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 form factor motherboard built around the B860 chipset and LGA 1851 socket, designed to accommodate current-generation processors. It carries a dual BIOS setup for added resilience during firmware updates, and integrates Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) alongside Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity without requiring additional adapters. The board ships with a three-year warranty and measures 305 mm by 244 mm, fitting standard ATX cases.

On the memory side, the board supports DDR5 across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a standard ceiling of 6400 MHz and overclocked profiles reaching up to 9066 MHz, while maximum capacity tops out at 256 GB. Expansion options include one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe x1 slots, complemented by three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. The rear I/O provides a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB 4 40 Gbps port, HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort output, and a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 2.0 ports, rounding out a connectivity layout suited to a range of desktop configurations.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 6E alongside older Wi-Fi standards, covering a wide range of wireless devices
Dual BIOS provides a fallback option if a firmware update fails
Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports on the rear I/O offer high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals
Three M.2 sockets combined with four SATA 3 connectors give substantial storage flexibility
DDR5 memory with overclocked speeds up to 9066 MHz and support for up to 256 GB across four slots
Full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support allows varied storage array configurations

Cons

No USB-C ports on the rear I/O panel limits modern connector availability
S/PDIF Out is absent, restricting digital audio output options to analog connectors only
No clear CMOS button makes BIOS resets a more involved process
ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for error-sensitive workloads
No RGB lighting for users who prefer matching illumination with other components

Who is this for?

This motherboard suits builders targeting a capable desktop system around the LGA 1851 platform who want room to grow, thanks to four DDR5 slots with up to 256 GB capacity and overclocked RAM support reaching 9066 MHz. The combination of three M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support makes it a strong fit for users who need flexible and redundant storage arrangements. Those who rely on fast peripheral connectivity will also appreciate the Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports, and the built-in Wi-Fi 6E removes the need for a separate wireless adapter in cable-free setups.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require ECC memory support for error-sensitive or data-critical workloads will find this board unsuitable, as that capability is absent. The lack of rear USB-C ports and an S/PDIF Out connector makes it a poor match for those who depend on modern Type-C peripherals or need a digital audio output for external DACs and AV receivers. Additionally, the absence of a clear CMOS button and onboard RGB lighting may frustrate enthusiasts who prioritize quick BIOS recovery options or a synchronized lighting ecosystem across their components.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	B860
form factor	ATX
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 is built around the LGA 1851 socket with B860 chipset compatibility and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 305 mm by 244 mm. It supports a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or onboard graphics. Wireless connectivity is handled by a built-in Wi-Fi module covering Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, and 6E (802.11ax), paired with Bluetooth 5.3, though aptX audio codec support is absent. The board features HDMI 2.1 output, a dual BIOS configuration for firmware redundancy, and easy overclocking support, while RGB lighting and a dedicated clear CMOS button are not included. It carries a three-year warranty.

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	✕

This motherboard uses DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, supporting up to 256 GB total capacity. Standard RAM speeds reach 6400 MHz, while overclocked profiles can push that figure up to 9066 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

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 rear I/O panel offers a varied USB lineup, including one Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB 4 40Gbps port, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and five USB 2.0 ports; USB-C variants at Gen 1 or Gen 2 speeds, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and USB 4 20Gbps are absent. Display outputs consist of one HDMI and one DisplayPort, while VGA and DVI connectors are not present. Networking is served by a single RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 connections available.

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

Internal connectivity includes three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage, with no SATA 2, mSATA, or U.2 sockets present. Expansion headers cover two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports for front-panel and add-in connectivity. The board also provides six fan headers for cooling management and includes a TPM connector for security module support.

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 board provides one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot as the primary expansion interface, along with two PCIe x1 slots for smaller add-in cards. There are no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots, and no PCIe x4, x8, or legacy PCI slots are present.

Audio:

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

The onboard audio supports a 7.1-channel configuration and is accessible through three analog audio connectors. An S/PDIF Out port is not included.

Storage:

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

The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations for flexible storage array setups, while RAID 0+1 is not available.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B860 Gaming X WiFi6E is a well-specified ATX motherboard that covers the essentials of a modern LGA 1851 build without unnecessary excess. Its DDR5 support with overclocked speeds up to 9066 MHz, combined with three M.2 sockets, comprehensive RAID options, and high-bandwidth rear connectivity through Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps, gives it a solid foundation for demanding desktop configurations. Certain omissions — notably the lack of ECC memory support, rear USB-C ports, and a clear CMOS button — will matter to specific users, but for mainstream builders who value wireless flexibility through Wi-Fi 6E and reliable dual BIOS protection, this board represents a focused and practical choice within its platform.