Comparison Asus TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS II vs Asus TUF GAMING A520M-PLUS WIFI

The ability of the motherboard to work with RAM modules that support XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles) technology. This technology was developed by Intel; it is used in motherboards and RAM blocks and only works if both of these system components are XMP compliant. A similar technology from AMD is called AMP.

The main function of XMP is to facilitate system overclocking (“overclocking”): special overclocking profiles are “sewn” into the memory with this technology, and if desired, the user can only select one of these profiles without resorting to complex configuration procedures. This is not only easier, but also safer: every profile added to the bar is tested for stability.

The version of the M.2 interface determines both the maximum data transfer rate and the supported devices that can be connected via physical M.2 connectors (see the corresponding paragraph).

The version of the M.2 interface in the specifications of motherboards is usually indicated by the number of connectors themselves and by the PCI-E revision provided for in each of them. For example, the entry “3x4.0” means three connectors capable of supporting PCI-E 4.0; and the designation “2x5.0, 1x4.0” means a trio of connectors, two of which support PCI-E 4.0, and another one supports PCI-E 5.0.

Motherboard-integrated cooling for M.2 SSD drives.

This connector allows you to achieve high speed, however, for the same reason, many M.2 SSDs have high heat dissipation, and additional cooling may be required to avoid overheating. Most often, the simplest radiator in the form of a metal plate is responsible for such cooling — in the case of an SSD, this is quite enough.

Wi-Fi version (standard) supported by the motherboard Wi-Fi module. The main function of such modules, regardless of version, is Internet access via wireless routers; however, Wi-Fi can also be used to communicate directly with other devices—for example, to transfer content from a digital camera or control it remotely.

Nowadays you can find support for different Wi-Fi standards (up to Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7). The maximum connection speed primarily depends on this nuance. At the same time, different versions also differ in the ranges used; and they are compatible with each other if they coincide in the ranges used. However, wireless modules of modern motherboards often support not only the Wi-Fi standard specified in the specifications, but also earlier ones; It doesn’t hurt to clarify this point separately, but in most cases there are no compatibility problems. However, to use all the features of a particular version, it must be supported by both devices - both the motherboard and the external device.

The list of major versions looks like this:

- Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g). The oldest standard that is relevant today, in its pure form, is found only in frankly outdated boards. Operates at speeds up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.
— Wi-fi 4 (802.11n). Quite a popular standard, which has only recently beg...un to give way to more advanced options. Supports both the 2.4 GHz band and the more advanced 5 GHz band, and the maximum data transfer rate is 150 Mbps per channel (up to 600 Mbps with 4 antennas).
— Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Works only on 5 GHz. Initially, the maximum theoretical data transfer rate was 1300 Mbit/s, but since 2016 the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard has been used, where this figure has been increased to 2.34 Gbit/s.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). It initially operates on two bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz - but the specification of this standard provides for the possibility of using any operating band between 1 GHz and 7 GHz (as such bands become available). The nominal data transfer speed has increased by only a third compared to Wi-Fi 5, but a number of improvements that increase communication efficiency allow for a significant increase in actual speed - in theory, up to 10 Gbps and even higher.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). An improved branch of the Wi-Fi 6 standard with data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. The Wi-Fi 6E standard is technically called 802.11ax. But unlike basic Wi-Fi 6, which is named similarly, it provides for operation in the unused 6 GHz band. In total, the standard uses 14 different frequency bands, offering high throughput with many active connections.
— Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). The technology, like the previous Wi-Fi 6E, is capable of operating in three frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. At the same time, the maximum bandwidth in Wi-Fi 7 was increased from 160 MHz to 320 MHz - the wider the channel, the more data it can transmit. The IEEE 802.11be standard uses 4096-QAM modulation, which also allows more symbols to be accommodated in a data transmission unit. From Wi-Fi 7 you can squeeze out a maximum theoretical information exchange rate of up to 46 Gbps. In the context of using wireless connections for streaming and video games, the implemented MLO (Multi-Link Operation) development seems very interesting. With its help, you can aggregate several channels in different ranges, which significantly reduces delays in data transmission and ensures low and stable ping. And Multi-RU (Multiple Resource Unit) technology is designed to minimize communication delays when there are many connected client devices.

The motherboard has its own Bluetooth module, which eliminates the need to purchase such an adapter separately. Bluetooth technology is used for direct wireless connection of a computer with other devices — mobile phones, players, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, etc.; connectivity options include both file sharing and external device control. The Bluetooth connection range is up to 10 m (in later standards — up to 100 m), while the devices do not have to be in the line of sight. Different versions of Bluetooth (at the end of 2021, the latest of which is Bluetooth v 5) are mutually compatible in terms of basic functionality and have all sorts of differences.

Model of the LAN controller installed in the motherboard.

The LAN controller provides data exchange between the card and the network port(s) of the computer. Accordingly, both general characteristics and individual features of the network functionality of the "motherboard" depend on the characteristics of this module: support for special technologies, connection quality in case of unstable communication, etc. Knowing the model of the LAN controller, you can find detailed data on it — including including practical reviews; this information is rarely needed by the average user, but it can be useful for online game enthusiasts and for some specific tasks.

Thus, the LAN controller model is specified mainly in cases where it is a rather advanced solution that is noticeably superior to standard models. Such solutions are currently produced mainly under the brands Intel(middle level), Realtek(relatively simple models), Aquntia and Killer(mostly advanced solutions).