ASUS ROG Strix B860-A Gaming WiFi Motherboard Unveiled: Sleek White Design & 10 USB Ports
The ASUS ROG Strix B860-A Gaming WiFi has been revealed in an unboxing video by PCEkspertTV, showcasing an elegant white PCB design and impressive features. Designed for Intel’s LGA 1851 socket and the upcoming Arrow Lake CPUs, this motherboard targets gamers and PC builders seeking a more budget-friendly option compared to the higher-end Z890 chipset.
Features and Design
The ROG Strix B860-A Gaming WiFi follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the B760-A, and is aimed at users with non-overclockable Core Ultra 200S processors. While it doesn’t support CPU overclocking like its Z-series sibling, it compensates with a well-rounded feature set:
White aesthetics: Fully white PCB and heatsinks with the signature Strix branding.
Heatsinks: Large VRM heatsinks and coverage for both top and bottom M.2 slots for efficient cooling.
USB connectivity: A robust 10 USB ports, including two USB-C 20G ports.
Storage: Features 4x M.2 slots and 4x SATA ports.
PCIe slots: Two PCI-E x16 slots, with one reinforced with steel armor for durability.
The motherboard is also equipped with Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5G LAN for high-speed connectivity, along with RGB/ARGB headers to satisfy PC builders looking to add custom lighting.
Notable Changes & Missing Features
The CMOS battery has been relocated under the primary PCI-E x16 slot, which might pose challenges for users needing to replace it, especially with dual-slot GPUs installed. Additionally, onboard troubleshooting options are limited to DEBUG LEDs, as there’s no dedicated POST code or Q-LED display.
Expectations
The B860 chipset is part of Intel’s upcoming 800-series lineup, with motherboards expected to arrive in early 2025 alongside the second wave of Arrow Lake CPUs. Pricing details remain under wraps, but the ASUS ROG Strix B860-A Gaming WiFi is positioned to deliver premium features in a budget-friendly package.
Does this new sleek design and feature set meet your expectations for a budget-friendly motherboard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
