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Gigabyte B860M Aorus Pro WiFi7 specifications and in-depth review

Gigabyte B860M Aorus Pro WiFi7

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Pro WiFi7 is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for high-performance systems. It features built-in Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, making it a versatile choice for modern connectivity needs. The board supports easy overclocking and comes with dual BIOS for added reliability during upgrades.

In terms of memory, the motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, with a maximum speed of 6400 MHz, overclockable to 9200 MHz. For expansion, it includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, three M.2 sockets, and four SATA 3 connectors. Additionally, it provides a 7.1-channel audio system, HDMI 2.1 output, and Thunderbolt 4 support, making it well-suited for demanding setups.

Pros
  • Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, allowing for significant capacity for demanding applications.
  • Offers a variety of Wi-Fi support including Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for fast wireless connectivity.
  • Includes a Thunderbolt 4 port for high-speed data transfer and peripheral connectivity.
  • Has dual BIOS for enhanced system stability and recovery in case of a failure.
  • Supports multiple RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10) for flexible storage management.
Cons
  • Does not support PCIe 4.0 x16 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, limiting expansion for high-performance graphics cards.
  • Lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for video output.
  • Does not include mSATA support, restricting options for additional storage devices in certain setups.
Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users who require high memory capacity and speed, with support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and RAM speeds up to 6400 MHz, making it suitable for demanding applications like video editing or gaming. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 ports also ensures fast connectivity for those needing efficient data transfer and internet access. Additionally, the support for multiple RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10) makes it a good fit for users who prioritize flexible and secure storage solutions.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not suited for users looking for heavy GPU support, as it only has a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and no PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 x16 slots, limiting high-performance graphics card expansion. Additionally, users who require integrated graphics will find this board lacking, as it does not support integrated GPU capabilities. The absence of mSATA support may also be a drawback for users who need additional storage options beyond the standard SATA connectors.

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), 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 244 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Pro WiFi7 motherboard features a Micro-ATX form factor and supports the LGA 1851 CPU socket, making it compatible with B860 chipsets. It offers comprehensive wireless connectivity with support for multiple Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), and previous generations. The board also integrates Bluetooth 5.4 for added convenience. For video output, it supports HDMI 2.1, and it includes RGB lighting for customization. Additional features include dual BIOS for system stability and an easy overclocking option to enhance performance.

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 Pro WiFi7 motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots. It is capable of achieving a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, with the option to overclock up to 9200 MHz for improved performance. The board operates with dual-channel memory configuration, and while it does not support ECC memory, it offers flexibility for demanding memory setups.

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 Pro WiFi7 motherboard offers a wide range of port options for various connectivity needs. It includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A) ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. For high-speed data transfer, it features one USB 4 40Gbps port and a Thunderbolt 4 port. The board also has an HDMI output, DisplayPort, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port. Additionally, it supports USB Type-C and includes a DisplayPort output for versatile display options.

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 Pro WiFi7 motherboard offers a comprehensive set of connectors for system expansion. It includes three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage devices. For additional USB ports, the board provides two USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connector, and four USB 2.0 connectors through expansion. There are also six fan headers for cooling, as well as a TPM connector for security features.

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 Pro WiFi7 motherboard is equipped with a variety of expansion slots to support different configurations. It includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for the latest high-speed devices, along with a PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion cards. Notably, the board does not include PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, nor does it have any PCI or PCIe 2.0 slots.

Audio:

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

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Pro WiFi7 motherboard features a 7.1-channel audio system for immersive sound quality. It also includes a S/PDIF Out port for high-quality digital audio output. For flexible audio connections, the board offers two audio connectors.

Storage:

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

The Gigabyte B860M Aorus Pro WiFi7 motherboard supports several RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 0, providing flexible options for data redundancy and performance. However, it does not support RAID 0+1.

Final Verdict

The motherboard is a solid choice for users seeking high-performance memory support with up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM and speeds up to 6400 MHz, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming and content creation. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 ports ensures robust connectivity, while RAID support offers flexible and secure storage options. However, its limited GPU expansion and lack of integrated graphics may not suit users with high-end graphics needs. Overall, this motherboard is a reliable and future-ready option for power users, though not the best for those focused on GPU-heavy workloads.

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