RADEON

ATI Radeon HD 4520

AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

512 MB
VRAM
MHz Boost
25W
TDP
64
Bus Width

ATI Radeon HD 4520 Specifications

⚙️

ATI Radeon HD 4520 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The ATI Radeon HD 4520 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
80
Shaders
80
TMUs
8
ROPs
4
Compute Units
1
⏱️

ATI Radeon HD 4520 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the ATI Radeon HD 4520'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 ATI Radeon HD 4520 by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
600 MHz
Memory Clock
400 MHz 800 Mbps effective
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

AMD's ATI Radeon HD 4520 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ATI Radeon HD 4520'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
512 MB
VRAM
512 MB
Memory Type
DDR2
VRAM Type
DDR2
Memory Bus
64 bit
Bus Width
64-bit
Bandwidth
6.400 GB/s
💾

ATI Radeon HD 4520 by AMD Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the ATI Radeon HD 4520, 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
64 KB
📈

ATI Radeon HD 4520 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the ATI Radeon HD 4520 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)
96.00 GFLOPS
Pixel Rate
2.400 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
4.800 GTexel/s
🏗️

TeraScale Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The ATI Radeon HD 4520 is built on AMD's TeraScale 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 ATI Radeon HD 4520 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
TeraScale
GPU Name
RV710
Process Node
55 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
242 million
Die Size
73 mm²
Density
3.3M / mm²
🔌

AMD's ATI Radeon HD 4520 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the ATI Radeon HD 4520 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 ATI Radeon HD 4520 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
25 W
TDP
25W
Power Connectors
None
Suggested PSU
200 W
📐

ATI Radeon HD 4520 by AMD Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the ATI Radeon HD 4520 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
Single-slot
Length
168 mm 6.6 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x HDMI 1.3a1x DisplayPort 1.0
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x HDMI 1.3a1x DisplayPort 1.0
🎮

AMD API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the ATI Radeon HD 4520. 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
10.1 (10_1)
DirectX
10.1 (10_1)
OpenGL
3.3
OpenGL
3.3
OpenCL
1.1
Shader Model
4.1
📦

ATI Radeon HD 4520 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The ATI Radeon HD 4520 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 ATI Radeon HD 4520 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
Dec 2009
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
Radeon R600
Successor
Evergreen

ATI Radeon HD 4520 Benchmark Scores

📊

No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About ATI Radeon HD 4520

The ATI Radeon HD 4520 is a legacy graphics solution built on AMD's TeraScale architecture, targeting entry-level systems from its late 2009 launch. Fabricated on a 55nm process, this GPU pairs 512MB of DDR2 memory with a PCIe 2.0 x16 interface, a combination that defined budget offerings of its era. With a modest TDP of just 25 watts, this card was designed for OEM systems where low power draw and basic graphical output were primary concerns. Its gaming performance was inherently limited, focusing more on enabling Windows Aero and decoding standard-definition video content. For gamers, this hardware was a baseline, capable of running very old titles or newer games at minimal settings and resolutions. The Radeon HD 4520 served as a functional display adapter rather than a dedicated gaming powerhouse.

Examining its gaming performance, this graphics card struggles with modern 3D titles even from its own release period. The 512MB of DDR2 VRAM becomes a severe bottleneck, as textures and assets quickly exceed this limited capacity, leading to stuttering and low frame rates. Architecturally, it supports DirectX 10.1 and Shader Model 4.1, which means it lacks compatibility with contemporary DirectX 11 and 12 titles and their advanced rendering techniques. Games of the late 2000s, such as Left 4 Dead or Team Fortress 2, could be run at 720p with details set to low for a playable experience. This GPU is best suited for classic titles from the early 2000s or less demanding indie games where its architectural limitations are less pronounced.

When considering modern rendering features, the HD 4520 from ATI shows its age, lacking support for critical technologies like tessellation and advanced post-processing effects. Its video memory type, DDR2, offers significantly lower bandwidth compared to GDDR3 or GDDR5 solutions, hampering its ability to process high-resolution textures efficiently. The card's power requirements are minimal, drawing all necessary power directly from the PCIe slot, making it a simple drop-in upgrade for aging pre-built systems. However, this low power profile is a direct trade-off for graphical throughput, cementing its role for basic desktop use. For any contemporary gaming, users would need to look far beyond this particular model's capabilities.

For users possessing this GPU, recommended games are largely confined to titles released prior to 2006 and 2D or indie games. Optimal settings for any 3D application involve setting the resolution to 1024x768 or 1280x720, disabling all anti-aliasing and shadow details, and using low-quality texture presets. Playing older classics like Half-Life 2, Warcraft III, or StarCraft: Brood War would provide a smooth experience on the ATI Radeon HD 4520. Ultimately, this card represents a specific moment in graphics history, now serving as a component for basic display output or a testament to how far entry-level gaming performance has advanced. It remains a footnote for collectors and those maintaining legacy systems.

The NVIDIA Equivalent of ATI Radeon HD 4520

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 • 8 GB VRAM

View Specs Compare

Popular ATI Radeon HD 4520 Comparisons

See how the ATI Radeon HD 4520 stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.

Compare ATI Radeon HD 4520 with Other GPUs

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

Browse GPUs