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GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE Review

 

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In our new review we will take a look at the flagship motherboard GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE. We will test it in conjunction with the processor. Core Ultra 9 285 and RAM Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5-8000 Limited Edition on 48 GB .

APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS

GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE — is the latest motherboard from GIGABYTE, designed for gamers and enthusiasts who want to maximize the potential of their systems. It combines cutting-edge technology, efficient cooling solutions, and signature AORUS style, providing the perfect balance between performance and features.

Below is a detailed overview of the key features of this model, designed in a style that reflects the unique characteristics of the GIGABYTE B860 chipset, as well as other advantages of this motherboard.

APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS

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Aggressive and stylish design

Motherboard GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE impresses with its unique appearance, which combines a silver-white palette and elements of futuristic design. The high-quality snow-white PCB is covered with massive aluminum radiators, which not only provides effective cooling, but also gives the device a premium look. Particular attention is drawn to details such as engravings on the radiators and the AORUS logo placed on the chipset cover. These elements add visual sophistication and emphasize the gaming focus of the board.

The board’s aesthetics fit perfectly into modern builds, especially if the PC case is equipped with transparent side panels or RGB lighting. The AORUS logo and the inscription “TEAM UP. FIGHT ON.”, engraved on various elements of the board, emphasize its belonging to the enthusiast product line.

Fusion RGB Lighting

Backlighting is not just an aesthetic element, but a functional feature. GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE... System RGBFusion allows the user to choose from a variety of colors and effects, such as pulsating, waves, or static glow. RGB lighting covers key areas, including the logo on the chipset cover, as well as elements around the RAM and audio codec slots. Synchronization with other devices is supported via Fusion, which makes it possible to create a unique color scheme for the entire system.

For those who prefer minimalism, the backlight can be turned off completely, preserving a clean and simple appearance. But if you want to highlight your build, the customization options are limited only by your imagination.

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Radiators and sophisticated cooling

Particular attention in the design was given to the cooling system. Power supply circuits (VRM) covered with massive aluminum radiators that provide stable cooling under high loads. The radiators have a complex geometry with an increased heat dissipation area, which allows maintaining stable operation even when using top Intel Core processors Ultra.

Heatsinks are also provided for three of the four M.2 slots, which protects high-speed SSDs from overheating. This is especially important for enthusiasts using NVMe drives with a PCIe 5.0 interface. This approach ensures the durability of components and their performance in any conditions.

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Sturdy box with premium presentation

Packaging GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE is made in a style that matches the premium class of the device. The white box with a minimalist design and an image of the board on the front side immediately attracts attention. The packaging indicates key specifications, including support for Wi-Fi 7, PCIe 5.0 and DDR5. Thick cardboard protects the device from external influences during transportation, and the inside of the package is supplemented with foam material for additional safety.

Reliable protection inside

Once you open the box, it becomes obvious that the manufacturer has paid attention to every aspect of safety. The motherboard is packed in an anti-static bag, which prevents the accumulation of static electricity. Foam material ensures that the device is tightly fixed, eliminating the risk of damage during transportation.

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Complete set of accessories

Equipment GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE designed for user convenience. The kit includes:

  • GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE Motherboard — the main element of the set.

  • Two SATA cables for connecting storage devices.

  • Wi-Fi antenna, providing a stable wireless signal and maximum connection speed.

  • M.2 SSD Mounts — special screws and latches that facilitate the installation and removal of drives.

  • User's Guide with detailed instructions on installing and configuring the system.

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Processor compatibility

heart GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE is a socket LGA1851, which supports Intel Core processors Ultra 2nd generation. This line of processors is characterized by high performance and energy efficiency. Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and 3.0 technologies provide dynamic increase in clock frequency, which makes the board an ideal choice for gaming, video editing and 3D rendering.

The board is equipped with premium power circuits that include high-quality MOSFETs and Digi+ elements. This allows for stable overclocking and reduced heat generation even under intensive loads.

