GIGABYTE A520M S2H User's Manual

Rev. 1001

Introduction

This user's manual provides comprehensive information for the GIGABYTE A520M S2H motherboard. It covers hardware installation, BIOS setup, RAID configuration, and driver installation. For more product details, visit the GIGABYTE website.

GIGABYTE is committed to reducing environmental impact; the packaging materials for this product are recyclable and reusable.

Copyright & Disclaimer

© 2020 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. All rights reserved. Trademarks mentioned are legally registered to their respective owners.

Information in this manual is protected by copyright laws and is the property of GIGABYTE. Specifications and features may change without prior notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced without GIGABYTE's written permission. Always read the User's Manual carefully for product assistance. For product-related information, check the GIGABYTE website at https://www.gigabyte.com.

Identifying Your Motherboard Revision

The revision number on your motherboard appears as "REV: X.X." (e.g., "REV: 1.0"). Check this revision before updating BIOS, drivers, or seeking technical information.

Example: A section of the motherboard showing a component labeled "AUDIO" and a revision number "REV 1.0".

Chapter 1: Hardware Installation

1-1 Installation Precautions

⚠ The motherboard contains delicate electronic circuits susceptible to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Follow these procedures:

  • Ensure chassis suitability.
  • Do not remove or break S/N or warranty stickers.
  • Always unplug AC power before installing/removing components.
  • Connect internal hardware components tightly and securely.
  • Avoid touching metal leads or connectors.
  • Wear an ESD wrist strap or touch a metal object to eliminate static electricity.
  • Place the motherboard on an antistatic pad or in an electrostatic shielding container prior to installation.
  • Ensure power supply is off before connecting/unplugging its cable.
  • Verify power supply voltage matches local standards before turning on.
  • Confirm all cables and power connectors are connected before use.
  • Prevent screws from contacting motherboard circuits.
  • Ensure no leftover screws or metal components are on/in the casing.
  • Do not place the system on an uneven, high-temperature, or wet surface.
  • Turning on power during installation can cause damage or harm.
  • Consult a certified technician if uncertain about installation steps or problems.
  • If using an adapter, extension power cable, or power strip, consult its installation/grounding instructions.

1-2 Product Specifications (Summary)

The A520M S2H motherboard supports:

GIGABYTE reserves the right to make any changes to product specifications without prior notice.

1-3 Installing the CPU

⚠ Read these guidelines before CPU installation:

  • Ensure motherboard supports the CPU.
  • Always turn off and unplug the computer.
  • Locate pin one (small triangle) on CPU and socket for correct orientation.
  • Apply an even, thin layer of thermal grease on the CPU surface.
  • Do not turn on the computer without the CPU cooler installed to prevent overheating.
  • Set CPU host frequency according to specifications; avoid setting beyond hardware specifications.

To install the CPU, align the pin one (small triangle) on the CPU with the pin one on the AM4 socket, then gently place the CPU into the socket.

1-4 Installing the Memory

⚠ Read these guidelines before memory installation:

  • Ensure motherboard supports the memory. Use memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips.
  • Always turn off and unplug the computer.
  • Memory modules have a foolproof design; they can only be installed in one direction.

This motherboard has two memory sockets supporting Dual Channel Technology. The BIOS automatically detects memory specifications. Enabling Dual Channel mode doubles memory bandwidth.

Dual Channel mode requires two memory modules of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips. It cannot be enabled with only one module.

For more details on hardware installation, visit the GIGABYTE website.

1-5 Installing an Expansion Card

⚠ Read these guidelines before expansion card installation:

  • Ensure motherboard supports the expansion card and read its manual.
  • Always turn off and unplug the computer.

1-6 Back Panel Connectors

The back panel includes various ports:

Integrated HD audio provides jack retasking. To configure 7.1-channel audio, open audio software and adjust settings.

Triple-display configurations are supported after installing motherboard drivers in the OS. Only single display is available during BIOS Setup or POST.

⚠ When removing cables from back panel connectors, first remove from the device, then from the motherboard. Pull straight out to prevent electrical shorts.

