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ASUS · AM4 · A520M

ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi)

Micro-ATX · DDR4 · 4 DIMMs · 6-phase VRM · Wi-Fi 5

Quality
36
VRM
18
Value
69
Amazon
$100
ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi)
View ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi) Gallery in high resolution
$100
Available Updated 2 days, 6 hours ago
Overall36.2
VRM18.0
Chipset49.0
Expansion / storage35.0
Connectivity39.0
Audio40.0
Quality / price68.8
$100 on Amazon Motherboard table Compare this motherboard

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Written analysis

ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi) at a glance

The ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi) uses the Micro-ATX form factor, AM4 socket, and A520M chipset. This is an entry-level platform focused on the essential connections for a practical, lower-cost build.

Memory support is DDR4 across 4 DIMM slots, with up to 128 GB and rated overclocked speeds up to 4866 MT/s. The board can operate memory in ECC mode. XMP / EXPO memory-profile support is recorded for easier tuning.

Best fit: a budget or straightforward office build using a lower-power CPU and a small number of add-in devices.

Power delivery

The calculated VRM score is 18.0, placing the power delivery in the basic class. The board lists 6 CPU power phases, 60 A power stages in a 6+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 1. Keep it paired with lower-power processors and avoid sustained overclocked loads.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 35.0: focused on the essentials. The platform supports PCIe 3.0. Physical expansion includes 1 ×16 slot, and 2 ×1.

On-board storage consists of 1 M.2 slot supporting PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA modes and 4 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 2242, 2260, 2280. The single M.2 slot makes drive planning more important if future expansion matters.

Connectivity and rear I/O

The connectivity score is 39.0, rated essential. Wireless networking is Wi-Fi 5 ; wired networking is 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet TUF LANGuard at up to 1000 Mbps. Bluetooth 5.0 is included. The recorded USB provision is 6 rear connections; a front-panel total is not recorded. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 40.0. This is a standard onboard solution using Realtek ALC887/897. It covers normal gaming and communication; demanding headphones or production work still benefit from an external interface. The rear panel has 3 analogue jacks.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 36.20, a basic but usable result for office, media, and budget gaming systems.

At the recorded Amazon price, the quality-to-price score is 68.8—an excellent value relative to the other boards in the catalog.

Board data

Full specifications

Platform, expansion, storage, rear I/O, internal headers, networking, audio, and board controls in one sheet.

General

Manufacturer
ASUS
Motherboard
ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi)
Chipset / socket
A520M / AM4
Form factor
Micro-ATX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$100
Availability
In stock
Price updated
2 days, 6 hours ago

VRM

CPU phases
6 (60 A)
Power design
6+1
EPS connector
1

Memory

Type / slots
DDR4 / 4 DIMMs
Max capacity / OC
128 GB / 4866 MT/s
Per DIMM
32 GB
XMP / EXPO
Yes
ECC
Operates in ECC mode

PCIe

Supported version
PCIe 3.0
x16 physical
1
x16 Gen 3
1
x1 physical
2
x1 Gen 3
2

Storage

M.2 slots
1
M.2 lengths
2242, 2260, 2280
M.2 modes
PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA modes
SATA ports
4

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.1 · 4K@60Hz
DisplayPort
Yes · 1.2
USB-C DisplayPort
No

USB

Rear USB 2.0
2
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
4
Header USB 2.0
3
Header USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2

Networking

Ethernet
1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet TUF LANGuard
LAN ports
1
LAN speed
1000 Mbps
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 5
Wi-Fi bandwidth
HT20/HT40/HT80
Bands
2.4/5GHz
Antenna connectors
1
Bluetooth
5.0

Audio

Chipset
Realtek ALC887/897
Analog jacks
3
Gold-plated jacks
No
Optical S/PDIF
No
Spatial audio
No

Buttons

BIOS flashback
Yes
Clear CMOS
No
Q-Flash Plus
No
Smart button
No
Onboard start / reset
No

