GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs HD Graphics 520

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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VS

HD Graphics 520

2015Core: 300 MHzBoost: 900 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 3060 Laptop GPU 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 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • +1429.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • 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

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 8.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • 1033.3% higher power demand at 170W vs 15W.

HD Graphics 520

2015

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 8.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 15W instead of 170W, a 155W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (861 vs 13,170).
  • 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.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1429.6% in PassMark G3D (13,170 vs 861), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs Unknown of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 14nm, and 28 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?
HD Graphics 520 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, HD Graphics 520 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs HD Graphics 520 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 13,170 points.

Intel

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 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the HD Graphics 520's 861 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 1429.6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the HD Graphics 520 uses Generation 9.0, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 192 (HD Graphics 520). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.3456 TFLOPS (HD Graphics 520). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 900 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUHD Graphics 520
G3D Mark Score
13,170+1430%
861
Architecture
Ampere
Generation 9.0
Process Node
8 nm
14 nm+
Shading Units
3584+1767%
192
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+3586%
0.3456 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+97%
900 MHz
ROPs
48+1500%
3
TMUs
112+367%
24

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUHD 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 3060 Laptop GPU has 6 GB of VRAM, while the HD Graphics 520 carries 0 MB. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and System on the HD Graphics 520.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUHD Graphics 520
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s
System
Bus Width
192-bit
System
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the HD Graphics 520's 15W — a 167.6% difference. The HD Graphics 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 1W (HD Graphics 520). Power connectors: Mobile vs Integrated.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUHD Graphics 520
TDP
170W
15W-91%
Recommended PSU
500W
1W-100%
Power Connector
Mobile
Integrated
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
77.5+35%
57.4
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2015).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUHD Graphics 520
MSRP
$100
Codename
GA106
Skylake GT2
Release
October 12 2022
September 1 2015
Ranking
#147
#929

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