Best
Intel LGA 1700 motherboards Windows Central 2022
Getting the best performance from the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors means you need the best Intel LGA 1700 motherboard. Our roundup of Z690 chipset boards has the best selection for your Alder Lake CPU, from money-saving budget options to high-end premium performance and a mix of memory options.
Best overall: MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi
Staff pick
An incredible package for a fair price, the MPG Carbon Wi-Fi is the best value for money LGA 1700 motherboard. Super easy overclocking software built into the BIOS means you can push your Alder Lake chip to its limits. On top of two PCIe Gen5 slots and five M.2 sockets, it has DDR5 memory and Wi-Fi 6E support. A killer board at an alluring price from MSI.
If you don’t mind dropping to Wi-Fi 6 instead of 6E, then the AORUS Pro is a great alternative. Still supporting DDR5 memory and sporting four M.2 sockets, this is another board well suited for overclocking with a strong VRM. Coupled with 13 USB ports total, the AORUS Pro makes up for small losses in other areas.
Compact contender: ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-I Gaming Wi-Fi
Jamming as many features as possible into a Mini-ITX form factor, ASUS includes Wi-Fi 6E, a PCIe 5.0 slot, and two M.2 sockets into this fully fledged board. Even more impressive is the inclusion of two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, giving you access to faster-than-ever external storage devices. Standing tall next to its larger counterparts, this is an incredible compact motherboard.
Even on a budget, you can pick up a great motherboard like the PRO Z690-A. DDR4 memory support on this MSI board means potentially saving more cash by sticking with RAM you might already own, splashing out on the Alder Lake CPU instead. Including onboard Wi-Fi 6 support, four M.2 sockets, and a USB-C port, it’s a capable board that would handle the latest Intel processors without issue.
Premium performance: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula
Go big or go home, right? The ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is the king of the enthusiast motherboard hill. With a plethora of support for overclocking to an extreme degree, ASUS has included robust heatsinks to help keep your rig from melting. Onboard Wi-Fi 6E, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, five M.2 sockets, and a 10Gb Ethernet port make for an ultra-fast board. The Formula is a board for extreme gaming.
Building a new computer to take advantage of the latest generation of Intel processors begins with the motherboard. Alder Lake chips get along just fine with any of our Z690 boards, with the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi coming out on top as the best overall choice.
If you want to push your rig to its limits, then the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is one of the best motherboards available. It will handle almost anything you throw at it today and for the foreseeable future of Intel LGA 1700 socket technology.
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