Gigabyte B860M DS3H

Name: Gigabyte B860M DS3H
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 4352

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte B860M DS3H is a Micro-ATX motherboard based on Intel's B860 chipset, designed for LGA 1851 processors. It carries a compact 244 x 244 mm footprint while offering a reasonably broad feature set for its class, including dual BIOS protection for added firmware reliability and support for easy overclocking. The board ships without integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, keeping its focus on wired connectivity, and backs its hardware with a three-year warranty.

Memory support extends to four DDR5 slots across two channels, handling standard speeds up to 6400 MHz and overclocked profiles reaching 9066 MHz, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. Storage options include two M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and full RAID support covering levels 0, 1, 5, and 10. The single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot handles the primary graphics card, complemented by two PCIe x1 slots for additional cards. Rear connectivity includes one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort output, a single RJ45 Ethernet port, and a PS/2 connector, alongside three audio jacks for 7.1-channel sound.

Pros

Dual BIOS provides a fallback option if the primary firmware becomes corrupted or fails to boot
Four DDR5 slots with support for overclocked speeds up to 9066 MHz offers meaningful headroom for memory-intensive workloads
PCIe 5.0 x16 slot accommodates the latest generation graphics cards without bandwidth limitations
Full RAID support across levels 0, 1, 5, and 10 gives flexibility for both performance and data redundancy setups
Covers up to 256 GB of DDR5 RAM, which is a generous ceiling for a Micro-ATX board
Three-year warranty provides solid long-term coverage

Cons

No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth means wireless connectivity requires a separate add-in card
No USB Type-C ports on the rear I/O limits compatibility with newer peripherals and devices
CMOS reset is not easily accessible, which can complicate BIOS recovery in certain situations
Only two M.2 sockets may feel restrictive for builds relying heavily on NVMe storage
No S/PDIF output limits digital audio routing options for home theater or audiophile setups

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for users building a compact desktop system around an LGA 1851 processor who want room to grow without committing to a full ATX footprint. The PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and DDR5 support with overclocking up to 9066 MHz make it a reasonable choice for performance-oriented builds where the Micro-ATX size is an advantage rather than a compromise. Users who rely on wired peripherals and traditional storage setups will appreciate the four SATA 3 connectors, dual M.2 sockets, and a rear I/O that includes multiple USB-A ports and a PS/2 connector. The dual BIOS and RAID 0/1/5/10 support also make it suitable for users who value system reliability and want basic data redundancy options without additional hardware.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not well suited to users who need wireless connectivity out of the box, as neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth is included — those building in environments where running Ethernet cables is impractical would need to add a separate card. The absence of any USB Type-C rear ports and higher-speed interfaces such as USB 4 or Thunderbolt makes it a poor match for users who depend on modern high-bandwidth peripherals, external NVMe enclosures, or daisy-chained displays. Additionally, those looking to build a compact media or home theater PC may find the lack of S/PDIF output and the limited two M.2 sockets restrictive for their specific storage and audio routing needs.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	B860
form factor	Micro-ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✕
Has Bluetooth	✕
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✕
Easy to reset BIOS	✕
Has dual BIOS	✓
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	244 mm
width	244 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Gigabyte B860M DS3H is built around the LGA 1851 socket and pairs with the B860 chipset, fitting into a Micro-ATX form factor at a compact 244 x 244 mm. It accommodates a single CPU and supports easy overclocking, while dual BIOS adds a layer of firmware resilience. The board outputs video through HDMI 2.1 but does not include integrated graphics or an integrated CPU. Wireless connectivity is absent, as neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth is built in, and there is no RGB lighting. The easy CMOS reset feature is not present, though the three-year warranty provides reasonable long-term coverage.

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 board supports DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. Standard operation runs up to 6400 MHz, while overclocked profiles can push speeds as high as 9066 MHz. ECC memory is not supported on this board.

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	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	0
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	0
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	1

The rear I/O panel offers a total of six USB ports: one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and three USB 2.0 ports. There is no USB Type-C output of any kind, and higher-speed options such as USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4 are all absent. Display output is handled by one HDMI port and one DisplayPort, while DVI and VGA connectors are not included. Wired networking is covered by a single RJ45 port, and legacy peripheral support is available through one PS/2 port. There are no eSATA ports on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	4
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

Internal storage connectivity is provided by four SATA 3 connectors and two M.2 sockets, while SATA 2, mSATA, and U.2 are not available. For USB expansion through headers, the board includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, two USB 3.0 connectors, and four USB 2.0 connectors. Cooling is managed through four fan headers, and a TPM connector is present for platform security needs.

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 lane, suitable for a discrete graphics card or other high-bandwidth add-in cards. Two PCIe x1 slots are also present for smaller expansion cards. There are no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots, and PCIe x4, x8, and legacy PCI slots are all absent.

Audio:

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

The board delivers 7.1-channel audio through three analog audio connectors on the rear panel. There is no 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 board supports four RAID configurations: RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, covering a range of performance and redundancy needs. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte B860M DS3H is a compact Micro-ATX motherboard that delivers a well-rounded feature set for LGA 1851 builds without straying beyond its B860 chipset boundaries. Its PCIe 5.0 x16 slot paired with DDR5 support and overclocking headroom up to 9066 MHz gives it genuine capability for performance-focused configurations, while dual BIOS and broad RAID support add a layer of reliability that is not always found at this form factor. The trade-offs — most notably the absence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB Type-C rear ports — are real constraints that narrow its appeal to users comfortable with a fully wired setup. For those building a dependable, performance-capable compact system around Intel's current platform, the B860M DS3H makes a coherent choice, provided its connectivity limitations align with the intended build.