MSI A520M-A PRO
MSI A520M-A PRO Specifications Review
MSI A520M-A PRO by MSI 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 4600 MHz.
VRM Quality
The MSI A520M-A PRO 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 MSI A520M-A PRO 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 (PCIe 3.0) 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 1x Realtek® RTL8111H Gigabit LAN controller 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 Codec) 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
MSI A520M-A PRO is minimalist and barebones, with a low overall quality score of 30.40. 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 89.6% 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 | MSI |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | MSI A520M-A PRO |
| Current Price Amazon | $64 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 8 hours, 24 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 / 4600 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 | 2242, 2260, 2280 |
| M.2 PCIe Modes | PCIe 3.0 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 Codec |
|---|
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4096x2160 @60Hz) |
|---|
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: 1x Realtek® RTL8111H Gigabit LAN controller LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Module: Not Included |
| Bluetooth | Supported: No |
Button Features
| Buttons |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports DDR4 memory. JEDEC speeds supported: 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200 MHz. A-XMP OC MODE speeds supported: 2667/ 2800 /2933 /3000 /3066 /3200 /3466 /3600/ 3733 /3866 /4000 /4133 /4266 /4400/ 4600+ MHz. Supports un-buffered memory. Max speed for 1DPC 1R is 4600 MHz, and for 1DPC 2R is 3866 MHz. |
|---|---|
| Display | Also includes 1x DVI-D port, which supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60Hz. Supports HDCP 1.4 & 2.3. Maximum shared memory is 16 GB. Video outputs are only available for processors with integrated graphics, and specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed. |
| Expansion | The x16 slot supports x16 speed with Ryzen™ 5000, 5000G, 4000G and 3000 processors. Supports x8 speed with Ryzen™ 3000G processors. Supports x4 speed with AMD® Athlon™ with Radeon Graphics processors. The supported specification depends on installed processor. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio |
| 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.
MSI A520M-A PRO 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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|
|
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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:
Supports DDR4 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200 MHz by JEDEC
Supports DDR4 2667/ 2800 /2933 /3000 /3066 /3200 /3466 /3600/ 3733 /3866 /4000 /4133 /4266 /4400/ 4600+ MHz by A-XMP OC MODE
1DPC 1R max speed 4600 MHz
1DPC 2R max speed 3866 MHz
Dual channel memory architecture
Supports non-ECC UDIMM memory
Supports ECC UDIMM memory (non-ECC mode)
Supports un-buffered memory
Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
Graphics:
Support HDCP 1.4 & 2.3
1x DVI-D port, supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60Hz1
Maximum shared memory of 16 GB
Available for the processor with integrated graphics.
Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
Storage:
4x SATA 6Gb/s ports
1x M.2 slot (Key M) (from AMD Processor)
Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA 6G/s with Ryzen™ 5000, 5000G, 4000G, 3000 and 3000G processors
Supports SATA 6Gb/s with Athlon™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics processors
Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
Expansion Slots:
Supports x16 speed with Ryzen™ 5000, 5000G, 4000G and 3000 processors
Supports x8 speed with Ryzen™ 3000G processors
Supports x4 speed with AMD® Athlon™ with Radeon Graphics processors
1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
The supported specification depends on installed processor.
USB:
2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports are available through the internal USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector
6x USB 2.0 ports (2 Type-A ports on the back panel, 4 ports through the internal USB 2.0 connectors)
AMD Processor
4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A ports on the back panel
Internal I/O:
1x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
4x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1x M.2 slots (M-Key)
1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports)
2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports)
1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
1x 4-pin system fan connectors
1x Front panel audio connector
2x System panel connectors
1x Chassis Intrusion connector
1xTPM module connector
1x Clear CMOS jumper
Back Panel I/O:
HDMI™
DVI-D
Keyboard / Mouse
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A
USB 2.0 Ports
Audio Connectors
Audio:
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
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