Intel introduced its Alder Lake (12th generation) line of CPUs in Nov-2021 and closely followed that up with the release of the Raptor Lake (13th generation) a year later in Oct-2022. Both these CPUs use Intel’s latest LGA 1700 socket, a technological upgrade that supports PCIe 5.0 and compatible components.
As a result of this upgrade, Intel ensures that your PC is future-proofed, enabling you to use DDR5 RAM. Even though DDR5 RAM modules, in their current avatar, are expensive and don’t offer a considerable performance boost, manufacturers are just scratching the surface of its potential.
However, until that happens, PC builders and enthusiasts would agree that using DDR4 RAM modules is a great way to get more bang for your buck. The most unfortunate part about motherboards with the LGA 1700 socket is choosing which RAM module you intend to use.
DDR4 and DDR5 modules have different pin layouts, which require separate DIMM slots that aren’t interoperable. Popular motherboard models like the Z690 and Z790 (and others) offer variants that support one or the other. So, it would be best to ensure that you select a variant that’s compatible with DDR4.
Table of Contents
- LGA 1700 Motherboards and The Problem of Plenty
- Comparison of LGA 1700 DDR4 Motherboards (Intel 12th and 13th Gen)
- 1. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 – Our Choice
- 2. GIGABYTE B660 Gaming X AX – Wi-Fi 6E
- 3. MSI MPG Z690 Edge Wi-Fi DDR4 – USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2
- 4. ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX D4 – mATX Motherboard
- 5. ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming 4 – Budget
- 6. MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 – Versatile
- 7. ASRock B660M-ITX/ac – Mini-iTX Motherboard
- 8. ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 – Thermal Design
- LGA 1700 DDR4 Motherboards – FAQS
LGA 1700 Motherboards and The Problem of Plenty
When Intel launched its 12th-generation CPUs, manufacturers jumped at the opportunity and flooded the market with the Z690 chipset. They soon followed it up with the Z790 chipset, which offers more PCIe lanes and comes with an additional USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 port, among other enhancements. The choice was easy, and you would only have to consider which one fits the bill.
Several chipsets on the market currently feature an LGA 1700 socket, and selecting one is challenging. So, the sanest advice we can offer is to avoid choosing a chipset based on the model. Instead, you can just identify the features you want and select a motherboard that provides them. It is the best way to ensure you get what you need. Of course, with this article, we’ll explore the specific differences between the various motherboards.
Just to let you know, this is easier said than done, as there are several vital elements you need to consider when making this choice.
Before ensuring that the motherboard has an LGA 1700 socket and DDR4 RAM, select the correct form factor. While ATX motherboards are very common, you won’t want to buy a Micro ATX or Mini ITX chipset accidentally.
Next, look at the specifications to ensure the motherboard has PCIe 5.0 expansion slots if you intend to future-proof your PC. No PC build is complete without storage; most motherboards come with six SATA ports and three M.2 expansion slots for storage. Still, if you prefer M.2 storage for its speed, a motherboard with four M.2 slots will serve your need better.
No PC is complete without the right connectivity features. Apart from ensuring you have plenty of I/O ports for expansion, it would be best if you considered network connectivity. While most motherboards offer Wi-Fi 6E and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, some pocket-friendly chipset forego Wi-Fi to offer low-priced motherboards.
