GeForce GT 520 vs GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
GeForce GT 520
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
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 520 is positioned at rank 214 and the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT is on rank 266, 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 520
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
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 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.6%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+300%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| 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 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+0.6%) |
| 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 520 and GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 520 scores 323 and the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT reaches 325 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 520 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GT 520) vs 1,280 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Raw compute: 1.825 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 520) vs 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Boost clocks: 1188 MHz vs 1709 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 323 | 325 |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 768 | 1280+67% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.825 TFLOPS | 4.375 TFLOPS+140% |
| Boost Clock | 1188 MHz | 1709 MHz+44% |
| ROPs | 32 | 40+25% |
| TMUs | 48 | 80+67% |
| L1 Cache | 288 KB | 480 KB+67% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.25 MB+25% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| 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 520 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT has 512 MB. 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 MB (GeForce GT 520) vs 1.25 MB (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) — the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB+300% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.25 MB+25% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 520) vs 10.0 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Vulkan: None vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.1 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0+10% | 10.0 |
| Vulkan | None | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.1+24% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 520) vs None (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs PureVideo VP2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT).
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | None |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | PureVideo VP2 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 520 draws 90W versus the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT's 120W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GT 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 250W (GeForce GT 520) vs 350W (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT). Power connectors: None vs None. Card length: 145mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 65°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 90W-25% | 120W |
| Recommended PSU | 250W-29% | 350W |
| Power Connector | None | None |
| Length | 145mm | 168mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C-13% | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 3.6+33% | 2.7 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 520 launched at $59 MSRP and currently averages $15, while the GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT launched at $85 and now averages $15. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 21.5 (GeForce GT 520) vs 21.7 (GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT) — 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 520 | GeForce GT 120 / 9500 GT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $59-31% | $85 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 21.5 | 21.7 |
| Codename | GM206 | GP106 |
| Release | August 20 2015 | December 26 2017 |
| Ranking | #425 | #289 |
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