GIGABYTE A520M K V2
GIGABYTE A520M K V2 Specifications Review
GIGABYTE A520M K V2 by GIGABYTE is a Micro-ATX form factor motherboard based on the entry-level A520M chipset and AM4 socket, with basic features and limited connectivity. It is designed to support DDR4 memory, with 2 slots, a maximum capacity of 64 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 5100 MHz.
VRM Quality
The GIGABYTE A520M K V2 has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 50 A across 5 phases. Best for low-power CPUs (≤65 W TDP). Using high-wattage chips or overclocking could cause severe thermal issues and instability. Recommended for budget builds, office workstations, and media PCs.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The GIGABYTE A520M K V2 offers a simplified expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 3.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 3.0, still capable for most current GPUs and expansion cards, but with less bandwidth than newer standards. It also includes 1 x16 slot , and 1 x1 slot. These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 1 M.2 slot and 4 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard has essential connectivity features with wired Realtek® GbE LAN chip (1 Gbps/100 Mbps) Ethernet . USB connectivity covers basic needs. Please refer to the specification table for details.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek® ALC892/ALC897) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones.
Overall Quality and Value
GIGABYTE A520M K V2 is minimalist and barebones, with a low overall quality score of 31.00. It is suitable only for very basic computing needs or legacy systems where performance, connectivity, and features are limited, best reserved for simple, low-demand environments.
This motherboard offers an impressive 92.1% performance-to-price ratio, delivering excellent value by combining strong performance with reasonable cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
General Information
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | GIGABYTE A520M K V2 |
| Current Price Amazon | $64 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 7 hours, 38 minutes ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | A520M / AM4 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 5 (50 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 5+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR4 / 2 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 64 GB / 5100 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 3.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen3 |
|---|---|---|
| x16 | 1 | 1 |
| x1 | 1 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 1 slot |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2280 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 |
|---|---|
| Analog Audio Jacks | 3 jacks |
| Spatial/Surround Audio | ✔️ Rear Output Supports Spatial Audio |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4096x2160@60 Hz) |
|---|
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 2 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 4 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 2 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: Realtek® GbE LAN chip (1 Gbps/100 Mbps) LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Module: Not Included |
| Bluetooth | Supported: No |
Button Features
| Buttons |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports DDR4 speeds from 5100(O.C.) down to 2133 MHz. Supports ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules which operate in non-ECC mode. Also supports non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules. Please refer to the 'Memory Support List' for more information. |
|---|---|
| Display | Includes 1 x D-Sub port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz. The HDMI port supports HDCP 2.3 and HDR. Maximum shared memory is 16 GB. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | High Definition Audio, 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel. You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software. To configure 7.1-channel audio, access the audio software for audio settings. |
| Buttons | The motherboard includes a Clear CMOS jumper. |
| Dimensions | 24.4cm x 24.4cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
GIGABYTE A520M K V2 Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$80❗
|
↓
-1.4%
|
38.0%
|
13.0%
|
58.0%
|
37.0%
|
37.0%
|
45.0%
|
90.7%
|
|
|
$188❗
|
0.0%
|
37.8%
|
14.0%
|
77.0%
|
45.0%
|
13.0%
|
40.0%
|
38.2%
|
|
|
$100
|
0.0%
|
36.2%
|
18.0%
|
49.0%
|
35.0%
|
39.0%
|
40.0%
|
68.8%
|
|
|
$72
|
0.0%
|
33.8%
|
12.0%
|
58.0%
|
30.0%
|
29.0%
|
40.0%
|
89.2%
|
|
|
$146
|
↑
38.8%
|
33.0%
|
24.0%
|
41.0%
|
29.0%
|
31.0%
|
40.0%
|
43.0%
|
|
|
$127
|
↑
0.1%
|
32.4%
|
15.0%
|
47.0%
|
29.0%
|
31.0%
|
40.0%
|
48.6%
|
|
|
$64
|
0.0%
|
31.0%
|
12.0%
|
37.0%
|
32.0%
|
29.0%
|
45.0%
|
92.1%
|
|
|
$64
|
↑
0.8%
|
30.4%
|
13.0%
|
38.0%
