GIGABYTE B860M Gaming WIFI6 DDR5 Intel Motherboard

The GIGABYTE B860M Gaming WiFi 6 is a Micro-ATX motherboard built on the Intel B860 chipset, designed to support Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) in the LGA1851 socket. It delivers a solid foundation for gaming and productivity builds that demand modern connectivity, fast storage, and reliable power delivery — all in a compact form factor. Power delivery is handled by a hybrid 8+1+2 phase VRM solution, providing stable current to Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs across a range of workloads. GIGABYTE’s D5 Bionic Corsa technology is implemented to support DDR5 memory performance, with speeds reaching up to DDR5-9066 (via XMP profiles) and dual-channel support for up to 128 GB across two DIMM slots. The board also accepts ECC Un-buffered DIMM modules, though these operate in non-ECC mode. Storage options include two M.2 Socket 3 connectors — one of which runs at PCIe 5.0 x4 for next-generation NVMe SSDs — alongside four SATA 6 Gb/s ports. The primary PCIe x16 slot operates at PCIe 5.0 x16, ensuring full bandwidth for a discrete graphics card, while a secondary chipset-connected PCIe x16 slot (electrically x4, PCIe 4.0) accommodates additional expansion cards. Networking includes a 2.5 GbE LAN port and an integrated WiFi 6 (802.11ax) module with Bluetooth 5.3, supported by a 2T2R antenna configuration and GIGABYTE’s WIFI EZ-Plug design for hassle-free antenna installation. The rear I/O panel provides HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for iGPU-equipped processors, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, three USB 2.0/1.1 ports, and three audio jacks. Internally, the board offers a USB Type-C header (USB 3.2 Gen 1), an additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 header, two USB 2.0/1.1 headers, and three addressable RGB Gen2 LED strip headers for lighting customisation. Thermal management is addressed through VRM Thermal Armor Advanced heatsinks and an M.2 Thermal Guard that helps dissipate heat generated by high-speed NVMe drives. The PCIe EZ-Latch Plus mechanism allows tool-free graphics card removal. GIGABYTE’s AI Perfdrive feature within the UEFI BIOS generates optimised preset profiles, while Q-Flash Plus enables BIOS updates without a CPU or memory installed. The board carries a three-year manufacturer warranty. Verified Specifications: – Model: B860M-GAMING-WIFI6 – Form Factor: Micro-ATX – Socket: LGA1851 – Chipset: Intel B860 – CPU Support: Intel Core Ultra Series 2 – Memory: DDR5, Dual Channel, up to 128 GB, up to DDR5-9066 (XMP), 2 x DIMM – M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 Socket 3 (1 x PCIe 5.0 x4, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4) – SATA: 4 x SATA 6 Gb/s – PCIe Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU), 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 (chipset, x16 physical) – LAN: 2.5 GbE – Wireless: WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 – Rear USB: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 – Display: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort – Warranty: 3 Years