GeForce GTX 870M vs GRID K520

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 GTX 870M vs GRID K520 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 GTX 870M vs GRID K520: 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 GTX 870M

2014

Why buy it

✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Draws 100W instead of 225W, a 125W reduction.
✅More future proof: Kepler (2012−2018) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌2014 hardware with 6 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 0 vs 1.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $3,599 MSRP).

GRID K520

2013

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($3,599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2013 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌125% higher power demand at 225W vs 100W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 870M is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 0.6% in PassMark G3D (3,536 vs 3,516), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

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

GeForce GTX 870M is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM and a newer 2014 generation instead of 2013. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GRID K520 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID K520 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 870M has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 870M vs GRID K520 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 870M

The GeForce GTX 870M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 941 MHz to 967 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,536 points.

GRID K520

The GRID K520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,516 points. Launch price was $3,599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 870M scores 3,536 and the GRID K520 reaches 3,516 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 870M is built on Kepler while the GRID K520 uses Kepler, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,344 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 1,536 (GRID K520). Raw compute: 2.599 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 2.289 TFLOPS ×2 (GRID K520).

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
G3D Mark Score	3,536	3,516
Architecture	Kepler	Kepler
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	1344	1536 ×2+14%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.599 TFLOPS+14%	2.289 TFLOPS ×2
ROPs	24	32 ×2+33%
TMUs	112	128 ×2+14%
L1 Cache	112 KB	128 KB+14%
L2 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce GTX 870M gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The GRID K520 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 870M has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GRID K520 carries 2 GB. GeForce GTX 870M gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 870M and 64-bit on the GRID K520. L2 Cache: 384 KB (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 512 KB (GRID K520) — the GRID K520 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	384 KB	512 KB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 12 (11_0) (GRID K520). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
DirectX	12 (11_0)	12 (11_0)
Vulkan	1.2	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 1st Gen NVENC (Kepler) (GeForce GTX 870M) vs NVENC 1 (GRID K520). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs NVDEC 1. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 870M) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GRID K520).

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
Encoder	1st Gen NVENC (Kepler)	NVENC 1
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP5	NVDEC 1
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 870M draws 100W versus the GRID K520's 225W — a 76.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 870M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 870M) vs 350W (GRID K520). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
TDP	100W-56%	225W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Length	—	267mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	75°C-12%
Perf/Watt	35.4+127%	15.6

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce GTX 870M (2014 vs 2013).

Feature	GeForce GTX 870M	GRID K520
MSRP	—	$3599
Codename	GK104	GK104
Release	March 12 2014	July 23 2013
Ranking	#538	#540

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