CPU
GPU
GeForce GT 520
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 7420G
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 Radeon HD 7420G is on rank 158, so the Radeon HD 7420G 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 Radeon HD 7420G
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 520 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.2% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (2 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7420G.
| Insight | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| 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 | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon HD 7420G offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon HD 7420G holds the technical lead. Priced at $5 (vs $15), it costs 67% less, resulting in a 193.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+193.5%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($15) | ✅More affordable ($5) |
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 Radeon HD 7420G
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.
Radeon HD 7420G
The Radeon HD 7420G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 950 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 316 points. Launch price was $999.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 520 scores 323 and the Radeon HD 7420G reaches 316 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 520 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon HD 7420G uses GCN 1.0, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GT 520) vs 2,048 (Radeon HD 7420G). Raw compute: 1.825 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 520) vs 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 7420G). Boost clocks: 1188 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 323+2% | 316 |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 768 | 2048 ×2+167% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.825 TFLOPS | 4.096 TFLOPS ×2+124% |
| Boost Clock | 1188 MHz+19% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 ×2 |
| TMUs | 48 | 128 ×2+167% |
| L1 Cache | 288 KB | 512 KB+78% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+33% | 0.75 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GT 520 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7420G has 512 MB. The GeForce GT 520 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GT 520) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon HD 7420G) — the GeForce GT 520 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB+300% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+33% | 0.75 MB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 520 draws 90W versus the Radeon HD 7420G's 375W — a 122.6% difference. The GeForce GT 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 250W (GeForce GT 520) vs 350W (Radeon HD 7420G). Power connectors: None vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 90W-76% | 375W |
| Recommended PSU | 250W-29% | 350W |
| Power Connector | None | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 145mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 65°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 3.6+350% | 0.8 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 520 launched at $59 MSRP and currently averages $15, while the Radeon HD 7420G launched at $40 and now averages $5. The Radeon HD 7420G costs 66.7% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 21.5 (GeForce GT 520) vs 63.2 (Radeon HD 7420G) — the Radeon HD 7420G offers 194% better value. The GeForce GT 520 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce GT 520 | Radeon HD 7420G |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $59 | $40-32% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | $5-67% |
| Performance per Dollar | 21.5 | 63.2+194% |
| Codename | GM206 | Malta |
| Release | August 20 2015 | April 24 2013 |
| Ranking | #425 | #412 |
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