ASRock B860 Motherboards Review – RIPTIDE, LIGHTNING, STEEL LEGEND & LiveMixer All Great Value For Intel Builders

ASRock B860 Steel Legend WIFI - Unboxing & Close Up

The Intel LGA 1700 platform was launched three years ago in 2021 and it has since seen a total of 3 generations of CPUs, Alder Lake (12th Gen), Raptor Lake (13th Gen), and Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen). We have seen at least three generations of motherboards, first with the 600-series which had Z690 as the top SKU, and then two generations of 700-series based on the top Z790 chipset which included a soft refresh for the 14th Gen lineup.

Intel has now introduced its next-generation 800-series chipsets and with the Core Ultra 200S CPU series, the company is also launching a brand new socket called LGA 1851. Today, we will be taking a look at the latest motherboards based on the value-oriented B860 chipset.

We received a load of motherboards from various manufacturers so let's start by taking a look at these updated designs. For this review, we will be testing out four ASRock B860 motherboards, the B860 LIGHTNING WIFI, the B860I Lightning WIFI, the B860 Steel Legend WIFI, and the B860 Live Mixer WIFI.

The Intel LGA 1851 Platform

For its Arrow Lake lineup, Intel is introducing a brand new socket which ends the reign of the LGA 1700 series after a little over three years. The new socket from now onward will be LGA 1851 and this will be first featured on the new 800-series motherboards.

The 800-series chipsets will include several SKUs but the one we are getting today is the entry-tier B860. This platform offers a total of 34 PCIe lanes of which 20 are PCIe Gen 5.0 and these come from both the CPU and the PCH. The B860 PCH features up to 14 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to 6 USB 3.2 ports including 2 20G, 4 10G, and 6 5G options, up to 12 USB 2.0 links & up to 4 SATA III links.

In terms of memory support, the new B860 motherboards will offer up to DDR5-6400 (native) capabilities and expanded speeds over 8000 MT/s with XMP. The platform will support up to 48 GB DIMMs in the dual-channel mode for up to 192 GB capacities in UDIMM, CUDIMM, SODIMM, and CSODIMM flavors.

Cooler Compatibility With LGA 1851 Socket

The Intel LGA 1851 socket is compatible with LGA 1700 socketed coolers though some coolers might require an offset kit for proper thermal load balance. The new socket also has a revised ILM called RL-ILM which uses a spacer between the loading mechanism to ensure proper pressure for the new Arrow Lake CPUs.

The ASRock B860 LIGHTNING WIFI motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is a Phantom Gaming product, which is aimed at the gaming segment. The packaging also lists a few features such as Polychrome SYNC, Intel Core Ultra Series 2 support, Thunderbolt & HDMI.

The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard, such as the 14+1+1 phase power design, Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, Memory OC Shield, PCIe Gen5, Tool-less M.2 heatsinks and WIFI6E.

Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. These include:

• - 2 x SATA Data Cables
• - 2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
• - 1 x ARGB Splitter Cable
• - 1 x Thermistor Cable

With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package. The ASRock B860 LIGHTNING WIFI motherboard is a standard ATX offering that measures 305x244 mm.

The motherboard carries a black color scheme with a few blue and purple accents on the heatsinks. This is a very gaming-centric theme which looks nice.

The board uses the LGA 1851 socket to support Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" processors. So far, the LGA 1851 socket will only support the Arrow Lake CPUs though we can expect a brand new family in the coming years.

Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.

These slots are rated to support EXPO/XMP profiles up to 8933 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. The full QVL list can be found here. The memory signals also integrate a new PCB design feature called "Memory OC Shield" which reduces EMI and offers enhanced memory overclocking and stability, especially at higher frequencies.

The ASRock B850 PG RIPTIDE WIFI motherboard features a 14+2+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX)  phase Dr.MOS power delivery that utilizes 80A Power Stages.

The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the AM5 socket. The board uses a 6-layer server-grade PCB.

The VRMs receive ample cooling from the aluminum thermal solution.

The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 600 Watts of power. Intel's Arrow Lake "Core Ultra 200S" Desktop CPUs can sip up to 250W of power by default.

Underneath the VRM heatsink are 7W/mK Thermal pads which transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink.

Expansion slots include two PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 1x Gen 4.0 x2) and four M.2 slots.

