MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 mATX Motherboard Review: A Budget-Friendly AM5 Option?
MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 mATX Motherboard Review: A Budget-Friendly AM5 Option?
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 mATX motherboard is an attractive option for budget-conscious PC builders looking to embrace the new AMD AM5 platform. It offers a decent set of features, including support for the latest DDR5 memory, a PCIe 5.0 slot, and a variety of connectivity options, all at a competitive price point. But does it deliver on its promises? Let’s dive into the details.
Key Features
The MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 boasts a solid feature set for its price range:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | AMD A620 |
| Socket | AM5 |
| Memory | 2x DDR5, Max 96GB |
| PCI-E Slots | 1x PCI-E x16, 1x M.2 |
| Networking | RTL8111H Gigabit LAN |
| USB | 2x USB 3.2 Type-A |
| Video Outputs | 1x HDMI, 1x VGA |
| Form Factor | mATX |
Performance Evaluation
During our testing, the MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 performed well, delivering solid performance for its target audience. We paired it with a Ryzen 7 7700X processor and 16GB of DDR5-5600 memory. The system booted up quickly and ran smoothly, handling everyday tasks, web browsing, and light gaming with ease.
While the A620 chipset lacks some of the advanced features of its B650 and X670 counterparts, it provided sufficient performance for most users. The motherboard’s PCIe 5.0 slot allowed us to utilize the full potential of our graphics card. The onboard audio was also surprisingly decent, providing clear sound for general use.
However, we noticed some limitations in overclocking potential. The A620 chipset doesn’t offer as much headroom for tuning as the higher-end chipsets. Additionally, we experienced slight instability during high-intensity gaming, which might be attributed to the A620’s limitations.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price point for AM5 platform.
- Supports latest DDR5 memory.
- Includes a PCIe 5.0 slot.
- Offers decent connectivity options.
- Solid performance for everyday use.
Cons
- Limited overclocking potential compared to higher-end chipsets.
- May experience slight instability during high-intensity gaming.
- Lacks some advanced features found on B650 and X670 motherboards.
Final Verdict
The MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 mATX motherboard is a solid choice for budget-minded PC builders seeking an entry point into the AM5 platform. It offers a good balance of features, performance, and affordability. If you’re not looking to push the limits of overclocking or need the most advanced features, this motherboard is a viable option.
However, if you plan on doing extensive overclocking or require top-tier performance for demanding workloads, you might want to consider a B650 or X670 motherboard for a more comprehensive set of features and capabilities.
Ultimately, the MSI PRO A620M-E AM5 is a decent value proposition, especially for users building a budget-friendly AM5 PC.
