This article covers MSI B360-F PRO マザーボード ATX B360 GAMING PLUS.

Overview

The MSI B360-F PRO is an ATX motherboard designed for Intel's 8th-generation Coffee Lake processors. Positioned as an entry-to-mid-range gaming board under the "PERFORMANCE GAMING" label, it offers a well-rounded feature set without the premium price tag of Z-series chipsets. The board supports DDR4 memory up to 2666MHz across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 64GB. A standout feature for builders on a budget is the EZ Debug LED system, which pinpoints boot issues by lighting up LEDs for CPU, DRAM, VGA, or BOOT stages. This makes troubleshooting much more accessible for first-time PC builders. Additionally, the DDR4 Boost technology isolates memory signals to improve stability during overclocked memory operations. This motherboard uses the Intel B360 chipset, which means it does not support CPU multiplier overclocking - but for users who plan to run their CPU at stock speeds, the B360-F PRO delivers excellent value. It's a solid foundation for a cost-effective gaming PC or an everyday workhorse machine.

Compatibility Guide

The MSI B360-F PRO uses an LGA1151 socket, but crucially it only supports 8th-generation Intel Core processors (Coffee Lake). It does not officially support 7th-gen Kaby Lake or 9th-gen CPUs. Memory support caps at DDR4-2666, though XMP profiles may allow higher speeds at your own risk. For storage, the board includes six SATA 6Gbps ports and one M.2 slot that supports both PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe and SATA SSDs. This enables a fast NVMe boot drive paired with traditional SATA drives for bulk storage. Two PCIe x16 slots are present: the primary slot features Steel Armor reinforcement to handle heavy graphics cards, while the second slot operates at PCIe 3.0 x4. 2-way AMD CrossFireX is supported. Power delivery uses a standard 24-pin ATX main connector plus an 8-pin EPS12V CPU power connector. The VRM design is adequate for CPUs up to 95W TDP (e.g., Core i7-8700) at stock settings. The motherboard follows the standard ATX form factor (305mm × 244mm), so it should fit in any ATX-compatible case.

Product Info

Released in early 2018, the MSI B360-F PRO was priced around ¥10,000 in Japan, positioning it as an entry-level gaming motherboard. It is part of MSI's "PERFORMANCE GAMING" lineup, targeting users who want gaming-focused features without paying for overclocking support they may not need. Key specifications include the Intel B360 chipset, 4× DDR4-2666 DIMM slots (up to 64GB), 2× PCIe x16 slots (x16 + x4 electrical), 1× M.2 slot (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), 6× SATA 6Gbps ports, Realtek ALC892 7.1-channel audio, and a Realtek RTL8111H Gigabit Ethernet controller. Rear I/O features 2× USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A, 4× USB 3.1 Gen1, PS/2 combo port, HDMI 1.4, DVI-D, and audio jacks. Market positioning: entry-to-mid-range. The B360-F PRO is ideal for budget-conscious gamers who don't need CPU multiplier unlocking - it offers all the essential gaming motherboard features at a lower price than Z370/Z390 boards.

Best Use Cases

  1. Budget 1080p Gaming PC Builder Pair this board with a Core i5-8400 or Core i3-8100 and a mid-range GPU (GeForce GTX 1060 / RX 580 class). You'll get solid 1080p 60fps to 144fps performance in esports titles and recent AAA games at medium-high settings, all while keeping the total build cost low. 2. Office / General Productivity PC For Word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing, and light photo editing, a Core i5-8400 on this platform delivers smooth everyday performance. The M.2 slot lets you add a fast NVMe SSD for quick system responsiveness. 3. Experimenting with Multi-GPU on a Budget The board's 2-way AMD CrossFireX support means you can install two older Radeon GPUs and tinker with multi-GPU setups for benchmarks or legacy games. Note that modern titles rarely benefit from CrossFire, so this is more of an enthusiast/tinkering use case. Who should NOT buy this board: Anyone planning to overclock their CPU. The B360 chipset locks CPU multipliers, so a K-series processor (like the Core i7-8700K) will run only at stock speeds. Opt for a Z370 or Z390 board instead.

Things to Consider

The single M.2 slot may be limiting if you plan to use multiple high-speed NVMe drives. The B360 chipset's PCIe lane allocation is also constrained: the CPU-connected PCIe x16 slot for the GPU leaves limited bandwidth for expansion cards. If you need extensive storage expansion or multiple add-in cards, consider stepping up to H370 or Z390. Memory overclocking beyond DDR4-2666 is not officially supported. While XMP may work, stability is not guaranteed, and pushing memory clocks is at the user's risk. Similarly, the VRM is not designed for high-power unlocked CPUs under sustained heavy load - stick to the 95W TDP or below for best reliability. Finally, the B360-F PRO does not have onboard Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You'll need to add a PCIe or USB Wi-Fi adapter for wireless connectivity. Also, if you plan to use a modern CPU cooler

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: MSI
  • Seller: New Oriental Technology
  • Fulfilled by: New Oriental Technology
  • ASIN: B07CBKQ75V
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.