GeForce RTX 3070 vs HD Graphics 520

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 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).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform 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.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

HD Graphics 520

2015

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).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

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

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.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($100 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than HD Graphics 520?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 22,172 vs 861 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3070 is a 2020 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while HD Graphics 520 is a 2015 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 3070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2020 generation instead of 2015, 2475.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of Unknown, 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 3070 is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3070 is about 399.0% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and you are getting 2475.1% higher G3D Mark. HD Graphics 520 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is HD Graphics 520 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. HD Graphics 520 is 2015 hardware with Unknown of VRAM, 861 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 3070 Benchmark Check

HD Graphics 520 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	HD Graphics 520
1080p
low	158 FPS	15 FPS
medium	140 FPS	11 FPS
high	123 FPS	6 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	3 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	10 FPS
medium	109 FPS	6 FPS
high	96 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	1 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	4 FPS
medium	67 FPS	2 FPS
high	52 FPS	1 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	1 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open HD Graphics 520

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	HD Graphics 520
1080p
low	470 FPS	39 FPS
medium	405 FPS	31 FPS
high	327 FPS	26 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	19 FPS
1440p
low	294 FPS	29 FPS
medium	246 FPS	23 FPS
high	213 FPS	19 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	14 FPS
4K
low	141 FPS	19 FPS
medium	120 FPS	14 FPS
high	105 FPS	11 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	8 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open HD Graphics 520

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	HD Graphics 520
1080p
low	885 FPS	39 FPS
medium	712 FPS	31 FPS
high	619 FPS	26 FPS
ultra	499 FPS	19 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	29 FPS
medium	557 FPS	23 FPS
high	473 FPS	19 FPS
ultra	374 FPS	15 FPS
4K
low	479 FPS	19 FPS
medium	388 FPS	15 FPS
high	330 FPS	13 FPS
ultra	249 FPS	10 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open HD Graphics 520

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	HD Graphics 520
1080p
low	600 FPS	39 FPS
medium	527 FPS	31 FPS
high	433 FPS	26 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	19 FPS
1440p
low	489 FPS	9 FPS
medium	433 FPS	7 FPS
high	339 FPS	5 FPS
ultra	297 FPS	4 FPS
4K
low	292 FPS	6 FPS
medium	270 FPS	4 FPS
high	238 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	200 FPS	2 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open HD Graphics 520

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and HD Graphics 520

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.

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.

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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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	HD 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

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3070 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The HD Graphics 520 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	HD 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

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the HD Graphics 520 has 0 MB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs System.

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

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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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	HD 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

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Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the HD Graphics 520 launched at $100. The HD Graphics 520 costs 80% less ($399 savings) on MSRP. 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 GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).