Comparison of LGA 1700 DDR4 Motherboards (Intel 12th and 13th Gen)
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5333+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.4 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4/x4) 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 Storage: 4x SATA 6Gbps 4x M.2 LAN: Killer E3100G 2.5GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 2x USB 2.0 Release Date: Oct-2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | GIGABYTE B660 Gaming X AX | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 4400 MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.2 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x1) Storage: 4x SATA 6Gbps 3x M.2 LAN: Realtek 2.5GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2x USB 2.0 Release Date: Feb-2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MSI MPG Z690 Edge Wi-Fi DDR4 | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5300+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.4 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 2x PCIe 3.0 x4 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 Storage: 4x SATA 6Gbps 4x M.2 LAN: Intel I225V 2.5GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 6x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2x USB 2.0 Release Date: Oct-2021 | Buy on Amazon |
 | ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX D4 | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: Micro ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5300+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.3 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 2x PCIe 4.0 x1 Storage: 6x SATA 6Gbps 2x M.2 LAN: Realtek 2.5GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 4x USB 2.0 Release Date: Jan-2023 | Buy on Amazon |
 | ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming 4 | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5300+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4) 3x PCIe 3.0 x1 Storage: 4x SATA 6Gbps 3x M.2 LAN: Giga PHY Intel® I219V Wi-Fi: No USB: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2x USB 2.0 Release Date: Dec-2021 | Buy on Amazon |
 | MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5300+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.4 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 1x PCIe 3.0 x4 1x PCIe 4.0 x1 Storage: 4x SATA 6Gbps 3x M.2 LAN: Realtek 2.5GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 4x USB 2.0 Release Date: Jan-2023 | Buy on Amazon |
 | ASRock B660M-ITX/ac | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: iTX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5000+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 2/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.4 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 Storage: 4x SATA 6Gbps 1x M.2 LAN: Giga PHY Intel® I219V 1GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2x USB 2.0 Release Date: Mar-2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 | Socket: LGA 1700 Form Factor: ATX Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Frequency: 5300+ MHz (OC) Memory Slots/ Channel: 4/Dual Video Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 1x DisplayPort 1.4 Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4) 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 Storage: 6x SATA 6Gbps 4x M.2 LAN: Intel® 2.5GbE Wi-Fi: Yes USB: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2x USB 2.0 Release Date: Oct-2021 | Buy on Amazon |
1. ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 – Our Choice
The Asus ROG Strix Z790-A motherboard combines convenient utility and appealing aesthetics with an efficient thermal design to offer an excellent gaming motherboard.
It features 16+1 power stages with robust chokes and capacitors rated at 70A, ensuring critical components like the CPU and RAM get enough power. In fact, it has enough power left over for RGB lighting and cooling components for your gaming needs.
The motherboard features many AI features, including overclocking, cooling, noise cancellation, and networking. It eases the tweaking process, and you can focus on high-performance gaming without worrying about gaming performance. However, if you prefer to tweak performance parameters, Asus allows you to fine-tune critical parameters to ensure a superior gaming experience with its AI Suite 3 and EZ Mode features.
Thus, you get a motherboard that effectively balances automation and customization.
- It has four M.2 slots for expanding storage expansion.
- The motherboard features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Excellent thermal design with heatsinks for VRM, chipset, and M.2 units.
- Thunderbolt header and PCIe 4.0 slots for Thunderbolt add-in cards.
- The in-built AI tools automatically tweak performance parameters.
- No 10GbE LAN despite the price.
2. GIGABYTE B660 Gaming X AX – Wi-Fi 6E
While the 600-series motherboards sport the LGA 1700 socket, each motherboard is unique in what they offer. A B660 motherboard has limited capabilities compared to the more versatile Z690 chipset. The B660 motherboards have fewer PCIe lanes, limited ports, and no support for CPU overclocking.
This B660 motherboard from Gigabyte is great if you want a pocket-friendly motherboard that supports the latest Intel CPUs and Wi-Fi 6E. Even though the motherboard doesn’t feature PCIe 5 expansion slots, the B660 Gaming X AX is an excellent gaming motherboard.
It has effective thermal handling, a well-planned power design, and internal connectors/headers for attaching RGB lighting, cooling fans, and add-in cards.
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 provide high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Price
- DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.1 support video output of 4K@60Hz.
- High-speed wired LAN with 2.5Gbps Ethernet card.
- M.2 and SATA slot for enhancing storage infrastructure.
- B660 motherboards don’t permit CPU overclocking.
- No Thunderbolt headers for add-in cards.
- You only get USB 3.2 Gen 2 with 10Gbps.
3. MSI MPG Z690 Edge Wi-Fi DDR4 – USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2
When buying motherboards, often there is a gap between ones that offer high-performance specs and ones with great utility. The MSI MPG Z690 Edge bridges that gap by combining the two.
