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ASRock A520M-HDV vs MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi: Comparison
ASRock A520M-HDV vs MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi max memory compared
Start with max memory, because it is the widest measured gap between them: ASRock A520M-HDV 64 GB against MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi 256 GB, 75% in favour of MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi. Memory slots runs the same way, 2 on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus 4 on the MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi, another win for MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi. M.2 slots runs the same way, 1 on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus 2 on the MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi, another win for MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi.
ASRock A520M-HDV vs MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi: which one fits your build
The ASRock A520M-HDV is the one to take 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. Buy the MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi for Micro-ATX cases where a full ATX board won't fit, though it is not the pick for any sustained overclocking beyond stock Ryzen clocks. The same goes for budget compact AM5 builds that don't need more than two M.2 slots. It is not the one for builds that want PCIe 5.0 storage or a third M.2 slot.
What ASRock A520M-HDV and MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: form factor, platform, pcie 5.0 support, sata ports and rear usb 5gbps ports are identical here. They match on 1 further specification as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the ASRock A520M-HDV and MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi differ on chipset?
Yes. Chipset reads A520 on the ASRock A520M-HDV versus B650 on the MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi.
Is the Ethernet Port Count the same on the ASRock A520M-HDV and MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi?
It is. Both are listed at 1, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Platform
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- AMD
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- AMD
Model Number
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- A520M-HDV
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- PRO B650M-A WIFI
Socket
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- AMD Ryzen 5000/5000G/4000G/3000/3000G series
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- AMD Ryzen 9000 / 8000 / 7000 series
Form Factor
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Micro-ATX
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Micro-ATX
Chipset
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- A520
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- B650
Newest CPU Family Supported
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Ryzen 5000
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Ryzen 9000
Memory Type
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 2x DDR4 DIMM, up to 64GB, dual-channel, DDR4-4733+ (OC)
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 4x DDR5 DIMM, up to 256GB, up to 7200+ MHz (OC)Best
Oldest CPU Family Supported
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Ryzen 3000
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Ryzen 7000
Memory Slots
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 2-50%
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 4Best
Max Memory
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 64 GB-75%
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 256 GBBest
Board Width
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 230 mm
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 244 mm
M.2 Slots
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1-50%
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 2Best
PCIe 5.0 Support
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- No
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- No
Wi-Fi Onboard
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- No
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Yes
Max Memory Capacity
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 64 GB
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 256 GBBest
Max Rated Memory Speed
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4733 MT/s
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 7200 MT/sBest
M.2 Slots Onboard
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 2
SATA Ports
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 4
PCIe x16 Slots
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 2
Primary Graphics Slot Gen
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- PCIe 3.0
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- PCIe 4.0
Rear USB 5Gbps Ports
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 4
Rear USB 2.0 Ports
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 2
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 0
Vcore Power Stages
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 6
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 8
Max Ethernet Speed
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1 Gbps
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 2.5 GbpsBest
Ethernet Port Count
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 1
Wi-Fi Standard
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- None
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Wi-Fi 6E
Audio Codec
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Realtek ALC887/897, 7.1-channel HD Audio
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Realtek ALC897, 7.1-channel
Expansion
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1; 1x M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 / SATA3), 4x SATA III
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 2x PCIe x16 physical: PCIe 4.0 x16 (CPU) and PCIe 4.0 x4 (chipset), plus 1x PCIe 3.0 x1
Connectivity
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 4x Rear USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps), 2x Rear USB 2.0; D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI outputs
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Rear 4x USB 10Gbps Type-A, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4
Networking
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- Realtek Gigabit LAN (10/100/1000, no built-in Wi-Fi)
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- Realtek 8125BG 2.5G LAN, AMD Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Special Features
- ASRock A520M-HDV
- 1x Ultra M.2 socket (type 2242/2260/2280)
- MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
- 2x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4
Which one should you pick?
Choose ASRock A520M-HDV if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi if you want the higher memory slots (4 vs 2), the higher max memory (256 GB vs 64 GB) and the higher M.2 slots (2 vs 1).
Price comparison
| Retailer | ASRock A520M-HDV | MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi |
|---|---|---|
| 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.