RADEON

AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5

AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

2 GB
VRAM
โ€”
MHz Boost
50W
TDP
64
Bus Width

AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 Specifications

โš™๏ธ

Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.

Shading Units
320
Shaders
320
TMUs
20
ROPs
8
Compute Units
5
โฑ๏ธ

520 Mobile GDDR5 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
1030 MHz
Memory Clock
1125 MHz 4.5 Gbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

AMD's Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.

Memory Size
2 GB
VRAM
2,048 MB
Memory Type
GDDR5
VRAM Type
GDDR5
Memory Bus
64 bit
Bus Width
64-bit
Bandwidth
36.00 GB/s
๐Ÿ’พ

Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 by AMD Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the 520 Mobile GDDR5, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.

L1 Cache
16 KB (per CU)
L2 Cache
128 KB
๐Ÿ“ˆ

520 Mobile GDDR5 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.

FP32 (Float)
659.2 GFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
41.20 GFLOPS (1:16)
Pixel Rate
8.240 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
20.60 GTexel/s
๐Ÿ—๏ธ

GCN 1.0 Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 is built on AMD's GCN 1.0 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the 520 Mobile GDDR5 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
GCN 1.0
GPU Name
Banks
Process Node
28 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
690 million
Die Size
56 mmยฒ
Density
12.3M / mmยฒ
๐Ÿ”Œ

AMD's Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
50 W
TDP
50W
Power Connectors
None
๐Ÿ“

Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 by AMD Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.

Slot Width
IGP
Bus Interface
PCIe 3.0 x8
Display Outputs
Portable Device Dependent
Display Outputs
Portable Device Dependent
๐ŸŽฎ

AMD API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.

DirectX
12 (11_1)
DirectX
12 (11_1)
OpenGL
4.6
OpenGL
4.6
Vulkan
1.2.170
Vulkan
1.2.170
OpenCL
2.1 (1.2)
Shader Model
6.5 (5.1)
๐Ÿ“ฆ

Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.

Manufacturer
AMD
Release Date
Apr 2017
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
Gem System
Successor
Navi Mobile

Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 Benchmark Scores

๐Ÿ“Š

No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5

The AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 is a mid-range mobile GPU launched in April 2017, targeting budget and mainstream laptops. Built on the aging GCN 1.0 architecture and manufactured on a 28 nm process, it delivers 50 W TDP for balanced power efficiency. Equipped with 2 GB GDDR5 VRAM and a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, it supports modern gaming at 1080p resolutions with medium settings. However, its performance is constrained by outdated compute units and limited memory bandwidth, placing it behind newer mobile GPUs. The cardโ€™s design prioritizes thermal efficiency, making it suitable for compact laptops, though it struggles with ray tracing and high-end titles. Modern rendering features like tessellation and anti-aliasing are functional but lack optimization for recent APIs. VRAM capacity allows smooth multitasking with browser tabs and light creative applications, though heavy asset editing may cause bottlenecks. The 520 Mobile GDDR5 achieves playable frame rates in titles like Fortnite or Overwatch at 720p, but 1080p performance dips below 30 FPS in demanding scenarios. Thermal output remains manageable for thin-and-light designs, though sustained workloads may trigger throttling. Best suited for casual gaming, streaming, and productivity, the Radeon 520 Mobile is not recommended for 4K or AAA gaming workloads.
  • Released in 2017 with a 28 nm process and GCN 1.0 architecture.
  • 2 GB GDDR5 VRAM with a 50 W TDP for mobile efficiency.
  • Supports PCIe 3.0 x8 for data transfer speeds.
  • Capable of 1080p gaming at medium settings with moderate frame rates.
  • Lacks modern features like ray tracing and variable rate shading.
  • Ideal for budget laptops prioritizing portability over raw performance.
The Radeon 520 Mobile remains a relic in todayโ€™s market, overshadowed by newer RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 architectures. Its 2 GB VRAM is insufficient for 1440p gaming or AI-driven workflows, but it retains value for legacy systems. The cardโ€™s PCIe 3.0 interface ensures compatibility with modern motherboards, though bandwidth limitations persist. Gamers seeking high refresh rates or 4K content will find it inadequate, but it suffices for streaming and 720p esports. Thermal performance aligns with its 50 W TDP, though newer GPUs offer better efficiency. This mobile GPU serves as a baseline for entry-level systems but lacks the punch for mid-2020s use cases.

The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5

Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080

NVIDIA โ€ข 8 GB VRAM

View Specs Compare

Popular AMD Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 Comparisons

See how the Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.

Compare Radeon 520 Mobile GDDR5 with Other GPUs

Select another GPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.

Browse GPUs