CPU
GPU
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 520
Popular choices:
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 GT 120 / 9500 GT is positioned at rank 266 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 GT 120 / 9500 GT
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 520
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.6% 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 GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+300%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $15), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 0.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+0.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 GT 120 / 9500 GT and GeForce GT 520
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 26 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 325 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 GT 120 / 9500 GT scores 325 and the GeForce GT 520 reaches 323 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is built on Pascal while the GeForce GT 520 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs 768 (GeForce GT 520). Raw compute: 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs 1.825 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 520). Boost clocks: 1709 MHz vs 1188 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 325 | 323 |
| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 16 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1280+67% | 768 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.375 TFLOPS+140% | 1.825 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1709 MHz+44% | 1188 MHz |
| ROPs | 40+25% | 32 |
| TMUs | 80+67% | 48 |
| L1 Cache | 480 KB+67% | 288 KB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB+25% | 1 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | 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 GT 120 / 9500 GT comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 520 has 2 GB. The GeForce GT 520 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs 1 MB (GeForce GT 520) — the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 2 GB+300% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB+25% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.0 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs 11.0 (GeForce GT 520). Vulkan: N/A vs None. OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.0 | 11.0+10% |
| Vulkan | N/A | None |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.1+24% |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs No (GeForce GT 520). Decoder: PureVideo VP2 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520).
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | No |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP2 | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT draws 120W versus the GeForce GT 520's 90W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GT 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs 250W (GeForce GT 520). Power connectors: None vs None. Card length: 168mm vs 145mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 65°C.
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W | 90W-25% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 250W-29% |
| Power Connector | None | None |
| Length | 168mm | 145mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 65°C-13% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.7 | 3.6+33% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT launched at $85 MSRP and currently averages $15, while the GeForce GT 520 launched at $59 and now averages $15. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 21.7 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) vs 21.5 (GeForce GT 520) — the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT offers 0.9% better value. The GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT | GeForce GT 520 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $85 | $59-31% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 21.7 | 21.5 |
| Codename | GP106 | GM206 |
| Release | December 26 2017 | August 20 2015 |
| Ranking | #289 | #425 |
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