MSI A520M-S AMD A520 AM4 Micro-ATX Motherboard - DDR4, HDMI, DVI, VGA, Gigabit LAN

The MSI A520M-S is a Micro-ATX motherboard built on the AMD A520 chipset, delivering a reliable foundation for AMD Ryzen 5000, 4000 G, and 3000 series processors. Its strongest capability is the balance of essential features and compact size, making it an ideal choice for everyday computing and small form-factor builds. With support for up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory and a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, it provides solid performance for both productivity and light gaming.

Advantages

This motherboard offers a straightforward upgrade path with its AM4 socket, supporting a wide range of Ryzen CPUs. The inclusion of HDMI, DVI-D, and VGA outputs ensures compatibility with various monitors without needing a discrete graphics card. The Realtek ALC892/897 audio codec delivers 7.1-channel high-definition sound, while the Gigabit LAN provides fast and stable network connectivity. The M.2 slot supports both PCIe Gen3 x4 and SATA SSDs, enabling high-speed storage options.

Suitable for

• Home and office desktop PCs
• Budget gaming systems with a dedicated GPU
• Small form-factor builds requiring Micro-ATX
• Users needing multiple display outputs (HDMI, DVI, VGA)
• Systems with moderate storage needs (4 SATA ports + 1 M.2)

Key specifications

• Socket: AMD AM4
• Chipset: AMD A520
• Form Factor: Micro-ATX
• Memory: 2x DDR4 DIMM, up to 64 GB, speeds up to 4600(OC) MHz
• Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1
• Storage: 4x SATA 6Gb/s, 1x M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 / SATA, 2242/2260/2280)
• Rear USB: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A
• Internal USB Headers: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (2 ports), 2x USB 2.0 (4 ports)
• Video Outputs: HDMI 1.4, DVI-D, VGA
• Audio: Realtek ALC892/897, 7.1-Channel HD Audio
• LAN: Realtek RTL8111H Gigabit Ethernet
• Power Connectors: 1x 24-pin ATX, 1x 8-pin ATX 12V
• RAID Support: RAID 0, 1, 10 for SATA

Recommendations

For a dependable and versatile Micro-ATX motherboard, the MSI A520M-S is an excellent choice. It offers the essential features for a modern AMD system without unnecessary frills, making it perfect for budget-conscious builders and system integrators.