1-7 Internal Connectors

The motherboard features various internal connectors:

⚠ Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord before connecting external devices or clearing CMOS. Ensure devices are compliant and cables are securely attached.

Chapter 2: BIOS Setup

The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) records hardware parameters and manages system startup. It allows users to modify basic system configurations. To access BIOS Setup, press the <Delete> key during POST. BIOS can be upgraded using GIGABYTE Q-Flash or @BIOS utility.

⚠ BIOS flashing is risky; only flash if necessary. Inadequate flashing can cause malfunction. Avoid altering default settings unless needed, as it can lead to instability or boot failure. If issues occur, clear CMOS values.

2-1 Startup Screen

The GIGABYTE startup logo screen appears when the computer boots. The BIOS offers Easy Mode for quick viewing and Advanced Mode for detailed settings. Use <F2> to switch modes. Function keys provide quick access to various features (e.g., <F1> for descriptions, <F10> to save & exit, <F12> for boot menu).

2-2 The Main Menu

The main menu displays setup menus, configuration items, current settings, and hardware information. Advanced Mode function keys allow navigation and modification of settings.

2-3 Favorites (F11)

The Favorites menu allows users to quickly access frequently used options. Options can be added or removed from favorites by pressing <Insert> on their original page.

2-4 Tweaker

⚠ Overclock/overvoltage settings can damage components and reduce lifespan. This page is for advanced users; avoid altering defaults to prevent instability.

This section allows for performance tuning:

2-5 Settings

This section configures various system settings:

2-6 System Info.

This section provides motherboard model, BIOS version, and allows setting system language, date, and time. It also displays Plug in Devices Info (SATA, PCI Express, M.2 devices) and provides access to Q-Flash utility.

2-7 Boot

This section configures boot-related settings:

2-8 Save & Exit

This section allows saving or discarding BIOS changes:

Chapter 3: Appendix

3-1 Configuring a RAID Set

RAID levels supported include RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10. Prerequisites for RAID configuration include at least two SATA hard drives or SSDs (identical model/capacity recommended), a Windows setup disc, motherboard driver disc, and a USB thumb drive.

Configuring the Onboard SATA Controller

  1. Installing SATA hard drive(s): Install drives in SATA/M.2 connectors and connect power.
  2. Configuring SATA controller mode in BIOS Setup: Enter BIOS Setup, go to Settings ▸ IO Ports, set SATA Configuration ▸ SATA Mode to RAID. Save and restart. (For NVMe PCIe SSDs, set NVMe RAID mode to Enabled).
  3. UEFI RAID Configuration: In BIOS Setup, go to Boot and set CSM Support to Disabled. Save and exit. Re-enter BIOS Setup, then enter Settings ▸ IO Ports ▸ RAIDXpert2 Configuration Utility. In Array Management, create an array, select RAID level, select physical disks, apply changes, set CacheTagSize, Read Cache Policy, Write Cache Policy, then create array.

An M.2 PCIe SSD cannot be used to set up a RAID set with a SATA hard drive.

Install the RAID driver and operating system

Some operating systems include RAID drivers. If not, copy the "Hw10" folder from the "BootDrv" folder on the driver disc to a USB thumb drive. During Windows installation, when prompted to load a driver, browse to "ootdrv w10 aid 64", select "AMD-RAID Bottom Device" and "AMD-RAID Controller" to load drivers, then continue OS installation.

For more details on configuring a RAID array, visit the GIGABYTE website.

3-2 Drivers Installation

After installing the operating system, insert the motherboard driver disc. Click "Tap to choose what happens with this disc" or run "Run.exe" from My Computer. "Xpress Install" will scan your system and list recommended drivers. Click "Xpress Install" to install all selected drivers, or use the arrow icon to install drivers individually.

For more software information, visit the GIGABYTE website.

For more troubleshooting information, visit the GIGABYTE website.

