Comparison Asus PRIME A520M-K vs Asus PRIME A320M-K

The chipset model installed in the motherboard. AMD's current chipset models are B450, A520, B550, X570, A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, X870, X870E.. For Intel, in turn, the list of chipsets looks like this: X299, H410, B460, H470, Z490, H510, B560, H570, Z590, H610, B660, H670, Z690, B760, Z790, Z890.

A chipset is a set of chips on the motherboard through which the individual components of the system interact directly: the processor, RAM, drives, audio and video adapters, network controllers, etc. Technically, such a set consists of two parts — the north and sou...th bridges. The key element is the northbridge, it connects the processor, memory, graphics card and the southbridge (together with the devices it controls). Therefore, it is often the name of the north bridge that is indicated as the chipset model, and the south bridge model is specified separately (see below); it is this scheme that is used in traditional layout motherboards, where bridges are made in the form of separate microcircuits. There are also solutions where both bridges are combined in one chip; for them, the name of the entire chipset can be indicated.

Anyway, knowing the chipset model, you can find various additional data on it — from general reviews to special instructions. An ordinary user, usually, does not need such information, but it can be useful for various professional tasks.

The maximum RAM clock speed supported by the motherboard. The actual clock frequency of the installed RAM modules should not exceed this indicator — otherwise, malfunctions are possible, and the capabilities of the “RAM” cannot be used to the fullest.

For modern PCs, a RAM frequency of 1500 – 2000 MHz or less is considered very low, 2000 – 2500 MHz is modest, 2500 – 3000 MHz is average, 3000 – 3500 MHz is above average, and the most advanced boards can support frequencies of 3500 – 4000 MHz and even more than 4000 MHz.

The maximum amount of RAM that can be installed on the motherboard.

When choosing according to this parameter, it is important to take into account the planned use of the PC and the real needs of the user. So, volumes up to 32 GB inclusive are quite enough to solve any basic problems and run games comfortably, but without a significant reserve for an upgrade. 64 GB is the optimal option for many professional use cases, and for the most resource-intensive tasks like 3D rendering, 96 GB or even 128 GB of memory will not be a limit. The most “capacious” motherboards are compatible with volumes of 192 GB or more - they are mainly top-end solutions for servers and HEDT (see “In the direction”).

You can choose this parameter with a reserve – taking into account a potential RAM upgrade, because installing additional RAM sticks is the simplest way to increase system performance. Taking this factor into account, many relatively simple motherboards support very significant amounts of RAM.

Specialized TPM connector for connecting the encryption module.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) allows you to encrypt the data stored on your computer using a unique key that is practically unbreakable (it is extremely difficult to do this). The keys are stored in the module itself and are not accessible from the outside, and data can be protected in such a way that their normal decryption is possible only on the same computer where they were encrypted (and with the same software). Thus, if information is illegally copied, an attacker will not be able to access it, even if the original TPM module with encryption keys is stolen: TPM will recognize the system change and will not allow decryption.

Technically, encryption modules can be built directly into motherboards, but it is still more justified to make them separate devices: it is more convenient for the user to purchase a TPM if necessary, and not overpay for an initially built-in function that may not be needed. Because of this, there are motherboards without a TPM connector at all.

HDMI connector version (see above) installed in the motherboard.

— v.1.4. The earliest of the standards found nowadays, which appeared back in 2009. Supports resolutions up to 4096x2160 inclusive and allows you to play Full HD video with a frame rate of up to 120 fps — this is enough even for 3D playback.

— v.1.4b. A modified version of v.1.4 described above, which introduced a number of minor updates and improvements — in particular, support for two additional 3D formats.

— v.2.0. Also known as HDMI UHD, this version introduced full 4K support, with frame rates up to 60 fps, as well as the ability to work with 21:9 ultra-widescreen video. In addition, thanks to the increased bandwidth, the number of simultaneously reproduced audio channels has grown to 32, and audio streams to 4. And in the v.2.0a improvement, HDR support has also been added to all this.

— v.2.1. Another name is HDMI Ultra High Speed. Compared to the previous version, the interface bandwidth has really increased significantly — it is enough to transmit video at resolutions up to 10K at 120 frames per second, as well as to work with the extended BT.2020 colour space (the latter may be useful for some professional tasks). HDMI Ultra High Speed cables are required to use the full capabilities of HDMI v2.1, but older standard features are available with regular cables.

The number of PS/2 ports provided in the design of the motherboard.

PS/2 is a dedicated port designed to connect exclusively to keyboards and/or mice. The traditional motherboard configuration for a PC provides 2 such ports — for the keyboard (usually highlighted in lilac) and for the mouse (green). However, there are boards with one connector, to which you can connect any of these types of peripherals, to choose from. Anyway, the presence of PS/2 can save the user from having to occupy USB ports for the keyboard / mouse; this is especially useful if you have to deal with a lot of other USB peripherals. On the other hand, for a number of reasons, this connector is considered obsolete and is used less and less; and PS/2 peripherals are produced mainly in the form of USB devices, additionally equipped with PS/2 adapters.

The type of connector for powering the processor installed on the motherboard.

Most modern boards use a 4-pin connector, and most power supplies in ATX cases are also designed for it. In addition, there are other types of power connectors, they all have an even number of pins — 2, 6 or 8. Two-pin power is used mainly in motherboards of miniature form factors like thin mini-ITX, designed for low-power processors. 8-pin connectors, on the contrary, are designed to power the most powerful modern processors. It is believed that such a connector provides a more stable power supply and more precise tuning of its parameters. But connectors for 6 pins are not found separately, they usually complement 8-pin connectors in high-performance motherboards, in particular, gaming ones.

Also note that some boards have 2 or even 3 power connectors — most often in the format 8 + 4, 8 + 8 and 8 + 8 + 6 pins. This functionality is designed for high-end CPUs with high power and power consumption, for which one connector is not enough. There is another specific option — “motherboards” without a separate processor power supply : these are models equipped with an integrated CPU, which receives energy through its own board circuits without a sp...ecial power connector.