GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅+788.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 440.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 9.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌580% higher power demand at 170W vs 25W.

Quadro M520

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 170W, a 145W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,913 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 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.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 9.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Quadro M520

2017

Why buy it

✅+788.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 440.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 9.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 170W, a 145W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌580% higher power demand at 170W vs 25W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,913 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 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.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 9.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Quadro M520?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 1,913 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 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 3060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2021 generation instead of 2017, 788.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 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 3060 is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3060 is about 64.5% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and you are getting 788.4% higher G3D Mark. Quadro M520 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is Quadro M520 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. Quadro M520 is 2017 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM, 1,913 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Quadro M520 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
1080p
low	149 FPS	33 FPS
medium	131 FPS	20 FPS
high	118 FPS	13 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	7 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	20 FPS
medium	104 FPS	12 FPS
high	92 FPS	6 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	3 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	8 FPS
medium	58 FPS	6 FPS
high	39 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro M520

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
1080p
low	354 FPS	71 FPS
medium	310 FPS	45 FPS
high	249 FPS	32 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	20 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	20 FPS
medium	196 FPS	15 FPS
high	160 FPS	10 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	7 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	6 FPS
medium	94 FPS	4 FPS
high	77 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro M520

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
1080p
low	765 FPS	86 FPS
medium	612 FPS	69 FPS
high	510 FPS	57 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	43 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	65 FPS
medium	432 FPS	52 FPS
high	366 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	32 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	43 FPS
medium	298 FPS	34 FPS
high	221 FPS	29 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	22 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro M520

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
1080p
low	523 FPS	84 FPS
medium	452 FPS	68 FPS
high	383 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	43 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	15 FPS
medium	371 FPS	12 FPS
high	298 FPS	11 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	9 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	11 FPS
medium	259 FPS	8 FPS
high	225 FPS	7 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	5 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro M520

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Quadro M520

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. 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: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

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 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Quadro M520's 1,913 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 788.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Quadro M520 uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 384 (Quadro M520). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.7995 TFLOPS (Quadro M520). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1019 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
G3D Mark Score	16,995+788%	1,913
Architecture	Ampere	Maxwell
Process Node	8 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	3584+833%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+1493%	0.7995 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+74%	1019 MHz
ROPs	48+500%	8
TMUs	112+600%	16
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+2592%	0.13 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+200%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060	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 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro M520 has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1 MB (Quadro M520) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+500%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB+200%	1 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Quadro M520's 25W — a 148.7% difference. The Quadro M520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Quadro M520). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro M520
TDP	170W	25W-85%
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	—
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0+31%	76.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the Quadro M520 launched at $200. The Quadro M520 costs 39.2% less ($129 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 9.6 (Quadro M520) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 438.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2017).