Search for a 13700k DDR4 or DDR5 motherboard.
Search for a 13700k DDR4 or DDR5 motherboard.
Consider your options carefully. The Z790 and DDR5 are worth thinking about, but the Z690 could also be a solid choice. DDR4 might be a safer bet if you're unsure. Prices for high-end boards in your area can exceed €300, so it's important to weigh cost against performance. What matters most is matching your needs with a reliable build.
Performance gaps between DDR4 and DDR5 are still minimal at the moment, so stick with DDR4 and be happy. When prices fall again in a couple of years and DDR5 really takes off... it might be worth considering later. By then you could explore Intel's 15th or 16th generation upgrade options, though how many actually make use of them? I've only used them once in 35 years of building PCs. The 8700K model was replaced by the 9900k. That’s about it.
I chose this setup and I feel no regret so far. The processor model is i7-13700KF priced at $422, and the graphics card is Skill S5 6000 CL32/38/38/96 for $209. Prices can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-RipJaws-2...B09Y1FMSWS MSI MPG Z690 EDGE Wi-FI DDR5 ($279).
Reasons for selection:
1. Most games I play are CPU-intensive before GPU, so faster RAM seems beneficial.
2. Benchmarks show DDR4 performs worse than Ryzen 7000/5800X3D in both mid and high-end GPU tests (including RTX 4090).
3. Upgrading from the 3080 will likely push performance past RTX 3090ti soon.
4. The price gap between 32GB DDR4 kits and DDR5 6000 options is minimal—around $100. Considering overall costs, the difference isn’t huge.
5. I needed to replace my existing RAM anyway, even if I switched to DDR5 5600, some listings suggest it could cost $50 more.
6. The motherboard price varied slightly between DDR4 and DDR5 versions, but not dramatically.
I considered a different board with MSI Z690-A W-iFi DDR5 for less, but I opted for the listed one because it matched my aesthetic needs. I’ll share updates on Saturday or Sunday. That’s when everything arrives!
You might want to keep your existing 3200MT+ DDR4 RAM, but if not, consider switching to DDR5 which can be reused for future upgrades—opt for a 6000MT+ CL36- type.
It really comes down to the price. If DDR5 is only slightly pricier than DDR4, opt for DDR4. Otherwise, choose DDR4.
It seems you're asking about a gigabyte board you were interested in. Could you clarify what you mean? Are you referring to a specific product, a project, or something else? Let me know so I can help!
It was a real challenge for memory compatibility, and few Gigabyte boards were listed on Skill's QVL site. The situation got even trickier with the upgrade path. I had to switch from H150i to 13700KF, then Deep Ass 3 to 10900KF, and finally IDCOOLING SE-224-XT down to 8700K. Eventually, I moved to a stock Intel cooler, i5-11400F. In the end, I’ll be replacing my daughter's i3-8350k. I’ll need a lot of paste application—though I didn’t mean to throw everything away. We tend to focus too much on ourselves, and sometimes we overlook that. I don’t know what prices are in your area, but if DDR5 costs more than 50% more than DDR4, it probably isn’t worth the effort. Still, if you’re considering AMD’s new products, you’d need DDR5 regardless.
Gigabyte boards’ software and compatibility options aren’t great. It’s better to invest a bit more upfront for an ASUS model. The three boards under consideration were Asus Strix B650E (gaming) at $350, Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite at $230, and MSI B650 Tomahawk at $270. The MSI board was immediately dismissed. MSI Zen 5 boards are extremely overpriced for the value they offer. I usually prefer MSI for their good balance but this generation feels like a waste. The MSI Z690 boards (Alder Lake/Rocket Lake) are excellent for the price range, though at $270 you’re limited to just the B650 model—no B650E with PCIe 5 on GPU and SSD. It includes a 6-layer PCB, 14 60A power stages, regular Wi-Fi 6 with an antenna protruding from the back, no tool-free NVME removal, a dedicated PCIE slot, quick-release latch, and a dedicated antenna. The BIOS/software support is solid, and the build quality is impressive. For $270 you get only the B650, but it’s much better spec-wise. The Gigabyte option at $230 offers an 8-layer PCB, 14 70A power stages, Wi-Fi 6E, a dedicated antenna, no NVME removal, a dedicated PCIE slot with quick-release latch, and a toolless design. The BIOS is solid too. While the ASUS model is pricier, it’s much more detailed and features a PCIe 5 on GPU + two SSDs, which is a big plus. But overall, the Gigabyte board at $230 seems like the most interesting choice.