ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi specifications and in-depth review

ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi is an ATX motherboard designed for high-performance builds. It features support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, along with a durable design for gamers and professionals alike. The board also boasts dual BIOS functionality, ensuring a more reliable system recovery option.

Key specifications include support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with speeds up to 5600 MHz, four M.2 sockets for fast storage, and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for modern graphics cards. It supports a range of RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, and is equipped with multiple USB ports, including a Thunderbolt 4 port and a USB 4 40Gbps port for fast data transfer.

Pros
  • Supports a wide range of Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless connectivity.
  • Has dual BIOS, offering additional reliability and easier system recovery.
  • Includes multiple USB ports (including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 4) for versatile connectivity options.
  • Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with high overclocking potential (up to 8666 MHz).
  • Offers comprehensive RAID support, including RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for enhanced data security and performance.
Cons
  • Does not support integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for display output.
  • Lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports and has no USB-C ports for higher-speed connections.
  • Does not include support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting certain storage expansion options.
  • No VGA or DVI connectors, restricting compatibility with some older monitors.
Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users looking to build a high-performance PC with advanced features. It is particularly suitable for gamers and content creators who need high-speed connectivity, as it supports Wi-Fi 6E and offers Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfers. Additionally, its support for large memory capacities (up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM) and overclocking potential makes it a great choice for demanding applications and multitasking environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be suitable for users who require integrated graphics or have older display setups, as it lacks integrated graphics and does not include VGA or DVI connectors. It is also not ideal for users who need extensive storage expansion through mSATA or U.2 connectors, as these are not supported. Additionally, those looking for cutting-edge storage flexibility may find its lack of RAID 0+1 support limiting for certain redundancy configurations.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1851
chipset B860
form factor ATX
release date January 2025
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Has Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 5.3
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock
has RGB lighting
Easy to reset BIOS
Has dual BIOS
has aptX
CPU sockets 1
Has integrated graphics
warranty period 3 years
height 244 mm
width 305 mm
Has integrated CPU

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard features an LGA 1851 CPU socket and supports the B860 chipset. It is designed in an ATX form factor and includes support for Wi-Fi 6E, offering advanced wireless connectivity. Built-in Bluetooth 5.3 is also included for seamless wireless peripheral connections. For ease of use, the motherboard has dual BIOS for reliable system recovery, and RGB lighting for added aesthetic customization. It does not include integrated graphics or an integrated CPU, and the motherboard comes with a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 256GB
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8666 MHz
memory slots 4
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard supports a maximum of 256GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots, with a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz. For those looking to push performance further, the board also allows for overclocked memory speeds up to 8666 MHz. It features dual memory channels but does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 2.0 ports 3
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 1
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 1
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
DisplayPort outputs 1
RJ45 ports 1
Has USB Type-C
eSATA ports 0
DVI outputs 0
has a VGA connector
PS/2 ports 0

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard offers a variety of ports for connectivity, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports, and three USB 2.0 ports. It also supports a Thunderbolt 4 port and one USB 4 40Gbps port for fast data transfer. For display options, the board includes an HDMI output and a DisplayPort output, along with a single RJ45 port for network connectivity. Notably, the board does not feature USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, DVI, VGA, or PS/2 ports.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion) 1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4
SATA 3 connectors 4
fan headers 8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 4
M.2 sockets 4
Has TPM connector
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector
SATA 2 connectors 0

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard offers extensive connectivity options, including four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port through expansion. Additionally, there are four USB 2.0 ports and four USB 3.0 ports available through expansion. For storage, the motherboard is equipped with four SATA 3 connectors and four M.2 sockets. The board also includes eight fan headers for efficient cooling and a TPM connector for enhanced security. Notably, it does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x1 slots 0
PCI slots 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x4 slots 0
PCIe x8 slots 0

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard offers two primary expansion slots: one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, allowing for high-speed graphics and other PCIe devices. It does not feature any PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe x1, or PCI slots, nor does it include PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, ensuring a more streamlined configuration for high-performance needs.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC) 120 dB
audio channels 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port
audio connectors 2

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard features high-quality audio capabilities with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio (DAC), ensuring clear and detailed sound. It supports 7.1 audio channels for an immersive sound experience and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output. Additionally, there are two audio connectors for easy connectivity to audio devices.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)
Supports RAID 5
Supports RAID 0
Supports RAID 0+1

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard supports several RAID configurations to enhance storage performance and redundancy, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0). However, it does not support RAID 0+1. These options provide flexibility for users looking to optimize their storage setup depending on performance or data security needs.

Final Verdict

The motherboard is a strong choice for users seeking high performance and advanced connectivity options. With support for Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, it offers exceptional capabilities for gaming, content creation, and demanding workflows. While it lacks integrated graphics and certain legacy ports, it excels in modern features and expandability, making it a solid option for those looking to build a future-proof system for high-end tasks.

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