Additional information

Memory notes
Supports DDR4 Un-buffered Memory. ECC Memory (ECC mode) support varies by CPU. Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists), and memory frequency support depends on the CPU types.
Display notes
Includes 1 x D-Sub port.
Expansion notes
The PCIe 3.0 x16 slot is provided by the CPU and supports x16 mode. The two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots are provided by the AMD A520 Chipset.
M2_1
3.0 4 · SATA · 2242, 2260, 2280 · CPU
RAID
SATA (['0', '1', '10'])
USB notes
The source specifies that 2 USB 2.0 headers support a total of 3 USB 2.0 ports.
Audio notes
Features: Audio Shielding, Premium audio capacitors, Dedicated audio PCB layers. Supports Jack detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, and up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback. A chassis with an HD audio module in the front panel is required to support 7.1 Surround Sound audio output.
Networking notes
Realtek Wi-Fi 5 8821CE; 1x1 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) with MU-MIMO; TUF LANGuard
Button notes
The motherboard includes a Clear CMOS header.
Fan / RGB headers
1 CPU · — OPT · — AIO · 2 chassis · 2 ARGB · 2 RGB
Other headers
Front audio · System panel · TPM
Dimensions
24.4 cm x 24 cm

Extracted notes sit here. Official manufacturer copy is at the bottom of the page.

Amazon

Price history

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Vendor copy

Official manufacturer data

Raw manufacturer text kept for reference. Structured specs above are extracted from this copy and are the source for scores and tables.

Memory

4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 4866(OC)/4800(OC)/4600(OC)/4466(OC)/4400(OC)/4266(OC)/4133(OC)/4000(OC)/3866(OC)/3733(OC)/3600(OC)/3466(OC)/3333(OC)/3200/3000/2800/2666/2400/2133 MHz, Un-buffered Memory*
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
*ECC Memory (ECC mode) support varies by CPU.
*Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists), and memory frequency support depends on the CPU types.

Graphics

1 x DisplayPort 1.2
 
1 x HDMITM 2.1(4K@60Hz)
1 x D-Sub

Expansion slots

AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 5000 G-Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series/ 3000 G-Series Desktop Processors
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (supports x16 mode) AMD A520 Chipset2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots

Storage

Supports 1 x M.2 slot and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 5000 G-Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series/ 3000 G-Series Desktop Processors
M.2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA modes)
AMD A520 Chipset
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Support RAID 0, 1, 10

USB

4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A)

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 3 USB 2.0 ports

Internal I/O

Fan and cooling related
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header
2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers
Power related
1 x 24-pin Main Power connector
1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector
Storage related
1 x M.2 slot (Key M)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
USB
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 3 USB 2.0 ports
Miscellaneous
2 x AURA Addressable Gen 2 header
neous2 x AURA RGB headers
1 x Clear CMOS header
1 x COM Port header
1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP)
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x Speaker header
1 x SPI TPM header (14-1pin)
1 x 10-1 pin System Panel header

Rear I/O

4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A)
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI port
1 x D-Sub
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module
1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet port
3 x Audio jacks
1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button
1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port

Wireless

Realtek Wi-Fi 5 8821CE
1x1 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) with MU-MIMO
Supports dual frequency band 2.4/5GHz
Supports channel bandwidth: HT20/HT40/HT80
Bluetooth v5.0

Audio

Realtek ALC887/897 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC*
- Supports : Jack detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- Supports up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback"
Audio Features
- Audio Shielding
- Premium audio capacitors
- Dedicated audio PCB layers
*A chassis with an HD audio module in the front panel is required to support 7.1 Surround Sound audio output.

Special features

ASUS TUF PROTECTION
- DIGI+ VRM
- ESD Guards
- TUF LANGuard
- Overvoltage Protection
- SafeSlot Core+
- Stainless-Steel Back I/O
ASUS Q-Design
- Q-DIMM
- Q-Slot
ASUS Thermal Solution
- VRM heatsink design
ASUS EZ DIY
- BIOS FlashBack™ button
- BIOS FlashBack™ LED
AURA Sync
- AURA RGB headers
- Addressable Gen 2 RGB headers

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