GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro M520

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 RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro M520 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 RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro M520: 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 RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅353.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 565% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 9.6 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌180% higher power demand at 70W vs 25W.

Quadro M520

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 70W, a 45W reduction.

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.
❌2017 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
18.3% HIGHER MSRP
$200 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

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 353.4% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 461.9% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 1,913), 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 $31 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 565% (63.6 vs 9.6), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro M520 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Quadro M520

The Quadro M520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2017. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1041 MHz to 1019 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,913 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the Quadro M520's 1,913 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 461.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the Quadro M520 uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 384 (Quadro M520). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 0.7995 TFLOPS (Quadro M520). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1019 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
G3D Mark Score	10,749+462%	1,913
Architecture	Ampere	Maxwell
Process Node	8 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2304+500%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS+747%	0.7995 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1470 MHz+44%	1019 MHz
ROPs	32+300%	8
TMUs	72+350%	16
L1 Cache	2.3 MB+1669%	0.13 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro M520 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has 6 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro M520 carries 2 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 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and 64-bit on the Quadro M520. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1 MB (Quadro M520) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	96-bit+50%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Quadro M520's 25W — a 94.7% difference. The Quadro M520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (Quadro M520). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
TDP	70W	25W-64%
Recommended PSU	300W-14%	350W
Power Connector	None	PCIe-powered
Length	160mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	153.6+101%	76.5

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the Quadro M520 launched at $200. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 15.5% cheaper ($31 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 9.6 (Quadro M520) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 562.5% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2017).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
MSRP	$169-16%	$200
Performance per Dollar	63.6+563%	9.6
Codename	GA107	GM108
Release	February 2 2024	January 11 2017
Ranking	#252	#695

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