• CPU:
  - 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2), supports x2 mode
  - 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/BT)

The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot and ASRock also uses a new mechanism called Graphics Card Lite Release which has an enlarged latch for easy pressing that should help in removing the graphics card from the slot.

There are a total of four M.2 slots on the motherboard which include one PCIe Gen5 Blazing M.2 slot, two Hyper M.2 Gen4 x4 slots, and a single Gen4x2 slot. Three of these slots are cooled by M.2 heatsinks which include an XXL M.2 heatsink with an anti-drop screw design. The top design features a toolless design, too, which makes it easy to access the slot.

Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the ASRock B860 LIGHTNING WIFI motherboard:

• CPU:
  - 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2230/2242/2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 1 x M.2 Socket (M2_4, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x2 (32 Gb/s) mode
  - 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support up to four different storage devices at once.

For USB, you get a total of 19 ports which include 1 Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 8 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, and 7 USB 2.0 ports.

The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.

• - 1 x Thermistor Cable Header
• - 1 x SPI TPM Header
• - 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
• - 1 x RGB LED Header
• - 3 x Addressable LED Headers
• - 2 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 5 x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x 24-pin ATX Power Connector
• - 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
• - 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
• - 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
• - 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)

ASRock is using a WIFI 6E Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single LAN port powered by the 2.5GbE Killer E3100G controller.

The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:

• - 2 x Antenna Ports
• - 1 x HDMI Port
• - 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• - 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB4 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt protocol)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
• - 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
• - 3 x USB 2.0 Ports
• - 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
• - 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
• - 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• - 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

The ASRock B860I PG Lightning WIFI motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is a Phantom Gaming product, which is aimed at the gaming segment. The packaging also lists a few features such as Polychrome SYNC, Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU support, Thunderbolt & HDMI.

The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard, such as the 10+1+1 phase power design, Wi-Fi6E, BIOS Flashback, Memory OC Shield, Thunderbolt 4 Type-C & Blazing M.2 slot.

Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. These include:

• - 2 x SATA Data Cables
• - 2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
• - 1 x Thermistor Cable
• - 2 x Screws for M.2 Sockets

With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package. The ASRock B860I PG Lightning WIFI motherboard is a Mini-ITX offering that measures 170 x 170 mm. The motherboard carries a black color scheme with a few blue and purple accents on the heatsinks. This is a very gaming-centric theme which looks nice.

The board uses the LGA 1851 socket to support Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" processors. So far, the LGA 1851 socket will only support the Arrow Lake CPUs though we can expect a brand new family in the coming years.

Next to the socket are two DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 128 GB of dual-channel memory.

These slots are rated to support EXPO/XMP profiles up to 9333 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. The full QVL list can be found here. The memory signals also integrate a new PCB design feature called "Memory OC Shield" which reduces EMI and offers enhanced memory overclocking and stability, especially at higher frequencies.

The ASRock B860i PG Lightning WIFI motherboard features a 10+1+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX) phase Dr.MOS power delivery that utilizes 110A Power Stages. The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the socket. The board uses a high-end 10-layer server-grade PCB.

The CPU is supplied power through a single 8-pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 300 Watts of power. Intel's Arrow Lake "Core Ultra 200S" Desktop CPUs can sip up to 250W of power by default.

Expansion slots include a single PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16) and two M.2 slots. The full list is as below:

• CPU:
  - 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/BT)

The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot.

There are a total of two M.2 slots on the motherboard which include one PCIe Gen5 Blazing M.2 slot and one Hyper M.2 Gen4 x4 slot. One of the slots is located on the backside of the board and the primary Gen5 slot hosts a full-coverage heatsink. Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the ASRock B860I PG Lightning WIFI motherboard:

• CPU:
  - 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 3 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

Storage options include three SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support up to three different storage devices at once.

For USB, you get a total of 13 ports which include a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A/C ports, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, 6 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, and 3 USB 2.0 ports.

ASRock is using a WIFI 6E Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single LAN port powered by the 2.5GbE Dragon RTL8125BG controller.

ASRock uses a 7.1 CH HD audio design with the latest Realtek ALC1220 CODEC. Other than that, you get 2 ARGB headers and 3 fan connectors.

The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.

