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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅+461.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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 PassMark G3D performance (1,913 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2017-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
18.3% HIGHER MSRP
$200 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Quadro M520

2017

Why buy it

✅+461.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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).

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,913 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2017-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
18.3% HIGHER MSRP
$200 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than Quadro M520?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,749 vs 1,913 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a 2024 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Quadro M520 is a 2017 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2017, 461.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 2 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is about $31 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and you are getting 461.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 565%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Quadro M520 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Quadro M520 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $200 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Benchmark Check

Quadro M520 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
1080p
low	109 FPS	33 FPS
medium	92 FPS	20 FPS
high	77 FPS	13 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	7 FPS
1440p
low	95 FPS	20 FPS
medium	81 FPS	12 FPS
high	59 FPS	6 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	3 FPS
4K
low	30 FPS	8 FPS
medium	28 FPS	6 FPS
high	19 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	16 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Quadro M520

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
1080p
low	174 FPS	76 FPS
medium	149 FPS	48 FPS
high	118 FPS	35 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	21 FPS
1440p
low	129 FPS	21 FPS
medium	106 FPS	15 FPS
high	83 FPS	11 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	8 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	6 FPS
medium	62 FPS	4 FPS
high	48 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Quadro M520

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
1080p
low	484 FPS	86 FPS
medium	387 FPS	69 FPS
high	322 FPS	57 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	43 FPS
1440p
low	363 FPS	65 FPS
medium	290 FPS	52 FPS
high	242 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	32 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	43 FPS
medium	193 FPS	34 FPS
high	161 FPS	29 FPS
ultra	121 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Quadro M520

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	Quadro M520
1080p
low	243 FPS	84 FPS
medium	210 FPS	68 FPS
high	171 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	144 FPS	43 FPS
1440p
low	185 FPS	15 FPS
medium	166 FPS	12 FPS
high	131 FPS	11 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	9 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	11 FPS
medium	87 FPS	8 FPS
high	69 FPS	7 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	5 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open Quadro M520

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and Quadro M520

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.

⚡

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 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Quadro M520 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

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 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro M520 has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 96-bit vs 64-bit. 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

🔌

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

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the Quadro M520 launched at $200. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB costs 15.5% less ($31 savings) on MSRP. 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 GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2017).