Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi vs Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS: Comparison
What is the difference between ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi and Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS?
The first real difference is chipset: ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi B860 against Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS Z890. They differ on pcie x16 slots too, 2 on the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi versus 3 on the Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS. Rear usb4 or tb ports is not the same on both, 1 on the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi versus 0 on the Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS. They differ on rear usb 2.0 ports too, 3 on the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi versus 4 on the Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS.
Who each one is for
The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi is the one to take for mainstream Intel builds that don't need Wi-Fi 7, though it is the wrong buy for anyone who specifically wants Wi-Fi 7. The same goes for builders who want four M.2 slots at a B-series price with Steel Legend styling. Avoid it for enthusiasts who want the higher memory OC ceiling of the Z890 Steel Legend. Buy the Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS for the most budget-conscious Core Ultra 200S Plus builds and buyers who don't need USB4, Wi-Fi, or premium audio, though it is not the pick for anyone who wants USB4 connectivity and buyers prioritizing audio quality or wireless networking.
What ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi and Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, socket, memory slots, max memory, m.2 slots and m.2 slots onboard included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 17 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi and Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS differ on memory type?
Yes. Memory Type reads 4x DDR5 DIMM, up to 256GB, up to 8666+... on the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi versus 4x DDR5 DIMM, dual-channel, up to 256GB, up to... on the Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS.
Is the Form Factor the same on the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi and Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS?
It is. Both are listed at ATX, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Platform
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Intel
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Intel
Model Number
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Z890 D PLUS
Socket
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2)
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2)
Form Factor
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- ATX
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- ATX
Chipset
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- B860
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Z890
Newest CPU Family Supported
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Core Ultra Series 2
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Core Ultra Series 2
Memory Type
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 4x DDR5 DIMM, up to 256GB, up to 8666+ MHz (OC)
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4x DDR5 DIMM, dual-channel, up to 256GB, up to 9466+ MT/s (OC), CUDIMM support
Oldest CPU Family Supported
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Core Ultra Series 2
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Core Ultra Series 2
Memory Slots
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 4
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4
Max Memory
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 256 GB
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 256 GB
Board Width
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 244 mm
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 244 mm
M.2 Slots
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 4
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4
PCIe 5.0 Support
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Yes
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Yes
Wi-Fi Onboard
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Yes
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- No
Max Rated Memory Speed
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 8666 MT/s
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 9466 MT/sBest
ECC Memory Support
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- None
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- None
M.2 Slots Onboard
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 4
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4
M.2 PCIe 5.0 Slots
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 1
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 1
M.2 PCIe 4.0 Slots
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 3
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 3
M.2 CPU Attached Slots
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 1
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 2
SATA Ports
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 4
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4
PCIe x16 Slots
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 2
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 3
Primary Graphics Slot Gen
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- PCIe 5.0
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- PCIe 5.0
Rear USB4 or TB Ports
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 1
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 0
Rear USB 10Gbps Ports
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 2
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 2
Rear USB 5Gbps Ports
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 4
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4
Rear USB 2.0 Ports
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 3
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 4
Front USB-C Header Speed
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 20GbpsBest
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 5Gbps
Fan and Pump Headers
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 8
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 6
ARGB Headers
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 3
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 3
Vcore Power Stages
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 14
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 12
EPS 12V Configuration
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Two 8-pin
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Two 8-pin
Max Ethernet Speed
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 2.5 Gbps
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 2.5 Gbps
Ethernet Port Count
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 1
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 1
Wi-Fi Standard
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- None
Audio Codec
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Realtek ALC1220, Nahimic
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Realtek HD Audio codec, 2/4/5.1-channel
Expansion
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- PCIe 5.0 x16 + PCIe 4.0 x16 (x2)
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU), 2x PCIe 4.0 x16 running at x4 (chipset)
Connectivity
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- Nahimic audio software, Thunderbolt 4/USB4
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C rear (No USB4), 1x DisplayPort
Networking
- ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi
- 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E
- Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS
- Realtek 2.5GbE LAN (No Onboard Wi-Fi)
Which one should you pick?
Choose ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi if you want the higher memory slots (4 vs 4), the higher max memory (256 GB vs 256 GB) and the higher M.2 slots (4 vs 4).
Choose Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi | Gigabyte Z890 D PLUS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.