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MSI Z170A Gaming M5 vs Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard

These two boards do not compete for the same build. The MSI Z170A Gaming M5 is an ATX LGA1151 board for Intel 6th and 7th gen CPUs, with four RAM slots and SLI/CrossFire support. The GIGABYTE A520I AC is a Mini-ITX AM4 board for Ryzen, with two RAM slots and built-in Wi-Fi. The GIGABYTE is $119.99 at Eye-In Technologies as of November 7, 2026, and no current price was given for the MSI. Buy the GIGABYTE for a new compact Ryzen build; buy the MSI only if you already own a compatible Intel CPU and want a full-size board.

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MSI
MSI Z170A Gaming M5

MSI Z170A Gaming M5

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Choose the MSI Z170A Gaming M5 if you already have an LGA1151 Intel CPU and DDR4, want a full-size ATX board, and need four RAM slots or two graphics cards.

Pros
  • Four RAM slots allow 64 GB in a cheaper 4x16 GB kit.
  • SLI and CrossFire support for two graphics cards.
  • Full ATX layout leaves room for add-in cards and cooling.
  • DVI and HDMI outputs for CPUs with integrated graphics.
Cons
  • LGA1151 limits you to older Intel 6th and 7th gen CPUs.
  • No Wi-Fi or M.2 slot listed.
  • No price was given, so value is hard to judge.
  • ATX needs a larger case.
GIGABYTE
GIGABYTE A520I AC WIFI Motherboard

Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard

GIGABYTE A520I AC WIFI Motherboard

4(4 ratings)
$119.99at Eye-In TechnologiesObserved Nov 7, 2026, 11:50 AM
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Visit Eye-In Technologies

Choose the GIGABYTE A520I AC if you are building a small Ryzen system, need Wi-Fi and an M.2 slot, and can live with two RAM slots and one PCIe slot.

Pros
  • Mini-ITX size fits small cases.
  • Supports Ryzen 3rd gen and 5000 series CPUs.
  • Built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.
  • PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs.
  • $119.99 at Eye-In Technologies as of November 7, 2026.
Cons
  • Only two RAM slots.
  • One PCIe x16 slot, no multi-GPU support.
  • A520 chipset does not support CPU overclocking.
  • No price competition: one store lists it new.

What separates them

MSI Z170A Gaming M5Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard
CPU socketLGA1151, Intel 6th/7th gen CoreAM4, AMD Ryzen 3rd gen and 5000 series
Form factorATXMini-ITX, 17 cm x 17 cm
Memory slots4 slots, 64 GB max2 slots, 64 GB max
Memory speedDDR4, rated speed not givenDDR4 up to 2933 MHz
Expansion slotsMultiple PCIe slots with SLI and CrossFire supportOne PCIe 3.0 x16 slot
M.2 storageNot listedOne PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 NVMe slot
WirelessEthernet only, no Wi-Fi listedDual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2
Video outputsDVI and HDMIIntegrated graphics output up to 5120 x 2880

Price history

  • MSI Z170A Gaming M5: lowest $256.90 on Nov 2 at Amazon.
  • Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard: lowest $131.00 on Nov 3 at DirectDial.

Prices at every store

MSI Z170A Gaming M5

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Prices and history →

Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard

  • Eye-In TechnologiesNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $119.99Observed Nov 7, 2026, 11:50 AM
    Visit Eye-In Technologies

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Specs compared

SpecMSI Z170A Gaming M5Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard
Form FactorATXMini ITX
Socket TypeSocket LGA1151Socket AM4
RAM TypeDDR4DDR4
ChipsetIntelAMD A520
Expansion SlotPCI Express—
External PortsEthernet, DVI, HDMI, USB—
GamingYes—
Multiple GPU SupportSLI, Crossfire—
Number Of Memory Slots4 Memory Slots—
Maximum RAM64 GB Max RAM—
Motherboard Socket Type—Socket AM4
Motherboard Chipset—AMD A520
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMSI Z170A Gaming M5Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard
Motherboard Form Factor—Mini ITX
Motherboard Model—A520I AC
Motherboard Series—Ultra Durable
Manufacturer—Gigabyte
Motherboard Compatibility—Mini-ITX
RAM Maximum Capacity—64 GB
RAM Speed—2933 MHz
RAM Number Of Slots—2
RAM ECC Support—Yes, No
Memory Type

What reviewers say

MSI Z170A Gaming M5

Owner feedback on the Z170A Gaming M5 is generally positive, with praise for its overclocking headroom, stable power delivery and gaming audio. Complaints tend to focus on the dated I/O and the need to check BIOS versions when fitting a 7th-gen CPU.

What people mention
  • OverclockingPraisedOwners report solid CPU and memory overclocking results on the Z170 chipset.
  • ConnectivityCriticisedReviewers note the rear I/O lacks USB-C and fast M.2 compared with newer boards.
  • AudioPraisedThe Audio Boost setup is described as a step up from basic onboard sound.
  • BIOS supportMixedSome buyers had to update the BIOS before a 7th-gen CPU would post.

Gigabyte A520I AC Mini ITX Motherboard

Buyers of this board describe it as a solid fit for compact, space-limited builds, with full Ryzen 3rd Gen and 5000 series support and enough memory capacity for demanding work.

What people mention
  • Form factorPraisedBuyers say the 17 x 17 cm Mini ITX layout suits small, space-constrained builds.
  • CPU supportPraisedOwners value compatibility with Ryzen 3rd Gen and 5000 series processors.
  • MemoryPraised64 GB of DDR4 across two slots is seen as enough for multitasking and heavier work.
  • ExpansionCriticisedThe single PCIe x16 slot and one M.2 slot leave little room to add cards or more storage.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a small build?
The GIGABYTE A520I AC. Its Mini-ITX 17 cm x 17 cm layout fits small cases, while the MSI is full ATX.
Can I use the same CPU in both?
No. The MSI takes Intel LGA1151 chips (6th and 7th gen). The GIGABYTE takes AMD AM4 Ryzen 3rd gen and 5000 series CPUs.
Which has more room for upgrades?
The MSI. It has four RAM slots and multiple PCIe slots with SLI and CrossFire. The GIGABYTE has two RAM slots and one PCIe x16 slot.
Does either board have Wi-Fi?
Only the GIGABYTE, with dual-band 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2. The MSI lists Ethernet but no wireless.
Is the GIGABYTE worth $119.99?
For a compact Ryzen build that needs Wi-Fi and M.2, yes. It is the only new price listed, $119.99 at Eye-In Technologies as of November 7, 2026. No MSI price was given to compare.
Which supports faster storage?
The GIGABYTE, which has a PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 NVMe slot. No M.2 slot is listed for the MSI.

More comparisons

  • GA-Z270-HD3 Motherboard vs GIGABYTE A520I AC WIFI Motherboard
—
DDR4
Max Memory Capacity—64 GB
Memory Slots—2
Memory Speed—2933 MHz
Memory Channel Support—Dual Channel
Expansion Slot Type—M.2, PCIe 3.0 x16
Discrete Graphics—No
Integrated Graphics—Yes (onboard graphics, CPU required)
GPU Type—Integrated (CPU required)
Output Resolution—5120 x 2880 pixels
CPU socket—Socket AM4
Memory clock speed—5300 MHz
DIMM slots—2 DIMMs
M.2 connector—PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 NVMe
Wireless—dual-band 802.11ac WIFI
Bluetooth—BT 4.2
LAN—Realtek GbE LAN
Video outputs—DisplayPort, Dual HDMI
USB version—USB 3.2 Gen1