GRID K520 vs Quadro 7000

GRID K520

2013Core: 745 MHz
Similar parts
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VS
NVIDIA

Quadro 7000

2012Core: 651 MHz
Similar parts
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GRID K520 vs Quadro 7000 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.

GRID K520 vs Quadro 7000: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GRID K520

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $10,900 less on MSRP ($3,599 MSRP vs $14,499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 304.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 1.0 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($3,599 MSRP vs $14,499 MSRP).
  • More future proof: Kepler (2012−2018) on 28nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 2013 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quadro 7000

2012

Why buy it

  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 2012 hardware with 6 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 302.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $14,499 MSRPvs$3,599 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 1.0 G3D/$ ($14,499 MSRP vs $3,599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GRID K520 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 0.3% in PassMark G3D (3,516 vs 3,505), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GRID K520 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 28nm process instead of 40nm and a newer 2013 generation instead of 2012. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GRID K520 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $10,900 cheaper on MSRP at $3,599 vs $14,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 304.1% (1.0 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GRID K520 vs Quadro 7000 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

Quadro 7000

The Quadro 7000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 2 2012. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 651 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 204W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,505 points. Launch price was $14,499.

Graphics Performance

The GRID K520 scores 3,516 and the Quadro 7000 reaches 3,505 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GRID K520 is built on Kepler while the Quadro 7000 uses Fermi 2.0, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GRID K520) vs 512 (Quadro 7000). Raw compute: 2.289 TFLOPS ×2 (GRID K520) vs 1.3322 TFLOPS (Quadro 7000).

FeatureGRID K520Quadro 7000
G3D Mark Score
3,516
3,505
Architecture
Kepler
Fermi 2.0
Process Node
28 nm
40 nm
Shading Units
1536 ×2+200%
512
Compute (TFLOPS)
2.289 TFLOPS ×2+72%
1.3322 TFLOPS
ROPs
32 ×2
48+50%
TMUs
128 ×2+100%
64
L1 Cache
128 KB
896 KB+600%
L2 Cache
512 KB
768 KB+50%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGRID K520Quadro 7000
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GRID K520 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro 7000 carries 6 GB. Quadro 7000 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GRID K520 and 64-bit on the Quadro 7000. L2 Cache: 512 KB (GRID K520) vs 768 KB (Quadro 7000) — the Quadro 7000 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGRID K520Quadro 7000
VRAM Capacity
2 GB
6 GB+200%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR5
Bus Width
64-bit
64-bit
L2 Cache
512 KB
768 KB+50%
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GRID K520 draws 225W versus the Quadro 7000's 204W — a 9.8% difference. The Quadro 7000 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GRID K520) vs 350W (Quadro 7000). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGRID K520Quadro 7000
TDP
225W
204W-9%
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
PCIe-powered
Length
267mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
15.6
17.2+10%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GRID K520 came in at $3599, while the Quadro 7000 launched at $14499. On MSRP, GRID K520 was 75.2% cheaper ($10900 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 1.0 (GRID K520) vs 0.2 (Quadro 7000) — the GRID K520 offers 400% better value. The newer card here is GRID K520 (2013 vs 2012).

FeatureGRID K520Quadro 7000
MSRP
$3599-75%
$14499
Performance per Dollar
1.0+400%
0.2
Codename
GK104
GF110
Release
July 23 2013
May 2 2012
Ranking
#540
#541

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