|
27.0%
|
29.0%
|
45.0%
|
89.6%
|
|
|
$70
|
↑
2.2%
|
28.2%
|
9.0%
|
36.0%
|
27.0%
|
29.0%
|
40.0%
|
76.6%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$80❗
|
↓
-1.4%
|
$188❗
|
0.0%
|
$100
|
0.0%
|
$72
|
0.0%
|
$146
|
↑
38.8%
|
$127
|
↑
0.1%
|
$64
|
0.0%
|
$64
|
↑
0.8%
|
$70
|
↑
2.2%
|
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| Manufacturer | ASRock | MSI | ASUS | Asrock | ASRock | GIGABYTE | GIGABYTE | MSI | ASRock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B450M / AM4 | B550 / AM4 | A520M / AM4 | B450M / AM4 | A520M / AM4 | A520I / AM4 | A520M / AM4 | A520M / AM4 | A520M / AM4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX | Mini-ITX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 6 (42 A) | 5 (55 A) | 6 (60 A) | 5 (50 A) | 8 (60 A) | 6 (50 A) | 5 (50 A) | 5 (50 A) | 4 (50 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 6+2 | 5+1 | 6+1 | 5+1 | 8+1 | 6+1 | 5+1 | 5+1 | 4+2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR4 | 4 / DDR4 | 4 / DDR4 | 2 / DDR4 | 2 / DDR4 | 2 / DDR4 | 2 / DDR4 | 2 / DDR4 | 2 / DDR4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 128 GB / 3200 MHz | 128 GB / 4400 MHz | 128 GB / 4866 MHz | 64 GB / 3200 MHz | 64 GB / 4733 MHz | 64 GB / 5300 MHz | 64 GB / 5100 MHz | 64 GB / 4600 MHz | 64 GB / 4733 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 | 2x16 Gen3 | 4x1 | 1x16 Gen3 | 2x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek ALC892/897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek ALC887/897 | Realtek ALC887/897 | Realtek ALC887/897 Audio Codec | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 Codec | Realtek ALC887/897 Audio Codec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (2.0b) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (None) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ (1.2) | ❌ | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/1… (1 ports) | 1x Realtek® RTL8111H LAN… (1 ports) | 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet… (1 ports) | PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/1… (1 ports) | PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® GbE LAN chip (1 ports) | Realtek® GbE LAN chip (1… (1 ports) | 1x Realtek® RTL8111H Gig… (1 ports) | PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/1… (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | ❌ | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 | ❌ | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | ❌ | ❌ | v5.0 | ❌ | v4.2 | v4.2 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Rear USB |
|
❌ |
|
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| USB Headers |
|
|
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| Front USB |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
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VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No compatible CPU available. The motherboard's VRM is too weak to be recommended with any CPU in the database. | |||||||||
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
Support for DDR4 5100(O.C.) / 4800(O.C.) / 4600(O.C.) / 4400(O.C.) / 4266(O.C.) / 4133(O.C.) / 4000(O.C.) / 3866(O.C.) / 3733(O.C.) / 3600(O.C.) / 3466(O.C) / 3400(O.C.) / 3200 / 2933 / 2667 / 2400 / 2133 MHz memory modules
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode)
Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules
Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
(Please refer "Memory Support List" for more information.)
Graphics:
1 x D-Sub port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz
1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@60 Hz
* Support for HDMI 2.1 version, HDCP 2.3, and HDR.
Maximum shared memory of 16 GB
Storage:
1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2280 SATA and PCIe 3.0 x4/x2 SSD support)
Chipset:
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10
Expansion Slots:
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 3.0 and running at x16
Chipset:
1 x PCI Express x1 slot, supporting PCIe 3.0 and running at x1
USB:
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the back panel
Chipset:
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports available through the internal USB header
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers)
Internal I/O:
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x CPU fan header
1 x system fan header
1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header (2x6 pin, for the GC-TPM2.0_S module only)
1 x speaker header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
1 x chassis intrusion header
Back Panel I/O:
1 x D-Sub port
1 x HDMI port
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
3 x audio jacks
Audio:
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
* You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software. To configure 7.1-channel audio, access the audio software for audio settings.
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