GIGABYTE A520M K V2 (REV. 1.0) CHIPSET AMD A520 AM4, MATX, DDR4 - A520M K V2 1.0 MAE Card
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
This barebones micro-ATX board is strictly for PC flippers or builders dropping a 65W Ryzen 5000 CPU into a basic 1080p gaming rig or office machine.
This board strips away everything but the bare minimum to function. It works flawlessly for a 65W Ryzen 5600 and a single NVMe drive, but the lack of fan headers, PCIe 4.0, and VRM cooling severely limits future upgrade paths.
Step up to a B550M motherboard if you need PCIe 4.0 support, VRM heatsinks, and four RAM slots.
Regret Score™
High RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Supports Ryzen 5000 series processors out of the box without requiring a BIOS update.
- Includes a toolless plastic push-pin for the M.2 slot instead of a tiny metal screw.
- Handles 65W CPUs like the Ryzen 5 5600 perfectly fine under sustained gaming loads.
- Features hybrid fan headers that support zero-RPM fan stop modes via the BIOS.
Cons
- Only includes two fan headers total (one CPU, one system), requiring splitters for standard case airflow.
- A standard dual-slot graphics card completely blocks the front panel HD audio and USB headers.
- Zero VRM heatsinks means high-core-count CPUs like the 5900X will thermal throttle under heavy loads.
- Locked to PCIe 3.0 speeds, slightly bottlenecking modern GPUs wired for x4 lanes like the RX 6500 XT.
Dimension Scores
The bare 4+2 phase VRM lacks any heatsinks, making it unsuitable for CPUs over 65W.
It includes Gigabit LAN and basic audio, but strips away Wi-Fi, RGB headers, and diagnostic LEDs.
Limited to two RAM slots, one M.2 slot, and a PCIe x1 slot that gets blocked by most GPUs.
Gigabyte's BIOS is functional and includes the excellent Smart Fan 5 utility for custom fan curves.
Best For
- 1080p gaming builds using 65W AM4 processors like the Ryzen 5 5600 or 5500.
- Basic home office PCs utilizing Ryzen 5000 G-Series APUs with integrated graphics.
- PC flippers looking for a new-in-box motherboard to revive older AM4 parts.
Not Recommended For
- Builds utilizing a PCIe 4.0 graphics card with an x4 lane limit.
- Overclockers wanting to push their CPU past stock speeds.
- Systems requiring multiple M.2 NVMe storage drives.
Watch Out For
- Only two fan headers — you absolutely need a fan hub or splitter cables if your case has more than one intake or exhaust fan.
- Header placement is terrible — if you install a thick GPU, you have to plug in your front panel audio and USB cables first, and they will be crushed under the card.
- No PCIe 4.0 support — dropping a Gen4 NVMe drive in here means it will permanently run at half speed.
- No VRM heatsinks — do not pair this with a 105W TDP processor like the 5800X3D unless you have a top-down cooler blowing directly on the board.
Full Specifications
| RAM | DDR4 |
| ASIN | B0BXFBN121 |
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
| Color | black / black |
| Series | 9MA52MK2-11 |
| Voltage | 28 Volts |
| Language | English |
| Platform | Windows |
| Batteries | 1 AAAA batteries required. (included) |
| CPU Model | AMD Ryzen 7 |
| Processor | amd_ryzen_7 |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Model Name | 9MA52MK2-11 |
| Item Weight | 14.8 ounces |
| Chipset Type | AMD A520M |
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE |
| Memory Speed | 5100 MHz |
| Item model number | A520M K V2 |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Memory Clock Speed | 5100 MHz |
| Product Dimensions | 9.17 x 7.8 x 1.38 inches |
| Number of Processors | 1 |
| Compatible Processors | AMD Ryzen 5000 G-Series, AMD Ryzen 5000 Series, AMD Ryzen 4000 G-Series, AMD Ryzen 3000 Series |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.17 x 7.8 x 1.38 inches |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
What Buyers Say
The most glaring issue during assembly is the layout: a standard dual-slot GPU completely covers the front panel audio and USB headers at the bottom edge. Beyond that physical quirk, the plug-and-play nature of the board for Ryzen 5000 CPUs dominates forum discussions. The toolless M.2 push-pin is a polarizing feature—some love the convenience, while others feel it's flimsy. Builders accept the severe limitations, like having only two fan headers and zero VRM heatsinks, to get a functioning AM4 system running.
