Best A520 Motherboards For Budget AMD PC Builds
Although, you would like to prefer jumping straight into the best Best A520 Motherboard Guide, it’s important to know the backstory of A520, and how its currently doing. Last year, AMD launched a level chipset known as the A520. It supports the current generation of Ryzen 5000 processors that are based on the Zen 3 architecture. It also supports the Ryzen 3000 processors, built on the Zen 2 architecture. As this is an entry-level chipset, it gets rid of some of the bells and whistles of the higher-end models. For example, A520 has 26 lanes of PCIe 3.0 support instead of the newer PCIe 4.0 standard.
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AMD and motherboard manufacturers haven’t had much success with this chipset. This is largely due to the existence of B450’s long-term support. There also other factors such as design, price, etc. However, most of the A520 motherboards are in the micro-ATX or mini-ITX form factor. This makes them an excellent board to install in your budget SFF PC.
Our Top Picks For Best A520 Motherboard
| # | Preview | Product Name | Award | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gigabyte A520M Aorus Elite | Best Micro ATX A520 Motherboard | Check Price | |
| 2 |  | MSI A520M A-Pro | Best Cheap A520 Motherboard | Check Price |
| 3 |  | ASRock A520M HDV | Best A520 Motherboard Aesthetically | Check Price |
| 4 |  | Gigabyte A520I AC | Best Mini ITX A520 Motherboard | Check Price |
| 5 |  | ASRock A520M-ITX/ac | Best Alternative A520 Motherboard | Check Price |
| # | |
| Preview | |
| Product Name | Gigabyte A520M Aorus Elite |
| Award | Best Micro ATX A520 Motherboard |
| Details | Check Price |
| # | 2 |
| Preview | |
| Product Name | MSI A520M A-Pro |
| Award | Best Cheap A520 Motherboard |
| Details | Check Price |
| # | 3 |
| Preview | |
| Product Name | ASRock A520M HDV |
| Award | Best A520 Motherboard Aesthetically |
| Details | Check Price |
| # | 4 |
| Preview | |
| Product Name | Gigabyte A520I AC |
| Award | Best Mini ITX A520 Motherboard |
| Details | Check Price |
| # | 5 |
| Preview | |
| Product Name | ASRock A520M-ITX/ac |
| Award | Best Alternative A520 Motherboard |
| Details | Check Price |
Last Update on 2024-03-05 at 21:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Despite the downsides, it is always good to have an option. There are a handful of great A520 motherboards that are worth buying. That is what we will be covering today. So, after some extensive research, these are the best A520 motherboards that money can buy.
SPECIFICATIONS
Chipset: AMD A520 | Socket:AMD AM4 | Video ports: 1x DVI-D, 1x HDMI | Maximum Memory: 4x DDR4 128 GB, Up to 4733 MHz| Rear USB Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 | Expansion slots: 1x PCIe 3.0 X16, 2x PCIe 3.0 X1 | Storage: 4x SATA, 1x M.2 Socket | Network: 1x Gigabit LAN | Lighting: RGB Fusion2.0 | Dimensions: 9.6 inches x 9.6 inches | Form Factor: Micro ATX | WIFI: No | Bluetooth:No
Check PriceREASONS TO BUY
- Good amount of connectivity options
- Decent VRM and Heatsink
- Extremely reliable and durable
- RGB Fusion 2.0 works well
- Looks are attractive for the price
REASONS TO AVOID
- No WIFI and Bluetooth
With the release of the new AMD A520 chipset, it was only a matter of time before Gigabyte released a new A520 chipset motherboard. Surprisingly there are no real ATX form factor options for the A520 chipset at the moment. Nearly all the companies have gone for either a micro ATX or mini ITX motherboard. In this category, the Gigabyte A520M Aorus Elite is arguably the best micro ATX A520 motherboard so far.