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Memory

GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE supports up to 256 GB of DDR5 RAM, which opens up wide possibilities for multitasking and working with resource-intensive applications. Four DIMM slots support frequencies up to 9200 MT/s in overclocking mode. With XMP and AORUS Memory Boost technologies, users can easily tune memory settings to achieve the optimal balance between speed and stability.

This board is ideal for both gaming and workstation systems where high memory bandwidth is critical.

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Graphics and video outputs

The rear panel of the board provides a variety of video outputs, including:

  • 1 x HDMI 2.1, providing image output in resolution up to 4K at 60 Hz.

  • 1 x DisplayPort 2.1, which supports monitors with resolution up to 8K.

  • 1 x USB4 Type-C with the ability to connect displays via DisplayPort Alt Mode.

These outputs allow you to drive up to four displays simultaneously, making the board an excellent choice for work and entertainment.

Networking opportunities

GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE supports the most modern connection technologies:

  • Wi-Fi 7: high data transfer rate and low latency, support for 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz frequencies.

  • 2.5Gb Ethernet: Low latency wired connection, ideal for online gaming and streaming.

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Storage devices

High-quality data storage support:

  • 1 PCIe 5.0 x4 slot for the latest NVMe SSDs.

  • 2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots for high-speed storage devices.

  • 4 x SATA 6Gbps ports for traditional HDD and SSD.

RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 functionality allows you to customize your storage system to suit your needs.

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Sound

The board is equipped with an audio codec Realtek, which provides clear and voluminous sound. Support for 7.1-channel sound makes it an excellent choice for gaming and multimedia.

GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE — is the choice for those looking for a powerful, stylish and functional motherboard. Its modern design, support for advanced technologies and high performance make it an ideal solution for gaming and work systems. With Wi-Fi 7, PCIe 5.0 and DDR5, this board is ready for future challenges and provides stable operation in any conditions.

UEFI

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The first screenshot shows the Easy Mode interface, a simplified BIOS mode that provides the user with basic system parameters and indicators. This is useful for quickly familiarizing yourself with the system status. This screen displays information about the processor frequency (5400 MHz), component temperatures (processor and system), memory frequency (7999 MT/s), and fan speed.

Key Features:

  • SmartFan 6 — a tool for customizing fan behavior.

  • Boot sequence — boot order, allowing you to select the boot device priority.

  • GIGABYTE PerfDrive — system performance management via profiles (Baseline, Performance, Extreme). This screen is ideal for users who need to quickly check the basic performance of their PC without getting into technical details.

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The “Favorites” section allows you to quickly access important settings added to your favorites. This speeds up navigation through BIOS settings and is useful for experienced users who frequently work with configurations.

It stands out:

  • Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) — activation of preset profiles for overclocking RAM (in this case DDR5-8000).

  • VT-d — virtualization settings for improved work with virtual machines.

  • Max Ring Ratio и System Memory Multiplier — CPU and RAM overclocking parameters to maximize system performance. This section is suitable for enthusiasts who want quick access to basic settings.

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The Tweaker tab is designed for deep customization of system parameters. This is the place where enthusiasts can adjust the frequencies of the processor, RAM, and component voltages.

Key settings:

  • Performance CPU Clock Ratio - control of the processor multiplier to change its frequency.

  • Vcore Voltage Mode - processor voltage control to stabilize overclocking.

  • XMP Profile — Selecting a RAM profile to improve performance. This section is recommended for experienced users familiar with the basics of overclocking.

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The Settings section contains basic system settings such as power management, I/O port configuration, and system status monitoring.

Features:

  • Platform Power — energy consumption management.

  • IO Ports — setting up USB and SATA ports.

  • PC Health Status — diagnostics of the state of PC components, including voltage and temperatures. This section is suitable for users who need to configure system-wide parameters or perform diagnostics.

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The “System Info” tab provides the user with basic information about the system: motherboard model (B860 AORUS ELITE WiFi7 ICE), BIOS version, processor frequency and installed memory capacity.

This information is useful for diagnostics, BIOS updates, and planning system upgrades.

