Motherboard TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS
E16798 First Edition June 2020 Copyright © 2020 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Contents Safety information....................................................................................................... iv About this guide........................................................................................................... v Package contents........................................................................................................ vi TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS specifications summary..............................................
Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.
About this guide This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. How this guide is organized This guide contains the following parts: • Chapter 1: Product Introduction This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. It includes descriptions of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.
Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard 1 x TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS motherboard Cables 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables Miscellaneous 1 x I/O Shield 1 x M.2 SSD screw package 1 x M.2 Key E screw package 1 x TUF Gaming sticker Application DVD 1 x Support DVD Documentation 1 x TUF Certification card 1 x User manual If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS specifications summary Rear USB (Total 7 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (1 x Type-A) 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A) USB 2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A) Front USB (Total 5 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 3 USB 2.0 ports Realtek ALC 887 7.
TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS specifications summary 1 x S/PDIF out header Internal I/O Connectors 1 x SPI TPM header (14-1pin) 1 x 20-5 pin System Panel header ASUS TUF PROTECTION - ASUS DIGI+ VRM - ASUS ESD Guards - TUF LANGuard - ASUS Overvoltage Protection - ASUS SafeSlot Core+ - ASUS Stainless-Steel Back I/O Special Features ASUS Q-Design - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Slot ASUS Thermal Solution - Aluminum heatsink design AURA Sync - Aura RGB header ASUS Exclusive Software Armoury Crate - Aura Creator - Aura Sync
1 Product Introduction 1.1 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. 1.2 • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.
1.2.1 Layout contents 1. CPU socket The motherboard comes with an AMD Socket AM4 designed for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Graphics Processors. For more details, refer to Central Processing Unit (CPU). 2. DDR4 DIMM slots The motherboard comes with Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) slots designed for DDR4 (Double Data Rate 4) memory modules. For more details, refer to System memory. 3. Expansion slots This motherboard supports one PCIe x16 graphics card and two PCIe 3.
8. USB 3.2 Gen 1 header The USB 3.2 Gen 1 header allows you to connect a USB 3.2 Gen 1 module for additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 header provides data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gb/s. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 module is purchased separately. PIN 1 USB3+5V IntA_P1_SSRXIntA_P1_SSRX+ GND IntA_P1_SSTXIntA_P1_SSTX+ GND IntA_P1_DIntA_P1_D+ GND USB3+5V IntA_P2_SSRXIntA_P2_SSRX+ GND IntA_P2_SSTXIntA_P2_SSTX+ GND IntA_P2_DIntA_P2_D+ 9. USB 2.0 headers The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately.
. COM Port header COM RXD DTR DSR CTS This header is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to this header, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. 13. Front panel audio header • We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this header to avail of the motherboard’s highdefinition audio capability.
• System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER) This 4-pin header is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings. • ATX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW) This header is for the system power button. Pressing the power button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode depending on the operating system settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.
4. Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or other audio sources. 5. Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker. In 4-channel, 5.1-channel, and 7.1-channel configurations, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out. 6. USB 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) ports. These 9-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports connect to a USB 3.2 Gen 1 device. 7. DVI-D port. This port is for any DVI-D compatible device.
1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) This motherboard comes with an AMD Socket AM4 designed for 3rd Gen AMD RyzenTM and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Graphics Processors. Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU. The AM4 socket has a different pinout design. Ensure that you use a CPU designed for the AM4 socket. The CPU fits in only one correct orientation.
1.4 System memory This motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4) Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR4 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2* DIMM_B1 DIMM_B2* • • • Channel Sockets Channel A DIMM_A1 & DIMM_A2* Channel B DIMM_B1 & DIMM_B2* You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration.
Installing a DIMM 1 2 A A B To remove a DIMM A B ASUS TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS 1-9
1-10 Chapter 1: Product Introduction
BIOS and RAID Support 2.1 2 Knowing BIOS The new ASUS UEFI BIOS is a Unified Extensible Interface that complies with UEFI architecture, offering a user-friendly interface that goes beyond the traditional keyboardonly BIOS controls to enable a more flexible and convenient mouse input. You can easily navigate the new UEFI BIOS with the same smoothness as your operating system. The term “BIOS” in this user manual refers to “UEFI BIOS” unless otherwise specified.
2.2 BIOS Setup program Use the BIOS Setup to update the BIOS or configure its parameters. The BIOS screen includes navigation keys and brief onscreen help to guide you in using the BIOS Setup program. Entering BIOS at startup To enter BIOS Setup at startup, press or during the Power-On Self Test (POST). If you do not press or , POST continues with its routines. Entering BIOS Setup after POST To enter BIOS Setup after POST: • Press ++ simultaneously.
2.3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 The ASUS EZ Flash 3 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS‑based utility. Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey . To update the BIOS by USB: • This function can support devices such as a USB flash disk with FAT 32/16 format and single partition only.
2.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can restore a corrupted BIOS file using a USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file. If you want to use the latest BIOS file, download the file at https://www.asus.com/support, and save it to a USB flash drive. Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. Turn on the system. 2.
2.5 RAID configurations The motherboard comes with the RaidXpert2 Configuration Utility that supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10 configuration. For more information on configuring your RAID sets, please refer to the RAID Configuration Guide which you can find at https://www.asus.com/support, or by scanning the QR code. RAID definitions RAID 0 (Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data in parallel, interleaved stacks.
2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS and RAID Support
Appendix Notices FCC Compliance Information Responsible Party: Address: Phone / Fax No: Asus Computer International 48720 Kato Rd., Fremont, CA 94538, USA (510)739-3777 / (510)608-4555 This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Compliance Statement of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) This device complies with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada licence exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Google™ License Terms Copyright© 2020 Google Inc. All Rights Reserved. Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the “License”); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at: http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services ASUS recycling and takeback programs come from our commitment to the highest standards for protecting our environment. We believe in providing solutions for you to be able to responsibly recycle our products, batteries, other components as well as the packaging materials. Please go to http://csr.asus.com/english/Takeback.htm for detailed recycling information in different regions. DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste.
English ASUSTeK Computer Inc. hereby declares that this device is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of related Directives. Full text of EU declaration of conformity is available at: www.asus.com/support Français AsusTek Computer Inc. déclare par la présente que cet appareil est conforme aux critères essentiels et autres clauses pertinentes des directives concernées. La déclaration de conformité de l’UE peut être téléchargée à partir du site Internet suivant : www.
ASUS contact information ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. Address Telephone Fax Web site Technical Support Telephone Online support 1F., No. 15, Lide Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112, Taiwan +886-2-2894-3447 +886-2-2890-7798 https://www.asus.com +86-21-38429911 https://qr.asus.com/techserv ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America) Address 48720 Kato Rd., Fremont, CA 94538, USA Telephone +1-510-739-3777 Fax +1-510-608-4555 Web site https://www.asus.
