{"id":1229089,"date":"2026-02-25T00:59:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T00:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/b2yaKoAzhmsFDSfecpaXEd"},"modified":"2026-02-25T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T01:00:00","slug":"asrock-b860-livemixer-wi-fi-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/asrock-b860-livemixer-wi-fi-review\/","title":{"rendered":"ASRock B860 LiveMixer Wi-Fi review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Expensive motherboards are all very well, but if you just want a solid base for a decent PC, but still want a few cutting-edge features, then dipping below $200 can be risky. Features are cut from certain areas to lower the price tag, but with Intel and AMD\u2019s mid-range chipset motherboards now a few months old, prices are keener than ever if you\u2019re looking to upgrade or build a new PC. ASRock\u2019s B860 LiveMixer Wi-Fi actually leaves you with change from $200 and at first glance, doesn\u2019t seem to have decimated its feature set to get there either.<\/p>\n

This is partly thanks to the board trying to live up to its name. ASRock claims the B860 LiveMixer Wi-Fi is designed for creators and makes a big deal on the product page about connectivity and a quick glance over the specifications reveals important areas such as audio and Thunderbolt 4 support match more expensive boards and certainly give it scope to appeal as a budget-conscious board for creators.<\/p>\n

It certainly doesn\u2019t look like it costs less than $200 either with decent-sized heatsinks for the VRMs and M.2 SSDs and ASRock as even included RGB lighting beneath the lower M.2 heatsink too. If you\u2019re considering an Intel motherboard at this point, you\u2019ve hopefully mulled over the question of whether to opt for AMD\u2019s generally faster Ryzen processors already, and perhaps even the fact that you can\u2019t overclock an Intel Core Ultra processor using a B860 chipset motherboard either. If neither of those things are dealbreakers then keep reading.<\/p>\n

As usual the RGB lighting underneath the large bottom M.2 heatsink are set to color cycle mode as standard, but can be controlled in ASRock\u2019s software or if you prefer, switched off in the EFI. The PCB is otherwise quite unassuming, with purple\/grey heatsinks and plenty of space thanks to a lack of features such as LED POST code displays, buttons and additional M.2 ports and heatsinks.<\/p>\n

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ASRock B860 LiveMixer Wi-Fi specs<\/div>\n
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(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Socket:<\/strong> Intel LGA1851
Chipset<\/strong>: Intel B860
CPU compatibility:<\/strong> Intel Core Ultra 200 desktop
Form factor<\/strong>: ATX
Memory support:<\/strong> DDR5-4800 to DDR5-8666+(OC), up to 256 GB
Storage:<\/strong> 3x M.2, 4x SATA
USB (rear)<\/strong>: 1x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C 40 Gbps, 6x USB 3.0 Type-A 5 Gbps, 6x USB 2.0
Display:<\/strong> 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI
Networking:<\/strong> Realtek 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E
Audio:<\/strong> Realtek ALC1220
Price:<\/strong> $190 <\/a>| \u00a3190 <\/a>| AU$383<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Underneath the VRM heatsinks is a relatively modest 12+1+1+1+1 phase power delivery, but with the worst case scenario being a stock speed Core Ultra 9 285K, it should be more than up to the task. The only other slip from what we expect to see on current motherboards us Wi-Fi 6E as opposed to Wi-Fi 7, but the likelihood is your home Wi-Fi probably won\u2019t meet that standard for another year or two at least and if you end up needing it, you can always swap out the Wi-Fi module.<\/p>\n

The rest of the specification is impressive for the price. The audio codec is often Realtek\u2019s aging ALC897 at this price, but ASRock has somehow managed to shoehorn in ALC1220, which is much more capable. You still get three M.2 ports with one being PCIe 5.0, while the primary PCIe slot is also PCIe 5.0 compatible and has a tool-free heatsink. Thunderbolt support used to mean having to chase your wallet around the house, but the ASRock B860 LiveMixer Wi-Fi offers it despite its sub $200 price tag and you also get 2.5G Ethernet too.<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rear I\/O panel might not have many other ultra high-speed USB ports, but it does have one of the biggest collection of Type-A USB ports we\u2019ve ever seen on a motherboard, with a total of 12 and six of those are USB 3.0. Sadly, the front panel Type-C port is only rated at USB 3.0 and it hasn\u2019t also increased SATA ports, but these are widely seen as feature in its twilight years.<\/p>\n

Still ASRock hasn\u2019t done what others have and cut the typical four to two, so you can still power a bunch of hard disks. ASRock\u2019s EFI and software are pretty basic, though, and lack the polish of other manufacturers both in terms of features and visual appeal, but they\u2019re still easy to use and work well.<\/p>\n