GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs Quadro P520

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

Quadro P520

2019Core: 1303 MHzBoost: 1493 MHz

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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.

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 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • +547.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).
  • More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 13.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • 844.4% higher power demand at 170W vs 18W.

Quadro P520

2019

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 13.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 18W instead of 170W, a 152W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,034 vs 13,170).
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Poor future-proofing: 2019-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU better than Quadro P520?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 13,170 vs 2,034 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is a 2022 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Quadro P520 is a 2019 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 3060 Laptop GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2019, 547.5% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 4 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 3060 Laptop GPU is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and you are getting 547.5% higher G3D Mark. Quadro P520 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.
Is Quadro P520 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
No, not for a fresh gaming build. Quadro P520 is 2019 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM, 2,034 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
1080p
low109 FPS22 FPS
medium98 FPS15 FPS
high84 FPS9 FPS
ultra70 FPS6 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS11 FPS
medium83 FPS6 FPS
high70 FPS3 FPS
ultra59 FPS2 FPS
4K
low48 FPS6 FPS
medium43 FPS3 FPS
high30 FPS2 FPS
ultra26 FPS1 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
1080p
low351 FPS78 FPS
medium307 FPS48 FPS
high246 FPS36 FPS
ultra194 FPS22 FPS
1440p
low222 FPS23 FPS
medium195 FPS17 FPS
high159 FPS12 FPS
ultra127 FPS8 FPS
4K
low110 FPS7 FPS
medium93 FPS5 FPS
high77 FPS4 FPS
ultra59 FPS3 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
1080p
low593 FPS92 FPS
medium474 FPS73 FPS
high395 FPS61 FPS
ultra296 FPS46 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS69 FPS
medium356 FPS55 FPS
high296 FPS46 FPS
ultra222 FPS34 FPS
4K
low296 FPS46 FPS
medium237 FPS37 FPS
high198 FPS31 FPS
ultra148 FPS23 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
1080p
low519 FPS92 FPS
medium439 FPS73 FPS
high376 FPS61 FPS
ultra296 FPS46 FPS
1440p
low425 FPS69 FPS
medium356 FPS55 FPS
high296 FPS46 FPS
ultra222 FPS34 FPS
4K
low277 FPS46 FPS
medium237 FPS37 FPS
high198 FPS31 FPS
ultra148 FPS23 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and Quadro P520

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.

NVIDIA

Quadro P520

The Quadro P520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 23 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1303 MHz to 1493 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 18W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,034 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the Quadro P520's 2,034 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 547.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the Quadro P520 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 384 (Quadro P520). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 1.147 TFLOPS (Quadro P520). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1493 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
G3D Mark Score
13,170+547%
2,034
Architecture
Ampere
Pascal
Process Node
8 nm
14 nm
Shading Units
3584+833%
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+1011%
1.147 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+19%
1493 MHz
ROPs
48+200%
16
TMUs
112+367%
24
L1 Cache
3.5 MB+2400%
0.14 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
0.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Quadro P520 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
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 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro P520 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.5 MB (Quadro P520) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+50%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
0.5 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the Quadro P520's 18W — a 161.7% difference. The Quadro P520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (Quadro P520). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
TDP
170W
18W-89%
Recommended PSU
500W
350W-30%
Power Connector
Mobile
PCIe-powered
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
77.5
113.0+46%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2019).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQuadro P520
MSRP
$150
Codename
GA106
GP108
Release
October 12 2022
May 23 2019
Ranking
#147
#677