Motherboard Biostar TB360-BTC PRO 2.0

Biostar TB360-BTC PRO 2.0 is an ATX motherboard with LGA 1151 socket and Intel B360 chipset, primarily aimed at systems with multiple GPUs – most often mining, but it can also be used for a standard desktop. The combination of 1 x PCI-E 3.0 x16 and 11 x PCI-E 3.0 x1 slots is its main feature – the goal is to accommodate as many graphics cards as possible. It supports 8th and 9th generation Intel Core, Pentium, and Celeron processors with TDP up to 95W, and works with DDR4 memory up to 2666MHz. The board has stable basic connectivity – gigabit LAN, enough USB ports, and basic integrated audio with Realtek ALC887.

What you get

The focus here is clear: many PCIe slots for GPUs and a stable platform for 24/7 operation. With 11 x PCI-E 3.0 x1 slots, you can wire up a farm of graphics cards through risers, with the real maximum depending on GPU drivers and mining software, as indicated. The two DDR4 slots supporting dual-channel mode and up to 32 GB RAM are more than enough for a mining rig or light workstation. The four SATA3 6.0 Gb/s ports allow you to connect several SSDs/HDDs for the system, logs, and data, without wondering where to make compromises. At the back, you also have HDMI + DisplayPort 1.2, so you can run on the integrated video of the processor and leave all PCIe slots free for GPUs.

• Socket LGA 1151 with Intel B360 chipset, optimized for 8th and 9th generation Intel processors, provides a familiar and proven platform.
• Support for 9th Gen and 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium, and Celeron CPUs with a maximum TDP of 95W, sufficient for a wide range of budget to more serious chips.
• 2 DDR4 slots with dual-channel mode and a maximum of 32 GB RAM up to 2666MHz, fully sufficient for mining, office, and light multitasking systems.
• 1 x PCI-E 3.0 x16 and 11 x PCI-E 3.0 x1 slots allow building a rig with many graphics cards, with the real maximum depending on VGA drivers and mining software.
• 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s ports give you the option for several SSDs/HDDs – separate for the system, data, and logs under 24/7 load.
• Gigabit LAN with Realtek RTL8111H (10/100/1000 Mbit) chip provides a stable network connection for remote management and operation.
• Rich rear I/O panel with USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C (10 Gb/s), additional USB 3.1 Gen1 and USB 2.0, plus HDMI and DisplayPort 1.2 for easy connection of a monitor and peripherals.
• Integrated audio Realtek ALC887 with optical S/PDIF and gold audio jacks is more than enough for basic sound without an additional sound card.

Who it is suitable for

TB360-BTC PRO 2.0 is primarily aimed at people who want to build a mining rig or another system with multiple GPUs (render farm, etc.). It is also suitable for a budget desktop with 8th/9th generation Intel if you need many PCIe x1 devices. It is not the most sensible choice if you are aiming for a modern gaming build or high-end workstation with new processors and platforms.

The combination of LGA 1151 platform, up to 32 GB DDR4, and a total of 12 PCIe slots makes Biostar TB360-BTC PRO 2.0 quite a practical board for rigs and specific configurations. If you are looking for a stable base for many graphics cards and do not care about the latest generation hardware, this board does exactly that job.