Intel B360 Launch Review - Budget Coffee Lake Has Arrived!
**Tech Deals Launch Day: Budget Boards for Eighth Generation Coffee Lake Processors**
Hello and welcome to Tech Deals launch day! Today marks the release of the budget boards for Intel's eighth-generation Coffee Lake processors. If you've been waiting to get your hands on a locked i3, i5, or i7 processor without the need for overclocking, or if you're looking to save some money, you've come to the right place.
On April 3rd, 2018, Intel introduced the H310, B360, and H370 motherboards at a variety of price points. These boards are designed for users who want to build a system without breaking the bank, while still enjoying solid performance and features. In this video, I'll briefly discuss these new boards, with a focus on one specific board that Gigabyte sent me for the launch. I'll also provide my thoughts on what the average person should consider when deciding between these boards based on their needs and budget.
### The Launch of Eighth-Generation Coffee Lake Processors
In the fall of 2017, Intel released its eighth-generation Coffee Lake processors, which brought significant changes to its desktop lineup. These included quad-core i3s, six-core i5s, and six-core (12-thread) i7s, offering a range of performance options for users. Along with these processors, Intel also introduced the Z370 series motherboards. However, at that time, there were no budget-oriented, non-overclockable boards available—a gap that Intel aimed to fill with the H310, B360, and H370 chipsets.
### Key Differences Between the Boards
There are four different chipsets in the 300 series: H310, B360, H370, and Z370. Each offers a unique set of features and price points, catering to different user needs:
- **H310**: Designed for OAM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) systems and extreme budget builds, often paired with Pentium dual-core processors.
- **B360**: The board that most users will likely want to consider. It offers good value for money and is well-suited for everyday computing and mid-range gaming.
- **H370**: Very close in features to the Z370 boards, with some minor differences. In fact, the least expensive Z370 boards may be priced similarly or even lower than higher-end H370 boards, leading to significant overlap between the two.
- **Z370**: The high-end option for users who want maximum performance and features.
### Choosing the Right Board
When deciding which board to choose, it's essential to consider your processor and its intended use:
- If you're planning to use a locked i3 or i5 processor (non-K), the B360 is an excellent choice. It offers great value and supports all eighth-generation Intel processors.
- For users with a K-series processor (overclockable chips), while they technically can run on B or H series boards, it's generally recommended to use them with Z370 boards for optimal performance and features.
### Key Features of the B360 Board
Today, I'll be focusing on the B360 motherboard, which is one of the most versatile options in Intel's lineup. Here are some of its standout features:
- **Memory Support**: This board supports up to 4 memory slots, allowing for expandability as your needs grow. It also supports DDR4 RAM up to 2666 MHz.
- **Graphics Options**: The B360 includes two video output ports (DVI and HDMI), but it's important to note that these are limited to 1.4 standards, which means 4K resolution is capped at 30Hz. For gaming or higher resolutions, adding a dedicated graphics card is recommended.
- **Audio Solution**: The board features Realtek ELC 892 HD 7.1 surround sound audio, which is a solid choice for basic to mid-range audio needs.
- **Networking**: This board includes both Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet options. The Wi-Fi solution is particularly noteworthy, as it uses an external antenna for improved performance—a significant upgrade over the subpar Wi-Fi found on many budget boards.
- **Expansion Slots**: The B360 offers three PCIe x16 slots, supporting AMD CrossFire configurations. However, it does not support SLI, which is reserved for Z370 boards.
- **Storage Options**: With two M.2 slots and six SATA ports, the B360 provides ample storage options. It supports both NVMe and SATA drives, with the top M.2 slot running at full PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds.
### Design and Accessories
The B360 motherboard is well-designed, with a focus on user-friendly features:
- **Build Quality**: The board includes metal reinforcements for critical components, such as the PCIe slots, ensuring durability.
- **I/O Shield**: A screen-printed I/O shield is included, which neatly labels all ports and makes installation much simpler.
- **Mounting Posts**: Two mounting posts are provided for securing M.2 modules, preventing potential issues during operation.
- **Wi-Fi Kit**: The board comes with a Wi-Fi kit that includes an external antenna, ensuring optimal wireless performance.
### Final Thoughts
The launch of the H310, B360, and H370 motherboards marks a significant milestone for Intel, as it finally offers budget-friendly options for users who don't need or want to overclock. The B360, in particular, strikes a great balance between features and affordability, making it an excellent choice for most users.
If you're looking to build a new system or upgrade your current one, these boards provide a solid foundation for performance and value. Whether you're gaming, streaming, or just doing everyday tasks, the B360 (and its siblings) have what it takes to deliver a great experience without breaking the bank.
Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews as I get my hands on all four chipsets in the coming days. If you found this video helpful, don't forget to share it with your friends and subscribe to my channel for more content. Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video!