ASUS Prime B860-PLUS WiFi motherboard review featuring DDR5, PCIe 5.0, and WiFi 6E

Description

Initial Impressions of the ASUS Prime B860-PLUS WiFi

The ASUS Prime B860-PLUS WiFi motherboard had me intrigued the moment I unboxed it. I could immediately tell it was designed with DIY PC builders in mind. This ATX motherboard boasts a sleek black design with subtle accents, making it appealing without being overly flashy. Its build felt robust, and the pre-mounted I/O shield was a nice touch, especially for someone like me, who tends to fumble during installations. I tested this motherboard with an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, and it felt like a match made in tech heaven.

Design and Build Quality

One thing that stood out was the attention to detail in its construction. The enlarged VRM heatsinks and the M.2 heatsink are not just for show; they effectively dissipate heat during heavy use. I appreciate the Q-DIMM and Q-slot features, which made securing my RAM and GPU a breeze. The overall layout is intuitive, with plenty of room for additional components. For anyone worried about cable management, the design ensures minimal clutter, which is a big win for aesthetics and airflow.

Performance and Features

This motherboard shines in the performance department. With its DDR5 RAM support, I noticed faster boot times and seamless multitasking. The 8+1+1+1 80A DrMOS power stages deliver consistent power, which is crucial for stability during gaming or rendering tasks. Additionally, the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot is a game-changer for those planning to use high-performance GPUs. Testing it with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, I experienced zero bottlenecks. The Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gb LAN provided ultra-fast internet speeds, even in my network-heavy environment.

Key Benefits

• DIY-friendly features like the pre-mounted I/O shield and Q-LED indicators simplify the building process.
• Ultrafast connectivity options, including a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port and front USB 5Gbps Type-C connector.
• Enhanced thermal design ensures optimal cooling, even under heavy loads.
• Sturdy build quality that inspires confidence in the product’s longevity.

Areas for Improvement

• The motherboard lacks an integrated optical drive option, which some users might find limiting.
• While the RGB lighting options are extensive, they might not appeal to users preferring a minimalist look.
• The PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot feels slightly outdated compared to the PCIe 5.0 standard.
• No included accessories in the box, like SATA cables, could inconvenience first-time builders.

Competing Products

Comparing this motherboard to alternatives like the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi, I found pros and cons. Both offer Wi-Fi 6E and PCIe 5.0 support, but the ASUS Prime B860-PLUS WiFi stands out with its DIY-friendly features and better thermal management. However, the MSI board has more USB ports and an additional M.2 slot. Another rival, the Gigabyte AORUS Elite AX, offers similar performance but lacks the user-friendly installation aids that ASUS provides. The ASUS model, in my opinion, strikes a better balance between performance and accessibility.

Price Performance

While the cost of this motherboard might seem steep at first, its feature set makes it a worthy investment. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E, PCIe 5.0 support, and DDR5 compatibility positions it as a future-proof choice. Competing products in a similar price range often lack the same level of thermal optimization or DIY-friendly features, which makes this option stand out. For anyone building a high-performance system, the value proposition here is hard to ignore.

Final Thoughts on Usability

Using this motherboard daily has been a smooth experience. Whether I was gaming, editing videos, or just browsing with multiple tabs open, the system remained stable. Aura Sync’s addressable RGB headers allowed me to customize the lighting to match my setup’s theme, adding a personal touch. The Fan Xpert 2+ technology kept the system cool, even during intense usage. Some minor quirks aside, this motherboard checks all the boxes for power users and casual builders alike.

Additional information