ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM
ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM Specifications Review
ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM by ASUS is a Micro-ATX form factor motherboard based on the mid-range B860M chipset and LGA 1851 socket, providing a balanced set of features and connectivity. It is designed to support DDR5 memory, with 4 slots, a maximum capacity of 256 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 8666 MHz.
VRM Quality
The ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM comes with an entry-level VRM setup, delivering 80 A across 7 phases. Works best with CPUs in the ~65–105 W TDP range. Can technically run higher-TDP processors at stock, but will likely experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads. Suited for budget gaming, office PCs, and home builds without heavy CPU demands.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM offers a well-equipped expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 5.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 5.0, the newest standard offering extremely high bandwidth for next-generation graphics cards and ultra-fast NVMe storage. It also includes 2 x16 slots , and 1 x1 slot. These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 2 M.2 slots and 4 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard includes basic to moderate connectivity options, such as wireless networking with the Wi-Fi 6E standard, and wired Intel® B860 Chipset ethernet supporting speeds up to 2500 Gbps. Bluetooth 5.3 support is included for common wireless devices. USB ports are adequate for everyday devices, and more details are available in the specs table.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 , DisplayPort version 1.4 . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek® ALC892/ALC897) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones.
Overall Quality and Value
ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM is a dependable choice with a respectable overall quality score of 56.80. It provides all the essential features and stable performance expected in a mainstream system, covering typical use cases without unnecessary extras.
This motherboard has a solid 63.5% value efficiency, providing decent performance relative to its price. It represents a balanced option for users seeking fair capabilities without paying a premium.
General Information
| Manufacturer | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM |
| Current Price Amazon | $170 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 7 hours, 35 minutes ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | B860M / LGA 1851 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 7 (80 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 7(80A) + 1(80A) + 1(80A) + 1(80A) |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 256 GB / 8666 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 5.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen5 | Gen4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| x1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 2 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2242, 2260, 2280 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 |
|---|---|
| Analog Audio Jacks | 3 jacks |
| Spatial/Surround Audio | ✔️ Rear Output Supports Spatial Audio |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K@60Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.4 (Max: 4K@60Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps) | 1 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
|---|---|
| Power Delivery (W) | 15W |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 2 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB4 / Thunderbolt Header (40 Gbps) | 1 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: Intel® B860 Chipset LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Version: Wi-Fi 6E Frequency Bands: ['2.4GHz', '5GHz', '6GHz'] Antenna Connectors: 2 |
| Bluetooth |
Version: 5.3 |
Button Features
| Buttons |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports Un-buffered and Clocked Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM). Features DIMM Fit and ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile III (AEMPIII). Non-ECC, un-buffered DDR5 memory supports On-Die ECC function. Supported memory types, data rate, and number of DRAM modules vary depending on the CPU and memory configuration. |
|---|---|
| Display | Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types. VGA resolution support depends on processors' or graphic cards' resolution. While installing the operating system, please ensure that your monitor is connected to the HDMI port on the back I/O panel or to a discrete graphics card. |
| Expansion | The PCIe 4.0 x16 slot from the Intel B860 Chipset supports x4 mode. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | Features Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC. Supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, and up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback. Includes Audio Shielding, premium audio capacitors, and dedicated audio PCB layers. A chassis with an HD audio module in the front panel is required to support 7.1 Surround Sound audio output. |
| Networking | WiFi 6E 6GHz regulatory may vary between countries, supported only in Windows 11 or later. The Bluetooth® version may vary, please refer to the Wi-Fi module manufacturer's website for the latest specifications. |
| Buttons | The motherboard includes a Clear CMOS header, but not a dedicated button. |
| Dimensions | 24.4cm x 24.4cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
ASUS Prime B860M-A WiFi-CSM Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$160
|
0.0%
|
60.6%
|
31.0%
|
73.0%
|
94.0%
|
65.0%
|
40.0%
|
72.0%
|
|
|
$160
|
↓
-27.3%
|
60.4%
|
37.0%
|
80.0%
|
66.0%
|
76.0%
|
43.0%
|
71.7%
|
|
|
$350
|
0.0%
|
59.2%
|
40.0%
|
97.0%
|
53.0%
|
63.0%
|
43.0%
|
32.1%
|
|
|
$165
|
0.0%
|
57.2%
|
31.0%
|
68.0%
|
94.0%
|
50.0%
|
43.0%
|
65.9%
|
|
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
56.8%
|
28.0%
|
67.0%
|
79.0%
|
65.0%
|
45.0%
|
63.5%
|
|
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
55.6%
|
24.0%
|
73.0%
|
72.0%
|
64.0%
|
45.0%
|
62.1%
|
|
|
$160
|
0.0%
|
54.8%
|
30.0%
|
67.0%
|
75.0%
|
62.0%
|
40.0%
|
65.1%
|
|
|
$150
|
0.0%
|
54.2%
|
20.0%
|
68.0%
|
88.0%
|
50.0%
|
45.0%
|
68.7%
|
|
|
$161
|
0.0%
|
53.0%
|
32.0%
|
67.0%
|
78.0%
|
43.0%
