MSI A520M-A PRO: The Budget-Friendly Ryzen Motherboard That Doesn’t Skimp on Performance (Our Honest Review)

Looking to build a budget-friendly Ryzen system without sacrificing essential features? We’ve been there. The MSI A520M-A PRO motherboard promised to be a solid foundation for a 3rd Gen Ryzen build, balancing affordability with a reasonable feature set. After putting it through its paces, we’re here to share our experience and tell you whether this mATX board delivers the performance and value it claims. From its DDR4 Boost capabilities to its M.2 Gen3 x4 slot and overall stability, we’ll be diving into the details to help you decide if this is the right motherboard for your next build.

MSI A520M-A PRO: An Affordable Foundation for Your Ryzen Build

For those looking to build a budget-friendly Ryzen system, the A520M-A PRO presents an enticing option. It supports 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors, offering solid performance at a price point that won’t break the bank. We were impressed by its compatibility with DDR4 memory up to 4600MHz (OC), allowing for faster memory speeds to enhance overall system responsiveness. The inclusion of an M.2 Gen3 x4 slot for speedy NVMe SSDs and Gigabit LAN ensures modern connectivity options. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles found on higher-end boards, it offers a reliable foundation for a capable gaming or productivity rig; that offers great value for money. The audio boost and core boost technology were great additions too.

This board features MSI’s Core Boost technology, which guarantees stable power delivery to the CPU, essential for maintaining consistent performance under load. Audio Boost provides an enjoyable and immersive sound. The Dragon Center software allows for monitoring and tweaking various aspects of machine, creating a simplified user experience! The overall layout is clean and easy to work with, making the building experience straightforward, even for first-timers. The 2oz thickened copper PCB ensures that your components are stable and reliable.

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Unleashing the Potential: Exploring the Key Features of the A520M-A PRO

We were truly impressed by the array of features packed into this mATX board, especially considering its compact size. The support for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors, coupled with DDR4 Boost (up to 4600MHz OC), provides a solid foundation for building a responsive system. The inclusion of a Turbo M.2 slot is also a big plus. The M.2 Gen3 x4 support allows for lightning-fast storage solutions. Here are some of the features:

• Ryzen Ready: 3nd Gen AMD Ryzen support
• DDR4 Boost: Speeds up to 4600MHz (OC)
• Turbo M.2: NVMe SSD Support for fast storage
• Core Boost: Optimized power delivery for stability
• Audio Bosst: Rewards Your Ears With Studio Grade Sound Quality

Beyond the core specifications, we appreciate the attention to detail in the design. Core Boost technology is a standout, ensuring stable power delivery to the CPU. The high-level PCB design with 2oz thickened copper contributes significantly to the board’s durability and reliability, especially important for demanding CPUs. Don’t forget the inclusion of Dragon Center! It simplifies the management and customization of your system. Here is a quick overview of its compatibility:

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DDR4 Boost and M.2 Performance: Our Real World Testing Results

We put the DDR4 Boost and M.2 capabilities of this board through rigorous testing. The DDR4 Boost, supporting speeds up to 4600MHz (OC), showed a noticeable performance gain when paired with a Ryzen 5 3600X and a high-speed memory kit. We observed tighter latencies and improved responsiveness in memory-intensive tasks like video editing and large file compression. The enhanced PCB design played a crucial role in maintaining stable power delivery, ensuring reliable performance even during overclocking attempts. Our benchmark results speak for themselves:

Moving onto the M.2 slot, its Gen3 x4 interface provided excellent speeds when tested with a NVMe SSD. We achieved near-rated sequential read and write speeds, making it suitable for demanding applications like operating system installations and game storage. The thermal performance of the M.2 slot was also noteworthy; even under sustained load, the SSD remained within acceptable temperature limits. Here is what we found when fully loading the M.2 Slot:

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Budget Conscious Builders: Why the MSI A520M-A PRO Deserves Your Attention

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As budget-minded builders, we’re always hunting for that sweet spot: performance and features without breaking the bank. This motherboard is definitely worth considering. Supporting 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors, it provides a solid foundation for a capable gaming or work PC. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end boards, it offers essential features like a fast M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs, high speed DDR4 support to accelerate memory performance and Gigabit LAN for reliable networking. You’ll also appreciate the 2oz thickened copper PCB which ensures stable power delivery and improved durability – a key factor for long-term reliability.

It’s not just about the core specs; it’s about efficiency and smart design. MSI’s Core Boost technology optimizes power delivery, ensuring your CPU receives the steady current it needs for optimal performance without stability issues. The inclusion of Audio Boost elevates your audio experience, delivering studio-grade sound quality that’s often overlooked on budget boards. And while it may be budget friendly, it definitely doesn’t mean it’s cheap. With support for up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, you can easily scale the platform for more demanding tasks and applications. To summarize, take a look at the table below:

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Final Verdict

So, there you have it. Our deep dive into the MSI A520M-A PRO has revealed a motherboard that truly punches above its weight class. It’s proof that building a capable Ryzen system doesn’t require breaking the bank. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles of higher-end boards, it delivers a solid foundation for gaming and everyday tasks, all while offering key features like M.2 support and DDR4 Boost. If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable AM4 motherboard without sacrificing essential performance, the MSI A520M-A PRO is definitely worth considering. Ready to upgrade your rig? Click here to grab yours now!