Question How will this A520 board handle a 105w CPU?

[beastykato]

I got this board here for $40: https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/A520Mac/index.asp#CPU

It was a decent deal I thought for 40 with built in WiFi. I'm fully aware of the limitations of the A520 chipset vs the higher end ones, but I am a power user and I'd like to put the best chip I can into it. It says it can handle a 5950x, but can it really?

I've read some not so good things about Asrock VRM's and their ability to deliver enough power to a chip like this. I don't necessarily plan on getting a 5950x, that just happens to be the highest end one listed as supported on this motherboard. I'll get whichever chip I can find at a decent price given the current environment. I was hoping to get an 8 core chip personally but I just wondered how this mobo would handle the whole range of supported CPU's?

 

[ao_ika_red]

Visual wise, it has weaker VRM configuration than the original A320M-HDV, and back then it only supports 65W CPUs so even 1600X is a no go on this board. I don't want to say you can't run 5950X on it. Probably with huge amount of airflow around VRM area it will boot, but I expect it will only run on default or reduced clock.

 

[beastykato]

I assume you meant a 5600x? This board doesn't support the 1600x. Whew that's pretty bad then lol. It basically doesn't support anything on their supported list if it can't run a 6-core with PBO.

I can always send it back. Seemed like a steal for $40 though, oh well.

 

[ao_ika_red]

I meant 1600X on A320 board.

 

[Iron Woode]

I got this board here for $40: https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/A520Mac/index.asp#CPU

It was a decent deal I thought for 40 with built in WiFi. I'm fully aware of the limitations of the A520 chipset vs the higher end ones, but I am a power user and I'd like to put the best chip I can into it. It says it can handle a 5950x, but can it really?

I've read some not so good things about Asrock VRM's and their ability to deliver enough power to a chip like this. I don't necessarily plan on getting a 5950x, that just happens to be the highest end one listed as supported on this motherboard. I'll get whichever chip I can find at a decent price given the current environment. I was hoping to get an 8 core chip personally but I just wondered how this mobo would handle the whole range of supported CPU's?

the real issue isn't can you run it. The question is should you. Why would you buy a premium cpu and pair it with a bottom end board? Pair that board with a 3700x or a 5600x.

 

[beastykato]

I would be fine with it if it can run a 8 core chip like I said, but I had hoped to be able to upgrade if needed down the line. I was questioning if it can even run a 12/16 core chip at max speeds reliably with it's VRM to ensure an 8 core would not be an issue.

I can afford a more expensive motherboard. The Asus X570 WS ACE board is 8 layer PCB and ECC support and the MSI X570 Tomahawk is 6 layer with better features and top rated VRMS is $200/$220, respectively are two I looked at. I wasn't sure if the extra 2 layers on the PCB provided any real benefit though for overclocking and/or stability?

I'm just overall a budget minded person. I'm not gonna spend $200 just to say I'm "cool" if a $40 board will do the same job with no noticeable difference. However, I do run my machine 24/7 crypto mining, running as a file-server for the house, some video editing, gaming, and I do like to dabble in overclocking but it's not a necessity I'm fine with PBO doing the work.

In in the end I'm still a home user though I don't really know if I "need" the 2.5gbit or wifi 6 features on these more expensive boards as I've never had an issue in the past, I do value stability though. ECC would only be of use for me if DDR5 comes out and DDR4 ECC memory is very cheap in the future like DDR3 ended up being.

 

[Iron Woode]

I would be fine with it if it can run a 8 core chip like I said, but I had hoped to be able to upgrade if needed down the line. I was questioning if it can even run a 12/16 core chip at max speeds reliably with it's VRM to ensure an 8 core would not be an issue.

I can afford a more expensive motherboard. The Asus X570 WS ACE board is 8 layer PCB and ECC support and the MSI X570 Tomahawk is 6 layer with better features and top rated VRMS is $200/$220, respectively are two I looked at. I wasn't sure if the extra 2 layers on the PCB provided any real benefit though for overclocking and/or stability?

I'm just overall a budget minded person. I'm not gonna spend $200 just to say I'm "cool" if a $40 board will do the same job with no noticeable difference. However, I do run my machine 24/7 crypto mining, running as a file-server for the house, some video editing, gaming, and I do like to dabble in overclocking but it's not a necessity I'm fine with PBO doing the work.

In in the end I'm still a home user though I don't really know if I "need" the 2.5gbit or wifi 6 features on these more expensive boards as I've never had an issue in the past, I do value stability though. ECC would only be of use for me if DDR5 comes out and DDR4 ECC memory is very cheap in the future like DDR3 ended up being.

I understand completely.

I am also a budget minded person wanting the best bang for the buck parts. That is why I went with the Asus Prime X570-P. Has everything I want at a great price.