GeForce 8800 GS vs GeForce GT 520
GeForce 8800 GS
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 520
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GeForce 8800 GS is positioned at rank 629 and the GeForce GT 520 is on rank 214, so the GeForce GT 520 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 8800 GS
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 520
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce GT 520 is significantly newer (2015 vs 2008). The GeForce GT 520 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 8800 GS lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce 8800 GS is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GT 520 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+166.7%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 520 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 520 holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $40), it costs 63% less, resulting in a 161% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+161%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) | ✅More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 8800 GS and GeForce GT 520
GeForce 8800 GS
The GeForce 8800 GS is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 330 points.
GeForce GT 520
The GeForce GT 520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 20 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1024 MHz to 1188 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 90W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 323 points. Launch price was $159.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce 8800 GS scores 330 and the GeForce GT 520 reaches 323 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce 8800 GS is built on G9x while the GeForce GT 520 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 65 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 8800 GS) vs 768 (GeForce GT 520).
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 330+2% | 323 |
| Architecture | G9x | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 65 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 224 | 768+243% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 8800 GS comes with 768 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 520 has 2 GB. The GeForce GT 520 offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.75 GB | 2 GB+167% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce 8800 GS) vs 11.0 (GeForce GT 520). Vulkan: None vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.0 | 11.0+10% |
| Vulkan | None | None |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.1+24% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 8800 GS) vs No (GeForce GT 520). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 8800 GS) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520).
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | No |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP2 | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 8800 GS draws 150W versus the GeForce GT 520's 90W — a 50% difference. The GeForce GT 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 8800 GS) vs 250W (GeForce GT 520). Power connectors: Legacy vs None. Card length: 229mm vs 145mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 65°C.
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W | 90W-40% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 250W-29% |
| Power Connector | Legacy | None |
| Length | 229mm | 145mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 65°C-24% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.2 | 3.6+64% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 8800 GS launched at $150 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the GeForce GT 520 launched at $59 and now averages $15. The GeForce GT 520 costs 62.5% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 8.3 (GeForce 8800 GS) vs 21.5 (GeForce GT 520) — the GeForce GT 520 offers 159% better value. The GeForce GT 520 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2008).
| Feature | GeForce 8800 GS | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $59-61% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $15-63% |
| Performance per Dollar | 8.3 | 21.5+159% |
| Codename | NB9E-GTX | GM206 |
| Release | July 15 2008 | August 20 2015 |
| Ranking | #825 | #425 |
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