ASRock A520M-ITX/AC Supports 3rd Gen AMD AM4 Ryzen™ / Future AMD Ryzen™ Processors (3000 and 4000 Series Processors) Mini ITX Motherboard
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AI Verdict
This is a barebones, budget-friendly Mini-ITX board perfect for compact 1080p gaming builds or media centers where you don't care about PCIe 4.0 or CPU overclocking.
This board is strictly for builders who know exactly what they are giving up to stay under $100 in the ITX space. You lose PCIe 4.0 and CPU overclocking, but the 8-phase VRM and DDR4-4733 support provide plenty of stability for a stock Ryzen 5600X or 5700G. It makes sense only if your budget absolutely cannot stretch to a B550 board.
If you need PCIe 4.0 for a modern GPU or a second M.2 slot, step up to the ASRock B550M-ITX/ac.
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Pros
- 8-phase VRM with 60A power chokes handles 65W Ryzen CPUs without throttling
- Includes a rear USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, which is rare at this sub-$100 price point
- Supports memory overclocking up to DDR4-4733+, bypassing the strict RAM limits of Intel's budget boards
- Built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 save you from buying a separate M.2 networking card
Cons
- Locked A520 chipset means zero CPU overclocking support
- Stuck on PCIe 3.0, which slightly bottlenecks modern budget GPUs like the RX 6500 XT
- Only one M.2 slot for storage, limiting future SSD expansion
- Outdated Realtek ALC887 audio codec delivers mediocre sound quality for high-impedance headphones
Dimension Scores
The 8-phase DRMOS with 60A chokes is great for A520, but the tiny heatsink limits high-end CPU pairings.
Includes Wi-Fi and USB-C, but relies on older 802.11ac and basic ALC887 audio.
Only one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and a single M.2 slot severely limit future upgrades.
The standard ASRock BIOS is functional, but the lack of a BIOS flashback button is a major pain point for AM4 builders.
Best For
- Ultra-budget SFF (small form factor) builds using 65W Ryzen 5000 series CPUs
- Living room HTPCs relying on Ryzen APUs like the 5600G for integrated graphics
- First-time ITX builders who want built-in Wi-Fi without spending over $100
Not Recommended For
- Enthusiasts looking to manually overclock their CPU or tweak core ratios
- High-end gaming rigs using PCIe 4.0 graphics cards or Gen4 NVMe drives
Watch Out For
- No BIOS flashback button — if you buy an older board stock, you need an older compatible CPU just to update the BIOS for Ryzen 5000.
- The included Wi-Fi is only 433Mbps 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2, which users report drops connection easily if the antennas aren't perfectly positioned.
- The VRM heatsink is tiny, meaning high-core-count chips like a Ryzen 9 will run dangerously hot under sustained multi-core loads.
- It officially drops support for older Ryzen 3200G and 3400G APUs, so don't try to recycle those specific chips here.
Full Specifications
| RAM | DDR4 |
| ASIN | B08G1WLVR2 |
| Brand | ASRock |
| Series | A520M-ITX/AC |
| Language | English |
| Platform | Windows |
| Batteries | 1 CR2032 batteries required. |
| CPU Model | Ryzen 3 |
| Processor | ryzen_3 |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Model Name | A520M-ITX/AC |
| Item Weight | 0.32 ounces |
| Chipset Type | AMD A520 |
| Manufacturer | ASRock |
| Memory Speed | 2400 MHz |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
| Processor Brand | AMD |
| Operating System | - Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit / 11 64-bit |
| Item model number | A520M-ITX/AC |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Memory Clock Speed | 2400 MHz |
| Product Dimensions | 10.83 x 8.35 x 2.28 inches |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Compatible Processors | AMD Ryzen 3000 Series, AMD Ryzen 4000 Series, AMD Ryzen 5000 Series |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 10.83 x 8.35 x 2.28 inches |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
The biggest headache reported by buyers is the lack of a BIOS flashback button, leaving several users stranded with a board that won't POST with their new Ryzen 5000 CPU. Beyond that setup hurdle, owners are genuinely surprised by the memory overclocking stability, frequently hitting 3600MHz without a hitch. The 433Mbps Wi-Fi speed cap and older BT 4.2 standard cause noticeable lag for wireless peripherals if the antennas are blocked by the PC case. Builders love the clean, gunmetal grey aesthetic and the inclusion of a rear USB-C port, which is a rarity in the sub-$100 ITX market. It serves as a reliable 'set it and forget it' foundation for budget 65W processors.
