MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi is a versatile Micro-ATX motherboard designed for gamers and tech enthusiasts. It supports a range of modern features, including Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless connectivity. The motherboard also boasts a robust B860 chipset, ensuring solid performance and reliability for a wide variety of builds.

With a maximum memory capacity of 256GB and support for DDR5 RAM at speeds up to 6400 MHz, this motherboard is ready to handle high-performance applications. It includes multiple expansion options, such as PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, and supports RAID configurations like RAID 1, 10, and 5 for enhanced storage flexibility.

Pros

Supports multiple Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, offering broad wireless compatibility and high-speed connectivity.
Equipped with dual BIOS for added reliability and easy recovery in case of failure.
Includes 5 fan headers for enhanced cooling options, which is useful for high-performance builds.
Offers a total of 256GB maximum memory support and high-speed RAM overclocking up to 8600 MHz, ensuring flexibility and performance for demanding tasks.
Supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, for advanced storage options and data redundancy.

Cons

Lacks support for mSATA and U.2 connectors, limiting some specialized storage options.
Does not have an S/PDIF Out port, restricting high-quality digital audio output options for external devices.
No support for RAID 0+1, which could have provided additional redundancy options in certain configurations.
Does not include USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt 3 ports, which could have offered faster data transfer speeds and more modern connectivity options.
Lacks VGA and DVI outputs, limiting compatibility with older display technologies.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users who prioritize high-speed connectivity and expansion options. With support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, it ensures fast wireless performance, while its dual BIOS and RAID support make it a reliable choice for enthusiasts looking to build a system with redundant storage or advanced overclocking capabilities. Additionally, the ample fan headers allow for efficient cooling, making it suitable for high-performance setups.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best choice for users who need extensive display output options or support for legacy storage devices. The lack of VGA and DVI outputs limits compatibility with older monitors, while the absence of mSATA and U.2 connectors restricts certain specialized storage configurations. Additionally, users seeking the fastest USB data transfer speeds may find the lack of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt 3 ports limiting for modern devices.

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	243.8 mm
width	243.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard is built with a Micro-ATX form factor and supports the LGA 1851 CPU socket, compatible with B860 chipsets. It features Wi-Fi 6E support, enabling faster wireless connectivity, and includes Bluetooth 5.4 for improved device pairing. Notable for its ease of use, the motherboard supports easy overclocking, RGB lighting, and features such as dual BIOS and an HDMI 2.1 output. It also offers a 3-year warranty and the ability to reset the BIOS quickly via the Clear CMOS function.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8600 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across 4 available slots, offering a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8600 MHz. It operates with dual memory channels to optimize performance and does not support ECC memory, making it ideal for high-speed, gaming-focused applications rather than error-correction needs.

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)	1
USB 2.0 ports	2
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 MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB 4 40Gbps and Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer. It has a total of 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-A ports, and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB-C port. Additionally, it features HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for video display, as well as an RJ45 port for wired networking. Notably, it lacks a VGA connector, DVI outputs, and PS/2 ports.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	5
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	3
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

The MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard offers several connector options for expansion and customization. It includes 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port for additional connectivity, as well as 4 USB 2.0 ports. For storage, it has 4 SATA 3 connectors and 3 M.2 sockets, supporting high-speed drives. Additionally, it features 5 fan headers for improved cooling and a TPM connector for enhanced security, while it does not include mSATA or U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
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 MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard features a solid set of expansion slots, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-performance graphics cards. It also includes 2 PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion cards. Notably, it does not have PCIe 3.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, or PCIe x4 slots, making it best suited for users needing modern PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 capabilities.

Audio:

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

The MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound experiences. It includes 3 audio connectors for flexible speaker or headset connections, but it does not have an S/PDIF Out port, limiting its digital audio output options.

Storage:

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

The MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations for flexible storage options, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0), allowing users to optimize performance, redundancy, or both. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some advanced redundancy setups.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers solid performance and flexibility, making it a great choice for enthusiasts and power users. With strong support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, multiple RAID configurations, and ample fan headers for cooling, it excels in delivering a fast, stable, and customizable experience. However, it may not be the best fit for users needing extensive legacy display or storage options. Overall, this motherboard is highly recommended for those looking to build a high-performance system with modern connectivity and advanced features.