GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
HD Graphics 520
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs HD Graphics 520 Performance Spectrum
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.
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs HD Graphics 520 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs HD Graphics 520: 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
2024Why buy it
- ✅+1148.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
- ✅Delivers 638.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 8.6 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
- ✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
- ✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
- ✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
Trade-offs
- ❌366.7% higher power demand at 70W vs 15W.
HD Graphics 520
2015Why buy it
- ✅Costs $69 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 15W instead of 70W, a 55W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (861 vs 10,749).
- ❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
- ❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
- ❌2015 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
- ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
Quick Answers
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs HD Graphics 520 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.
HD Graphics 520
The HD Graphics 520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in September 1 2015. It features the Generation 9.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 300 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 14 nm+ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 861 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the HD Graphics 520's 861 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 1148.4%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the HD Graphics 520 uses Generation 9.0, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 192 (HD Graphics 520). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 0.3456 TFLOPS (HD Graphics 520). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 900 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | HD Graphics 520 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 10,749+1148% | 861 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Generation 9.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 14 nm+ |
| Shading Units | 2304+1100% | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 6.774 TFLOPS+1860% | 0.3456 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1470 MHz+63% | 900 MHz |
| ROPs | 32+967% | 3 |
| TMUs | 72+200% | 24 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The HD Graphics 520 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | HD Graphics 520 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 HD Graphics 520 carries 0 MB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 100+% 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 System on the HD Graphics 520.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | HD Graphics 520 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | Shared System RAM |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | Shared |
| Memory Bandwidth | 168 GB/s | System |
| Bus Width | 96-bit | System |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the HD Graphics 520's 15W — a 129.4% difference. The HD Graphics 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1W (HD Graphics 520). Power connectors: None vs Integrated.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | HD Graphics 520 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 70W | 15W-79% |
| Recommended PSU | 300W | 1W-100% |
| Power Connector | None | Integrated |
| Length | 160mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 153.6+168% | 57.4 |
Value Analysis
At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the HD Graphics 520 launched at $100. On MSRP, HD Graphics 520 was 40.8% cheaper ($69 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 8.6 (HD Graphics 520) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 639.5% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | HD Graphics 520 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $169 | $100-41% |
| Performance per Dollar | 63.6+640% | 8.6 |
| Codename | GA107 | Skylake GT2 |
| Release | February 2 2024 | September 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #252 | #929 |
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