Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX: Compact entry-level mainboards with A520 from ASRock

Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX

ASRock accompanies the start of AMD entry-level chipset A520 with six motherboards, which accommodate current and future processors via the socket AM4. It is noticeable that at the start only compact boards in Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX are offered.

One Micro-ATX at ASRock with connection to the middle class

Presented by AMD on Tuesday without a big sensation, the entry-level chipset A520 for the budget sector finds its way to the first motherboards - also at ASRock. Among the innovations are five of the AM4 boards in the form factor Micro-ATX, which have already become known in advance, and a (even) smaller offshoot in the format Mini-ITX.

ASRock A520M Pro4

The A520M Pro4 is the "top model" in the budget range with A520 chipset, offering two PCIe-x16 slots and the same number of M.2 recordings for fast NVMe SSDs, for example, despite the generally cost-efficient equipment. One of the two slots is covered by a heat sink. Only this is fully connected via four PCIe-3.0 data lines and thus supports transmission speeds of 32 Gbit/s. The second is only half as fast via two PCIe-3.0 lanes in the top (16 Gbit/s). Although the PCIe 4.0 lanes of Ryzen 3000 can also be used on A520, none of the M.2 slots have this standard. In addition, four DIMM slots for memory are offered on the ASRock A520M Pro4, which are supported according to the data sheet up to a speed of 4,733 MHz (Renoir APU).

8-phase power supply only for the A520M Pro4

Unlike the A520M Pro4, the four other Micro-ATX offshoots with A520 chipset at ASRock, the A520M-HVS, the A520M-HDV, the A520M-HDVP and the A520M/ac, do not have an eight-phase power supply for the CPU input, but only have six power stages. Also with the equipment is a demarcation available. For example, the budget motherboards only have two DIMM slots for a maximum of 64 GB RAM and, in addition to a PCIe-x16 slot, only one or two PCIe-x1 slots for expansion cards.

Micro-ATX motherboards from ASRock for AMD Ryzen 3000 (4000) with A520 chipset

For M.2 drives, the A520M-HVS, -HDV, -HDVP and the AC model have one less recording. The A520M-HDVP has an aged PCI slot as a unique selling point, while the A520M/ac stands out from the mass of the A520 innovations at ASRock via a factory-installed Wi-Fi module. Other distinguishing features are the type and number of graphics outputs. For example, while the A520M Pro4 combines DisplayPort, HDMI and DSub, the A520M-HDVP also features an additional DVI output.

In Mini-ITX also with Wi-Fi 5 and USB Type C

The A520M-ITX/ac motherboard designed in the Mini-ITX form factor occupies a special position in the A520 starter line-up at ASRock. Despite the smaller design, it has basic functions for a compact PC. In addition to the mandatory PCIe x16 graphics card slot, an M.2 slot is provided for an NVMe SSD, which is also covered by a cooler.

ASRock A520M-ITX/ac

Like the five larger A520 derivatives in Micro-ATX, the Mini-ITX board also has four SATA sockets. For the A520M-ITX/ac, a DisplayPort or HDMI output can be used. In addition, a WLAN module with Wi-Fi 5 (WLAN 802.11ac) is pre-assembled on the small board. On the other hand, the connection plate is a bit leaner, where in addition to the usual LAN, audio and display connections, USB Type C and another five times USB Type A are installed.

The trade is still waiting for goods

Although the sales launch of the A520 motherboards with the presentation of the new AMD chipset has already been officially announced, only two of the six boards are currently available from first dealers. As the cheapest AM4 base in the form factor µATX the ASRock A520M-HDV currently costs from 63 Euro. At the other end of the price scale, the A520M-ITX/ac mini-ITX model with immediate availability is currently listed in the price comparison from around 102 euros.