Best A520 Boards for AMD Ryzen 3000 CPUs

The low-end chipset that AMD offers us for its AM4 platform is really interesting because it brings specifications that are worth the price of these boards. With an AMD A520 board we can enjoy processor compatibility that may be key for the future, as well as the inclusion of M.2 slots. Next, we show you the best A520 plates.

Best A520 boards for mounting a Ryzen PC

GIGABYTE A520 AORUS ELITE

We start with the AORUS A520 ELITE , a GIGABYTE range that always brings cool features.

It supports Zen 2 (including APUs) and Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000) desktop processors and brings a 5 + 3 phase configuration in its VRMs with a Low RDS design, which will allow an optical overclocking, thanks to its thermal characteristics and its lower temperature. For this reason, it supports even liquid refrigeration installations.

It is a model that comes in an ATX form factor and that has 4 RAM memory slots prepared to work in Dual Channel, to support up to 4,400 MHz of frequency with Ryzen 3000 CPUs and 4,733 MHz with Ryzen 3rd generation APUs. .

Natively, it supports up to 3,200 MHz natively, we can overclock using XMP profiles and install a maximum of 128 GB , with a limitation of 32 GB per module.

We should mention the different storage interfaces that we will get. On the one hand, we find an M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 / x2 slot to install our latest generation SSDs on the motherboard. On the other hand, it incorporates 4 SATA 6 GB / s ports with support for RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10.

At the bottom of the board we will find a PCI-Express x16 slot with PCIe 3.0 support running at x16, another PCI-E slot with PCIe 3.0 support and running at x2 and, finally, 3 PCIe x1 slots that support PCIe 3.0.

To take advantage of Ryzen APUs, it incorporates a DVI-D port that can work at a maximum resolution of 1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz. Also, we will have an HDMI port with a maximum resolution of 4096 × 2160 and about 60 Hz, which will come with HDMI 2.1 and HDR support.

Its audio is not low-end, since it incorporates the Realtek ALC1200 codec , which allows it to offer the user up to a 7.1 system. In addition, we will enjoy S / PDIF optical output , which we will take advantage of for high definition equipment, for example.

As interesting internal connections , we will have a USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 2 USB 2.0s , which we will take advantage of through a good box. External connections are led by the following:

• 1 x PS / 2 port for mouse and keyboard.
• 1 x DVI-D.
• 1 x HDMI.
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A.
• 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
• 4 x USB 2.0
• 1 x S / PDIF optical port.

Finally, highlight its Q-Flash button integrated on the same board so that we can update our BIOS in a practical and fast way. Also, its compatibility with RGB Fusion 2.0 LED lighting, only the letters “AORUS” lighting up.

MSI MAG A520 VECTOR WIFI

MSI is one of the manufacturers to consider in the low ranges because it always offers very attractive prices. One of their best A520 boards is this one that we show you, which comes in a Micro-ATX form factor and offers a Wi-Fi connection. It supports 3rd generation Ryzen processors as well as the Ryzen 4000G, 3rd generation APUs.

This board comes with 2 RAM memory slots that we can operate in Dual-Channel. Memories can be uploaded up to 4,600 MHz , but the maximum native frequency supported is 3,200 MHz.

At MSI they have installed two small heatsinks on the board making sure the circuits stay as cool as possible. We will have a heatsink close to the processor and another for the installation of an M.2 NVMe SSD, a slot that supports PCIe 3.0 x4 , such as models 2242, 2260 and 2280. Regarding SATA connections, we will have 4 that can work in RAID 0 , RAID 1 and RAID 10.

The PCIe slots that we see on the motherboard are 3 in total : one PCIe x16 and two PCIe 3.0 x1. Likewise, it equips an HDMI 2.1 port and another DisplayPort for those who install 3rd and 3rd generation Ryzen APUs.

For those interested in its compatibility with boxes, it comes with a USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection (additionally supports 2) and another 2 USB 2.0 connections (additionally supports 4). The RGB LED connectors could not be missing, in case we want to install LED strips.

Finishing with its rear ports , we find 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A , the antenna connectors, an RJ45 port and 3 audio connectors.

ASUS TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS

ASUS has its own proposal for this range, characterized by a Micro-ATX form factor, Aura Sync RGB compatibility and VRMs that may be the key to our overclocking. It will offer a support for Ryzen 3000 and 4000 CPUs and you will see that the finishes of this board are first class, since we will have aluminum heatsinks present.

We will continue to have military grade components that have been designed for the longest life, with capacitors that promise a life of up to 5,000 hours. In addition, it integrates a module called Digi + that regulates the voltage of the VRMs in order to supply the CPU when it needs it.

This compact board offers us up to 4 DIMM slots that will work in Dual-Channel and that will allow a maximum configuration of 128 GB of RAM. The frequency can be raised up to 4,800 MHz using overclock profiles, but 3,200 MHz is the maximum frequency that it supports natively.

It offers a reinforced PCI-Express 3.0 x16 so that we can install the GPU that we want regardless of the size of it. To accompany the main slot, we will have 2 PCIe 3.0 x1.

Its storage is characterized by 4 SATA ports that support RAID 0, 1 and 10. On the other hand, we will have an M.2 slot that will work as PCIe 3.0 x4 (2242/2260/2280/22110) and SATA modes.

ASUS has installed Japanese audio capacitors , as well as PCB layers dedicated to audio. This concern for sound has been complemented with the Realtek ALC887 codec , which will allow us to enjoy 7.1 surround sound .

