ASRock B860M Pro RS

Name: ASRock B860M Pro RS
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 38616

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock B860M Pro RS is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed around Intel's LGA 1851 platform and the B860 chipset. It supports DDR5 memory across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256GB and standard speeds up to 5600 MHz, while overclocked profiles can reach 8666 MHz. The board measures 244 × 244 mm and includes RGB lighting, dual BIOS, and a three-year warranty.

Storage connectivity is handled through three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. The single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot handles discrete graphics, complemented by a PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion. On the rear panel, outputs include HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort, alongside three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C connector. Audio runs through a 7.1-channel solution with three analog connectors, and a single RJ45 port handles wired networking. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not included.

Pros

Four DDR5 slots support up to 256GB of memory, with overclocked speeds reaching 8666 MHz for demanding workloads
Three M.2 sockets alongside four SATA 3 connectors offer flexible storage configurations without sacrificing capacity
The single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensures full-bandwidth support for modern discrete graphics cards
Dual BIOS adds a useful layer of protection against failed updates or corrupted firmware
RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support gives meaningful options for data redundancy and storage performance
ECC memory support adds data integrity for error-sensitive tasks

Cons

No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth means wireless connectivity requires an additional adapter
The absence of a clear CMOS button makes BIOS recovery less straightforward
No USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports on the rear panel, leaving the faster USB-A slots absent entirely
No S/PDIF output limits digital audio routing options for home theater or external DAC setups
Only three rear analog audio connectors are available for a 7.1-channel configuration
No Thunderbolt or USB 4 support restricts high-speed peripheral and daisy-chaining options

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for users building a capable desktop system on Intel's current LGA 1851 platform within a compact Micro-ATX footprint. Those looking to maximize DDR5 memory capacity and speed will appreciate the four-slot configuration supporting up to 256GB with overclocked profiles up to 8666 MHz. The inclusion of three M.2 sockets, full RAID support, and ECC memory compatibility also makes it well-suited for small workstation or prosumer builds where data integrity and storage flexibility matter. Enthusiasts who want room to grow with a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot and overclocking headroom will find the feature set practical for a mid-range to capable system.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely on wireless connectivity out of the box will be underserved, as neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth is included, requiring a separate adapter. The board is also a poor match for those needing high-speed USB versatility, since there are no rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and no Thunderbolt or USB 4 options for fast peripheral or storage connections. Additionally, content creators or home theater enthusiasts who depend on digital audio output via S/PDIF or need extensive rear USB flexibility for multiple high-bandwidth devices will find the rear I/O limiting for those specific workflows.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	B860
form factor	Micro-ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✕
Has Bluetooth	✕
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✕
Has dual BIOS	✓
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	244 mm
width	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The ASRock B860M Pro RS is built around the LGA 1851 socket and is compatible with the B860 chipset, housed in a Micro-ATX form factor measuring 244 × 244 mm. It features a single CPU socket with no integrated CPU or integrated graphics. The board supports easy overclocking, includes dual BIOS for added reliability, and comes with RGB lighting, though it does not offer a quick CMOS reset button. Video output is handled through an HDMI 2.1 connection, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are absent, limiting wireless connectivity. A three-year warranty is included with the board.

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 board uses DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting up to 256GB in total capacity. Standard RAM speeds reach 5600 MHz, while overclocked profiles can push that figure to 8666 MHz. ECC memory is also supported, which adds a layer of data integrity for workloads that require it.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	1
USB 4 40Gbps ports	0
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	0
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 rear I/O panel provides three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and two USB 2.0 ports for standard peripherals, along with one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port as the fastest USB connection available on the board. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A or Type-C ports, and no USB 4 or Thunderbolt connectivity of any kind. Display output is covered by one HDMI and one DisplayPort, while VGA and DVI outputs are absent. Wired networking is handled by a single RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports present.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	3
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well-covered, with three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage, while SATA 2 and mSATA connectors are not present and there are no U.2 sockets. USB expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four additional USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports, all accessible through internal connectors. Six fan headers allow for thorough cooling management across the system, and a TPM connector is included for security module support.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board offers two expansion slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for discrete graphics or high-bandwidth cards, and one PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion needs. No PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots are present, and there are no PCIe x1, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots of any kind.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	3

The board provides 7.1-channel audio output through three analog audio connectors on the rear panel. An S/PDIF Out port is not included, so digital optical or coaxial audio output is not available.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations, covering a practical range of striping, mirroring, and combined redundancy setups. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The ASRock B860M Pro RS is a competent Micro-ATX motherboard that makes a strong case for builders working within the LGA 1851 platform who want meaningful storage and memory flexibility without stepping up to a full-ATX footprint. Its three M.2 sockets, PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and DDR5 support up to 256GB with overclocked speeds give it a feature set that extends comfortably into prosumer and enthusiast territory, while ECC memory compatibility and full RAID support add a layer of reliability not always found at this form factor. The absence of wireless connectivity and the limited rear USB options are real constraints that users should weigh against their needs, but for a wired desktop build focused on storage performance and memory capacity, the B860M Pro RS delivers a well-rounded and practical foundation.