Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
ASRock A520M-HDV vs Gigabyte A520M DS3H: Comparison
ASRock A520M-HDV vs Gigabyte A520M DS3H memory slots compared
On memory slots the spread is 50%, ASRock A520M-HDV 2 against Gigabyte A520M DS3H 4, so Gigabyte A520M DS3H takes it. Add max memory to that, 64 GB on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus 128 GB on the Gigabyte A520M DS3H, and the pattern holds. Networking is not the same on both, Realtek Gigabit LAN on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus Gigabit LAN on the Gigabyte A520M DS3H. They differ on board width too, 230 mm on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus 244 mm on the Gigabyte A520M DS3H. There is a split on vcore power stages as well, 6 on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus 5 on the Gigabyte A520M DS3H.
Which should you buy, ASRock A520M-HDV or Gigabyte A520M DS3H?
Buy the ASRock A520M-HDV for the most budget-conscious AM4 builds using a Ryzen APU and HTPC or office builds that use integrated graphics, though it is the wrong buy for anyone who wants four memory DIMM slots and discrete GPU builds that don't need HDMI/DVI from the motherboard. The Gigabyte A520M DS3H is the one to take for budget AM4 builders who want four memory DIMM slots and basic builds that don't need CPU overclocking, though it is not built for anyone who wants built-in WiFi and overclocking-focused builds (the A520 chipset doesn't support it).
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Chipset, m.2 slots, form factor, platform and newest cpu family supported read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 12 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the ASRock A520M-HDV and Gigabyte A520M DS3H differ on socket?
Yes. Socket reads AMD Ryzen 5000/5000G/4000G/3000/3000G series on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus AMD Ryzen 5000 / 5000G / 4000G / 3000... on the Gigabyte A520M DS3H.
Is the Oldest CPU Family Supported the same on the ASRock A520M-HDV and Gigabyte A520M DS3H?
It is. Both are listed at Ryzen 3000, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Platform
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- AMD
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- AMD
Model Number
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- A520M-HDV
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- A520M DS3H
Socket
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- AMD Ryzen 5000/5000G/4000G/3000/3000G series
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- AMD Ryzen 5000 / 5000G / 4000G / 3000 / 3000G series
Form Factor
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Micro-ATX
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- Micro-ATX
Chipset
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- A520
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- A520
Newest CPU Family Supported
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Ryzen 5000
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- Ryzen 5000
Memory Type
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 2x DDR4 DIMM, up to 64GB, dual-channel, DDR4-4733+ (OC)
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 4x DDR4, up to 128GB, up to 4400 MT/s (OC)Best
Oldest CPU Family Supported
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Ryzen 3000
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- Ryzen 3000
CPU Overclocking Supported
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- No
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- No
Memory Slots
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 2-50%
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 4Best
Max Memory
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 64 GB-50%
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 128 GBBest
Board Width
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 230 mm
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 244 mm
M.2 Slots
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 1
PCIe 5.0 Support
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- No
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- No
Wi-Fi Onboard
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- No
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- No
Max Memory Capacity
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 64 GB
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 128 GBBest
Max Rated Memory Speed
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4733 MT/sBest
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 4400 MT/s
SATA Ports
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 4
PCIe x16 Slots
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 1
Primary Graphics Slot Gen
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- PCIe 3.0
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- PCIe 3.0
Rear USB 5Gbps Ports
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 4
Rear USB 2.0 Ports
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 2
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 2
Vcore Power Stages
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 6
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 5
Max Ethernet Speed
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1 Gbps
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 1 Gbps
Ethernet Port Count
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 1
Wi-Fi Standard
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- None
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- None
Audio Codec
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Realtek ALC887/897, 7.1-channel HD Audio
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- Realtek codec
Expansion
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1; 1x M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 / SATA3), 4x SATA III
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- PCIe 3.0 x16, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1, 1x M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), 4x SATA 6Gb/s
Connectivity
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4x Rear USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps), 2x Rear USB 2.0; D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI outputs
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- Q-Flash Plus
Networking
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Realtek Gigabit LAN (10/100/1000, no built-in Wi-Fi)
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- Gigabit LAN (no built-in WiFi)
Special Features
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1x Ultra M.2 socket (type 2242/2260/2280)
- Gigabyte A520M DS3H
- 1x M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe), RGB Fusion 2.0
Which one should you pick?
Choose ASRock A520M-HDV if you want the higher M.2 slots (1 vs 1).
Choose Gigabyte A520M DS3H if you want the higher memory slots (4 vs 2) and the higher max memory (128 GB vs 64 GB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | ASRock A520M-HDV | Gigabyte A520M DS3H |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.