Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 Review: A Solid mATX Motherboard for 10th and 11th Gen Intel CPUs
Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 Review: A Solid mATX Motherboard for 10th and 11th Gen Intel CPUs
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 is an mATX motherboard designed for those looking to build a compact but capable PC. It’s built on the Intel H510 chipset and supports both 10th and 11th generation Intel Core processors, providing a solid foundation for a variety of builds. In this review, we’ll delve into its key features, performance, and overall value to see if it’s the right motherboard for your next PC.
Key Features
The Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 packs a punch in its compact mATX form factor. Let’s explore some of its standout features:
* **LGA 1200 Socket:** This motherboard supports Intel’s 10th and 11th generation Core series processors, offering a wide selection of CPU options.
* **PCIe 4.0 Support:** With a dedicated PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, you can take advantage of the latest high-speed graphics cards for impressive performance.
* **32Gbps M.2 Slot:** The motherboard includes a 32Gbps M.2 slot for lightning-fast storage, perfect for NVMe SSDs.
* **Comprehensive Connectivity:** The H510M-A R2.0 offers a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0 ports, as well as DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA outputs for versatile display options.
* **AURA SYNC and Armoury Crate:** Asus’s AURA SYNC lighting technology lets you customize the motherboard’s RGB lighting to match your style, and Armoury Crate provides software control over various system settings.
Performance
In our testing, the Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 delivered solid performance across the board. We paired it with an Intel Core i5-11400 processor and 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory for a balanced system.
* **CPU Performance:** The motherboard provided stable and consistent performance for the Intel Core i5-11400, handling demanding applications and multitasking effortlessly.
* **Storage Performance:** The 32Gbps M.2 slot delivered blazing-fast speeds, significantly enhancing boot times and overall system responsiveness.
* **Gaming Performance:** Paired with a capable graphics card, the motherboard consistently provided smooth frame rates in popular games, even at high settings.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages and disadvantages of the Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0:
**Pros:**
* Excellent value for money
* Solid performance for its price point
* Supports both 10th and 11th generation Intel CPUs
* PCIe 4.0 support for high-end graphics cards
* Fast 32Gbps M.2 slot
* Robust connectivity options
* ASUS AURA SYNC for RGB lighting customization
* Armoury Crate for system control
**Cons:**
* No onboard Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
* Lack of integrated audio codec for better audio quality
Final Verdict
The Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 is a solid mATX motherboard that offers a great balance of features, performance, and affordability. It’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious builders looking to create a powerful and compact PC. While it lacks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and could benefit from a more advanced audio codec, its PCIe 4.0 support, fast M.2 slot, and comprehensive connectivity make it a compelling option. If you’re after a reliable and cost-effective mATX motherboard for an Intel-based system, the Asus Prime H510M-A R2.0 is well worth considering.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Intel® H510 |
| Size Format | mATX (226x211mm) |
| Processor Support | 11th generation Intel® Core™, 10th generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, Celeron® |
| Processor Socket | LGA1200 |
| Memory | 2x DIMM, max. 64GB, DDR4 3200(OC)/3000(OC)/2933/2800/2666/2400/2133 Non-ECC, unbuffered, dual-channel |
| XMP Support | Yes |
| Graphics Outputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x VGA, 1x HDMI™ (varies by processor) |
| Sound Card | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC, supports up to 24-bit/192kHz playback |
| Ethernet | 1x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet |
| WLAN + Bluetooth | No |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16, 2x PCIe 3.0 |
| Storage | 1x M.2 slot (Key M, 2242/2260/2280, PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA modes), 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports |
| Rear USB Ports | 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 2x USB 2.0 (Type-A) |
| Front USB Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports), 2x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports), 1x USB 2.0 header (supports 1 USB 2.0 port) |
| Rear Panel Ports | 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 2x USB 2.0 (Type-A), 1x DisplayPort, 1x VGA, 1x HDMI®, 1x Intel® 1Gb Ethernet, 3x audio jack, 1x PS/2 keyboard (purple), 1x PS/2 mouse (green) |
| Internal Ports | 1x 4-pin CPU Fan header, 1x 4-pin Chassis Fan header, 1x 24-pin main power connector, 1x 8-pin +12V power connector, 1x M.2 slot (Key M), 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports), 2x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports), 1x USB 2.0 header (supports 1 USB 2.0 port), 2x AURA Gen 2 addressable headers, 2x AURA RGB headers, 1x Clear CMOS header, 1x COM Port header, 1x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP), 1x S/PDIF Out header, 1x Speaker header, 1x SPI TPM header (14-1 pin), 1x 10-1 pin System Panel header |
| BIOS | 128Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Accessories | 2x SATA 6Gb/s cables, 1x I/O plug, 1x pack of M.2 SSD screws, 1x user manual |
