MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard offers robust connectivity and expansion options for users looking to build or upgrade their PC. Featuring a B860 chipset, it supports a range of modern technologies including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, catering to both home and office setups. Its ATX form factor allows for ample space to accommodate high-end components.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, with a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, and overclocked speeds reaching up to 8800 MHz. It includes 4 memory slots and dual BIOS for added reliability. Additionally, it features PCIe 5.0 support, multiple M.2 sockets for storage expansion, and a variety of USB ports including USB 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4 for enhanced connectivity options.

Pros

Supports a wide range of Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 for fast and modern wireless connectivity.
Dual BIOS feature provides additional reliability, reducing the risk of system failure due to BIOS issues.
Easy overclocking support allows for better performance tuning for compatible components.
Ample memory support, with up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM and high overclocked speeds up to 8800 MHz.
Includes multiple expansion options, including PCIe 5.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for high-speed component installation.

Cons

Does not include integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
Lacks RGB lighting, which may be a drawback for users seeking aesthetic customization.
No support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting some types of storage expansion options.
Does not have S/PDIF Out for digital audio output, potentially limiting certain audio setups.
No support for RAID 0+1, a more specific RAID configuration that some users may require.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for users looking to build a high-performance system with support for modern features. It excels for those who need advanced Wi-Fi support (including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7) and multiple RAID configurations for enhanced storage redundancy or performance. Gamers, content creators, and professionals requiring expandability with PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 slots will also find this product highly suitable for their needs.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best choice for users who need a system with integrated graphics, as it lacks this feature, requiring a discrete GPU. It is also not ideal for those who seek extensive customization with RGB lighting, as this feature is absent. Additionally, users needing specific RAID setups like RAID 0+1 or more storage options like mSATA or U.2 connectors may find this product lacking in those areas.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	B860
form factor	ATX
release date	February 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
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	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard features an LGA 1851 CPU socket and is compatible with the B860 chipset, designed for ATX form factor builds. It supports a wide range of Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), and the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), alongside Bluetooth 5.4. With dual BIOS for improved reliability and easy overclocking support, this board offers flexibility for performance tuning. The motherboard also includes features like easy CMOS resetting and lacks integrated graphics or RGB lighting.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8800 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory across 4 memory slots, offering ample room for high-performance RAM. It supports a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, with overclocked speeds reaching up to 8800 MHz. With dual memory channels for improved performance, this board does not support ECC memory, ensuring it is suited for general-use applications rather than error-correction tasks.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
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	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	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard offers a wide array of connectivity options with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) and USB 2.0 ports, providing a mix of high-speed and standard data transfer capabilities. It also includes a Thunderbolt 4 port and a USB Type-C port for modern peripheral support. Additionally, there is an RJ45 port for wired network connectivity, but the motherboard does not feature HDMI, DisplayPort, or eSATA connectors.

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	6
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 Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard offers a variety of connectors, including 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and 4 additional USB 2.0 ports for expanding your peripheral options. It features 3 M.2 sockets for storage expansion and includes 6 fan headers to support efficient cooling. Other connectivity options include 4 SATA 3 connectors and a TPM connector for enhanced security, while it lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors.

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 Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard provides a solid expansion slot configuration, including 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for high-speed GPU or other expansion cards. It also features 2 PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion, but lacks PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x4, or PCIe x8 slots, limiting certain types of additional expansion cards.

Audio:

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

The MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels, delivering high-quality sound for immersive audio experiences. It includes 3 audio connectors for connecting speakers or headphones but does not feature an 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 MSI Pro B860-VC Wi-Fi motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0) for various data redundancy and performance setups. However, it does not support the RAID 0+1 configuration.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers a solid foundation for high-performance builds, with excellent Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 support and a robust set of RAID options for users focused on storage flexibility. Its PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 slots provide ample expansion possibilities for gamers and professionals alike. However, the lack of integrated graphics and RGB lighting may limit its appeal for users with specific aesthetic or display needs. Overall, this motherboard is highly recommended for users seeking a high-performance, expandable platform with advanced networking and storage capabilities.