The Gigabyte A520M Aorus Elite is not a full-size motherboard. As such there will be some expected cut down on connectivity options. There are 4 Gaming DDR4 DIMM slots with overclocking ability up to 4700 MHz. The 4 SATA slots and 1 M.2 Socket. 4 SATA slots are lower than the standard 6 SATA slots you see nowadays in most motherboards. This can prove to be an issue in the long run when you want to upgrade your setup. There is one PCIe X16 expansion slot and a couple of X1 slots. Again, we often see 3 X16 expansion slots these days. There is no WIFI or Bluetooth connectivity option available to the Aorus Elite A520. In the way of the internet, you get the Gigabit LAN ethernet connection.
There are a total of 6 USB slots on the rear panel of the A520 Aorus Elite. As far as design goes this motherboard is a good-looking product. The overall color scheme is black with silver designs and heatsinks, along with some Aorus logos and names. There are also RGB headers and connectors as well as onboard RGB zones in this motherboard. The RGB Fusion 2.0 app is a very comprehensive and neat app for RGB customization and functions. There are multiple apps and software’s that you can use to set the A520 Aorus at the optimal settings for you. RGB Fusion 2.0, Aorus App Center, BIOS, EasyTune, etc. all add up to make for a very user-friendly experience.
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There is a very detailed and spread-out cooling system installed in the A520 Aorus Elite. There are multiple hybrid fan connectors. The fan headers are hybrid fan headers. There are 5 heat sensors. There is also intuitive fan control for this motherboard. The PCIe connector has been strengthened to be able to support heavy GPUs. Overall, if we factor in every aspect, this is hands down one of the best A520 motherboards for any PC build.
SPECIFICATIONS
Chipset: AMD A520 | Socket: AMD AM4 | Video ports: 1 DVI-D, 1x HDMI | Maximum Memory: 2x DDR4 64 GB, Up to 4600 MHz | Rear USB Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 2x USB 2.0 | Expansion slots: 1x PCIe 3.0 X16, 1x PCIe 3.0 X1 | Storage: 4x SATA, 1x M.2 Socket | Network: 1x Gigabit LAN | Lighting: No | Dimensions: 9.3 inches x 7.9 inches | Form Factor: Micro ATX| WIFI: No | Bluetooth: No
REASONS TO BUY
- Decent thermal efficiency
- High quality audio
- Comprehensive app and bios
- Turbo M.2
- Excellent value
REASONS TO AVOID
- No wireless connectivity option
Most of the AMD motherboards like X470 Motherboards that have so far been released for the A520 chipset have been in micro or mini form factor. MSI is one of the world’s leading hardware and especially motherboard manufacturers. As such, it was expected to see some of MSI’s products make it to the top with the A520 chipset as well. The MSI A520M A-Pro is a motherboard for all sorts of users, professionals as well as gamers as marketed by MSI. An interesting thing about the MSI A520M A-Pro is its dimensions are not exactly those of a micro ATX motherboard. It is slightly smaller than a micro ATX board.
The MSI A-Pro with A520 chipset is compatible with all of AMD’s AM4 socket products. As far as storage goes, the A520M A-Pro offers 4 SATA and 1 M.2 Socket. The memory is limited because you only get 2 DDR4 DIMM slots. There is good room for Ram overclocking and CPU, up to 4600 MHz overclocking potential. A total of 6 USB slots make up the available USB ports in the back panel. There are no real wireless connectivity options with the A520MA-Pro offering neither WIFI nor Bluetooth connectivity. There is a standard ethernet cable internet connection available in the back panel as well.
A display port along with an HDMI slot makes up the display connections available to this motherboard. One PCIe X16 and one PCIe x1 conclude the expansion slots being offered. There is no onboard RGB available in the MSI A520MA-Pro. The design is very simple and standard. All in all, the design is rather subdued and quiet. The Turbo M.2 allows the SSD’s to perform at their maximum level. There is an extensive app system for this motherboard. MSI BIOS is well known for being one of the best. It does not disappoint. The same can be said for the MSI Dragon Center app.
