{"id":1165251,"date":"2026-02-11T08:29:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/9CHBLTt6cr9CAaSkqMfvnc"},"modified":"2026-02-11T08:29:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:29:03","slug":"asrock-phantom-gaming-b850i-lightning-wi-fi-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/asrock-phantom-gaming-b850i-lightning-wi-fi-review\/","title":{"rendered":"ASRock Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning Wi-Fi review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re looking to build a Mini-ITX PC<\/a> using one of AMD\u2019s Ryzen 7000- or 9000-series CPUs then there\u2019s quite a range of Mini-ITX motherboards<\/a> to choose from, bolstered relatively recently by the launch of the B850 chipset that mostly brings lower price points than X870 and X870E. One of these is the ASRock Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning Wi-Fi, which will leave you with change from $300.<\/p>\n

Still not exactly cheap. It also has both current and previous generation chipset options to consider for similar prices or less as well as sizable variations in its own price depending on where you are. The key benefit here is that unlike B650 chipset options such as ASRock\u2019s own Phantom Gaming B650I Lightning Wi-Fi, the PCIe x16 slot is PCIe 5.0 compatible.<\/p>\n

The issue for the Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning Wi-Fi, though, is that there\u2019s very little else that\u2019s new given the near $100 price difference between those boards. Both support PCIe 5.0 SSDs, both have one PCIe 5.0 M.2 port and one PCIe 4.0 M.2 port along with Wi-Fi 6E.<\/p>\n

The benefits are worth considering, though, as they relate to audio performance and CPU power delivery, which could make up at least some of that sizeable price difference. What\u2019s more of an issue is that the likes of the Asus ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming Wi-Fi have active VRM cooling while Gigabyte\u2019s B650I Aorus Ultra boasts three M.2 ports and both are cheaper. Let\u2019s see how the ASRock fares overall.<\/p>\n

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Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning Wi-Fi specs<\/div>\n
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(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Socket:<\/strong> AMD Socket AM5
Chipse<\/strong>t: AMD B850
CPU compatibility:<\/strong> AMD Ryzen 7000\/9000 desktop
Form factor<\/strong>: Mini-ITX
Memory support:<\/strong> DDR5-4800 to DDR5-8200 (OC), up to 128 GB
Storage:<\/strong> 2x M.2, 2x SATA
USB (rear)<\/strong>: 1x USB 3.1 Type-C 10 Gbps, 2x USB 3.1 Type-A 10 Gbps, 1x USB 3.0 Type-A 5 Gbps, 4 x USB 2.0
Display:<\/strong> 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB\/DisplayPort
Networking:<\/strong> Realtek 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E
Audio:<\/strong> Realtek ALC1220
Price:<\/strong> $290<\/a> | \u00a3194<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Compared to the Phantom Gaming B650I Lightning Wi-Fi, it\u2019s a similar design here, with the benefits of an additional two CPU power phases and also better audio in the form of Realtek\u2019s ALC1220 instead of ALC897. That\u2019s about it, though, and both boards have very small M.2 heatsinks for dealing with hot-running PCIe 5.0 SSDs. Another competitor is ASRock\u2019s own B650E PG-ITX Wi-Fi<\/a>, which includes an actively cooled M.2 heatsink. Other than that, though, the Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning Wi-Fi seems to be almost identical, yet costs about $30 less.<\/p>\n

One feature that seems to be hard to find especially on B-series chipset Mini-ITX boards is USB4, but Gigabyte has managed to shoehorn this in to the X870I Aorus Pro Ice, which costs about the same and also includes Wi-Fi 7 and a snazzy white color scheme. As if the venerable Asus ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming Wi-Fi wasn\u2019t enough to worry about, the ROG Strix B850-I Gaming Wi-Fi adds Wi-Fi 7 to the equation as well as actively-cooled VRMs while costing the same as ASRock\u2019s offering. These boards especially makes the Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning Wi-Fi feel a little expensive for the features on offer.<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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It does have a decent seven Type-A USB ports backed up by a USB 3.1 Type-C port, and unlike the Gigabyte the X870I Aorus Pro Ice, has an optical output and even boasts a 2-pin thermal probe header. However, one of those is also included on the Asus ROG Strix B850-I Gaming Wi-Fi. The M.2 heatsink, as well as being small, lacks underside cooling for the SSD so its unlikely to tame most double-sided PCIe 5.0 SSDs, while the second port is located on the rear of the PCB and lacks a heatsink completely.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d maybe have liked to see the third of three fan headers located with the others at the top edge of the PCB, if only to be able to access it more easily in a cramped Mini-ITX case, but otherwise the smaller heatsinks to mean wide CPU cooler compatibility and most liquid coolers we tried such as the Arctic Liquid Freezer III and NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB fit fine. Our biggest issue, though, was the EFI, which just feels dated clunky especially compared to those from Asus.<\/p>\n