MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi
MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi Specifications Review
MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi by MSI 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 8800 MHz.
VRM Quality
The MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi comes with an entry-level VRM setup, delivering 60 A across 12 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 MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi offers a very extensive 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 4 x16 slots . 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 3 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 offers solid and reliable connectivity features, including wireless networking with the Wi-Fi 7 standard, and wired Realtek® 8126 5Gbps LAN ethernet supporting speeds up to 5000 Gbps. Bluetooth 5.4 is available for wireless accessories. It also provides a good selection of modern USB ports to cover most connectivity needs. For exact USB specifications, please see the detailed table.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 , DisplayPort version 1.4 , USB-C DisplayPort . 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® ALC897 Codec) 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
MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi delivers a strong overall quality score of 65.80. It offers reliable performance, durable construction, and a comprehensive set of features suitable for demanding workloads, gaming, and productivity, without venturing into the extreme performance segment of premium boards.
This motherboard offers an impressive 69.5% performance-to-price ratio, delivering excellent value by combining strong performance with reasonable cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
General Information
| Manufacturer | MSI |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi |
| Current Price Amazon | $180 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 4 hours, 40 minutes ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | B860M / LGA 1851 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 12 (60 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 12+1+1+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 256 GB / 8800 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 5.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen5 | Gen4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 3 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2280, 2260, 2242 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® ALC897 Codec |
|---|
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K 60Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.4 (Max: 4K 60Hz) |
| DP over USB-C | DisplayPort over USB-C - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 2 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (5 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB4 / Thunderbolt Type-C (40 Gbps) | 1 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Header (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: Realtek® 8126 5Gbps LAN LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Version: Wi-Fi 7 Bandwidth: 320MHz Frequency Bands: ['2.4GHz', '5GHz', '6GHz'] |
| Bluetooth |
Version: 5.4 |
Button Features
| Buttons |
Clear CMOS |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode. Supports Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory and CUDIMM. Max overclocking frequency depends on the memory configuration: 1DPC 1R up to 8800+ MT/s, 1DPC 2R up to 7200+ MT/s, 2DPC 1R up to 6400+ MT/s, and 2DPC 2R up to 5600+ MT/s. Supports Intel® POR Speed and JEDEC Speed. |
|---|---|
| Display | The Type-C DisplayPort is a Thunderbolt™ 4 port, supporting UHBR20. Video outputs are available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed. |
| Expansion | PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU). PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset). PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset). PCI_E4 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset). |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio |
| Networking | The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot. Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, up to 5.8Gbps. Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax/ be. Bluetooth supports MLO, 4KQAM. |
| 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.
MSI PRO B860M-A WiFi 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$220
|
↑
2.8%
|
67.0%
|
34.0%
|
94.0%
|
94.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
57.8%
|
|
|
$195
|
0.0%
|
66.2%
|
34.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
78.0%
|
40.0%
|
64.5%
|
|
|
$190
|
0.0%
|
66.2%
|
48.0%
|
95.0%
|
89.0%
|
59.0%
|
40.0%
|
66.2%
|
|
|
$180
|
0.0%
|
65.8%
|
37.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
69.5%
|
|
|
$198
|
0.0%
|
65.8%
|
37.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
63.1%
|
|
|
$190
|
↓
-5.0%
|
64.6%
|
41.0%
|
77.0%
|
56.0%
|
68.0%
|
81.0%
|
64.6%
|
|
|
$160
|
0.0%
|
63.8%
|
37.0%
|
80.0%
|
79.0%
|
80.0%
|
43.0%
|
75.8%
|
|
|
$200
|
0.0%
|
63.2%
|
37.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
60.0%
|
40.0%
|
60.0%
|
|
|
$202
|
↑
2.6%
|
62.2%
|
50.0%
|
72.0%
|
72.0%
|
71.0%
|
46.0%
|
58.4%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$220
|
↑
2.8%
|
$195
|
0.0%
|
$190
|
0.0%
|
$180
|
0.0%
|
$198
|
0.0%
|
$190
|
↓
-5.0%
|
$160
|
0.0%
|
$200
|
0.0%
|
$202
|
↑
2.6%
|
