GeForce RTX 3060 vs Quadro P520

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

✅+735.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 280.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 13.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌844.4% higher power demand at 170W vs 18W.

Quadro P520

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $179 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 170W, a 152W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,034 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 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.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Quadro P520

2019

Why buy it

✅+735.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 280.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 13.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $179 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 170W, a 152W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌844.4% higher power demand at 170W vs 18W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,034 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 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.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Quadro P520?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 2,034 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 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 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2021 generation instead of 2019, 735.5% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 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 is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3060 is about 119.3% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and you are getting 735.5% 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Quadro P520 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
1080p
low	149 FPS	22 FPS
medium	131 FPS	15 FPS
high	118 FPS	9 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	6 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	11 FPS
medium	104 FPS	6 FPS
high	92 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	2 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	6 FPS
medium	58 FPS	3 FPS
high	39 FPS	2 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	1 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro P520

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
1080p
low	354 FPS	78 FPS
medium	310 FPS	48 FPS
high	249 FPS	36 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	22 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	23 FPS
medium	196 FPS	17 FPS
high	160 FPS	12 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	8 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	7 FPS
medium	94 FPS	5 FPS
high	77 FPS	4 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	3 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro P520

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
1080p
low	765 FPS	92 FPS
medium	612 FPS	73 FPS
high	510 FPS	61 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	46 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	69 FPS
medium	432 FPS	55 FPS
high	366 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	34 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	46 FPS
medium	298 FPS	37 FPS
high	221 FPS	31 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	23 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro P520

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
1080p
low	523 FPS	92 FPS
medium	452 FPS	73 FPS
high	383 FPS	61 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	46 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	69 FPS
medium	371 FPS	55 FPS
high	298 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	34 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	46 FPS
medium	259 FPS	37 FPS
high	225 FPS	31 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	23 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro P520

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

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 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 scores 16,995 versus the Quadro P520's 2,034 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 735.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Quadro P520 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 384 (Quadro P520). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1.147 TFLOPS (Quadro P520). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1493 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
G3D Mark Score	16,995+736%	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 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro 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 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro P520 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% 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 0.5 MB (Quadro P520) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+200%	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 draws 170W versus the Quadro P520's 18W — a 161.7% difference. The Quadro P520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Quadro P520). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro P520
TDP	170W	18W-89%
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	—
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0	113.0+13%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the Quadro P520 launched at $150. The Quadro P520 costs 54.4% less ($179 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 13.6 (Quadro P520) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 280.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2019).