Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice

Name: Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 2082

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice is a feature-packed ATX motherboard, designed to support the latest technology with a focus on connectivity and expansion. It supports Wi-Fi 7 for fast wireless networking and comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless connectivity to compatible devices.

Key specifications include support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, with a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, and overclocked speeds reaching up to 9200 MHz. The board features multiple expansion slots, including a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and offers a range of ports such as USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4 for high-speed data transfer. Additionally, it supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory for high-capacity RAM configurations.
Offers multiple RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) for flexible storage options and redundancy.
Includes dual BIOS for added system reliability and recovery options.
Has a wide range of Wi-Fi support, including Wi-Fi 7, ensuring compatibility with various wireless standards.
Equipped with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports for fast data transfer speeds.

Cons

Does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors for additional storage expansion options.
Lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
Does not include RGB lighting, which may be a downside for users who prioritize aesthetic customization.
No support for RAID 0+1, limiting some advanced storage configurations.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard is ideal for users seeking a high-performance, feature-rich motherboard for gaming, content creation, or intensive multitasking. Its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and fast Wi-Fi 7 ensures excellent speed and stability for demanding tasks. The motherboard also benefits from RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support, making it suitable for users who require flexible and reliable storage options, especially in environments where data redundancy and speed are critical.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be suitable for users looking for a compact or simple solution, as its ATX form factor requires a larger case. Additionally, those who need integrated graphics or support for advanced storage configurations like RAID 0+1 may find it lacking. The absence of mSATA and U.2 connectors also limits expansion options for users who need these specific features for specialized setups.

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 Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard is built in the ATX form factor and features an LGA 1851 CPU socket for compatibility with Intel processors. It supports a wide range of Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E, and the latest Wi-Fi 7 for flexible wireless connectivity. The motherboard also includes Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless device pairing, and offers HDMI 2.1 output. Notably, it comes with dual BIOS for added system reliability and easy overclocking capabilities to boost performance. While it lacks RGB lighting and integrated graphics, it offers a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots, offering high-performance memory capabilities. It can handle RAM speeds of up to 6400 MHz, with the potential for overclocking up to 9200 MHz. The board features dual memory channels to enhance data throughput, though 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	4
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 Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard provides a versatile selection of ports, including USB 4 40Gbps and Thunderbolt 4 for high-speed data transfer. It offers a variety of USB ports, such as 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A, and 4 USB 2.0 ports. Additionally, it has HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for video, and an RJ45 port for networking. While it does not include USB-C Gen 2 or VGA, it supports USB Type-C for modern connectivity needs.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
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 Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard provides a comprehensive selection of connectors, including 3 M.2 sockets for fast storage options and 4 SATA 3 connectors for additional drives. It also offers 6 fan headers for cooling, ensuring adequate airflow. Additional connectivity includes 2 USB 3.0 expansion ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports. The board features a TPM connector for security and does not support mSATA or U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	2
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard features 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, providing high-speed expansion capabilities for modern graphics cards and other devices. Additionally, it offers 2 PCIe x1 slots for additional cards and accessories. However, it does not support PCIe 4.0 or older PCIe standards, and there are no PCIe x4, x8, or legacy PCI slots available on this board.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound quality and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output. It also provides 2 audio connectors for easy connection to audio devices, ensuring flexible and high-quality audio performance.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard offers robust storage options with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, allowing for flexible configurations that enhance speed and data redundancy. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, which combines the benefits of RAID 0 and 1. This feature set provides a solid foundation for users who require both performance and data protection in their storage setup.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B860 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice motherboard is a high-performance option for users seeking robust connectivity and flexibility in their builds. With features like Wi-Fi 7 support and the ability to handle up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, it's well-suited for gaming, content creation, and data-intensive applications. While it excels in storage versatility with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support, its larger ATX form factor and lack of certain expansion options may limit its appeal for compact or specialized setups. Overall, it's an excellent choice for those who require cutting-edge performance and reliability in a high-end motherboard.