If you’re building a new AMD Ryzen desktop PC or upgrading an existing system, you need a solid foundation like the ASUS TUF A520M-PLUS motherboard. As of now, it’s available with a limited-time discount on Amazon, so you’ll want to check it out soon if you want to get it for less. Designed for Ryzen 5000 Series, 4000 G-Series, and 3000 Series CPUs, it could be a good pick if you’re looking for something along the lines of the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600. It provides you with modern connectivity options and shares a lot in common with the best gaming motherboards.
ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi) AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) microATX Motherboard
Currently on Amazon, you can get the A520M-PLUS motherboard for just $89.99 after a 10% discount. This knocks $10 off the regular $99.99 price tag so you get it for cheaper. While not a massive saving, every dollar counts when putting together a new PC build on a budget, so the discount is certainly a bonus.
Let’s explore some of the key features that make it a quality choice for an AMD Ryzen system.
What’s so great about this ASUS TUF motherboard?
- Supports 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPUs: This motherboard is compatible with AMD’s 3rd generation Ryzen desktop processors, including the high-end Ryzen 9 chips. It provides the AM4 socket and supports power delivery for these modern CPUs.
- Dual M.2 Slots: With two M.2 slots, you can easily install ultra-fast NVMe SSDs for blazing boot and load times. M.2 SSDs are compact and don’t take up cable space.
- 802.11ac WiFi: Built-in wireless networking lets you get online without needing to run Ethernet cables. The 802.11ac WiFi provides solid speeds for gaming and streaming.
- HDMI, DisplayPort, D-Sub Outputs: Multiple video output options are included, allowing you to connect the motherboard directly to a display without a dedicated graphics card if needed.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports: You get front and rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports for easily connecting peripherals, external drives, and other USB devices at data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps.
- Addressable RGB Headers: If you’re into RGB lighting for your case, fans, or other components, this motherboard has addressable RGB headers to sync everything with ASUS Aura software.
- MicroATX Size: The compact micro-ATX form factor fits in most mid-tower PC cases, while leaving room for expansion with two PCIe x16 slots.
What we think of this motherboard deal on Amazon
For a basic Ryzen system build, the ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS is a quality, compact, and affordable motherboard. You get modern connectivity like WiFi 6, fast M.2 storage support, and multi-display output options in a nicely designed micro-ATX package from a reputable brand. The included RGB lighting headers are a nice bonus as well. It doesn’t offer top-end features for overclocking or multi-GPU setups, but it covers the essentials for a solid mid-range gaming PC very well for the price you’re paying.
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