The first ASUS ROG Strix B860-G Gaming and TUF Gaming B860M-Plus Micro-ATX motherboards have leaked online, showcasing compact and cost-effective platforms for Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake desktop processors.
These motherboards, part of Intel’s budget-friendly 800-series, are expected to debut at CES 2025, but thanks to leaks from @momomo_us, we now have early details and images of the ASUS ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi and the TUF Gaming B860M-Plus.
ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi
The ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi offers a striking white PCB with gray accents and ROG Strix branding, targeting gamers who seek both performance and aesthetics. While it lacks CPU overclocking support—a standard limitation of the B860 chipset—it boasts a robust feature set suitable for modern builds:
- VRM and Storage Cooling: Large heatsinks covering VRMs and M.2 slots, ensuring thermal efficiency.
- Expansion Slots: A single PCI-E x16 slot (likely PCI-E Gen 5.0) for GPUs and three M.2 slots for storage.
- Rear I/O Ports:
- 8x USB Type-A
- 2x USB Type-C
- 1x HDMI
- 1x DisplayPort
- Wi-Fi, 2.5G LAN, and BIOS Flash/Reset buttons.
- Memory Support: Four DIMM slots, likely supporting DDR5 memory.
This mid-range B860 motherboard delivers modern connectivity and PCI-E Gen 5.0 compatibility, making it a strong contender for gamers and content creators.
TUF Gaming B860M-Plus
The TUF Gaming B860M-Plus follows a more understated design with a black PCB and TUF accents, appealing to users prioritizing durability and practicality. Its features include:
- Expansion Slots:
- 1x PCI-E x16 slot (Gen 5.0)
- 1x PCI-E x4 slot for additional add-ons.
- Storage:
- 4x SATA ports
- 3x M.2 slots for high-speed NVMe drives.
- Rear I/O Ports:
- 7x USB Type-A
- 1x USB Type-C
- 2.5G LAN (no built-in Wi-Fi)
- 6x audio jacks for comprehensive sound options.
- Memory Support: Four DIMM slots, likely for DDR5 memory.
The TUF Gaming B860M-Plus is an ideal choice for budget builds, providing reliable performance without unnecessary frills.
Affordable Arrow Lake Platforms with Next-Gen Standards
Both the ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi and TUF Gaming B860M-Plus motherboards support the LGA 1851 socket, compatible with Intel’s Core Ultra 200 processors, which are non-overclockable chips targeting budget-conscious users.
Importantly, both models incorporate PCI-E 5.0, enabling support for next-generation GPUs and storage devices.
These B860 boards will cater to affordable PC builds while retaining compatibility with cutting-edge technologies. With Intel’s Arrow Lake launch on the horizon, these motherboards are expected to hit shelves alongside the new processors early next year.
Stay tuned for more updates as CES 2025 approaches!