• - 1 x Thermistor Cable Header
• - 2 x Addressable LED Headers
• - 1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x Chassis Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x 24-pin ATX Power Connector
• - 1 x 8 pin 12V Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
• - 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
• - 1 x USB 2.0 Header (Supports 2 USB 2.0 ports)
• - 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
• - 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2 Header (10 Gb/s)

The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:

• - 2 x Antenna Ports
• - 1 x HDMI Port
• - 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB4 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt protocol)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports
• - 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
• - 1 x USB 2.0 Port
• - 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
• - 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
• - 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• - 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard comes in a standard white-colored package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & this is a Steel Legend product, which offers great value along with a great set of features. The packaging also lists a few features such as Polychrome SYNC, Thunderbolt, Intel Core Ultra Series 2 support & HDMI.

The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard, such as the 14+1+1 phase power design, Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, Lite release design, Tool-less M.2 heatsinks, and 20K high-end capacitors.

Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. These include:

• - 2 x SATA Data Cables
• - 2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
• - 1 x Thermistor Cable

With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package. The ASRock B860 Steel Legend motherboard is a standard ATX offering that measures 305x244 mm.

ASRock has opted for a white and silver color scheme for its Steel Legend series, making them a perfect option for those investing in white PC builds while staying on a budget.

The board uses the LGA 1851 socket to support Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" processors. So far, the LGA 1851 socket will only support the Arrow Lake CPUs though we can expect a brand new family in the coming years.

Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.

These slots are rated to support EXPO/XMP profiles up to 8666 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. The full QVL list can be found here. The memory signals also integrate a new PCB design feature called "Memory OC Shield" which reduces EMI and offers enhanced memory overclocking and stability, especially at higher frequencies.

The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WIFI motherboard features a 14+1+1+1+1 (VCore+GT+SA)  phase Dr.MOS power delivery that utilizes 80A Power Stages.

The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the LGA 1851 socket. The board uses a 6-layer server-grade PCB with 2oz Thickened copper. This VRM is very similar to the other RIPTIDE offering. As for the cooling, you get bigger heatsinks in the form of the Enlarged Heatsink Armor.

The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 600 Watts of power. Intel's Arrow Lake "Core Ultra 200S" Desktop CPUs can sip up to 250W of power by default.

Expansion slots include two PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 1x Gen 4.0 x2) and four M.2 slots.

• CPU:
  - 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2), supports x2 mode
  - 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/BT)

The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot and ASRock also uses a new mechanism called Graphics Card Lite Release which has an enlarged latch for easy pressing that should help in removing the graphics card from the slot.

There are a total of four M.2 slots on the motherboard which include one PCIe Gen5 Blazing M.2 slot, two Hyper M.2 Gen4 x4 slots, and a single Gen4 x2 slot. Three of these slots are cooled by M.2 heatsinks which include an XXL M.2 heatsink with anti-drop screw design. The top design features a toolless design, too, which makes it easy to access the slot.

Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WIFI motherboard:

• CPU:
  - 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2230/2242/2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 1 x M.2 Socket (M2_4, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x2 (32 Gb/s) mode
  - 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

The motherboard has a few RGB LEDs around the PCH and the bottom M.2 heatsink, plus it also comes with 3 ARGB and 1 RGB LED connector for users to personalize their PCs using the ASRock Polychrome RGB software.

Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support 4 different storage devices at once. For the front IO, you get a total of 19 ports which include a single Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 8 USB 3.2 Gen1, and seven USB 2.0 ports.

The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.

• - 1 x Thermistor Cable Header
• - 1 x SPI TPM Header
• - 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
• - 1 x RGB LED Header
• - 3 x Addressable LED Headers
• - 2 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 5 x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x 24-pin ATX Power Connector
• - 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
• - 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
• - 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
• - 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)

ASRock is using the latest WIFI 6E Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single LAN port powered by the 2.5GbE Dragon RTL8125BG controller. Audio is run by the ALC1220 controller.

The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:

• - 2 x Antenna Ports
• - 1 x HDMI Port
• - 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• - 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB4 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt protocol)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
• - 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
• - 3 x USB 2.0 Ports
• - 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
• - 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
• - 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• - 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

The ASRock B860 LiveMixer WIFI motherboard comes in a standard cardboard package. The front features a picture of the motherboard & is part of the LiveMixer series that is geared towards the content creator segment. The packaging also lists a few features such as Polychrome SYNC, Intel Core Ultra Series 2 support, Thunderbolt and HDMI.

