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MSI Pro B860M-C Ex specifications and in-depth review

MSI Pro B860M-C Ex

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for LGA 1851 processors. It offers a range of features, including support for up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM and overclocking capabilities. This motherboard is suitable for users who need a reliable foundation for building a high-performance PC.

Key technical features include a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, two M.2 sockets, and multiple USB ports, such as USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C. It also supports RAID configurations like RAID 1, 5, and 10, and provides 7.1 audio channels for enhanced sound quality.

Pros
  • Supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, providing substantial headroom for demanding workloads.
  • Includes PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for future-proofing high-performance GPU upgrades.
  • Dual BIOS for enhanced system reliability and recovery in case of failure.
  • Supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, 5, and 10 for improved data redundancy and performance.
  • Has a variety of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A for flexible connectivity.
Cons
  • Lacks integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, requiring additional expansion for wireless connectivity.
  • No support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting some storage expansion options.
  • No S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output, which may be limiting for certain audio setups.
  • Only offers 2 memory slots, limiting maximum upgrade flexibility for users who require more slots.
Who is this for?

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex is well-suited for users who need a reliable, high-performance motherboard for a variety of tasks, especially those requiring high memory capacity and flexible storage options. With support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and multiple RAID configurations, this board is ideal for users seeking a robust solution for gaming, content creation, or professional workloads where data redundancy and fast performance are important. Additionally, its PCIe 5.0 x16 slot provides compatibility with future high-performance GPUs, making it a good choice for users aiming for future-proofing their system.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best choice for users who require integrated wireless features, as it lacks both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. Additionally, users who need more than two memory slots or want to build a system with extensive storage expansion might find it limiting, as it does not support mSATA or U.2 connectors and offers only two RAM slots. The lack of an S/PDIF Out port may also be a drawback for those seeking advanced digital audio output capabilities for home theater systems or high-end audio setups.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1851
chipset B860
form factor Micro-ATX
release date January 2025
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 220 mm
width 243.8 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex motherboard is built for the LGA 1851 CPU socket and supports the B860 chipset. It features a compact Micro-ATX form factor, with a single CPU socket and no integrated graphics. The board also includes dual BIOS for added reliability and ease of use. It does not support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RGB lighting, and it lacks integrated CPU capabilities. For connectivity, it has HDMI 2.1, but no built-in tools for easy BIOS resetting. The motherboard is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 128GB
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8800 MHz
memory slots 2
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory ✕

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex motherboard supports a maximum memory capacity of 128GB with DDR5 RAM. It features 2 memory slots and can achieve a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, with overclocking potential up to 8800 MHz. The motherboard operates with dual memory channels, but it does not support ECC memory.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 2.0 ports 2
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 1
has a VGA connector ✓
PS/2 ports 1

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex motherboard is equipped with a variety of ports, including USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A. It offers 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (USB-A), 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. For display connectivity, it provides HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI outputs, along with a VGA connector. Additionally, it includes 1 RJ45 port for networking and 1 PS/2 port for legacy peripherals.

Connectors:

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

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex motherboard offers a variety of connectivity options through its connectors. It includes 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 expansion ports, 4 additional USB 2.0 ports, and 2 additional USB 3.0 ports for enhanced peripheral support. For storage, it provides 4 SATA 3 connectors and 2 M.2 sockets. Additionally, the board features 3 fan headers and a TPM connector, but it does not have mSATA or U.2 connectors.

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 1
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x4 slots 0
PCIe x8 slots 0

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex motherboard includes a range of expansion slots to support various hardware configurations. It features 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, along with 2 PCIe x1 slots and 1 PCI slot. Notably, it does not include PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, and lacks PCIe x4, x8, and PCIe 2.0 x16 slots. This selection of slots provides solid expansion options for adding graphics cards, sound cards, and other peripherals.

Audio:

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

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex motherboard provides 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound quality. It features 3 audio connectors for a variety of audio setups, but it does not include 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 B860M-C Ex motherboard supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0) for enhanced data redundancy and performance. It also supports RAID 0 for striping, but does not support RAID 0+1.

Final Verdict

The MSI Pro B860M-C Ex is a solid choice for users looking for a reliable, future-proof motherboard that excels in high-performance memory support and storage flexibility. With its ability to handle up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and support for multiple RAID configurations, this board is well-suited for demanding tasks such as gaming and content creation. While it may not be ideal for users requiring integrated wireless features or extensive storage options, it offers ample connectivity and expandability for most use cases. Overall, this motherboard is a strong option for building a capable, long-lasting system.

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