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The “Boot” section controls the boot parameters of the system. Here you can select the priority of boot devices, enable or disable Secure Boot, and adjust the mouse speed in the interface.

Useful functions:

  • Secure Boot - protection against unauthorized access and malware during download.

  • Boot Option Priorities — Manage boot device priorities. This section is necessary for users who want to customize the boot order or improve system security.

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The “Save & Exit” tab is used to save changes, load settings profiles and exit the BIOS.

Features:

  • Load Optimized Defaults — restore default system settings.

  • Boot Override — temporary selection of the boot device without changing the main boot order. This section is important for completing work with the BIOS and fixing the changes made.

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The Smart Fan 6 interface is designed to fine-tune the fans. Users can set temperature curves, adjust fan speeds, and set warnings when fans fail.

Functions:

  • Manual Control Settings - setting the PWM curve and temperature for each fan.

  • CPU_FAN Fail Warning - Notifications about CPU fan failures. This tool is especially useful for ensuring stable system cooling.

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The “Q-Flash” section is used to update the BIOS. The system provides the ability to load a new BIOS file from a flash drive.

Advantages:

  • Ease of use — BIOS update without loading the operating system.

  • Information about the current version - Displays the current BIOS version and release date. This tool provides a simple and safe BIOS update.

AIDA64 test results at different memory frequencies

When testing the system, we decided to forego experimenting with different DDR5 memory frequencies in order to focus on analyzing the preset profiles offered by the motherboard. These profiles, developed by GIGABYTE engineers, allow you to evaluate the system's performance in various scenarios without having to manually adjust the parameters. This approach makes it easier for the end user to understand the capabilities of the board.

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Intel Default Settings - BaseLine

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This mode is basic for Intel processors and is activated by default when the system is first booted. All settings are focused on stability and minimum power consumption. The processor frequency is limited 5400 MHz, and the memory works on 8000 MHz with timings CL36-48-48-128.

CPU-Z test results:

  • Single-threaded performance: 891.2 points.
  • Multithreaded performance: 15,913.4 points.

BaseLine is ideal for users who do not perform resource-intensive tasks. It is recommended for working with documents, viewing multimedia and general PC use, where low noise and energy savings are important.

Intel Default Settings - Performance

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Performance mode is designed for users who require increased performance. The processor frequency increases up to 5500 MHz, delivering increased speed for multitasking and intensive workloads. Memory settings remain unchanged.

CPU-Z test results:

  • Single-threaded performance: 898 points.
  • Multithreaded performance: 18,306 points.

This profile is great for gaming, graphics work, and professional applications where the balance between performance and power consumption is important.

Intel Default Settings - Extreme

Extreme — This is the maximum performance profile. The processor is overclocked to 5600 MHz, significantly increasing heat generation and power consumption. This mode requires effective cooling to ensure the system remains stable under load.

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CPU-Z test results:

  • Single-threaded performance: 882 points.
  • Multithreaded performance: 18,343 points.

Extreme Suitable for professionals working with 3D modeling, video rendering and other heavy-duty tasks. Users should take into account the increased requirements for the cooling system.

GBT Default

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This mode is designed GIGABYTE to provide an optimal balance of performance and stability. The processor operates at a frequency of up to 5700 MHz, and the memory remains on 8000 MHz. Memory timings do not change, but thanks to improved power and frequency management algorithms, performance increases.

CPU-Z test results:

  • Single-threaded performance:903 points.
  • Multithreaded performance: 18,983 points.

GBT Default is the most productive mode in the benchmark, see what happens in games...

TEST PART
Test configuration
test stands

GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE

Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD 4 TB- optimal solution for testing different configurations     ki

48 GB DDR5 8000 Kingston FURY Renegade Kingston FURY logo

Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD  Kingston FURY logo  

Multimedia equipment

Monitor Philips 326M6VJRMB/00

Deepcool PX1200G 1200W Power Supply

Cooling system: Deepcool LT720

Housing: DeepCool CH780 WH

Software configuration
Operating system Windows 11
Graphics driver

Nvidia GeForce/ION Driver Release 566.36 WHQL

Monitoring programs

MSI Afterburner

 
In the upcoming comparative testing, we plan to evaluate the performance by testing them in a number of popular games. GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE in various modes of preset profiles.
 