The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard, such as the 12+1+1 phase power design, Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, Wi-Fi7, 22 USB ports, Ultra USB Power Delivery, Blazing M.2 slots, Tool-less M.2 heatsinks, and Nahimic Audio.

Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself. These include:

• - 2 x SATA Data Cables
• - 2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
• - 1 x Thermistor Cable

With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package. The ASRock B860 LiveMixer WIFI motherboard is a standard ATX offering that measures 305x244 mm.

The motherboard carries a black color scheme with large silver covers with a reflective touch and grey-colored heatsinks.

The board uses the LGA 1851 socket to support Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" processors. So far, the LGA 1851 socket will only support the Arrow Lake CPUs though we can expect a brand new family in the coming years.

Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 256 GB of dual-channel memory.

These slots are rated to support EXPO/XMP profiles up to 8000 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. The full QVL list can be found here. The memory signals also integrate a new PCB design feature called "Memory OC Shield" which reduces EMI and offers enhanced memory overclocking and stability, especially at higher frequencies.

The ASRock B860 LiveMixer WIFI motherboard features a 12+1+1+1+1 (VCore+GT+SA)  phase Dr.MOS power delivery that utilizes 80A Power Stages. Once again, a very similar VRM design as RIPTIDE and Steel Legend offerings.

The VRMs and power delivery solution are scattered around the AM5 socket. The board uses a 6-layer server-grade PCB. Underneath the VRM heatsink are 7W/mK Thermal pads which transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink.

The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 600 Watts of power. Intel's Arrow Lake "Core Ultra 200S" Desktop CPUs can sip up to 250W of power by default.

Expansion slots include three PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16/8 / 2x Gen 4.0 x4) and three M.2 slots. The PCIE2 slot will become disabled when the fourth M.2 slot is occupied.

• CPU:
  - 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2), supports x4 mode
  - 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/BT)

The motherboard utilizes a full metallic slot and ASRock also uses a new mechanism called Graphics Card Lite Release which has an enlarged latch for easy pressing that should help in removing the graphics card from the slot.

The motherboard also has a vast array of M.2 slots, all of which are featured under dedicated M.2 XXL/Aluminum heatsinks.

There are a total of three M.2 slots on the motherboard which include one PCIe Gen5 Blazing M.2 slot and two Hyper M.2 Gen4 x4 slots. All of these slots are cooled by M.2 heatsinks which include an XXL M.2 heatsink with an anti-drop screw design. The top design features a toolless design, too, which makes it easy to access the slot. Following is the full list of M.2 ports and their details on the ASRock B860 LiveMixer WIFI motherboard:

• CPU:
  - 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode
• Chipset:
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2230/2242/2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
  - 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

The motherboard has a single RGB LED zone underneath the larger M.2 heatsink, and it also comes with 3 ARGB and 1 RGB LED connector for users to personalize their PC using the Polychrome Sync software.

Storage options include two SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support up to two different storage devices at once. For USB, you get a total of 22 ports which include 1 Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C port, 10 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, and 10 USB 2.0 ports.

The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.

• - 1 x Thermistor Cable Header
• - 1 x SPI TPM Header
• - 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
• - 1 x RGB LED Header
• - 3 x Addressable LED Headers
• - 2 x CPU Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 5 x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x 24-pin ATX Power Connector
• - 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
• - 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
• - 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
• - 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header

ASRock uses a 7.1 CH HD audio design with the latest Realtek ALC1220 CODEC. Other than that, you get a BIOS Flashback button on the rear IO panel.

ASRock is using the latest WIFI 6E Module to power wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single 2.5 GbE LAN port powered by the Dragon RTL8125BG controller.

The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:

• - 2 x Antenna Ports
• - 1 x HDMI Port
• - 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB4 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt protocol)
• - 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
• - 6 x USB 2.0 Ports
• - 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
• - 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
• - 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• - 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

For testing, I used the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU which was sent to us by Intel on a range of B860 motherboards while using a high-end Z890 motherboard as the baseline for performance.

