Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice

Name: Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 7672

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for performance and versatility. It supports the LGA 1851 CPU socket and comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless connectivity. With its modern design and solid feature set, it’s suitable for users seeking reliability and expandability in a compact form factor.

This motherboard offers 4 DDR5 memory slots, supporting up to 256GB of RAM with a maximum speed of 6400 MHz, and it can even reach 9200 MHz when overclocked. It features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 6 fan headers, and includes RAID support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. Additionally, it includes HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort output, and a Thunderbolt 4 port for high-speed data transfer.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory for large and fast memory configurations.
Includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for modern high-speed expansion cards.
Has multiple RAID options, including RAID 1, 5, and 10, for enhanced storage flexibility and data redundancy.
Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for up-to-date wireless connectivity.
Offers a 3-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Cons

Does not support integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for display output.
Lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and Thunderbolt 3 ports, limiting some high-speed connectivity options.
No support for mSATA or U.2 sockets, reducing storage expansion options for specific use cases.

Who is this for?

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard is ideal for users who require reliable wireless connectivity and high-performance storage options, as it supports Wi-Fi 6E and multiple RAID configurations. Its ability to handle up to 256GB of DDR5 memory also makes it suitable for heavy multitasking and demanding applications. The inclusion of a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot further caters to users looking to build a modern, high-performance system with expansion capabilities.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suitable for users who need integrated graphics, as it does not support integrated graphics, requiring a dedicated GPU for display. It also lacks certain high-speed connections like USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and Thunderbolt 3, which may limit users looking for cutting-edge external device support or ultra-fast data transfer. Additionally, its lack of mSATA and U.2 support makes it less ideal for specific storage configurations that require those interfaces.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	B860
form factor	Micro-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	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard features the LGA 1851 CPU socket and supports the B860 chipset, ideal for Micro-ATX builds. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, and HDMI 2.1 for modern connectivity. The motherboard also supports dual BIOS for added reliability and ease of overclocking, while its RGB lighting offers a customizable aesthetic. However, it does not include integrated graphics or aptX Bluetooth support. The warranty period is 3 years, and the board measures 244mm x 244mm.

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 B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, distributed across 4 memory slots. It features a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, with the capability to reach 9200 MHz when overclocked. The board supports dual memory channels but does not support ECC memory, offering efficient and scalable memory performance for demanding applications.

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 B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard offers a wide range of connectivity options, including USB 4 40Gbps and Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast data transfer. It also features an HDMI output, DisplayPort, and an RJ45 Ethernet port for versatile display and network connectivity. For USB devices, there are 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, and 4 USB 2.0 ports, with a USB Type-C port available for modern devices.

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)	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 B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard provides ample connectivity options with 4 SATA 3 connectors and 3 M.2 sockets for storage expansion. It also includes 6 fan headers for efficient cooling, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, and 2 additional USB 3.0 ports (through expansion). Notably, the board supports a TPM connector for added security but lacks mSATA and 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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for high-speed expansion, along with a PCIe x4 slot for additional devices. It does not include PCIe 4.0, PCIe 3.0, or PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, nor PCIe x1 or PCI slots, but it offers a solid foundation for modern graphics and storage cards.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard delivers immersive audio with 7.1 audio channels, making it ideal for high-quality sound setups. It includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output and provides 2 audio connectors for easy connection to external audio devices, ensuring clear and reliable audio performance.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard offers robust storage options with support for multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10 (1+0), RAID 5, and RAID 0. These options provide enhanced data redundancy and performance, while RAID 0+1 is not supported for users looking for that specific configuration.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Elite WiFi6E Ice motherboard offers a robust feature set with its support for Wi-Fi 6E and multiple RAID configurations, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize connectivity and high-performance storage. While it lacks integrated graphics and certain advanced connectivity options like Thunderbolt 3, it remains a strong contender for users building a modern system with a focus on speed and expandability. Its support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot makes it well-suited for demanding applications and high-end hardware. Overall, this motherboard is a great fit for those looking for a dependable and scalable platform for high-performance systems.