ASRock Prepares Live Mixer Series Motherboards for AMD B850 and Intel B860 Chipsets

ASRock is gearing up to expand its motherboard lineup with the introduction of the Live Mixer series, targeting mid-range chipsets from both AMD and Intel. These motherboards aim to blend practical features with a bold design, positioning them as a counterpart to ASRock’s Steel Legend series but with some distinct variations in aesthetics and onboard audio capabilities. The initial lineup includes boards based on AMD’s B850 chipset and Intel’s B860 chipset, catering to the latest processor technologies from both companies.

AMD B850 Live Mixer Wi-Fi: Features and Specifications

The ASRock B850 Live Mixer Wi-Fi is an ATX motherboard designed for AMD’s B850 chipset. This chipset serves as a refresh of the popular B650, offering out-of-the-box support for AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series processors, including the high-performance 9000X3D series. The board is equipped with three M.2 NVMe slots for storage expansion. One of these slots supports PCIe Gen 5 speeds, while the remaining two are Gen 4. This configuration ensures ample storage flexibility for gaming and productivity setups.

In terms of connectivity, the B850 Live Mixer Wi-Fi is expected to include Wi-Fi 6E for high-speed wireless networking. The onboard audio solution utilizes codecs like the Realtek ALC1200 or ALC4080, providing a functional but unremarkable sound experience. There are no advanced amplifier circuits or premium audio components typically seen in higher-end motherboards, indicating its mid-range positioning.

Intel B860 Live Mixer Wi-Fi: Key Highlights

The Intel B860 Live Mixer Wi-Fi is another addition to the series, featuring the LGA1851 socket and the Intel B860 chipset. This board targets Intel’s upcoming “Arrow Lake” processors, continuing the trend set by the B760 chipset. As with its AMD counterpart, the B860 Live Mixer Wi-Fi lacks CPU overclocking capabilities, a common limitation of mid-range Intel chipsets.

The motherboard’s layout closely resembles the B850 Live Mixer Wi-Fi, making them visually similar aside from the CPU socket. It also offers three M.2 NVMe slots, with one supporting PCIe Gen 5 speed without compromising the x16 PEG slot’s bandwidth. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E is expected, ensuring modern wireless connectivity options. This consistency across the lineup highlights ASRock’s effort to deliver a balanced feature set for both AMD and Intel platforms.

B860M Live Mixer Wi-Fi: Compact Yet Versatile

For users seeking a smaller form factor, ASRock introduces the B860M Live Mixer Wi-Fi. This Micro-ATX motherboard retains most features of its full-sized sibling but incorporates a few adjustments. The third M.2 slot lacks a heatsink, and the second PCIe slot is physically x8 but electrically x4, which aligns with the practical requirements of most users. Despite its reduced size, the B860M Live Mixer Wi-Fi remains a strong contender for compact PC builds.

Availability and Launch Timeline

Both AMD and Intel are expected to unveil their respective B850 and B860 chipsets in January, with ASRock likely timing the launch of the Live Mixer series to coincide with these announcements. The boards’ combination of modern features, mid-range pricing, and unique design positions them as appealing options for gamers and system builders looking to adopt the latest technologies without venturing into the high-end segment.

ASRock’s Live Mixer series continues the company’s tradition of offering diverse motherboard solutions tailored to a wide range of users. As more details emerge closer to the official launch, these boards are poised to capture attention in the competitive mid-range motherboard market.

Source: momomo_us (Twitter)