Maxsun iCraft B860M Cross specifications and in-depth review

Maxsun iCraft B860M Cross

Manufacturer: Maxsun

The Maxsun iCraft B860M Cross is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed around Intel's LGA 1851 platform and B860 chipset, measuring 245 mm × 245 mm. It ships with a three-year warranty and includes quality-of-life features such as RGB lighting, a clear CMOS button, and dual BIOS for straightforward recovery. Wireless connectivity is handled by an integrated adapter covering Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 6E alongside Bluetooth 5.3.

Memory support reaches up to 192 GB of DDR5 across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with standard speeds up to 6400 MHz and overclocked profiles extending to 9066 MHz. Expansion is anchored by a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and a PCIe x4 slot, while three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors cover storage needs. The rear I/O provides eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB 4 40 Gbps port, one Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI 2.0, a DisplayPort output, and a single RJ45 jack, with five audio connectors and S/PDIF out rounding out the panel.

Pros
  • Dual BIOS provides a built-in recovery option if one BIOS becomes corrupted
  • Four DDR5 slots support up to 192 GB of RAM with overclocked speeds reaching 9066 MHz
  • A single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensures compatibility with the latest discrete graphics cards
  • Eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports on the rear panel offer fast and plentiful connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are built in, removing the need for separate wireless adapters
  • Three M.2 sockets alongside four SATA 3 connectors provide flexible storage expansion
Cons
  • Micro-ATX form factor limits the total number of expansion slots compared to full-size boards
  • No PCIe x1 slots are available, restricting the addition of compact expansion cards
  • ECC memory is not supported, making the board unsuitable for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
  • There is no TPM connector, which may complicate hardware-based security configurations
  • RAID 0+1 storage configurations are not supported
Who is this for?

This board suits builders looking to assemble a capable desktop system on the Intel LGA 1851 platform within a compact footprint. Its three M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot make it a practical choice for users who want modern storage flexibility and support for the latest discrete graphics. The built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 appeal to those setting up in spaces where running Ethernet is inconvenient, while the dual BIOS and DDR5 support up to 192 GB with overclocked speeds reaching 9066 MHz will suit enthusiasts who want headroom for memory tuning without sacrificing system stability.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need a high slot count for multiple expansion cards will find the Micro-ATX layout restrictive, as there are no PCIe x1 slots and only a single secondary PCIe x4 slot available. The board is also a poor fit for workstation or server-oriented builds that rely on ECC memory for data integrity or require RAID 0+1 configurations for storage redundancy. Similarly, anyone needing a TPM connector for hardware-based security compliance — such as in managed enterprise environments — will find the lack of that header a notable limitation.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1851
chipset B860
form factor Micro-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 2.0
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 245 mm
width 245 mm
Has integrated CPU

The Maxsun iCraft B860M Cross is a Micro-ATX motherboard measuring 245 mm × 245 mm, built around the LGA 1851 socket and compatible with the B860 chipset. It accommodates a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity is built in, covering Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 6E alongside Bluetooth 5.3, though aptX audio is not supported. The board features RGB lighting, a clear CMOS button for straightforward BIOS resets, and dual BIOS for added reliability. Overclocking is supported through an easy-access mechanism, and the board outputs video via HDMI 2.0. A three-year warranty is included.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 192GB
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 9066 MHz
memory slots 4
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory

This board supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 192 GB. Standard RAM speeds reach up to 6400 MHz, while overclocking profiles can push that figure to 9066 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 8
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
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 rear I/O panel offers a well-stocked USB selection, led by eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB 4 40Gbps port, and one Thunderbolt 4 port, all with USB Type-C connectivity present. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4 20Gbps, or Thunderbolt 3 ports. Video output is handled by an HDMI port and a single DisplayPort, while VGA and DVI outputs are absent. Networking is covered by one RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 2
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion) 1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 3
SATA 3 connectors 4
fan headers 5
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 is handled through a range of headers and sockets suited to storage and USB expansion. Storage options include three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, while SATA 2, U.2, and mSATA connectors are absent. For USB expansion, the board provides two USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers, two USB 3.0 headers, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 header, and three USB 2.0 headers. Five fan headers are available for cooling management. A TPM connector is not present on this board.

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

Expansion on this board is built around a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot as the primary full-length interface, complemented by one PCIe x4 slot. There are no PCIe 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 additional x16 slots, and no PCIe x1, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots are present.

Audio:

Has S/PDIF Out port
audio connectors 5

The board includes five audio connectors along with an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.

Storage:

Supports RAID 0+1

This board does not support RAID 0+1 storage configurations.

Final Verdict

The Maxsun iCraft B860M Cross delivers a well-rounded feature set for a Micro-ATX board on the Intel LGA 1851 platform, with standout provisions in connectivity and memory capability. Its DDR5 support spanning up to 192 GB with overclocked speeds of 9066 MHz, combined with a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, three M.2 sockets, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, and dual BIOS, positions it as a solid option for desktop enthusiasts and capable home builds alike. Those requiring ECC memory, hardware TPM, or a broader expansion slot layout will need to look elsewhere, but for users whose priorities align with its strengths, the iCraft B860M Cross represents a coherent and feature-conscious platform choice within the Micro-ATX segment.

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