This model offers us 5 internal USB connections : two USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 3 USB 3.0 . Behind the box we will have:

• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2.
• 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
• 2 x USB 2.0.
• 1 x HDMI 2.1.
• 1 x DVI-D.
• 1 x D-Sub.
• 1 x PS / 2
• 1 x RJ45.
• 3 x audio connections.

It is worth mentioning that this motherboard comes with all the software that ASUS offers its customers, such as Aura Sync RGB compatibility. With this TUF you will be right because it is one of the best boards with an A520 chipset.

ASUS PRIME A520M-K

We continue with ASUS, but we go down to the PRIME range, which is usually characterized by having a good value for money. This is its Prime A520M-K , a model with a Micro-ATX form factor and support for the 3rd generation of Ryzen processors that is postulated as another of the best A520 chipset boards. It is an accessible option that ASUS offers us in the low range, without neglecting the important specifications.

We will have two RAM memory slots prepared for Dual-Channel and that can operate at a frequency of up to 4,600 MHz . It brings a M.2 NVMe slot for SSDs that works in PCIe 3.0 x4 and that is compatible with types 2242, 2260 and 2280. In addition, we will have 4 SATA ports that offer RAID 0, 1 and 10 support.

Mount 3 expansion slots , starring a PCIe 3.0 x16 and 2 PCIe 3.0 x1. The main slot is not reinforced, as we have seen in the TUF Gaming model. However, we will have the Digi + voltage regulator module for the VRMs and the “Away” mode, which allows the system to optimize energy consumption.

Also, we will have the ALC887 codec , which offers 7.1 Surround sound. The internal connections that it offers us are 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 4 USB 2.0 for the front panel of the PC box. Meanwhile, the rear connections are as follows:

• 1 x PS / 2.
• 1 x D-Sub.
• 1 x HDMI 2.1.
• 1 x RJ45.
• 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A.
• 2 x USB 2.0.
• 3 x audio connectors.

GIGABYTE A520M DS3H

We return to GIGABYTE to go to their cheaper models, but they still offer very good performance. With this Micro-ATX board we will see the typical CPU support of the best A520 chipset boards, which extends to the latest Ryzen processors and the next Ryzen 5000.

We will enjoy Dual Channel in its 4 RAM memory slots , capable of 4,400 MHz in Ryzen 3000 processors and 4,733 MHz in Ryzen 4000 APUs. This board supports XMP profiles so that we can overclock our modules safely and quickly.

As for the PCIe slots, we have 2 PCIe x1 that support PCIe 3.0, as the main PCIe x16 slot that supports PCIe 3.0. Unfortunately, the PCIe 4.0 interface is left out of this chipset, so you will not find it on any board in the range.

Its storage can be configured with an m.2 slot that uses the PCIe 3.0 x4 or x2 interface, and that is compatible with types 2242, 2260 and 2280. As expected, we will have 4 SATA 6 GB / s ports that support RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10.

We will obtain two USB connections that may interest us to take advantage of them with our boards: a USB 3.2 Gen 1 and another USB 2.0 . As you can see, it is a plate aimed at simpler boxes. Regarding its rear connections, bring these:

• 1 x PS / 2.
• 1 x DVI-D.
• 1 x HDMI 2.1.
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4.
• 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
• 2 x USB 2.0.
• 1 x RJ45.
• 3 x audio connectors.

Also, it equips Realtek ALC887 codec , which will allow us to enjoy 7.1 Surround sound; To do this, we will have to configure it from the software that GIGABYTE brings.

Finally, it will be possible to enjoy Smart Fan 5 and RGB FUSION 2.0 , technologies that will help us to better cool the plate and decorate it with LED strips (or other components) in a personalized way.

ASRock A520M PRO4

We come to the end of this comparison with an ASRock A520M Pro4, one of the best A520 boards that you can see. Its form factor is Micro-ATX and it supports the Ryzen 3000 and 5000, like the Ryzen 4000 APUs, although it is not compatible with the Ryzen 5 3400G, nor the Ryzen 3 3200G.

Mainly, we must highlight its 8-phase design in its VRMs , which will facilitate the delivery of power to the CPU, such as a decrease in temperatures on the board. ASRock has manufactured the PCB with 2 internal layers of 2 oz copper , which will help in efficiency and overclocking tasks.

We will have 4 RAM memory slots that can reach a frequency of 4533 MHz in the Matisse chips (Zen 2) and 4733 MHz in the Renoir APUs (Ryzen 4000). We can configure a maximum of 128 GB of RAM, such as using XMP profiles to overclock the memories.

We will have 2 PCI-Express x16 slots , being able to use one slot at x16 and another at x2. The storage configuration would be completed with 4 SATA ports that support RAID (0,1 and 10), NCQ , AHCI and Hot Plug. We have two M.2 slots :

• Ultra M.2 , which supports PCIe 3.0 x4 (32 Gb / s).
• Normal M.2 slot, which can work in PCIe 3.0 x2 (16 Gb / s).

We must mention its Realtek ALC1200 codec, which offers us 7.1 audio with certain interesting features, such as: Nahimic Audio , Blu-Ray audio support and Surge Protection support.

On the other hand, the internal USB connections consist of 2 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ; while the rear ports would be the following:

• 1 x PS / 2.
• 1 x HDMI.
• 1 x D-Sub.
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4.
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A.
• 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A.
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C.
• 2 x USB 2.0.
• 1 x RJ-45.
• 3 x audio connectors.

Lastly, it is compatible with Polychrome SYNC lighting technology, offering up to 2 connectors for RGB LED strips. And with this we already have all the best A520 boards for Ryzen, what excuse is there for not mounting an AMD PC?