On the performance side, the motherboard sports PCIe 5.0, an effective thermal design, and four DIMM slots for 128GB@5333+MHz. The motherboard also offers a 2.5GbE LAN connector, 7.1-channel audio, and AMD CrossFire for enhanced 3D rendering.
The MPG Z690 Edge is surprisingly affordable and offers many expansion options to build your PC. Where most other motherboards offer three, this motherboard from MSI offers four M.2 slots for storage expansion. You also get plenty of I/O ports on the rear panel and a comprehensive set of internal connectors and headers to customize your build.
- Affordable price
- It supports AMD CrossFire for superior 3D rendering.
- The USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 port facilitates faster data transfers.
- The 2.5Gb Ethernet provides high-speed network connections.
- The 7.1-channel sound provides a quality audio experience.
- The absence of Wi-Fi 6E is surprising, considering the competition.
- They have reported durability issues and complaints about bent motherboards.
4. ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX D4 – mATX Motherboard
The Prime B760M-A AX D4 is a compact motherboard with an mATX form factor, perfect if you want your PC to have a small footprint.
Apart from the mATX form factor, the motherboard conforms to the B760 chipset. So, you’ll have limited PCIe lanes and USB port capabilities. Moreover, it restricts CPU overclocking, so extracting that extra bit of performance from the processor isn’t an option.
But you do get PCIe 4.0, two M.2 slots, a 7.1 surround sound audio code, and a 2.5Gb Ethernet connector, making it a well-rounded motherboard that you can use for diverse applications.
- The mATX form factor helps save space, making it perfect for large offices.
- The 2.5GbE LAN connector provides access to high-speed networks.
- The 7.1 audio codec provides excellent sound quality.
- The four DIMM slots allow 128GB RAM overclocked at 5333+MHz.
- No Wi-Fi 6E
- The B760 motherboard specifications limit PCIe 5.0 lanes and the number of USB ports.
5. ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming 4 – Budget
The ASRock Z690 Phantom is a highly bare-boned motherboard, making it the most pocket-friendly Z690 chipset on the market. However, bare-boned also means you get a high degree of customization for the build and performance.
It is a Z690 motherboard, so you get all the essentials, including a PCIe 5.0 expansion slot, three M.2 slots, and the LGA 1700 socket. You also get Intel Xe graphics architecture and HDMI 2.1 for 4K@60Hz, so you won’t miss out on anything if you intend to use it for typical office work. But it would be best to expect only moderate capabilities from this modest motherboard.
It needs an extensive thermal design, and you won’t find heatsinks over the VRM, power phases, or M.2 heatsinks. The motherboard doesn’t have a Wi-Fi card, and the Ethernet connection only supports speeds up to 1Gbps, limiting network capabilities. But you get a dedicated M.2 (Key E) slot for connecting an M.2 Wi-Fi 6/6E card, so expansion is easy.
- Plenty of internal connectors, including headers for Thunderbolt, USB-C, fans, and water pumps.
- The PCIe 5.0 expansion slot provides high-performance data lanes.
- The 7.1 audio codec provides excellent sound quality.
- It supports AMD CrossFire for superior 3D rendering.
- It may be too basic for entry-level users and unsuitable for novice PC-building enthusiasts.
- No Wi-Fi and only 1Gbps Ethernet.
6. MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 – Versatile
The Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 has something for everyone, making it a comprehensive and versatile motherboard.
Besides the LGA 1700 socket and four DIMMs for DDR4 RAM, the Tomahawk ensures you get top-notch specifications with a PCIe 5.0 expansion slot, Wi-Fi 6E, and Gen4 M.2 slot for storage expansion.
However, it is a B760 chipset. So, on the one hand, it is a pocket-friendly motherboard; on the other, you’ll forego some capabilities, with CPU overclocking being the most significant.
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN provide high-speed network connectivity.
- Excellent thermal design that keeps the M.2 components cool.
- The USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 port facilitates faster data transfers.
- Good sound quality with a 7.1 channel audio codec.
- Price
- No CPU overclocking is available on the B660 chipset.
7. ASRock B660M-ITX/ac – Mini-iTX Motherboard
The Mini-iTX form factor is essential when you have limited space at your workstation. It is compact, yet it offers vital features that help to build a powerful PC to suit most needs.
