ASRock Phantom Gaming B860 Lightning WiFi Motherboard Review

BIOS/UEFI and Software

ASRock BIOS/UEFI is already well-known, and we have presented it in many previous reviews, so I don’t have to explain much. The new motherboard series has refreshed graphics, but it generally reminds the last generation. The BIOS/UEFI itself is easy to manage. Everything is clear, and some options have an additional description. Everything that could be dangerous for the hardware is also marked, so less advanced users are being warned.

The motherboard has easy and advanced modes, so if you are uncomfortable with various motherboard settings, just stay on the main, easy page. Those who want to play with additional settings can also notice there are OC and stable profiles. The stable profile will limit voltages to their maximum recommended values.

Let’s take a look at BIOS/UEFI windows and available options.

Main – EZ Mode

Main – Advanced Mode

OC Tweaker

Advanced

Tool

H/W Monitor

Security

Boot

Exit

In the BIOS/UEFI, we can find everything required for monitoring and overclocking. It also includes all the fan profiles and RGB illumination settings. There are additional tabs with more advanced settings that enthusiasts and overclockers can use for additional performance gain. All other users can configure additional devices or functionality like RAID modes. There is simply everything you may need, even too much for most users.

The motherboard arrived with the 1.18 version but updated it to the 1.21 version, which was available before we started tests. We haven’t noticed any problems with the BIOS/UEFI.

The motherboard supports BIOS Flashback, so we can update the BIOS without the CPU or flashing software in case of any issues.

Software

ASRock delivers similar software with all its motherboard series, as seen in the previously reviewed AMD and Intel motherboards. The most important are Phantom Gaming Tuning and Polychrome Sync software, but the Live Update can be handy, too. Everything is well-known and helps adjust RGB illumination and overclock PC components. There is also hardware monitoring and fan tuning.

There were no problems with RAM or other devices’ RGB synchronization, except for the Colorful RTX4080 graphics card. However, it’s a less popular brand that uses its standard, so it requires manufacturer software.

There is also a new software – SignalRGB, which gives us various options and control over all RGB connectors, integrated motherboard illumination, and peripherals. It also supports all popular brands and devices.

Since the motherboard is equipped with a gaming series networking, we have the Killer software to manage all the connections and improve the performance.

Keeping the software up to date is recommended, as it often solves issues with new devices. The new RAM series requires updated RGB management software to work without issues. The latest version of the Polychrome Sync software is always available on the ASRock website. If we don’t want to browse for updated ASRock software, we can use the ASRock Live Update software, which finds everything for us.

Now it’s time for some tests, so we move to the next page.