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 around Intel's LGA 1851 platform, pairing the B860 chipset with a compact 244 x 244 mm footprint that suits space-conscious builds without sacrificing connectivity. It ships with RGB lighting, a dual BIOS setup for added resilience, and a dedicated clear-CMOS button that makes BIOS recovery straightforward. A three-year warranty rounds out the package for builders who value long-term reliability.

Memory support extends to four DDR5 slots across two channels, accommodating up to 256 GB with overclocked speeds reaching 8800 MHz. Expansion options include one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe x4 slot, while storage is handled by three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. The rear I/O provides two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort output, a 7.1-channel audio solution with S/PDIF out, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port.

Pros

Dual BIOS support adds a useful layer of protection against failed BIOS updates or corruption
A dedicated clear-CMOS button makes BIOS recovery straightforward without needing to open the case or move jumpers
Three M.2 sockets provide ample room for fast storage expansion alongside four SATA 3 connectors
DDR5 memory support with overclocked speeds up to 8800 MHz across four slots and a 256 GB maximum capacity
Full RAID support across modes 0, 1, 5, and 10 gives flexibility for both performance and redundancy configurations
Five fan headers offer solid coverage for cooling management within a Micro-ATX build

Cons

No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, requiring separate adapters for wireless use
No USB 4 or Thunderbolt ports, limiting high-bandwidth device compatibility on the rear I/O
ECC memory is not supported, ruling this board out for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No TPM connector is present, which may complicate certain security or enterprise requirements
The single PCIe x4 secondary slot offers limited flexibility for users needing multiple full-bandwidth expansion cards

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for desktop builders who want a compact Micro-ATX footprint without sacrificing storage or memory flexibility, particularly those planning builds around Intel's LGA 1851 platform with DDR5 memory. The three M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and broad RAID support make it well-suited for users who need versatile storage configurations, including those setting up redundant or performance-oriented arrays. The dual BIOS, clear-CMOS button, and easy overclocking features also make it a practical choice for enthusiasts who actively tune their systems and want reliable recovery options built in.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who depend on wireless connectivity will find this board limiting, as it lacks both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, requiring separate adapters to achieve the same result. It is also not well-matched for professionals or workstation users who need ECC memory support for error-sensitive tasks, or those requiring Thunderbolt or USB 4 ports for high-bandwidth peripherals and external devices. Additionally, builders looking for a board with a TPM connector for hardware-based security features will need to look elsewhere.

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 Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus is built around the LGA 1851 socket and is compatible with the B860 chipset, housed in a Micro-ATX form factor measuring 244 x 244 mm. It supports a single CPU, has no integrated processor or integrated graphics, and does not include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. The board features HDMI 2.1 output, RGB lighting, and offers practical usability perks such as easy overclocking, a dual BIOS, and a dedicated clear-CMOS button for straightforward BIOS resets. A three-year warranty is included.

Memory:

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

This board supports DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum supported capacity of 256 GB. Overclocked RAM speeds can reach up to 8800 MHz, giving enthusiasts meaningful headroom for memory tuning. ECC memory is not supported.

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 rear I/O offers a varied USB lineup consisting of two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 port, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port; there are no USB 4, Thunderbolt, eSATA, or PS/2 ports present. Display output is handled by an HDMI connector and one DisplayPort output, while VGA and DVI outputs are absent. Networking is covered by a single RJ45 port.

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

Internal connectivity is well-covered, with three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage devices; there are no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA connectors present. Expansion headers allow for two additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and two USB 2.0 ports. The board also provides five fan headers for cooling management, though a TPM connector is not included.

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 the primary graphics card or high-bandwidth add-in card, and one PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion. No PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, x16, x8, x1, or legacy PCI slots are present.

Audio:

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

Audio support covers a 7.1-channel configuration with five analog audio connectors on the rear panel, giving users a full multi-speaker output setup. A S/PDIF Out port is also present for digital audio passthrough to compatible receivers or external DACs.

Storage:

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

The board supports four RAID modes — RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 — covering the most common configurations for performance, redundancy, and combined setups. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming B860M-Plus is a well-rounded Micro-ATX motherboard that makes a strong case for LGA 1851 platform builds where storage flexibility and memory performance are priorities. Its three M.2 sockets, comprehensive RAID support, and DDR5 compatibility reaching up to 8800 MHz give it genuine depth for enthusiast and storage-focused setups, while practical features like dual BIOS and a clear-CMOS button add a layer of reliability that builders will appreciate over time. The absence of wireless connectivity and ECC support does narrow its audience, but for users building a capable, wired desktop system with room to tune and expand, this board delivers a coherent and feature-complete package within the Micro-ATX form factor.