Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi

Name: Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi
Brand: Asus
SKU: 2341

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi is an ATX motherboard designed for high-performance gaming builds. It supports the latest technologies, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, providing a solid foundation for modern gaming and multitasking needs.

Key features include support for up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, PCIe 5.0 slots, and a variety of connectivity options such as HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and multiple USB ports. The motherboard also offers advanced storage support with RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7, ensuring fast and modern wireless connectivity options.
Equipped with dual BIOS for added reliability and easy system recovery.
Offers multiple RAID configurations (0, 1, 5, 10) for flexible storage management.
Has a total of 6 fan headers, allowing for extensive cooling options in high-performance setups.
Includes an HDMI 2.1 output and DisplayPort for versatile video output options.

Cons

Does not support Thunderbolt 3 or 4, limiting high-speed peripheral connectivity.
Lacks support for ECC memory, which may limit use in error-sensitive applications.
No mSATA connector or U.2 sockets, reducing compatibility with certain storage solutions.
Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting certain data redundancy and striping configurations.

Who is this for?

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard is ideal for users looking to build a high-performance gaming or workhorse PC. It excels in providing advanced connectivity options with support for Wi-Fi 7 and a variety of RAID configurations for reliable and fast storage. Additionally, the inclusion of dual BIOS makes it a great choice for users who prioritize system stability and easy recovery in high-demand environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best fit for users who require the highest levels of storage flexibility and high-speed peripheral support. It lacks Thunderbolt 3 or 4 support, which could limit the use of certain high-speed devices, and it does not support ECC memory, making it unsuitable for applications where error correction is critical. Additionally, the absence of mSATA and U.2 connectors could limit compatibility with certain storage solutions.

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), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
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 Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard is built with an LGA 1851 CPU socket and is compatible with the B860 chipset. It supports the latest Wi-Fi technologies, including Wi-Fi 7 for fast wireless connectivity, and includes Bluetooth 5.4 for added device pairing options. The motherboard features a dual BIOS setup for added reliability, along with easy overclocking capabilities, RGB lighting, and HDMI 2.1 for video output. It has a compact form factor of 244 mm by 305 mm and offers a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
overclocked RAM speed	8666 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots. It provides a high overclocked RAM speed of up to 8666 MHz, delivering excellent performance for demanding tasks. The motherboard features dual memory channels, but it 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)	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 Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard provides a variety of ports for flexible connectivity. It includes USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A), USB Type-C, and USB 2.0 ports, ensuring compatibility with a range of devices. The motherboard also features HDMI output, DisplayPort, and an RJ45 Ethernet port for network connectivity, though it does not support Thunderbolt or VGA connections.

Connectors:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard offers extensive connector options for customization and expansion. It includes 3 M.2 sockets for fast storage devices, along with 4 SATA 3 connectors for additional drives. Additionally, the board supports multiple USB options, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB-C connectors through expansion, and provides 6 fan headers for cooling solutions. However, it does not support TPM or mSATA connectors.

Expansion slots:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard is equipped with a range of expansion slots, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-speed graphics and other PCIe devices. It also includes 1 PCIe x1 slot for additional expansion cards, but lacks PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, and PCIe x4/x8 slots, limiting options for certain older or specialized peripherals.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	5

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard offers immersive audio capabilities with 7.1 audio channels for high-quality sound. It also features an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output and provides 5 audio connectors for versatile audio setup options, ensuring a robust sound experience for gaming and multimedia applications.

Storage:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard supports a variety of RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0) for flexible storage management and data redundancy. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting certain mirroring and stripping combinations.

Final Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard is a robust and feature-rich choice for gamers and PC builders looking for reliability and high-performance connectivity. Its support for Wi-Fi 7, multiple RAID configurations, and dual BIOS makes it an excellent option for users who value both speed and system stability. While it may not cater to those needing ultra-fast peripheral support or error-correcting memory, it offers a solid foundation for gaming and general use builds. Overall, this motherboard is well-suited for users looking to build a versatile and reliable system with modern connectivity options.