GeForce GT 520 vs GeForce GTX 1060
GeForce GT 520
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GeForce GTX 1060
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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. The GeForce GT 520 is positioned at rank #214 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 520
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 1060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3015.8% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (6 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 520.
| Insight | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3015.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3015.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+200%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 holds the technical lead. Priced at $15 (vs $60), it costs 75% less, resulting in a 678.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+678.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($15) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($60) |
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 GTX 1060
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 GTX 1060
The GeForce GTX 1060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1607 MHz to 1733 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 180W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,064 points. Launch price was $599.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GT 520 scores 323 versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 10,064 — the GeForce GTX 1060 leads by 3015.8%. The GeForce GT 520 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce GTX 1060 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GT 520) vs 2,560 (GeForce GTX 1060). Raw compute: 1.825 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 520) vs 8.873 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060). Boost clocks: 1188 MHz vs 1733 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 323 | 10,064+3016% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 16 nm |
| Shading Units | 768 | 2560+233% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.825 TFLOPS | 8.873 TFLOPS+386% |
| Boost Clock | 1188 MHz | 1733 MHz+46% |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 48 | 160+233% |
| L1 Cache | 288 KB | 960 KB+233% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GT 520 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 has 6 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GT 520) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 6 GB+200% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 192 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 192-bit+200% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 520) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 1060). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.1 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 12+9% |
| Vulkan | None | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.1 | 4.5+10% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 520) vs NVENC (Pascal) (GeForce GTX 1060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC (Pascal). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060).
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | NVENC (Pascal) |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | NVDEC (Pascal) |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 520 draws 90W versus the GeForce GTX 1060's 180W — a 66.7% difference. The GeForce GT 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 250W (GeForce GT 520) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060). Power connectors: None vs 6-pin. Card length: 145mm vs 173mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 90W-50% | 180W |
| Recommended PSU | 250W-38% | 400W |
| Power Connector | None | 6-pin |
| Length | 145mm | 173mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 1-50% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 3.6 | 55.9+1453% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 520 launched at $59 MSRP and currently averages $15, while the GeForce GTX 1060 launched at $249 and now averages $60. The GeForce GT 520 costs 75% less ($45 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 21.5 (GeForce GT 520) vs 167.7 (GeForce GTX 1060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 offers 680% better value. The GeForce GTX 1060 is the newer GPU (2016 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | GeForce GTX 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $59-76% | $249 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-75% | $60 |
| Performance per Dollar | 21.5 | 167.7+680% |
| Codename | GM206 | GP104 |
| Release | August 20 2015 | May 27 2016 |
| Ranking | #425 | #137 |
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