The ASRock B860I Lightning is a budget-friendly Mini-ITX motherboard designed for Intel processors, offering a range of features that make it an attractive option for users looking for a cost-effective upgrade.

One of the standout features of the B860I is its robust power delivery system, which includes 14 phases of voltage regulation with 10 dedicated to the core voltage. This ensures that the motherboard can support high-performance CPUs without overheating, making it suitable for both gaming and content creation tasks.

In terms of connectivity, the B860I comes equipped with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket for fast storage solutions, Thunderbolt 4 for high-speed data transfer, and Wi-Fi 6E for advanced wireless connectivity. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E is particularly notable, as it provides faster speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6.

While the audio codec is not the latest generation, it is still a significant improvement over many more budget-friendly options, and the inclusion of dedicated audio capacitors helps ensure high-quality sound output.

Performance-wise, the B860I delivered average results in our tests, with some above-average performance in gaming applications. This is due in part to the board's competent power delivery and cooling system, which help to keep temperatures in check and prevent throttling.

Overall, the ASRock B860I Lightning is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly Mini-ITX motherboard with a good balance of performance and features.