“It feels flimsy and only having one case fan header is super annoying, but it booted my 5600x on the first try so I can't really complain.”
Common Praise
- Ryzen 5000 series processors boot up immediately without flashing the BIOS.
- The plastic M.2 anchor pin saves you from losing microscopic screws inside the case.
- Smart Fan 5 software makes it incredibly easy to set silent fan curves.
- Gets a dead AM4 system running again with minimal setup.
Common Complaints
- Only one system fan header means buying extra splitter cables is mandatory.
- Thick graphics cards crush the front panel audio and USB cables.
- The I/O shield is flimsy and feels like tin foil.
- Only two RAM slots limits future memory upgrades.
Ownership Tips
- The lack of VRM heatsinks means the board runs hot if case airflow isn't perfectly optimized.
- You have to plug in all your bottom-edge cables before seating the GPU, or you won't be able to reach them.
- RAM overclocks past 3200MHz can be unstable depending on the specific memory kit used.
- The single PCIe x1 slot is virtually useless because any modern GPU completely smothers it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this support the Ryzen 5 5600 out of the box?
Yes. The V2 revision ships with a BIOS that natively supports Ryzen 5000 series CPUs without needing an update.
Can I overclock my CPU on this board?
No. The A520 chipset completely locks out CPU overclocking, though you can still enable XMP profiles for your RAM.
How many case fans can I plug into this motherboard?
Exactly one. There is only one CPU_FAN header and one SYS_FAN header, so you need a splitter cable for multiple case fans.
Does it have built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
No. You need to buy a separate USB dongle or a PCIe Wi-Fi card, but a GPU blocks the only available PCIe x1 slot.
Will a PCIe 4.0 GPU work in this board?
Yes, but it runs at PCIe 3.0 speeds. This only noticeably impacts performance on cards wired for x4 lanes, like the RX 6500 XT.
Does the M.2 slot come with a screw?
It uses a plastic push-pin anchor instead of a traditional metal screw, which makes installation toolless.
Buying Guide
When buying an entry-level motherboard, you get exactly what is printed on the spec sheet and nothing more. You need to count your case fans, check your front panel cables, and measure your GPU thickness before buying. This board is a dead-end for future upgrades, meaning you buy this to build a basic PC today, not to upgrade it tomorrow. If you plan to drop in a high-end CPU later, the lack of power delivery cooling will literally throttle your performance.
A520 Chipset
This is AMD's most basic control chip. It acts like a speed limit, locking out CPU overclocking and capping your data speeds to older PCIe 3.0 standards.
Micro-ATX Form Factor
It's a shorter, squarer board than a standard ATX. It fits in smaller cases but sacrifices extra slots for capture cards or Wi-Fi adapters.
4+2 Phase VRM
This is the power delivery system for the CPU. A basic setup like this is like a 4-cylinder engine—great for a 65W daily driver, but it will overheat if you put it in a race car.
Alternatives
Search for a 'B550M motherboard' if you need PCIe 4.0 speeds for a newer graphics card, four RAM slots, and metal heatsinks for a higher-wattage CPU.
You Might Also Like
JetKVM KVM Over IP ATX Extension Board, ATX Power Control Board- Only for Jet KVM Accessories Boot from Shutdown, Crash Recovery
$0-$49This is an ATX form factor power control board designed for JetKVM accessories, enabling remote PC power state management and simultaneous front panel button use.
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Motherboard & TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) Ryzen 7000 ATX Gaming Motherboard
$150-$299This bundle offers two ATX motherboards: the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II for AM4 Ryzen 3000/5000 CPUs with DDR4 RAM, and the TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi for AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs with DDR5 RAM.
Game Motherboard Fit for ASROCK B650E PG-ITX WiFi B650 AM5 Motherboard Support Ryzen 7800X3D 7600/X 7950X 7700/X CPU 2xDDR5 128GB Hyper M.2 Mini-ITX
Price range unavailableThis KUETFBVC motherboard listing presents highly contradictory specifications, including a BGA 1023 socket and AMD 480 chipset, making it unsuitable for any modern Ryzen AM5 CPU.
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync)
This is a premium-feeling AM4 board with beefy VRMs and WiFi 6E, perfect for squeezing the last drop of performance out of a Ryzen 5000 series CPU.