All 12th generation Intel Core processors support DDR4 or DDR5 memory. So, when choosing a motherboard, you will need to decide. DDR5 and PCI Express 5.0 standards will keep you afloat longer. Looking to the future sounds like a slogan .This article contains the best motherboards for Intel Core i5-12400F, 12500, 12600K. In each, the quality of the power supply systems is at its best, it will even pull out the Intel Core i7-12700KF. You can enable sorting “expensive on top”, but the motherboard is more expensive than the processor and video card – this is overkill.

best Motherboards for Intel Core i5-12400[F] and 12500

MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI

• Compatibility: 12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron for LGA 1700 socket;
• Connectivity: Realtek RTL8125B-CG 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6E CNVi based on Intel (with Bluetooth 5.2);
• Power supply system:  12+1+1 phases according to the “Dual” scheme. Terminal – 8-pin block EPS12Vx2;
• Construction: Large aluminum heatsinks, VRM, plus all M.2 ports (Shield Frozr);
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, three M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 4.0 x16.

This board is available with DDR4 – 4800MHz or DDR5 – 6200MHz memory, up to 128GB. Provides good value for money. The processor is powered by a pair of 8-pin 12V inputs. Graph. interfaces: PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 x16, and the new PCI Express 5.0 is not announced …

ASUS ROG STRIX B660-A Gaming WIFI

• Compatibility: 12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron for LGA 1700 socket;
• Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX201 and Intel I225-V 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard support;
• Power system:  2+12+1 phases with durable capacitors and ProCool power connectors;
• Design: two aluminum radiators, side with plastic, plus a chipset and two M.2;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, three M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 5.0 x16.

To a greater extent, the motherboard is designed for mid-range processors. For the money you get a premium audio codec, quality power, Wi-Fi 6, three M.2 connectors. It has a USB port that supports fast charging. 6000 MHz DDR5 memory or DDR4 model.

MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI

• Compatibility: Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron 12th generation for socket LGA 1700;
• Connection: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX211 adapter (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and Realtek RTL8125 (2.5 Gb);
• Power system: made according to the scheme 12 + 1 + 1. Seven channels on the top and six channels on the side ;
• Construction: The VRM section has its own two separate heatsinks, plus chipset and M.2 slots ;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, two M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 4.0 x16.

The form factor of this Micro-ATX motherboard with dimensions. Here you can put a processor from i5-12400F to i7-12700KF, on the junior Intel logic set. No interface support for future PCIe 5.0 graphics cards. But a model with DDR5 memory (frequency up to 6200 MHz).

ASUS ROG STRIX B660-G Gaming WIFI

• Compatibility:  12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron for LGA 1700 socket;
• Connectivity: Intel (Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax), 2.5G Ethernet controller from Intel, ASUS LANGuard;
• Power system: 12 + 1 + 2 circuit, high-quality chokes and durable capacitors ;
• Design: two separate VRM heatsinks, as well as two integrated M.2 heatsinks;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, two M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 5.0.

The perfect combination of small size and features. It should be noted the quality of the CPU and MOSFET power supply system. There will be no problems with overclocking DDR5 RAM. It is worth noting a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, two M.2 with PCIe 4.0 x4 data transfer protocol and a lot of USB 3.2.

Best Motherboards for Intel Core i5-12600K and i7-12700K

ASUS Rog Strix Z690-F Gaming WIFI

• Compatibility: 12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors (Alder Lake);
• Connectivity: Intel I225-V (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet), Intel WIFI 6E AX210 (plus 6GHz), Bluetooth 5.2;
• Power system: 16 + 1 + 2 circuit, durable capacitors and high-quality chokes ;
• Design: massive VRM heatsink, chipset, and three built-in heatsinks for M.2;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, four M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 5.0.

Here you can put not only Intel Core i5-12600KF and i7-12700K, but also i9-12900KF. Implemented a convenient removal of the video card – a special button that lowers the latch of the video card. One of the features of the ASUS board is compatibility with LGA1200/115x coolers.

MSI MPG Z690 Force WIFI

• Compatibility: Supports 12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron processors;
• Connectivity: Intel I225-V (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet), Intel WIFI 6E AX210 (plus 6GHz), Bluetooth 5.2;
• Power System: Direct phase 18+1+1 circuit, two 8-pin CPU connectors;
• Design: large heatsink with heatpipe, plus thermal pads on chokes;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, five M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 5.0 x16.

Thanks to the flagship power subsystem, it will perfectly pull the top models of processors. Also supports SLI, but then the top two PCIe slots bisect the x16 Gen5 lanes. As befits MSI motherboards, a new generation of sound and proprietary software are available.

GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS PRO

• Compatibility: Support for 12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron processors;
• Connectivity: Intel 2.5GbE LAN, Intel WIFI 6 802.11ax 2T2R and Bluetooth 5 with AORUS antenna;
• Power system: reliable VRM with advanced digital power subsystem 16+1+2;
• Construction: Fully enclosed thermal design with VRM heatsinks, chipset and M.2;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, four M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 5.0.

DDR5 motherboard with 2.5 GbE and built-in Wi-Fi 6e and updated look. It has 20 USB ports of various types (including two USB 3.2 Gen2 × 2, 4 USB 3.2 Gen2 and 6 USB 3.2 Gen1). We have a common model with DDR5 memory, it supports from 4800 to 6200 MHz.

Biostar Z690 Valkyrie

• Compatibility: Fully supports all latest 12th generation Intel processors;
• Connection: Intel 2.5GbE LAN, support for WiFi 6E adapters, the package must be specified;
• Power System: 19+1 delivers superior efficiency and performance;
• Design: large heatsinks for VRM, chipset and drives completely cover the board;
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, four M.2, as well as USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 5.0.

Compared to the Z690A, the Valkyrie has an enhanced 20-phase power supply subsystem (VRM). This will be enough for an Intel Core i7-12700KF processor. Plus, it works with DDR5 at frequencies up to 5600+ MHz via XMP 3.0. Three PCIe x16 slots, two of which support PCIe 5.0 speeds…

Intel processor and motherboard compatibility

The processor is fully compatible with the motherboard, not only “on paper”.

✱

It works fine without load, it requires a well-ventilated case or additional. blowing.

What does “on paper” mean? In general, compatibility can be found on the website of the motherboard manufacturer. But 1 rule works there, it will fit into the socket, which means it is compatible. How it will work in loads, they do not care. And it depends on the design and power components.

		Compatibility	Strength elements
		Intel Core i5-12600	Intel Core i7-12700K	Intel Core i9-12900KF	VCore VCCGT VCCSA
Asus ROG STRIX B660-F Gaming WIFI		+	✱	16 x AOZ5316NQI, 55A 1 x AOZ5316NQI, 55A 2 x 4C10C+4C06C, 96A
ASUS ROG STRIX B660-G Gaming WIFI		✱	✱	10 x SiC654, 50A 1 x SiC643, 60A 2 x 4C10C+4C06C, 96A
MSI B660 Tomahawk WIFI		✱	✱	12 x ISL99360, 60A 1 x ISL99360, 60A 1 x MP87992, 70A
MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI		✱	✱	12 x ISL99360, 60A 1 x ISL99360, 60A 1 x MP87992, 70A
ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-PLUS WIFI		+	+	14 x SiC659, 80A 1 x SiC659, 80A 2 x 4C10C, 69A
Asus Prime Z690-A		+	+	16 x SiC643, 80A 1 x SiC643, 80A 1 x SiC643, 80A
ASUS Rog Strix Z690-F Gaming WIFI		+	+	16 x FDMF5062, 70A 1 x FDMF5062, 70A 2 x MP86992, 70A
MSI MAG Z690 Torpedo		+	+	16 x MP87992, 70A 1 x MP87992, 70A 1 x MP87992, 70A
MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WIFI		+	+	16 x MP87992, 70A 1 x MP87992, 70A 1 x MP87992, 70A
MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WIFI		+	+	18 x RAA220075, 75A 1 x RAA220075, 75A 1 x MP87992, 70A
GIGABYTE Z690 AERO G		+	+	16 x FDMF5062, 70A 1 x FDMF5062, 70A 2 x MPS2117, 70A
GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus ELITE AX		+	+	16 x FDMF5062, 70A 1 x FDMF5062, 70A 2 x MP87992, 70A
Gigabyte Z690 Aorus PRO		+	+	16 x ISL99390, 90A 1 x ISL99390, 90A
ASRock Z690 Extreme		✱	✱	13 x ISL99360, 60A 2 x ISL99360, 60A
ASRock Z690 Steel Legend		✱	✱	12 x SiC654, 50A 1 x SiC654, 50A
ASRock Z690 Taichi		+	+	19 x RAA22010540, 90A 1 x RAA22010540, 90A
Biostar Z690GTA Racing		+	✱	—
Biostar Z690 VALKYRIE		+	+	19 x RAA220105, 105A 1 x ISL99390, 90A 1 x NTMFS4C029N

Conclusion

Immediately, I will say that the Best motherboards for Intel Core i5-12400[F] and 12500 processors are energy efficient. Can work well on B660, H670 and Z690 chipsets. The presence of a small heatsink in the VRM zone and the chipset will allow for efficient heat dissipation. I would take a model no lower than the level of the first 4.

Much depends on your requirements, since they are plus or minus the same. If you take an i7-12700K or higher, then you need to consider the power supply. For example, a combination of motherboard and processor with an asterisk is not recommended. We’ll do a more detailed review in the future