GeForce RTX 4070 vs Quadro M520

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4070

2023Core: 1920 MHzBoost: 2475 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

Quadro M520

2017Core: 1041 MHzBoost: 1019 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 4070 vs Quadro M520 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 4070 vs Quadro M520 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce RTX 4070 vs Quadro M520: 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 4070

2023

Why buy it

  • 887.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 369.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 9.6 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 700% higher power demand at 200W vs 25W.

Quadro M520

2017

Why buy it

  • Costs $399 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 200W, a 175W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 2017 hardware with 2 GB 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 9.6 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4070 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 887.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1307.2% in PassMark G3D (26,919 vs 1,913), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while Quadro M520 is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 28nm, 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 4070 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $399 more expensive on MSRP at $599 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 369.8% (44.9 vs 9.6), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 4070 vs Quadro M520 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.

NVIDIA

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 4070 scores 26,919 versus the Quadro M520's 1,913 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 1307.2%. The GeForce RTX 4070 is built on Ada Lovelace while the Quadro M520 uses Maxwell, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 384 (Quadro M520). Raw compute: 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 0.7995 TFLOPS (Quadro M520). Boost clocks: 2475 MHz vs 1019 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070Quadro M520
G3D Mark Score
26,919+1307%
1,913
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Maxwell
Process Node
5 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
5888+1433%
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
29.15 TFLOPS+3546%
0.7995 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
2475 MHz+143%
1019 MHz
ROPs
64+700%
8
TMUs
184+1050%
16
L1 Cache
5.8 MB+4362%
0.13 MB
L2 Cache
36 MB+3500%
1 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The Quadro M520 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro M520 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070Quadro M520
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4070 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro M520 carries 2 GB. GeForce RTX 4070 gives you 500% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 4070 and 64-bit on the Quadro M520. L2 Cache: 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 1 MB (Quadro M520) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070Quadro M520
VRAM Capacity
12 GB+500%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6X
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
36 MB+3500%
1 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4070 draws 200W versus the Quadro M520's 25W — a 155.6% difference. The Quadro M520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 350W (Quadro M520). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070Quadro M520
TDP
200W
25W-88%
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
304mm
Height
137mm
Slots
3
Temp (Load)
80°C
Perf/Watt
134.6+76%
76.5
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 4070 came in at $599, while the Quadro M520 launched at $200. On MSRP, Quadro M520 was 66.6% cheaper ($399 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 9.6 (Quadro M520) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 367.7% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4070 (2023 vs 2017).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070Quadro M520
MSRP
$599
$200-67%
Performance per Dollar
44.9+368%
9.6
Codename
AD104
GM108
Release
April 12 2023
January 11 2017
Ranking
#32
#695

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