Motherboard PRIME A520M-A II
E17797 First Edition February 2021 Copyright © 2021 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 PRIME A520M-A II 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 PRIME A520M-A II motherboard Cables 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables Miscellaneous 1 x I/O Shield 1 x M.2 SSD screw package Application DVD 1 x Support DVD Documentation 1 x User manual If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer. PRIME A520M-A II specifications summary CPU AMD AM4 Socket for AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series Desktop Processors* *Refer to www.asus.
PRIME A520M-A II specifications summary Rear USB (Total 6 ports) 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 6 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 4 USB 2.0 ports Realtek ALC 887/897 7.
PRIME A520M-A II specifications summary 1 x SPI TPM header (14-1 pin) Internal I/O Connectors 1 x 10-1 pin System Panel header ASUS 5X PROTECTION III - DIGI+ VRM - LANGuard - Overvoltage Protection - SafeSlot Core - Stainless-Steel Back I/O Special Features ASUS Q-Design - Q-DIMM - Q-Slot ASUS Thermal Solution - VRM heatsink design AURA Sync - AURA RGB headers - Addressable Gen 2 RGB headers ASUS Exclusive Software Armoury Crate - AURA Creator - AURA Sync AI Suite 3 - Performance and Power Saving Utilit
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 AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series Desktop 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 3.0 x16 graphics card and two PCIe 3.
8. USB 3.2 Gen 1 header The USB 3.2 Gen 1 module is purchased separately. PIN 1 USB3+5V IntA_P2_SSRXIntA_P2_SSRX+ GND IntA_P2_SSTXIntA_P2_SSTX+ GND IntA_P2_DIntA_P2_D+ USB3+5V IntA_P1_SSRXIntA_P1_SSRX+ GND IntA_P1_SSTXIntA_P1_SSTX+ GND IntA_P1_DIntA_P1_D+ GND The two USB 2.0 headers allow you to connect USB modules for additional three USB 2.0 ports. The USB 2.0 headers provide data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mb/s. DO NOT connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors.
• Actual lighting and color will vary with LED strip. • If your LED strip does not light up, check if the RGB LED extension cable and the RGB LED strip are connected in the correct orientation, and the 12V connector is aligned with the 12V header on the motherboard. • The LED strip will only light up when the system is powered on. • The LED strip is purchased separately. 12.
PIN 1 TPM T_SPI_MOSI T_SPI_CLK GND F_BIOS_WP#_R S_SPI_TPM_CS2# S_SPI_TPM_IRQ# This header supports a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) system with a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), allowing you to securely store keys, digital certificates, passwords, and data. A TPM system also helps enhance network security, protects digital identities, and ensures platform integrity. F_SPI_HOLD#_R T_SPI_MISO F_SPI_CS0#_R +3V_SPI NC S_PLTRST# VCCSPI 17. SPI TPM header The SPI_TPM module is purchased separately.
1.2.2 Rear panel connectors 1 7 2 8 3 9 4 5 7 10 6 1. PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port. This port is for a PS/2 keyboard or mouse. 2. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. 3. USB 2.0 ports. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) port are for USB 2.0 devices. 4. Ethernet port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.
10. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone. Refer to the audio configuration table for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, 5.1, or 7.1-channel configuration. Audio 2, 4, 5.1 or 7.1-channel configuration Port Headset 2-channel 4-channel 5.1-channel 7.
1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) This motherboard comes with an AMD Socket AM4 designed for AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series Desktop 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 1-10 Chapter 1: Product Introduction
BIOS and RAID Support 2.1 Knowing BIOS 2 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 screens include 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: • 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. Recovering the BIOS 1. Download the latest BIOS version for this motherboard from https://www.asus.com/support/. 2. Rename the BIOS file as ASUS.CAP or PA520M2.CAP and copy the renamed BIOS file to a USB flash drive. 3.
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© 2021 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.
Warranty EN: ASUS Guarantee Information • ASUS offers a voluntary manufacturer’s Commercial Guarantee. • ASUS reserves the right to interpret the provisions of the ASUS Commercial Guarantee. • This ASUS Commercial Guarantee is provided independently and in addition to the statutory Legal Guarantee and in no way affects or limits the rights under the Legal Guarantee. CR: Informacije o ASUS jamstvu • ASUS dragovoljno nudi komercijalno proizvođačko jamstvo.
PG: Informações de Garantia ASUS • A ASUS oferece uma Garantia Comercial voluntária do fabricante. • A ASUS reserva o direito de interpretar as disposições da Garantia Comercial da ASUS. • Esta Garantia Comercial da ASUS é fornecida de forma independente além da Garantia Legal estatutária e não afeta nem limita de qualquer forma os direitos estabelecidos na Garantia Legal. Para consultar todas as informações sobre a garantia, visite https://www.asus.com/pt/support/.
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 Telephone Fax Web site Technical Support Support fax Telephone Online support 48720 Kato Rd.