The MSI Pro product line has been dubbed the ideal motherboard for professional work. The A520M A-Pro certainly has all the features and qualities to make it an ideal workplace motherboard. There are good storage options, a couple of PCIe expansion slots as well as high-speed USB ports in the back panel. Not to mention the high-speed M.2 aids the SSD functioning as well. The price point is very affordable to top it off.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Chipset: AMD A520 | Socket: AMD AM4 | Video ports:1x D-Sub, 1x DVI-D, 1x HDMI | Maximum Memory: 2x DDR4 64 GB, Up to 4733 MHz| Rear USB Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 | Expansion slots: 1x PCIe 3.0 X16, 1x PCIe 3.0 X1 | Storage: 4x SATA, 1x M.2 Socket | Network: 1x Gigabit LAN | Lighting: No onboard RGB | Dimensions: 9.0 inches x 7.9 inches | Form Factor: Micro ATX | WIFI: No | Bluetooth: No
REASONS TO BUY
- Supports triple monitor display
- Good aesthetics
- Robust build quality
- Ultra M.2
REASONS TO AVOID
- No WIFI and Bluetooth
ASRock has a good reputation in the computer department. For non-gaming users, ASRock has a different set of products but it is easy to say that their primary market is gaming-related computer hardware. ASRock products for the gaming community have been steadily improving over the years. Motherboards are one of ASRock’s primary products. For the A520 chipset, ASRock A520M HDV is their most noticeable product. This is another micro ATX motherboard for the A520 AMD chipset.
The ASRock A520M HDV is compatible with the AMD AM4 socket. The A520M HDV has three video input options available to it rather than just the two we have seen in previous A520 motherboards. There is a DVI-D port, an HDMI port, and also a D-Sub port for display. The A520M HDV gives 2 DDR4 DIMM ram slots for a maximum of 64GB RAM and a little more than 4700 MHz overclocking potential. 4 SATA and an Ultra M.2 Socket make up the storage capability. Ultra M.2 can function at a very high 32 GB per second transfer speed.
As far as expansion slots are concerned, the TUF A520M offers standard connectivity when it comes to micro ATX motherboards. A PCIe X16 slot and another PCIe X1 slots conclude the PCIe expansion slot connection options. There are 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 slots along with 2x USB 2.0 slots. There is no Bluetooth and there is no WIFI option either. Aesthetic and design-wise, the A520M HDV is quite sleek and its black color scheme gives it an underrated aesthetical value. There is no onboard RGB available on this motherboard.
There are many things added to make sure the A520M HDV is durable for a long time. The PCIe slot has been reinforced to be able to support the heavier graphic cards. Full Spike Protection is employed in this mother to make sure there is no damage from an electrostatic discharge. Premium 50A Power Choke, High-density glass PCB, and Sapphire Black PCB are used to enhance durability. The ASRock A520M HDV supports a 4K HDMI display on top of having a simultaneous triple display option available as well. All in all, a lot of good display options are available to this board.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Chipset: AMD A520 | Socket: AMD AM4 | Video ports:1x Display port, 2x HDMI | Maximum Memory: 2x DDR4 64 GB, Up to 5300 MHz | Rear USB Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 | Expansion slots: 1x PCIe X16 | Storage:4x SATA, 1x M.2 Socket | Network: 1x Gigabit LAN | Lighting: RGB Fusion | Dimensions: 6.7 inches x 6.7 inches | Form Factor: Mini ITX | WIFI: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
- 2 HDMI slots
- High overclocking potential
- WIFI and Bluetooth
- 6 Phase Digital VRM
REASONS TO AVOID
- Only one expansion slot
Mini ITX is the smallest form factor as far as motherboards are concerned. In this size of the motherboard, the dimensions are lesser than 7 inches both length and width-wise. The Gigabyte A520IC AC mini ITX motherboard is perhaps the best mini-ITX A520 motherboard in the market. Gigabyte has definitely taken the A520 motherboard market early in the game with multiple very good products. The Gigabyte A520IC AC is filled with features that we will discuss shortly.
