GeForce GT 520M vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce GT 520M
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 3060
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. The GeForce GT 520M is positioned at rank #253 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 520M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2013). The GeForce RTX 3060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GT 520M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 5884.2% higher G3D Mark score and 1100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 520M.
| Insight | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-5884.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+5884.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $60), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 1142.4% better value per dollar than the GeForce GT 520M.
| Insight | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1142.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) |
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 520M and GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce GT 520M
The GeForce GT 520M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 9 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 284 points.
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GT 520M scores 284 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 5884.2%. The GeForce GT 520M is built on Kepler while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 520M) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 0.7427 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 520M) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 967 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 284 | 16,995+5884% |
| Architecture | Kepler | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 3584+833% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7427 TFLOPS | 12.74 TFLOPS+1615% |
| Boost Clock | 967 MHz | 1777 MHz+84% |
| ROPs | 16 | 48+200% |
| TMUs | 32 | 112+250% |
| L1 Cache | 0.03 MB | 3.5 MB+11567% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 3 MB+1100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GT 520M comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 1100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GT 520M) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 12 GB+1100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 0.25 MB | 3 MB+1100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 520M) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.0 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 12 Ultimate+9% |
| Vulkan | None | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.0 | 4.6+15% |
| Max Displays | 1 | 4+300% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 520M) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 520M) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 520M draws 50W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 109.1% difference. The GeForce GT 520M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 520M) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-71% | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-36% | 550W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 8-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 242mm |
| Height | 0mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 70°C-7% | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 5.7 | 100.0+1654% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GT 520M launched at $60 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce GT 520M | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-82% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $289 |
| Codename | GK107 | GA106 |
| Release | January 9 2013 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #792 | #114 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce GT 520M and GeForce RTX 3060
