Asus ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi: Micro ATX? Also an option

Asus ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi in detail

A smaller form factor, but still well-prepared for even the most powerful processors. The ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi motherboard has a sufficiently robust power delivery system even for the Core Ultra 9 285K, and its advantage lies in its lower height. This makes the motherboard suitable for use in smaller and more space-efficient cases, of which there are relatively few on the market, just like decent μATX motherboards.

One of the few Micro ATX motherboards designed for the Intel LGA 1851 platform has arrived in our test lab. Specifically, for Intel Arrow Lake processors, or more precisely, Intel Core Ultra 200S processors. The ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi is built on the cheaper of the two available chipsets, the Intel B860. This means the price is relatively lower compared to Z890 models, though it’s still not a cheap motherboard.

Its inclusion in the “ROG” family hints at above-average features, though the smaller form factor does impose certain limitations. However, these limitations may not affect everyone, and some will appreciate the space savings enabled by the smaller PCB.

Asus ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi

The smaller form factor (μATX) here doesn’t signify cost savings but rather spatial efficiency. At the same time, the ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi isn’t a very expensive motherboard that would break the bank. It can be seen as a compromise, balancing quality aspects with pricing, placing it in the mid-range category. This is ultimately reflected in its features, when viewed as a whole.

The PCB is square, with sides measuring 244 mm. The width of the motherboard is thus smaller than ATX models, and the intention was to make this board shorter. This allows for smaller, or more specifically, lower-profile cases, which benefit from motherboards with this layout. The reduction of 60 mm (compared to ATX motherboards) in the case of the ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi primarily means fewer PCI Express slots. In fact, only one slot remains, similar to even smaller Mini-ITX motherboards.

The fastest M.2 slot with PCIe 5.0 support is, in this case, located above the PCIe ×16 (5.0) slot. However, the distance between this slot (PCIe ×16) and the center of the CPU socket is slightly shorter than on most motherboards, at just 83 mm. It’s clear that Asus worked to fit as many components as possible into the smallest available height. However, this also means tighter spacing at this level and potentially weaker compatibility of PCIe expansion cards with tower coolers. In other words, there’s a higher chance of mutual interference, though this may not always occur—the distance between the PCIe ×16 slot and the CPU socket (Intel LGA 1851) is still relatively significant.

The SSD cooler on the first slot is notable for its clever latch mechanism, which allows for more elegant (de)installation without the need for tools. Before installation, simply remove the protective film on the thermal pad, insert the SSD into the slot (M.2), and properly secure the heatsink. Heat is also dissipated from the back of the SSD, as the first slot includes a metal plate that makes contact (via a thermal pad, from which the film must be removed) with the motherboard’s PCB.

The remaining three M.2 slots (all supporting PCIe 4.0) share a cooler, which will require a screwdriver for installation. It attaches to the motherboard’s PCB via standoffs with four screws. Remarkably, this form factor motherboard offers up to four M.2 slots for SSD installation. Similarly, there are four SATA connectors for connecting storage drives. There’s only one 19-pin connector for two 5 Gbps USB ports on the front panel of the case.

The power delivery system is 20-phase, with 16 phases dedicated to Vcore. The maximum current load per phase is 50 A. The integrated MOSFET circuits are Vishay SiC629. Their controller (PWM) is a chip labeled ASP2442GQW, located behind the two 8-pin EPS connectors. Yes, there are two of these connectors. While only one needs to be connected for operation, using both increases the total cross-section for electrical current flow, reducing hotspot temperatures.

The Ethernet chip is the Intel I226-V (S3273L07), offering a bandwidth of 2.5 Gb/s.

In addition to one RJ-45 connector, the rear I/O panel features up to ten USB ports, two of which are Type-C (4/Thunderbolt + 3.2 Gen 2×2), with the rest being Type-A. However, half of them (4) are slower, adhering to the USB 2.0 standard. These are ideal for connecting peripherals like mice, keyboards, or headsets, which don’t require faster interfaces.

The WiFi antenna connectors are push-pin type, and the audio configuration consists of two 3.5 mm jacks and an optical input (S/PDIF). The audio chip is the Realtek ALC1220(P).

The illuminated element is the ROG logo on the cover between the VRM and external connectors. Lighting effects, colors, and brightness can be controlled via the Armoury Crate application.

Please note: The article continues in the following chapters.

• Contents
• Asus ROG Strix B860-G Gaming WiFi in detail
• What it looks like in the BIOS
• Methodology: Performance tests
• Methodology: How we measure power draw
• Methodology: Temperature and clock speed measurements
• Test setup
• 3DMark
• Borderlands 3
• F1 2020
• Metro Exodus
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Total War Saga: Troy
• PCMark and Geekbench
• Web performance
• 3D rendering: Cinebench, Blender, ...
• Video 1/2: Adobe Premiere Pro
• Video 2/2: DaVinci Resolve Studio
• Visual effects: Adobe After Effects
• Video encoding
• Audio encoding
• Photos: Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, ...
• (De)compression
• (De)encryption
• Numerical computing
• Simulations
• Memory and cache tests
• M.2 (SSD) slots speed
• USB ports speed
• Ethernet speed
• Power draw without power limits
• Power draw with power limits
• Achieved CPU clock speed
• CPU temperature
• VRM temperature – thermal imaging of Vcore and SOC
• SSD temperature
• Chipset temperature (south bridge)
• Conclusion