MSI A520M PRO, AM4, For Ryzen 5000/4000/3000, DDR4

The MSI A520M PRO motherboard is powered by the AMD A520 chipset and designed to support AMD Ryzen 5000, 4000, and 3000 series processors. Its m-ATX form factor, dual-channel DDR4 memory support, and robust connectivity options make it ideal for budget-conscious builders seeking reliable performance for home or office systems.

Key Features

• Processor Compatibility: Supports AMD Ryzen™ 5000, 4000, and 3000 Series processors and Ryzen™ G-Series with Radeon™ Graphics.
• Memory Support: Two DDR4 slots with support for up to 64GB at speeds up to 4600 MHz (OC).
• Graphics Options: PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for discrete GPUs and onboard VGA, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort for integrated graphics.
• Storage Options: Includes one M.2 slot with PCIe 3.0 x4 and four SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID support.
• Compact Design: Micro-ATX form factor with efficient power connectors and cooling options.
• Modern Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen1, multiple USB 2.0 ports, and Gigabit LAN.
• Immersive Audio: 7.1-channel HD audio powered by Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 Codec.

MSI A520M PRO Specifications

• Brand: MSI
• Model: A520M PRO
• Socket Type: AM4
• Chipset: AMD A520
• Processor Compatibility: AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series, 5000G Series, 4000G Series, 3000 Series, 3000G Series, and Athlon™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics processors.
• Memory Support: 2 DDR4 slots, up to 64GB, speeds up to 4600 MHz (OC), dual-channel architecture.
• Graphics Support: 1 PCIe 3.0 x16 slot; onboard HDMI 2.1, VGA, and DisplayPort 1.4.
• Storage Interface: 1 M.2 slot (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), 4 SATA 6Gb/s ports, RAID 0/1/10 support.
• USB Ports: 6 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports (4 rear, 2 internal), 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 rear, 4 internal).
• Networking: Realtek® RTL8111H Gigabit LAN.
• Audio: Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 Codec, 7.1-channel HD audio.
• BIOS: UEFI BIOS with user-friendly interface and advanced configuration.
• Operating System Support: Windows® 10 64-bit.
• Form Factor: Micro-ATX (9.6” x 8.3”).

Processor Compatibility

The MSI A520M PRO motherboard supports a wide range of AMD Ryzen™ processors, making it a versatile choice for builders. It is compatible with the latest Ryzen 5000 Series processors, which deliver exceptional performance for gaming, content creation, and multitasking.

These CPUs feature advanced Zen 3 architecture, providing significant improvements in single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Additionally, the board supports Ryzen 5000G and 4000G Series processors, which come with integrated Radeon™ Graphics, ideal for builds that do not include a discrete GPU. Compatibility extends to Ryzen 3000 Series CPUs, offering excellent performance at a budget-friendly price, and the 3000G Series, which combines basic processing power with integrated graphics for entry-level tasks.

For lightweight systems, the motherboard also supports AMD Athlon with Radeon Vega Graphics, a reliable choice for basic computing, media playback, and office tasks. This extensive CPU compatibility ensures the A520M PRO is suitable for a variety of builds, from gaming PCs to everyday workstations.

Discrete Graphics Compatibility

The MSI A520M PRO features a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, providing ample bandwidth for discrete graphics cards. While PCIe 4.0 is available on more premium chipsets, PCIe 3.0 x16 remains highly capable, offering enough throughput for modern GPUs to operate efficiently without bottlenecks in most gaming and productivity scenarios.

With its support for GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 6600, the A520M PRO can handle smooth 1080p or 1440p gaming, delivering high frame rates in popular titles. For users focused on content creation, the PCIe 3.0 x16 slot supports workstation GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 3060, ideal for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and photo editing.

The motherboard also allows for hybrid setups that utilize both discrete GPUs and integrated graphics from compatible processors, enabling multi-monitor configurations for productivity or creative workflows. With robust compatibility and performance, the A520M PRO ensures seamless integration of modern graphics cards for gaming, work, or entertainment.

Storage and Expansion

M.2 Slots and NVMe Availability

The motherboard features one M.2 slot (Key M) capable of:

• PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSDs: Ultra-fast storage with speeds up to 32Gbps for boot drives and critical applications.
• SATA SSDs: Flexible storage options for cost-effective upgrades.
• Supported Sizes: 2242, 2260, and 2280 drives.

SATA Ports and Expansion

• Four SATA 6Gb/s Ports: Connect SSDs or HDDs for additional storage capacity.
• RAID Support: Configure RAID 0 for performance, RAID 1 for redundancy, or RAID 10 for a combination.

Recommended Storage Options

• Primary Storage: NVMe SSD like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus for fast performance.
• Bulk Storage: HDDs like the WD Blue for high-capacity storage.
• External Storage: USB 3.2 external drives for backups and portable data.

Power Requirements and Cooling

Power Requirements

The motherboard requires a 24-pin ATX main power connector and an 8-pin ATX 12V power connector.

Recommended PSU:

• 400W PSU: For systems without a discrete GPU.
• 500W PSU: For systems with mid-range GPUs like the GTX 1660.
• 600W PSU: For high-performance builds with modern GPUs.

Cooling Options

• CPU Cooling: Compatible with air coolers like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 or liquid coolers like the NZXT Kraken M22.
• System Cooling: Includes a 4-pin fan header for chassis fans to maintain airflow.