Regulatory Notices

United States of America, Federal Communications Commission Statement

Product Name: Motherboard
Trade Name: GIGABYTE
Model Number: A520M S2H

Supplier's Declaration of Conformity
47 CFR § 2.1077 Compliance Information

Responsible Party - U.S. Contact Information: G.B.T. Inc.
Address: 17358 Railroad street, City Of Industry, CA91748
Tel.: 1-626-854-9338
Internet contact information: https://www.gigabyte.com

FCC Compliance Statement:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, Subpart B, Unintentional Radiators. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Avis de conformité à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

European Union (EU) CE Declaration of Conformity

This device complies with the following directives: Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU, Low-voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, RoHS directive (recast) 2011/65/EU & the 2015/863 Statement. This product has been tested and found to comply with all essential requirements of the Directives.

European Union (EU) RoHS (recast) Directive 2011/65/EU & the European Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 Statement
GIGABYTE products have not intended to add and safe from hazardous substances (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr+6, PBDE, PBB, DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP). The parts and components have been carefully selected to meet RoHS requirement. Moreover, we at GIGABYTE are continuing our efforts to develop products that do not use internationally banned toxic chemicals.

European Union (EU) Community Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive Statement
GIGABYTE will fulfill the national laws as interpreted from the 2012/19/EU WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) (recast) directive. The WEEE Directive specifies the treatment, collection, recycling and disposal of electric and electronic devices and their components. Under the Directive, used equipment must be marked, collected separately, and disposed of properly.

WEEE Symbol Statement
⚠ The symbol shown below is on the product or on its packaging, which indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, the device should be taken to the waste collection centers for activation of the treatment, collection, recycling and disposal procedure. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local government office, your household waste disposal service or where you purchased the product for details of environmentally safe recycling.

End of Life Directives-Recycling
⚠ The symbol shown below is on the product or on its packaging, which indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, the device should be taken to the waste collection centers for activation of the treatment, collection, recycling and disposal procedure.

Déclaration de Conformité aux Directives de l'Union européenne (UE)
Cet appareil portant la marque CE est conforme aux directives de l'UE suivantes: directive Compatibilité Electromagnétique 2014/30/UE, directive Basse Tension 2014/35/UE et directive RoHS II 2011/65/UE. La conformité à ces directives est évaluée sur la base des normes européennes harmonisées applicables.

European Union (EU) CE-Konformitätserklärung
Dieses Produkte mit CE-Kennzeichnung erfüllen folgenden EU-Richtlinien: EMV-Richtlinie 2014/30/EU, Niederspannungsrichtlinie 2014/30/EU und RoHS-Richtlinie 2011/65/EU erfüllt. Die Konformität mit diesen Richtlinien wird unter Verwendung der entsprechenden Standards zurEuropäischen Normierung beurteilt.

CE declaração de conformidade
Este produto com a marcação CE estão em conformidade com das seguintes Diretivas UE: Diretiva Baixa Tensão 2014/35/EU; Diretiva CEM 2014/30/EU; Diretiva RSP 2011/65/UE. A conformidade com estas diretivas é verificada utilizando as normas europeias harmonizadas.

CE Declaración de conformidad
Este producto que llevan la marca CE cumplen con las siguientes Directivas de la Unión Europea: Directiva EMC (2014/30/EU), Directiva de bajo voltaje (2014/35/EU), Directiva RoHS (recast) (2011/65/EU). El cumplimiento de estas directivas se evalúa mediante las normas europeas armonizadas.

Dichiarazione di conformità CE
Questo prodotto è conforme alle seguenti direttive: Direttiva sulla compatibilità elettromagnetica 2014/30/UE, Direttiva sulla bassa tensione 2014/35/UE, Direttiva RoHS (rifusione) 2011/65/UE. Questo prodotto è stato testato e trovato conforme a tutti i requisiti essenziali delle Direttive.

Contact Us

GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Address: No.6, Baoqiang Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
TEL: +886-2-8912-4000
FAX: +886-2-8912-4005
Tech. and Non-Tech. Support (Sales/Marketing): https://esupport.gigabyte.com
WEB address (English): https://www.gigabyte.com
WEB address (Chinese): https://www.gigabyte.com/tw

GIGABYTE eSupport: To submit a technical or non-technical (Sales/Marketing) question, please link to: https://esupport.gigabyte.com

Models: A520M S2H Motherboard, A520M S2H, Motherboard

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