Leaked ASUS B860 Micro-ATX Motherboards: ROG Strix B860-G Gaming & TUF Gaming B860M-Plus Models Revealed

The recently leaked ASUS B860 motherboards represent an M-ATX form factor tailored for Intel’s Arrow Lake desktop processors. This launch marks the first appearance of these compact yet powerful boards from ASUS.

Introducing the ASUS B860 Motherboards: A Blend of Aesthetics and Performance

Intel’s budget-friendly 800-series motherboards are set to make their public debut at CES 2025, showcasing designs aimed at gaming and mainstream setups. In anticipation of the event, exciting leaks have unveiled key details about the designs, including the inaugural glimpse of micro-ATX motherboards featuring the LGA 1851 socket.

Earlier indications suggested the presence of B860 motherboards with a full ATX layout, but new images reveal two fresh models designed by ASUS. Thanks to the insider info from @momomo_us, we can examine the specifications and visual representations of these motherboards, including their packaging.

The first model, the ASUS ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi, showcases a striking white PCB adorned with sleek gray accents and the ROG Strix branding. Positioned as a mid-range option within the B860 lineup, this motherboard offers modern specifications despite omitting certain features such as CPU overclocking capabilities and a reduced number of PCI-E lanes compared to higher-end Z890 models. Nevertheless, the B860-G is well-equipped to support cutting-edge technology, including PCI-E Gen 5.0 SSDs and GPUs.

Key features include robust heatsinks placed over the VRM and M.2 slots, a single PCI-E x16 slot, at least three M.2 slots, and four SATA ports for storage options. The rear I/O panel hosts an impressive array of connections, including eight USB Type-A ports and two USB Type-C ports. Additionally, it includes an HDMI output, a DisplayPort, three audio interfaces, Wi-Fi support, a 2.5G LAN port, and a dual-function switch for either Clear_CMOS or BIOS Flash.

The second model unveiled is the TUF Gaming B860M-Plus, characterized by its all-black PCB design enhanced with TUF branding on the heatsinks. This board features one PCI-E x16 slot, one PCI-E x4 slot, four SATA ports, three M.2 slots, and support for four DIMM modules. Its I/O specifications include seven USB Type-A ports alongside one USB Type-C port, facilitating efficient peripheral connectivity. Unlike its sibling, the TUF Gaming B860M-Plus does not come with built-in Wi-Fi but does offer a 2.5G LAN connection and six audio jacks for robust sound capabilities.

In summary, these two ASUS motherboards are well-equipped to support the upcoming Intel Core Ultra 200 non-overclockable processors, making them ideal for budget-conscious PC builds. With the inclusion of PCI-E 5.0 on the Intel B860 platform, users can expect seamless compatibility with the latest high-performance graphics cards.

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