Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E

Name: Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 4170

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E is an ATX motherboard designed for gaming and high-performance PCs. It supports the LGA 1851 CPU socket and comes equipped with built-in Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E capabilities. With Wi-Fi 6E, users can take advantage of faster and more reliable wireless connections.

This motherboard can accommodate up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with speeds of up to 6400 MHz (overclocked to 9066 MHz). It also includes PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for expansion, and features six fan headers, RAID support (0, 1, 5, 10), and multiple M.2 sockets for storage. Additionally, it supports dual BIOS and provides HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort outputs for video connectivity.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, offering ample capacity for demanding applications and multitasking.
Equipped with dual BIOS for added flexibility and recovery options in case of system failure.
Includes a variety of USB ports, including USB 4 40Gbps and Thunderbolt 4 ports, for fast data transfer and external device support.
Offers multiple RAID configurations (RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 0) for data redundancy and improved performance.
Supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster and more reliable wireless connections, along with Bluetooth 5.3 for improved connectivity.

Cons

Lacks support for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and mSATA connectors, limiting certain expansion options.
Does not have integrated graphics or an integrated CPU, requiring a dedicated GPU for display output.
Does not include an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output, which may limit certain audio setups.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users looking for a reliable platform for high-performance computing, especially for gaming and multitasking. With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and Wi-Fi 6E, it is well-suited for those who require fast data processing and seamless connectivity. Additionally, its RAID support offers advanced storage options, making it a strong choice for users who need data redundancy or performance boosts.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not ideal for users who need integrated graphics or an integrated CPU, as it does not offer these features. Its lack of mSATA connectors and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports may also limit options for users requiring specific expansion options or faster data transfer capabilities. Additionally, users who need S/PDIF Out for digital audio output will find this feature missing, making it less suited for high-end audio 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)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.3
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 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard features the LGA 1851 CPU socket and supports the B860 chipset, offering an ATX form factor for larger builds. It comes with Wi-Fi 6E support, enabling fast and reliable wireless connections, and Bluetooth 5.3 for improved connectivity. The motherboard also includes dual BIOS for added flexibility, and it features HDMI 2.1 output for high-quality video. It does not have RGB lighting, integrated graphics, or an integrated CPU. The board is easy to overclock, with a 3-year warranty providing added peace of mind.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9066 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard supports a maximum memory capacity of 256GB with DDR5 memory, providing fast performance for demanding tasks. It has four memory slots and supports RAM speeds up to 6400 MHz, which can be overclocked to 9066 MHz for even higher performance. The motherboard operates with dual memory channels and does not support ECC memory, making it ideal for high-speed gaming and general computing needs.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	5
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 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard offers a variety of port options for connectivity. It includes 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports, and 1 USB 4 40Gbps port for high-speed data transfer. It also provides 1 Thunderbolt 4 port for fast external device connections, an HDMI output, and a DisplayPort output for video. Additional connectivity includes 1 RJ45 port for networking and 5 USB 2.0 ports. Notably, it does not include USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C, eSATA, DVI, or VGA connectors.

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 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard provides a wide range of connectors to meet various expansion needs. It includes 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, 4 additional USB 2.0 ports, and 2 USB 3.0 ports for flexible peripheral connections. For storage, it offers 4 SATA 3 connectors and 3 M.2 sockets. The board also includes 6 fan headers for cooling solutions and a TPM connector for added security. Notably, there are no mSATA or U.2 connectors, and it does not support SATA 2 connections.

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 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard is equipped with 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed graphics or expansion cards. Additionally, it includes 2 PCIe x1 slots for smaller expansion cards. Notably, it lacks PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe 2.0 x16, and PCI slots, making it focused on the most modern PCIe 5.0 support for enhanced performance in compatible devices.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for a rich, immersive audio experience. It is equipped with 3 audio connectors for connecting various audio devices, though it does not include an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 0 for data redundancy and performance optimization. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting its options for combining the benefits of RAID 0 and RAID 1 in a single array.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers strong performance for high-end users, with features like Wi-Fi 6E and support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory. Its RAID capabilities further enhance its appeal for users needing robust storage solutions. While it lacks integrated graphics and certain connectivity options like S/PDIF Out, it remains a reliable choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals who require advanced memory and storage setups. Overall, this board excels in flexibility and performance, making it a solid choice for those looking to build a high-performance system.