GeForce RTX 3070 vs HD Graphics 520

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz
RTX family
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VS

HD Graphics 520

2015Core: 300 MHzBoost: 900 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3070 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 3070 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 3070

2020

Why buy it

  • +2475.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 416.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 8.6 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs Unknown).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 1366.7% higher power demand at 220W vs 15W.

HD Graphics 520

2015

Why buy it

  • Costs $399 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Draws 15W instead of 220W, a 205W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (861 vs 22,172).
  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 8 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.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3070 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2475.1% in PassMark G3D (22,172 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 3070 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 8 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 46 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?
GeForce RTX 3070 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $399 more expensive on MSRP at $499 vs $100, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 416.1% (44.4 vs 8.6), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3070 vs HD Graphics 520 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.

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 3070 scores 22,172 versus the HD Graphics 520's 861 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 2475.1%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the HD Graphics 520 uses Generation 9.0, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm+. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 192 (HD Graphics 520). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 0.3456 TFLOPS (HD Graphics 520). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 900 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070HD Graphics 520
G3D Mark Score
22,172+2475%
861
Architecture
Ampere
Generation 9.0
Process Node
8 nm
14 nm+
Shading Units
5888+2967%
192
Compute (TFLOPS)
20.31 TFLOPS+5777%
0.3456 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1725 MHz+92%
900 MHz
ROPs
96+3100%
3
TMUs
184+667%
24

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3070 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 3070HD 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 3070 has 8 GB of VRAM, while the HD Graphics 520 carries 0 MB. GeForce RTX 3070 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3070 and System on the HD Graphics 520.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070HD Graphics 520
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s
System
Bus Width
256-bit
System
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the HD Graphics 520's 15W — a 174.5% difference. The HD Graphics 520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1W (HD Graphics 520). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Integrated.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070HD Graphics 520
TDP
220W
15W-93%
Recommended PSU
650W
1W-100%
Power Connector
8-pin
Integrated
Length
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
100.8+76%
57.4
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3070 came in at $499, while the HD Graphics 520 launched at $100. On MSRP, HD Graphics 520 was 80% cheaper ($399 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 8.6 (HD Graphics 520) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 416.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3070 (2020 vs 2015).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070HD Graphics 520
MSRP
$499
$100-80%
Performance per Dollar
44.4+416%
8.6
Codename
GA104
Skylake GT2
Release
September 1 2020
September 1 2015
Ranking
#63
#929

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