ASUS Pro A620M-DASH-CSM Motherboard Review: A Budget-Friendly AMD AM5 Option
ASUS Pro A620M-DASH-CSM Motherboard Review: A Budget-Friendly AMD AM5 Option
Table of Contents
Introduction
The ASUS Pro A620M-DASH-CSM is a Micro-ATX motherboard designed for budget-conscious users looking to build a system with AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000/8000 Series CPUs. With support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 4.0, and a comprehensive set of features, this motherboard offers a good balance of performance and affordability. In this review, we’ll delve into its strengths and weaknesses, explore its real-world performance, and determine whether it’s the right choice for your next build.
Key Features
The ASUS Pro A620M-DASH-CSM is packed with features that cater to both gamers and everyday users:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Socket AM5 for AMD Ryzen™ 7000/8000 Series Desktop Processors (up to 120W CPU) |
| Chipset | AMD A620 Chipset |
| Memory | 2 x DIMM slots, Max. 96GB, DDR5 7200+(OC)/7000(OC)/6800(OC)/6600(OC)/6400(OC)/6200(OC)/6000(OC)/5800(OC)/5600(OC)/5400(OC)/5200/5000/4800, Dual Channel, AMD EXPO™ Support |
| Graphics | 1 x VGA port, 1 x HDMI™ port (4K@24Hz, HDMI 1.4) |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (Ryzen 7000), 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 (A620 Chipset) |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 slot (PCIe 4.0 x4), 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports, AMD RAIDXpert2 Technology (RAID 0/1/10) |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 8111EPV Gigabit LAN, ASUS LANGuard |
| USB | Rear: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2.0 Front: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports), 2 x USB 2.0 headers (4 ports) |
| Audio | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound HD Audio CODEC, supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback |
| Back Panel I/O | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x VGA port, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet port, 3 x Audio jacks, 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port |
| Internal I/O | Cooling: 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header, 1 x 4-pin Chassis Fan header Power: 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector, 1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector Storage: 1 x M.2 slot, 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports USB: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports), 2 x USB 2.0 headers (4 ports) Miscellaneous: 1 x Clear CMOS header, 1 x Chassis Intrude header, 1 x COM Port header, 1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP), 1 x S/PDIF Out header, 1 x Speaker header, 1 x SPI TPM header (14-1pin), 1 x 10-1 pin System Panel header |
| Special Features | ASUS Q-Design (Q-DIMM, Q-LED Core, Q-Slot), ASUS Thermal Solution (Aluminum heatsink), Bespoke Motherboard Design & Business Features (Self Recovering BIOS, Event Log, Commercial BIOS kit, Anti-Moisture Coating, 24/7 Reliability, Overcurrent Protection) |
| Software | ASUS Exclusive Software, IT Management (ASUS Control Center Express), BIOS (256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS) |
| Manageability | WOL by PME, PXE |
| Accessories | 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables, 1 x I/O Shield, 1 x Screw package for M.2 SSD |
| Operating System | Windows® 11, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| Form Factor | micro-ATX Form Factor, 8.9 inch x 8.7 inch (22.6 cm x 22.1 cm) |
Performance
In terms of performance, the ASUS Pro A620M-DASH-CSM delivers what you’d expect from a budget-friendly motherboard. I paired it with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor and 16GB of DDR5-6000 RAM. I primarily used it for gaming and productivity tasks, and it consistently performed well. I experienced no issues with stability or stuttering even during demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring. However, it’s worth noting that the A620 chipset does have some limitations compared to the higher-end B650 and X670 chipsets. This means you might not be able to overclock your CPU to the same extent, and some advanced features, like PCIe 5.0 support for storage devices, are absent.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Supports AMD Ryzen 7000/8000 Series CPUs
- DDR5 memory support for high bandwidth
- PCIe 4.0 support for fast storage
- Solid build quality and features
- Comprehensive I/O connectivity
Cons:
- Limited overclocking capabilities compared to higher-end chipsets
- Lack of PCIe 5.0 support for storage devices
- Only two DDR5 DIMM slots
Final Verdict
The ASUS Pro A620M-DASH-CSM is a solid choice for budget-minded PC builders who are looking for a reliable motherboard with support for AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000/8000 Series CPUs. Its combination of DDR5 memory support, PCIe 4.0 connectivity, and a comprehensive feature set makes it an excellent value proposition. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate in overclocking capabilities and the latest PCIe 5.0 support, you might want to consider a motherboard with a B650 or X670 chipset. Overall, this motherboard is a great option for those who prioritize performance and affordability, and it’s a great starting point for building a powerful and feature-rich PC.
