, you have the option of Intel’s WiFi 6 and Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet.
Best ITX Motherboard for i5 11600k
ASRock Z590M-ITX
Specifications
Form Factor: ITX | Socket: LGA 1200 | Memory support: 2x DIMM, up to 64GB, DDR4-5066 | Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 | Video ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 | Rear USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA 6Gb/s | Network: Dragon 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel WiFi 6EKey Features
- Intel 2.5 GbE LAN
- Intel WiFi 6E
- ASRock Polychrome RGB
- 8+2 phase VRM power delivery system
For those looking to build an SFF PC with the Intel Core 15-11600K, the ASRock Z590M-ITX is an excellent choice, offering all the features you would need from a motherboard at this form factor.
Starting with the 8+2 DrMOS power stage system capable of handling up to 60A per stage, we are confident that the ASRock Z590M-ITX will handle even a powerful processor like the Intel Core i5-11600K with ease. The cooling system employed uses heatsinks with enough spacing to fit most CPU coolers in the market.
Being an ITX motherboard, you have access to only a single reinforced PCIe slot, which ASRock has equipped with a full 16 lanes of PCIe Gen 4 connectivity for use with the latest generation of graphics cards. Two M.2 slots are also available to use with high-speed SSDs, with one supporting the newest PCIe 4.0 spec.
You get access to Intel’s latest WiFi 6E and Dragon 2.5Gb Ethernet, with other connectivity options including several USB 3.2 ports at the rear. The board also sports a unique aesthetic with a black and silver design and has two RGB headers for case lighting.
Final Thoughts
While the Intel Core i5-11600K offers solid performance, it is not that much of an improvement over the previous generation. But whether you go with this gen or a previous one, identifying a capable motherboard can help you achieve the best performance out of the processor. Hopefully, this list of i5-11600K motherboards helps you to make the right choice.
