GRID K520 vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
GRID K520
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Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The GRID K520 is positioned at rank 350 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is on rank 222, so the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GRID K520
Performance Per Dollar Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GRID K520 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.5% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5).
| Insight | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GRID K520 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GRID K520 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $75), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 50.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+50.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($75) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GRID K520 and Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
GRID K520
The GRID K520 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 23 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,516 points. Launch price was $3,599.
Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is manufactured by an unknown manufacturer. It was released in October 1 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 954 MHz to 993 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,500 points.
Graphics Performance
The GRID K520 scores 3,516 and the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) reaches 3,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GRID K520 is built on Kepler while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) uses Maxwell, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 1,536 (GRID K520) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)).
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 3,516 | 3,500 |
| Architecture | Kepler | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 ×2+300% | 384 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GRID K520) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 2.
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2+9% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 0 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: NVDEC 1 vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GRID K520) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)).
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 1 | — |
| Decoder | NVDEC 1 | NVDEC 1st Gen |
| Codecs | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GRID K520 draws 225W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)'s 30W — a 152.9% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GRID K520) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 225W | 30W-87% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 267mm | — |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 15.6 | 116.7+648% |
Value Analysis
The GRID K520 launched at $3599 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) launched at $150 and now averages $75. The GRID K520 costs 33.3% less ($25 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 70.3 (GRID K520) vs 46.7 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5)) — the GRID K520 offers 50.5% better value. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2013).
| Feature | GRID K520 | Maxwell GPU Surface Book (940M, GDDR5) |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3599 | $150-96% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-33% | $75 |
| Performance per Dollar | 70.3+51% | 46.7 |
| Codename | GK104 | Surface Book |
| Release | July 23 2013 | October 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #540 | #782 |
Top Performing GPUs
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