“Nice board for the price and fits my tiny case perfectly, but it was an absolute PITA to update the bios just to get my 5600G to post.”
Common Praise
- Easily hits 3600MHz RAM speeds via XMP despite being a budget chipset
- Rear USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port is incredibly useful for modern peripherals
- Gunmetal grey heatsinks provide a clean, neutral look for windowed cases
- Handles 65W CPUs like the Ryzen 5 5600X without VRM thermal throttling
Common Complaints
- No BIOS flashback button makes updating for newer CPUs a massive pain
- Bluetooth 4.2 connection frequently drops or lags with wireless mice and keyboards
- Only one M.2 slot means you have to replace your boot drive to upgrade storage
- Realtek ALC887 audio sounds flat and lacks power for high-impedance headphones
Ownership Tips
- The Wi-Fi antennas need direct line-of-sight to your router, or the 433Mbps speed drops drastically.
- You can't undervolt the CPU in the BIOS because the A520 chipset locks out core voltage adjustments.
- The single chassis fan header means you absolutely need a fan splitter cable if your ITX case has multiple fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this board support Ryzen 5000 out of the box?
It depends on when the specific box was manufactured. Many recent units ship with a Ryzen 5000 ready BIOS, but if you get old stock, you need an older CPU to update it since there is no BIOS flashback button.
Can I overclock my CPU on this motherboard?
No, the A520 chipset strictly locks out CPU core overclocking. You can still enable XMP profiles to overclock your RAM up to 4733MHz.
How many M.2 NVMe drives can I install?
Only one. The single M.2 slot sits on the front of the board and runs at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds.
Does the USB-C port on the back support video output?
No, the rear USB-C port is strictly for data transfer at 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1). You must use the dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort for video.
Will my PCIe 4.0 graphics card work in this board?
Yes, but it will run at PCIe 3.0 speeds. For most GPUs this is a negligible 1-2% performance drop, but cards with only 4 PCIe lanes (like the RX 6500 XT) will see a larger bottleneck.
Can I use a Ryzen 3 3200G or Ryzen 5 3400G?
No. ASRock officially states that this board is not compatible with the older 3200G and 3400G APUs.
Buying Guide
When buying a Mini-ITX motherboard, you are paying a premium for the tiny 6.7-inch square size. Because space is so limited, you only get two RAM slots and one PCIe slot for your graphics card, so you need to plan your build carefully. The A520 chipset specifically means you are sacrificing PCIe 4.0 speeds and the ability to overclock your processor. If you just want to plug in a mid-range CPU, enable your RAM's XMP profile, and play games, this board does exactly that without charging you for features you won't use.
A520 Chipset
This is the brain of the motherboard. The 'A' series is AMD's entry-level tier, meaning it blocks you from manually tuning your CPU's speed and limits data transfer to older PCIe 3.0 speeds, much like buying a car with a factory speed governor.
Mini-ITX Form Factor
This dictates the physical size of the board (6.7 x 6.7 inches). It's designed for ultra-compact, console-sized PC cases, but forces you to give up extra slots for capture cards, sound cards, or additional M.2 storage drives.
802.11ac Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5)
This is the built-in wireless internet standard. It caps out at 433 Mbps, which is fine for casual gaming and streaming, but it's like using a 4G phone in a 5G world—it won't max out a gigabit fiber internet connection.
Alternatives
If you need PCIe 4.0 for a newer graphics card, a second M.2 slot for more storage, or the ability to overclock your CPU, search for a 'B550 Mini-ITX motherboard' instead.
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