Cyberpunk 2077

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The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

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 В Cyberpunk 2077 the difference between the modes is minimal, which indicates good optimization of the system for all settings.

  • Intel Default Settings - Extreme produces slightly higher minimum FPS (117 fps) and average FPS (130 fps), which can be explained by aggressive performance settings.
  • Intel Default Settings - Performance и GBT Default demonstrate almost identical results: minimum FPS 115 and 114 accordingly, and the average 127 and 124.
  • Intel Default Settings Closes the list with the lowest FPS 114 and average 123.

The differences between these modes are difficult to notice in actual gameplay.

Dragon's Dogma 2

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The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

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Here again the tendency towards minimal differences is noticeable.

  • Extreme offers the maximum result (90/125 FPS), which is expected for a mode with aggressive performance.
  • Economical performance и GBT Default show minimal differences (87/122 FPS and 83/118 FPS respectively).
  • Intel Default Settings maintains a balance between power consumption and performance (86/120 FPS).

In this game, the difference in performance is so small that choosing the mode will not have a significant impact on the gameplay.

Horizon Forbidden West

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The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

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The game with high graphics load demonstrates identical results in all modes.

  • Extreme issues 133 / 155 FPS, just slightly ahead Economical performance (132 / 153 FPS).
  • GBT Default и Intel Default Settings almost identical (132/152 and 131/151 FPS).

It is safe to say that switching between modes here will not provide a noticeable increase in performance.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Stalker2 Win64 Shipping 2024 11 20 21 47 36 919 Stalker2 Win64 Shipping 2024 11 20 21 47 41 389

The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

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Even in the demanding STALKER 2, the difference between the modes is insignificant.

  • Extreme reaches minimum FPS 78 and average 92, which is slightly higher than other modes.
  • Economical performance и GBT Default equally stable with the results 75 / 88 FPS.
  • Intel Default Settings only slightly lags behind (74/87 FPS), but this does not affect the comfort of the game.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard

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The testing settings are shown in the screenshots above.

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RPGs with moderate system loads also do not show significant deviations between modes.

  • Extreme slightly ahead (96/112 FPS), however Economical performance и GBT Default demonstrate almost identical values ​​with minimum FPS 92-93 and average 108.
  • Intel Default Settings slightly behind (90/107 FPS), but the difference remains unnoticeable to the eye.

All modes are suitable for comfortable play, the differences can be considered insignificant.

CONCLUSION

Motherboard GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE demonstrates itself as a universal solution for creating a modern high-performance system. During the testing, the device demonstrated stable operation and a wide range of capabilities adapted for both everyday tasks and intensive loads.

One of the key advantages is the support for DDR5 RAM with a capacity of up to 256 GB and frequencies up to 9200 MT/s in overclocking mode. The implementation of XMP and AORUS Memory Boost technologies allows you to easily configure the memory, which provides an optimal balance between speed and stability. This makes the board an excellent choice for both gamers and professionals working with resource-intensive applications.

LGA 1851 processor socket compatible with Intel processors Arrow Lake, combined with advanced power and cooling capabilities, ensures reliable operation and efficient power management. The board supports the latest PCIe 5.0 interface, which is especially important for working with high-speed video cards and storage devices.

The networking capabilities of the GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE are also noteworthy. The built-in Wi-Fi 7 module and Gigabit Ethernet guarantee high connection speeds and minimal latency, which is especially important for streaming, online gaming, and working with large amounts of data.

The test results show that even when changing the settings, the performance differs minimally, which confirms the balance of the various operating modes of the board. This indicates a high degree of optimization of the BIOS and hardware components.

Thus, the GIGABYTE B860 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE is a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable, modern and functional platform with wide customization options. It will satisfy the needs of both enthusiasts who strive for maximum performance and users who need stability for all-day work.

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