Can I use the same CPU in both boards?

No. The ASRock takes Intel Core Ultra Series 2 on LGA1851. The GIGABYTE takes AMD Ryzen on AM4. The sockets are not compatible.

Which is better for a new gaming build?

The ASRock, if you are buying a new CPU. It gives you PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 on a current socket. The GIGABYTE makes sense mainly if you already own an AM4 chip.

Is the GIGABYTE worth the extra over the ASRock?

There is no ASRock price to compare. The GIGABYTE was $167.98 at Walmart as of November 7, 2026, and hit $120.99 on November 3. Judge it against AM4 boards, not against the ASRock.

Which board supports more memory?

The ASRock: 256GB of DDR5 across four slots. The GIGABYTE caps at 128GB of DDR4.

Yes. The ASRock model name lists WiFi, and the GIGABYTE AX version has WiFi 6.

Which lasts longer as an upgrade base?

The ASRock, because LGA1851 is current. AM4 is end-of-life for new CPUs, so the GIGABYTE's only upgrade path is used parts.

ASRock B860M Lightning WiFi vs Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite AX V2

These two boards do not fit the same build. The ASRock B860M Lightning WiFi takes Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips on LGA1851 with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. The GIGABYTE B550 AORUS ELITE AX V2 takes AMD Ryzen on AM4 with DDR4 and PCIe 4.0. Pick by the CPU you own or plan to buy, not by price. As of November 7, 2026, the GIGABYTE is $167.98 at Walmart, and its lowest daily price since November 3 was $120.99 on November 3. No price was given for the ASRock.

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