Before we get to discussing the features of this motherboard the basic specs and layout need to be given a quick look. This motherboard runs on the AMD A520 chipset and is compatible with AMD AM4 Sockets. There are only a couple of DDR4 DIMM slots with a maximum of 64 GB memory capacity. The overclocking potential is really high at 5300 MHz. This is a higher Ryzen CPU overclocking potential than any other A520 motherboard mentioned so far. There is only one expansion slot. This is rather low, but then again this is quite a small size motherboard.
Four SATA and One M.2 Sockets make up the storage department. There is WIFI and Bluetooth capability when it comes to wireless connections and the standard LAN ethernet cable connection on the back panel. There are a total of six USB slots on the back panel of the A520I AC. The video ports are a key feature of this motherboard as you get 2 HDMI ports and one display port as well. There is onboard RGB as well as the RGB headers to which you can attach RGB strips for more lighting effects. All the light-effects can be controlled in-depth via the RGB Fusion app.
The Gigabyte A520I has 6 phase digital VRM to ensure stable electricity and current at all times. This helps in keeping your computer safe from any electrical surges or spikes that can be harmful. The Gigabyte Bios and app center are more than adequate to set up the motherboard how you want it. Q Flash Plus Bios, Gigabyte patented double locking bracelet and solid pin power connector are all used to make this board more durable and easier to use. All in all, this is a very solid pick for a mini ITX motherboard to go with your AMD setup.
SPECIFICATIONS
Chipset: AMD A520 | Socket: AMD AM4 | Video ports: 1x Display port, 1x HDMI | Maximum Memory: 2x DDR4 64 GB, Up to 4711 MHz | Rear USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 2x USB 2.0 | Expansion slots: 1x PCIe 3.0 X16 | Storage: 4x SATA, 1x M.2 Socket | Network: 1x Gigabit LAN | Lighting: No onboard RGB | Dimensions: 6.7 inches x 6.7 inches | Form Factor: Mini ITX | WIFI: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
- WIFI and Bluetooth
- 8 power phase design
- Decent connectivity options
REASONS TO AVOID
- No RGB
- Only one expansion slot
The last motherboard in our Best A520 Motherboards guide is the ASRock’s product. This is a company that is relatively well-known in the computer world, especially when it comes to motherboards. ASRock generally makes some very noteworthy motherboards of all sizes. Although ASRock has been making inroads in recent years, they are still not considered to be on the same level as the big three of the motherboard manufacturing world. Still, the ASRock A520M is one of the best mini-ITX motherboards in the market, especially for AMD Ryzen users.
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This A520 chipset motherboard works with all AMD AM4 socket processors. There are a couple of video ports, mainly one display port and one HDMI port. There are only 2 ram slots that go up to a maximum of 64 GB memory with around 4700 MHz overclocking available to it. This is a decent level of overclocking given in a mini ITX board. There are a total of 6 USB ports on the back panel. 4 SATA and 1 M.2 Socket make up the storage connections offered in this motherboard.
There is only a single PCI X16 express lane and no onboard RGB. There are RGB headers and connectors present to which you can attach strips to light up your setup. The RGB can be controlled and personalized to your preference via the polychrome RGB setup. There is WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity as well. Overall, there are decent connectivity options in this motherboard considering this is a mini ITX motherboard.
There is an 8 power phase design for optimal voltage and current control. The ultra M.2 offers 32 GB/second transfer speed. High-density glass PCB, sapphire black PCB are both included to give durability and resilience to the motherboard as well as the PC components. To round it off, this is one of the best budget A520 motherboards if you are looking for an ITX form factor. This was appuals guide for A520 motherboards, for more AMD guides, check this X370 Motherboard guide as well.
