Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus

Name: Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus
Brand: Asus
SKU: 55932

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for gaming and performance-focused builds. It supports the LGA 1851 CPU socket and is compatible with B860 chipsets, offering reliable and stable performance for gamers and creators alike. The motherboard features RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics and includes an easy-to-use BIOS reset feature.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, with a maximum overclocked RAM speed of 8800 MHz. It includes multiple expansion options with a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, PCIe x4 slot, and three M.2 sockets. For storage, it supports various RAID configurations such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. Additionally, it provides a range of connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 output and DisplayPort, along with several USB ports including USB Type-C.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, providing ample capacity for demanding applications and multitasking.
Includes RGB lighting for customization, adding aesthetic appeal to a gaming or high-performance setup.
Has dual BIOS, providing an added layer of protection and reliability in case of BIOS failure.
Offers a range of storage options, supporting RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for flexible data management and redundancy.
Equipped with five fan headers, allowing for effective cooling solutions in high-performance builds.

Cons

Lacks integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which may limit connectivity options for users without dedicated adapters.
Does not support PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, which may limit the compatibility with the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards.
No Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 ports, which may reduce connectivity options for high-speed external devices.
Does not support ECC memory, limiting its use in certain professional or mission-critical environments where error correction is essential.

Who is this for?

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard is well-suited for users building a reliable gaming or performance-oriented desktop. With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and multiple RAID configurations including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, it offers flexibility for both storage capacity and redundancy. The inclusion of dual BIOS and five fan headers also makes it ideal for users looking to ensure stability and efficient cooling in high-performance environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users seeking built-in wireless connectivity, as it lacks both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. Additionally, it may not meet the needs of those requiring high-speed PCIe 4.0 x16 slots or Thunderbolt connectivity, as it does not support these technologies. Its inability to support ECC memory may also limit its use in professional or mission-critical applications where error correction is crucial.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	B860
form factor	Micro-ATX
release date	January 2025
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 Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard features a Micro-ATX form factor and is built with the LGA 1851 CPU socket, compatible with B860 chipsets. It includes RGB lighting for a customizable aesthetic and offers an easy-to-overclock design for enhanced performance. The motherboard supports HDMI 2.1 output, but it does not have built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Additionally, it is equipped with dual BIOS for added reliability and has a convenient easy-reset BIOS function.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
overclocked RAM speed	8800 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard supports a maximum memory capacity of 256GB with DDR5 memory. It features four memory slots and supports dual memory channels for improved performance. The board also supports overclocked RAM speeds up to 8800 MHz, although 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)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	1
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 B860M-Plus motherboard offers a range of ports for connectivity, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports. It also features a USB Type-C port, along with one HDMI output and one DisplayPort for video output. Additionally, it includes a single RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity, but lacks Thunderbolt, VGA, and eSATA ports.

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	5
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 B860M-Plus motherboard provides a variety of connectors to expand connectivity options. It includes three M.2 sockets for fast storage and four SATA 3 connectors for additional drives. The motherboard also offers five fan headers to support efficient cooling solutions, along with USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB-C connectors for expansion. However, it does not feature a TPM connector or mSATA 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 Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion and a PCIe x4 slot for additional devices. It does not feature PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, but it does offer one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for future-proof compatibility. There are no PCI, PCIe 2.0, or PCIe x1 slots available on the board.

Audio:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard features 7.1 audio channels for an immersive sound experience and includes an S/PDIF Out port for high-quality digital audio output. Additionally, it offers five audio connectors to support multiple audio devices, ensuring flexibility for different setups.

Storage:

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

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, allowing for flexible and reliable storage setups. However, it does not support RAID 0+1 for additional redundancy options.

Final Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboard is a solid choice for gamers and performance-focused users seeking a reliable, feature-rich foundation for their PC builds. With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, multiple RAID configurations, and robust cooling options, it ensures stability and scalability. While it lacks built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and does not support PCIe 4.0 x16 or Thunderbolt, its overall design and functionality make it an excellent option for users prioritizing high-performance, efficient storage, and cooling management in a gaming or general-purpose desktop setup.