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.

GeForce GT 520 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GT 520 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GT 520

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($59 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
✅Measures 145mm instead of 160mm, a 15mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2015 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 5.5 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($59 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅1205.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 1061.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 5.5 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $59 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌10.3% longer card at 160mm vs 145mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 1205.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 3227.9% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 323), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, and 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $110 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $59, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 1061.8% (63.6 vs 5.5), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GT 520 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GT 520 scores 323 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 3227.9%. The GeForce GT 520 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GT 520) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 1.825 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 520) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1188 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	323	10,749+3228%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	768	2304+200%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.825 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+271%
Boost Clock	1188 MHz	1470 MHz+24%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	48	72+50%
L1 Cache	0.28 MB	2.3 MB+721%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GT 520 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GT 520 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce GT 520 and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GT 520) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	6 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	168 GB/s
Bus Width	64-bit	96-bit+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 520) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.1 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	11.0	12 Ultimate+9%
Vulkan	None	1.3
OpenGL	4.1	4.6+12%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 520) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	No	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP4	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GT 520 draws 90W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 25% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 250W (GeForce GT 520) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: None vs None. Card length: 145mm vs 160mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 65°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	90W	70W-22%
Recommended PSU	250W-17%	300W
Power Connector	None	None
Length	145mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	65°C-13%	75°C
Perf/Watt	3.6	153.6+4167%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GT 520 came in at $59, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce GT 520 was 65.1% cheaper ($110 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 5.5 (GeForce GT 520) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 1056.4% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2015).

Feature	GeForce GT 520	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$59-65%	$169
Performance per Dollar	5.5	63.6+1056%
Codename	GM206	GA107
Release	August 20 2015	February 2 2024
Ranking	#425	#252

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