|
45.0%
|
62.6%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$160
|
0.0%
|
$160
|
↓
-27.3%
|
$350
|
0.0%
|
$165
|
0.0%
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
$160
|
0.0%
|
$150
|
0.0%
|
$161
|
0.0%
|
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| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE | MSI | GIGABYTE | Gigabyte | ASUS | GIGABYTE | ASRock | GIGABYTE | ASUS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B860 / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | Z890I / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 12 (50 A) | 12 (60 A) | 8 (105 A) | 12 (50 A) | 7 (80 A) | 8 (60 A) | 10 (60 A) | 8 (50 A) | 8 (80 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 12+1+2 | 12+1+1+1 | 8+1+2 | 12+1+2 | 7(80A) + 1(80A) + 1(80A) + 1(80A) | 8+1+2 | 10+1+1+1+1 | 8+1+2 | 8+1+1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 9200 MHz | 128 GB / 9200 MHz | 256 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 8666 MHz | 256 GB / 9200 MHz | 256 GB / 8666 MHz | 256 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 8666 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Intel® Killer™ E5000 5Gb… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN ch… (1 ports) | Intel® B860 Chipset (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethern… (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.3 | v5.4 | v5.4 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | ❌ | Rear USB |
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VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No compatible CPU available. The motherboard's VRM is too weak to be recommended with any CPU in the database. | |||||||||
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
Supports up to 8666+MT/s (OC), Non-ECC,Un-buffered ,Clocked Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM)*
Dual channel memory architecture
DIMM Fit
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory module
ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile III(AEMPIII)
*Supported memory types, data rate (speed), and number of DRAM modules vary depending on the CPU and memory configuration, for more information please refer to CPU/Memory Support list under the Support tab of product information site or visit https://www.asus.com/support/download-center/.
* Adjustments will be made based on the specifications of mass-produced memory products available on the market.
* Non-ECC, un-buffered DDR5 memory supports On-Die ECC function.
Graphics:
1 x HDMI™ port***
* Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types. Please refer to www.intel.com for any updates.
** Supports max. 4K@60Hz as specified in DisplayPort 1.4.
*** Supports 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI 2.1.
***** VGA resolution support depends on processors' or graphic cards' resolution.
******While installing the operating system, please ensure that your monitor is connected to the HDMI port on the back I/O panel or to a discrete graphics card.
Storage:
Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) *
M.2_1 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 5.0 x4 mode)
Intel®B860 Chipset
M.2_2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 modes)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
* Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports SATA RAID 0/1/5/10.
Expansion Slots:
1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
Intel® B860 Chipset
1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode)
1 x PCIe 4.0 x1 slot
- To ensure compatibility of the device installed, please refer to https://www.asus.com/support/download-center/ for the list of supported peripherals.
USB:
1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 10Gbps port (1 x Type-A )
2 x USB 5Gbps ports (2 x Type-A)
4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A)**
Front USB (Total 5 ports)
1 x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C® )
1 x USB 5Gbps header supports 2 additional USB 5Gbps ports
1 x USB 2.0 header supports 2 additional USB 2.0 ports
*USB Type-C® power delivery output: max. 5V/3A
**USB_E1 port, USB_E2 port, USB_E3 port and USB_E4 port share the bandwidth.
Internal I/O:
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header
1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header
1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header
3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers
Power Related
1 x 24-pin Main Power connector
1 x 8-pin +12V CPU Power connector
Storage Related
2 x M.2 slots (Key M)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
USB
1 x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C® )
1 x USB 5Gbps header supports 2 additional USB 5Gbps ports
1 x USB 2.0 header supports 2 additionalUSB 2.0 ports
Miscellaneous
3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers
1 x Aura RGB header
1 x Clear CMOS header
1 x Chassis Intrusion header
1 x COM Port header
1 x Front Panel Audio header (F_AUDIO)
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x SPI TPM header (14-1 pin)
1 x 10-1 pin Front System Panel header
1 x Thunderbolt™ (USB4®) header
Back Panel I/O:
1 x USB 10Gbps port (1 x Type-A)
2 x USB 5Gbps ports (2 x Type-A)
4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A )
2 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI™ port
1 x Wi-Fi module
1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port
3 x Audio jacks
WiFi:
2x2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency band*
Bluetooth® v5.3**
* WiFi 6E 6GHz regulatory may vary between countries, supported only in Windows 11 or later
** The Bluetooth® version may vary, please refer to the Wi-Fi module manufacturer's website for the latest specifications.
Audio:
- Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- Supports up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback
Audio Features
- Audio Shielding
- Premium audio capacitors
- Dedicated audio PCB layers
* A chassis with an HD audio module in the front panel is required to support 7.1 Surround Sound audio output.
Special Features:
- DIGI+ VRM (- Digital power design with DrMOS)
- ESD Guards
- LANGuard
- Overvoltage protection
- SafeSlot
- Stainless-steel back I/O
ASUS Q-Design
- Q-Antenna
- Q-Dashboard
- Q-DIMM
- Q-LED Core
- Q-Slot
ASUS Thermal Solution
- M.2 heatsink
- VRM heatsink design
ASUS EZ DIY
- ProCool
- Pre-mounted I/O shield
Aura Sync
- Aura RGB header
- Addressable Gen2 headers
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