Intel LGA 1851 "B860" Motherboard Test Platform:

Processors	Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Motherboard	MSI MAG B860 Tomahawk WIFI (7E39v1B4) MSI MAG B860M Mortar WIFI (7E40v1A4) ASRock B860 Lightning WIFI (1.21) ASRock B860I Lightning WIFI (1.13) ASRock B860 Steel Legend (1.21) ASRock B860 LiveMixer WIFI (1.24)
Power Supply	FSP Hydro G 1200W PSU
Solid State Drive	Crucial T700 2 TB Gen5 SSD
Memory	T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 (CL34 2 x 16 GB)
Video Cards	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition
Cooling Solutions	Arctic Liquid Freezer III 420mm AIO
OS	Windows 11 64-bit

Our test rig includes the Crucial T700 2 TB Gen5 SSD that boots up our main OS. In addition to these, we are running an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics card and an FSP Hydro G 1200W PSU. For this specific review, we used the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-8200 (48 GB) memory kit running at CL40 timings.

All B860 Motherboards Memory Support (Official Rating)

The Intel B860 motherboards are listed with some of the highest-listed DDR5 memory support out of the box. Following is how each of the motherboards we tested stacks up in terms of frequency support:

3DMark CPU Profile Benchmark

Instead of producing a single number, the 3DMark CPU Profile shows you how your CPU's performance changes and scales with the number of cores and threads used. The 3DMark CPU Profile has six tests that help you benchmark and compare CPU performance for gaming and other activities.

Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, and even video editing and game creation.

Cinebench 2024

Cinebench 2024 utilizes the power of Redshift, Cinema 4D's default rendering engine, to evaluate your computer's CPU and GPU capabilities. Cinebench 2024 is designed to accommodate a broad range of hardware configurations - while it seamlessly supports x86/64 architecture (Intel/AMD) on Windows and macOS.

Cinebench R23

Cinebench is a real-world cross-platform test suite that evaluates your computer’s hardware capabilities. Improvements to Cinebench Release 20 reflect the overall advancements to CPU and rendering technology in recent years, providing a more accurate measurement of Cinema 4D’s ability to take advantage of multiple CPU cores and modern processor features available to the average user.

CPU-Z

CPUz is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system such as the Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels, Mainboard, chipset, Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD), and Real-time measurement of each core's internal frequency, memory frequency.

Geekbench 6

Geekbench 6 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures your system's performance with the press of a button.

HandBrake

HandBrake is a tool for converting video from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs.

PCMark 10

PCMark 10 is a complete PC benchmarking solution for Windows 10. It includes several tests that combine individual workloads covering storage, computation, image and video manipulation, web browsing, and gaming. Specifically designed for the full range of PC hardware from netbooks and tablets to notebooks and desktops, PCMark 10 offers complete Windows PC performance testing for home and business use.

POV-Ray

The POV-Ray package includes detailed instructions on using the ray tracer and creating scenes. Many stunning scenes are included with POV-Ray so you can start creating images immediately when you get the package.

SuperPI

Super PI is used by many overclockers to test the performance and stability of their computers. In the overclocking community, the standard program provides a benchmark for enthusiasts to compare “world record” pi calculation times and demonstrate their overclocking abilities. The program can also be used to test the stability of a certain overclock speed.

WinRAR

WinRAR is a powerful archive manager. It can back up your data and reduce the size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP, and other files downloaded from the Internet, and create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format.

Battlefield V

Battlefield V brings back the action of the World War 2 shooter genre. Using the latest Frostbite tech, the game does a good job of looking gorgeous in all ways possible. From the open-world environments to the intense and gun-blazing action, this multiplayer and single-player FPS title is one of the best-looking Battlefields to date. The game was tested at max settings at 1440p.

DOOM Eternal

DOOM Eternal brings hell to earth with the Vulkan-powered idTech 7.  We test this game using the Ultra Nightmare Preset and follow our in-game benchmarking to stay consistent.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 is the latest addition to Valve's CS series with a complete visual overhaul, bringing the FPS to a new generation of gamers.

Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus continues the journey of Artyom through the nuclear wasteland of Russia and its surroundings. This time, you are set over the Metro, going through various regions and different environments. The game is one of the premier titles to feature NVIDIA’s RTX technology and does well in showcasing the ray-tracing effects in all corners. The game was tested at Ultra setting with RTX settings turned off at 1440p.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing video game developed by CD Projekt Red and published by CD Projekt. The story takes place in Night City, an open world set in the Cyberpunk universe. Players assume the first-person perspective of a customizable mercenary known as V, who can acquire skills in hacking and machinery with options for melee and ranged combat. The game uses CD Projekt Red's in-house Red Engine, which is one of the most visually breathtaking and also one of the most graphics-intensive engines designed to date.

Intel's Arrow Lake "K" SKUs come with a default TDP of 125W and a PL2 rating of 250W for the Ultra 9 285K and 159W for the 245K. The chips can be set to performance or extreme mode using the BIOS software from each respective motherboard vendor.

The Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" Desktop CPUs come with a slightly modified IHS which is equipped over the tiled CPU die. This IHS is soldered with gold plating underneath to ensure good heat dissipation and thermal conductivity. The socket also features a revised ILM mechanism called RL-ILM (Reduced-Load) to provide optimal pressure for the socket and the CPU.

Last year, we tested loads of ASRock Z890 options which offered great features, aesthetics, and overclocking capabilities. This year, the company is rolling out more budget-oriented options in the B860 series. So with our roundup complete, let's talk about what these new offerings have got to offer to consumers building Intel Core Ultra PCs.

Starting with the ATX B860 offerings, the RIPTIDE, Steel Legend, and LiveMixer all come with the same VRM arrangement which includes a 14+2+1 phase design and super strong memory support with all models dialing things above DDR5-8000 MT/s. You'd need such support since the B860 motherboards don't support CPU overclocking and are limited to memory overclock capability. That is a big downside versus AMD's B850 offerings which are cheaper alternatives to their higher-end solutions but carry both CPU/DRAM support.

The performance across the lineup is in line with what you'd expect of running Arrow Lake on a high-end Z890 motherboard at default and the VRM heatsinks on these motherboards keep things cool with the B860I Lightning going an extra mile with its active-fan cooling.

In terms of design, gamers can go for the Phantom Gaming route while the Steel Legend series offers nice white aesthetics. The Mini-ITX B850I Lightning also looks great on its own. In terms of IO, all motherboards have many USB ports. The LiveMixer leads with 22 USB ports as it is a content creator motherboard, the RIPTIDE and Steel Legend come with 19 USB ports and the PG Lightning comes with 13 ports in total, a respectable number for a Mini-ITX design. Each board has at least two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports but these The benefit B860 series have over B850 is that they come with Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports.

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WIFI USB Options (22 Total):

• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (Rear) Chipset:
• - 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
• - 10 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (6 Rear, 4 Front)
• - 10 x USB 2.0 (6 Rear, 4 Front)

ASRock B860 Steel Legend WIFI USB Options (19 Total):

• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (Rear) Chipset:
• - 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
• - 8 x USB 3.2 Gen1 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
• - 7 x USB 2.0 (3 Rear, 4 Front)

ASRock B860 PG LIGHTNING WIFI USB Options (19 Total):

• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (Rear) Chipset:
• - 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
• - 8 x USB 3.2 Gen1 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
• - 7 x USB 2.0 (3 Rear, 4 Front)

ASRock B860I PG LIGHTNING WIFI USB Options (13 Total):

• - 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (Rear) Chipset:
• - 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (Front)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
• - 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 (4 Rear, 2 Front)
• - 3 x USB 2.0 (1 Rear, 2 Front)

All of the tested ASRock ATX B860 motherboards come with WIFI 6E and BT5.3 support. Other features include Toolless M.2 Gen5 slots while the Mini-ITX gets a screwed design. The Mini-ITX also gets a Gen4 slot on the back though there's no heatsink and the smaller Gen5 heatsink can get a bit warm.

In terms of pricing, the ASRock B850 lineup starts at $119.99 with options such as the B860M-H2 which has the baseline set of features. We didn't have that motherboard with us for testing, but other designs mostly sit around $150-$200 US. The options we had today are closer to the $200 segment and here we have the B860I Lightning WIFI at $212.99, B860 Lightning WIFI at $209.99, B860 Steel Legend WIFI at $199, and the B860 LiveMixer at $189. It's a good thing that Intel has launched Non-K Core Ultra 200S CPUs which can be great options with these motherboards and based on their features and performance, they are definitely superb for mainstream PC builders.

Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.