Asrock AM4 A520M-HVS Motherboard

The ASRock AM4 A520M-HVS Motherboard is a compact, budget-friendly motherboard designed for AMD Ryzen processors using the AM4 socket. It supports the AMD Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000 series processors (excluding Ryzen 3200G and 3400G), making it a great entry-level option for building an affordable PC.

Key Features:

1. Form Factor:

   • Micro ATX (mATX), which offers a balance between size and expandability. It is suitable for smaller cases but still provides ample space for expansion.

2. Chipset:

   • Equipped with the AMD A520 chipset, it provides a solid foundation for basic system tasks, such as everyday computing, light gaming, and office use. The A520 chipset supports PCIe 3.0 but lacks the overclocking capabilities of the higher-end B550 or X570 chipsets.

3. Memory Support:

   • It supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM with speeds up to 2666 MHz natively (higher speeds may be supported through overclocking). The motherboard features 2 DIMM slots, which can handle dual-channel memory for better performance.

4. Storage:

   • The motherboard provides 4 SATA 3.0 ports for connecting traditional hard drives and SSDs.
   • It also has 1 M.2 slot for an NVMe SSD, allowing for fast storage solutions.

5. Graphics and Expansion:

   • Integrated graphics support for AMD Ryzen processors with integrated graphics (APUs). However, if you're using a processor without integrated graphics, you'll need a dedicated GPU.
   • The motherboard includes 1 PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for a discrete graphics card or other expansion cards and 1 PCIe 2.0 x1 slot for additional expansion options.

6. Connectivity:

   • Rear I/O includes:
     • 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
     • 1 x HDMI port
     • 1 x D-Sub (VGA) port
     • 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
     • 2 x USB 2.0 ports
     • 1 x LAN (Ethernet) port (Realtek RTL8111H)
     • 3 x Audio jacks (for integrated audio)

7. Audio:

   • Integrated Realtek ALC897 audio codec, providing 7.1 channel audio output.

8. Networking:

   • Realtek RTL8111H Ethernet controller provides Gigabit Ethernet for wired network connectivity, suitable for regular browsing and online gaming.

9. Power Design:

   • The motherboard has a basic 4-phase VRM design, which is adequate for handling standard Ryzen processors but may not be suitable for high overclocking demands.

10. Other Features:

    • Supports UEFI BIOS, which is user-friendly and allows for easy firmware updates.
    • It also has Solid Capacitors for better durability and longer lifespan.

Summary:

The ASRock AM4 A520M-HVS is a solid, affordable option for users building budget-friendly systems with AMD Ryzen processors. It's ideal for basic everyday computing, light gaming, and general home office setups. It lacks advanced features like overclocking or PCIe 4.0 support, but for its price, it provides excellent value for mainstream users.