Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Quadro M520

Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Quadro M520 Performance Spectrum

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

Shared System RAM 25

1,972

+3.1%

1,913

0.0%

GeForce GTX 780 Rev. 2

GeForce GTX 980

GeForce GTX 1080

TITAN V

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.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX 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.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX 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.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $145 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 274.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 35.9 vs 9.6 G3D/$ ($55 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅More future proof: Generation 12.1 (2020−2021) on 10nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 2 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2020 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quadro M520

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (2 GB vs Unknown).
✅Iris Xe Graphics MAX is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Quadro M520 is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

❌2017 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
263.6% HIGHER MSRP
$200 MSRPvs$55 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 9.6 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($200 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

Iris Xe Graphics MAX is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 3.1% in PassMark G3D (1,972 vs 1,913), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Quadro M520 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 2 GB vs Unknown of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Iris Xe Graphics MAX makes the most sense to buy today. It is $145 cheaper on MSRP at $55 vs $200, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 274.9% (35.9 vs 9.6), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p, Iris Xe Graphics MAX is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, Quadro M520 has the stronger long-term case.

Iris Xe Graphics MAX vs Quadro M520 Technical Specifications

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

Iris Xe Graphics MAX

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in October 31 2020. It features the Generation 12.1 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1650 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 10 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,972 points.

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

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX scores 1,972 and the Quadro M520 reaches 1,913 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Iris Xe Graphics MAX is built on Generation 12.1 while the Quadro M520 uses Maxwell, both on 10 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 768 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 384 (Quadro M520). Raw compute: 2.534 TFLOPS (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 0.7995 TFLOPS (Quadro M520). Boost clocks: 1650 MHz vs 1019 MHz.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Quadro M520
G3D Mark Score	1,972+3%	1,913
Architecture	Generation 12.1	Maxwell
Process Node	10 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768+100%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.534 TFLOPS+217%	0.7995 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1650 MHz+62%	1019 MHz
ROPs	24+200%	8
TMUs	48+200%	16

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Quadro M520
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX has 0 MB of VRAM, while the Quadro M520 carries 2 GB. Quadro M520 gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is System on the Iris Xe Graphics MAX and 64-bit on the Quadro M520.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Quadro M520
VRAM Capacity	Shared System RAM	2 GB
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Bus Width	System	64-bit

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Iris Xe Graphics MAX draws 25W versus the Quadro M520's 25W — a 0% difference. The Quadro M520 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1W (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 350W (Quadro M520). Power connectors: Integrated vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Quadro M520
TDP	25W	25W
Recommended PSU	1W-100%	350W
Power Connector	Integrated	PCIe-powered
Temp (Load)	85°C	—
Perf/Watt	78.9+3%	76.5

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Iris Xe Graphics MAX came in at $55, while the Quadro M520 launched at $200. On MSRP, Iris Xe Graphics MAX was 72.5% cheaper ($145 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 35.9 (Iris Xe Graphics MAX) vs 9.6 (Quadro M520) — the Iris Xe Graphics MAX offers 274% better value. The newer card here is Iris Xe Graphics MAX (2020 vs 2017).

Feature	Iris Xe Graphics MAX	Quadro M520
MSRP	$55-73%	$200
Performance per Dollar	35.9+274%	9.6
Codename	DG1	GM108
Release	October 31 2020	January 11 2017
Ranking	#685	#695

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