The Mini-iTX motherboards don’t offer four DIMM slots for RAM modules. The B660M-iTX/ac is no different and has two slots for DDR4 RAM, which you can overclock to 5000+ MHz. You get M.2, PCIe, and SATA slots for expansion, but they are fewer considering the motherboard’s size.
Thus, the motherboard is perfect for large offices with space constraints, but you need to harness the power of the latest generation of Intel processors.
- DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 offer high-resolution video up to 8K@60Hz.
- The 7.1 audio codec provides excellent sound quality.
- The Mini-iTX form factor ensures a small footprint at the workstation.
- Plenty of internal connectors for easy customization.
- Below par network connectivity with Wi-Fi 5 and 1Gb Ethernet.
- Only one M.2 expansion slot for high-speed storage expansion.
8. ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 – Thermal Design
An efficient thermal design is critical for gaming motherboards as it keeps vital components from overheating. A gaming motherboard uses several heatsinks, specialized thermal padding, and heat pipes to dissipate the heat from key components like the CPU, RAM, and storage, allowing these components to deliver top-notch performance.
The ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming Wi-Fi D4 motherboard does this and adds a distinctive aesthetic element that gives the chipset a gaming vibe. The ATX form factor incorporates 16+1 power phases, four M.2 expansion slots, and video support for up to 8K@60Hz.
- The USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 port facilitates faster data transfers.
- DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 offer high-resolution video up to 8K@60Hz.
- Plenty of I/O ports for connecting peripheral devices.
- Four M.2 slots for easy expansion of storage infrastructure.
- Excellent thermal design for high-performance gaming
- You only get Wi-Fi 6.
- No internal connectors/headers for Thunderbolt.
LGA 1700 DDR4 Motherboards – FAQS
What is the difference between the Z-series, B-series, and H-series motherboards?
Intel has defined each series, keeping a specific need in mind. However, it must be said that no hard and fast rule compels you to conform to this role definition.
The Z-series motherboards are fully loaded chipsets that offer you complete freedom to customize your setup. You get CPU overclocking, extra PCIe lanes, and additional I/O ports, among other things. Suitable for gaming, the Z-series motherboards offer x8 DMI 4.0 channels in comparison to x4 for the B-series. You also get more PCIe 4.0 (and PCIe 3.0) data lanes and USB ports than H-and-B-series motherboards.
While the H-series offers the same number of SATA ports as the Z-series, the B-series offer just four, half of the Z-series.
In a nutshell, the B-series and H-series motherboards are pocket-friendly chipsets that offer limited capabilities compared to the Z-series. So, the B-series motherboards are suitable for large workplaces and offices requiring a reasonable price for high-performance PCs. And the H-series motherboards, with their limited I/O expansion capabilities, are ideal for home users on a tight budget.
Does the form factor of my LGA 1700 DDR4 Motherboard affect performance?
The form factor only governs the size of the motherboard. It is the specifications of the motherboard that determine the performance. For instance, many LGA 1700 DDR4 motherboards don’t offer PCIe 5.0 lanes. Or they may not offer premium features like Thunderbolt ports, Wi-Fi, or Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, but none of these have anything to do with the form factor.
That said, Mini-iTX motherboards are super compact and usually have only two DIMM slots for RAM modules, fewer than EATX, ATX, and mATX motherboards. Thus, RAM capacity is limited to 64GB, but the performance of the RAM remains unaffected.
Can I use a DDR5 RAM module on an LGA 1700 DDR4 motherboard?
The DDR4 DIMM slot is physically different from that of DDR5. Moreover, DDR5 is architecturally diverse from DDR4, so it’s not backward compatible, and you’ll need a different motherboard if you want to use DDR5 RAM.
Should I buy an LGA 1700 motherboard with PCIe 5.0 expansion slot?
If you want to future-proof your PC, consider investing in a motherboard with a PCIe 5.0 expansion slot. Apart from a few Network Interface Cards and SSDs, none of the components (add-in cards) use PCIe 5.0, so upgrading to such a motherboard offers no immediate benefit.
