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Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice specifications and in-depth review

Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice is a Mini-ITX motherboard that supports a wide range of features for compact and high-performance PC builds. It comes with a Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) module and offers a 128GB maximum memory capacity, making it a versatile choice for modern setups.

In terms of connectivity, it includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and supports up to 6400 MHz RAM speeds, with overclocking capabilities up to 9200 MHz. The board also features a single RJ45 port, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort outputs, and includes RAID 0 and RAID 1 support for flexible storage configurations.

Pros
  • Supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for high-speed wireless connectivity.
  • Equipped with a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for modern expansion needs.
  • Has dual BIOS for increased system reliability and safety.
  • Offers RAID 1 support for data redundancy, enhancing storage reliability.
  • Includes an S/PDIF Out port for high-quality digital audio output.
Cons
  • Does not support integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.
  • Lacks USB Type-C ports on the rear panel for modern connectivity.
  • Does not support ECC memory, limiting error correction capabilities for critical applications.
  • Only has two SATA 3 connectors, limiting expansion for traditional storage devices.
  • Does not support RAID 10, RAID 5, or RAID 0+1 configurations, reducing storage flexibility.
Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice is well-suited for users who require a compact, high-performance motherboard for gaming or high-speed tasks. Its support for Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) ensures fast, reliable wireless connectivity, while the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot provides ample bandwidth for modern graphics cards and expansion cards. Additionally, the dual BIOS feature enhances system stability, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize reliability and performance in a small form factor.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users who require integrated graphics, as it lacks support for integrated graphics, necessitating a discrete GPU. It's also not suitable for users needing more advanced RAID configurations, as it only supports RAID 0 and RAID 1, excluding options like RAID 5 or RAID 10. Furthermore, users who need extensive storage expansion may find the two SATA 3 connectors limiting.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1851
chipset B860
form factor Mini-ITX
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 170 mm
width 170 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice is a Mini-ITX motherboard featuring an LGA 1851 CPU socket and compatibility with the B860 chipset. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and has built-in Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity. Additionally, the board includes features like dual BIOS for added reliability, and it has an HDMI 2.1 port for video output. While it does not support RGB lighting or integrated graphics, it is designed with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 128GB
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 9200 MHz
memory slots 2
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory ✕

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice supports a maximum memory size of 128GB across two memory slots. It is compatible with DDR5 RAM, allowing for a maximum speed of 6400 MHz, and can be overclocked to 9200 MHz for enhanced performance. The motherboard also features dual memory channels, though it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 3
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 0
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 B860I Aorus Pro Ice motherboard offers a variety of ports to meet connectivity needs, including USB 4 40Gbps and Thunderbolt 4 ports. It also features HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for video, along with one RJ45 port for network connectivity. Additionally, the motherboard includes three USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, though there are no USB Type-C ports for expansion and no support for older connectors like VGA or PS/2.

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 2
fan headers 3
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 2
M.2 sockets 2
Has TPM connector ✓
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector ✕
SATA 2 connectors 0

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice motherboard includes a variety of expansion connectors, such as two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port for expansion. It also provides two SATA 3 connectors for storage, along with two M.2 sockets for faster SSD installations. Additional connectors include three fan headers and a TPM connector, though it does not feature 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 0
PCI slots 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x4 slots 0
PCIe x8 slots 0

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice motherboard is equipped with a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion, supporting modern graphics cards and other devices. It does not include any other PCIe slots, such as PCIe 4.0, PCIe 3.0, or PCIe x1, limiting expansion to this single high-bandwidth slot.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice motherboard supports a 7.1 audio channel configuration, offering high-quality sound output for immersive audio experiences. It is equipped with an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio connections and includes two audio connectors for flexible audio device integration.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice motherboard supports RAID 1 for data redundancy and RAID 0 for improved performance. However, it does not support RAID 10, RAID 5, or RAID 0+1 configurations, limiting its RAID functionality to these two options.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B860I Aorus Pro Ice is a solid choice for compact PC builds that demand high-speed performance and reliability. With support for Wi-Fi 7 and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, this motherboard ensures excellent connectivity and bandwidth for modern gaming or professional tasks. While it may not be ideal for users who need integrated graphics or advanced RAID configurations, its dual BIOS feature and compact design make it a reliable, feature-packed option for small-form-factor enthusiasts.

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