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| Manufacturer | MSI | MSI | ASRock | MSI | MSI | ASUS | MSI | MSI | ASUS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | Z890 / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | Z890 / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860-I / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 12 (55 A) | 12 (55 A) | 16 (60 A) | 12 (60 A) | 12 (60 A) | 10 (80 A) | 12 (60 A) | 12 (60 A) | 12 (80 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 12+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 16+1+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 10(80A)+1(80A)+2(80A)+1(80A) | 12+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 12(80A) + 1(80A) + 2(80A) + 1(80A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 128 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 9200 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 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 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x4 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® ALC897 | Realtek® ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek ALC1220P | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound Hi… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | Realtek® 8125D 2.5Gbps L… (1 ports) | Intel® Killer™ E5000 5Gb… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8126 5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Intel® Killer™ E5000 5Gb… (1 ports) | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet (1 ports) | Intel® Killer™ E5000 5Gb… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8126 5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethern… (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | ❌ | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | ❌ | Wi-Fi 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.4 | v5.4 | ❌ | v5.4 | v5.4 | v5.4 | v5.4 | ❌ | v5.4 | Rear USB |
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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| USB Headers |
❌ |
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|
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||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
52.1%
|
74.9%
|
65 W / 121 W | 14 / 8 / 14 | 3072.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 3.50 GHz / 5.10 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | |
|
$346
|
0.0%
|
49.2%
|
74.2%
|
65 W / 121 W | 14 / 8 / 14 | 3072.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 3.40 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU | |
|
$179
|
0.0%
|
43.4%
|
72.6%
|
65 W / 121 W | 10 / 4 / 10 | 3072.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.90 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU | |
|
$165
|
↑
0.1%
|
43.4%
|
72.6%
|
65 W / 121 W | 10 / 4 / 10 | 3072.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.90 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | None |
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
Memory Support 8800 - 6400 (OC) MT/s / 6400 - 4800 (JEDEC) MT/s
Max. overclocking frequency:
• 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 8800+ MT/s
• 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 7200+ MT/s
• 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MT/s
• 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MT/s
Supports Intel® POR Speed and JEDEC Speed
Supports Memory Overclocking and Intel® XMP 3.0
Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode
Supports Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
Supports CUDIMM
Graphics:
Support HDMI™ 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*
1x DisplayPort
Support DisplayPort 1.4, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz*
1x Type-C DisplayPort
Thunderbolt™ 4 port, supporting DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR20 over USB Type-C, with a maximum resolution of 4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz*
*Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
Storage:
M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260/2242 devices
M.2_2 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 , supports 2280/2260 devices
M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x2 , supports 2280 devices
4x SATA 6G
Expansion Slots:
PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU)
PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset)
PCI_E4 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset)
USB:
4x USB 2.0 (Front)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 5Gbps Type C (Rear)
4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
1x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Front)
Internal I/O:
1x Power Connector(ATX_PWR)
2x Power Connector(CPU_PWR)
1x Power Connector(PCIE_PWR 8pin)
1x CPU Fan
1x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan)
3x System Fan
2x Front Panel (JFP)
1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
1x Front Audio (JAUD)
1x Com Port (JCOM)
1x Tuning Controller connector(JDASH)
2x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2)
1x RGB LED connector(JRGB)
1x TPM pin header(Support TPM 2.0)
4x USB 2.0 ports
4x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
1x USB 10Gbps Type C ports
Back Panel I/O:
Keyboard / Mouse
USB 5Gbps Type-A
5G LAN
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Audio Connectors
HDMI™
Thunderbolt™ 4 40Gbps (Type-C)
USB 2.0
Clear CMOS Button
USB 10Gbps Type-A
USB 5Gbps Type-C
WiFi:
The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot
Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (320MHz) up to 5.8Gbps
Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax/ be
Supports Bluetooth® 5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM
Audio:
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
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