GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

1 GB
VRAM
MHz Boost
29W
TDP
64
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 Specifications

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GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 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
48
Shaders
48
TMUs
8
ROPs
4
SM Count
1
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GT 520 PCIe x1 Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1'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 GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.

GPU Clock
810 MHz
Memory Clock
900 MHz 1800 Mbps effective
Shader Clock
1620 MHz
GDDR GDDR 6X 6X

NVIDIA's GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1'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
1024 MB
VRAM
1,024 MB
Memory Type
DDR3
VRAM Type
DDR3
Memory Bus
64 bit
Bus Width
64-bit
Bandwidth
14.40 GB/s
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GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 520 PCIe x1, 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
64 KB (per SM)
L2 Cache
128 KB
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GT 520 PCIe x1 Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 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)
155.5 GFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
12.96 GFLOPS (1:12)
Pixel Rate
1.620 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
6.480 GTexel/s
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Fermi 2.0 Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 is built on NVIDIA's Fermi 2.0 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 GT 520 PCIe x1 will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Fermi 2.0
GPU Name
GF119S
Process Node
40 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
292 million
Die Size
79 mm²
Density
3.7M / mm²
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NVIDIA's GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 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 GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 to maintain boost clocks without throttling.

TDP
29 W
TDP
29W
Power Connectors
None
Suggested PSU
200 W
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GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 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
152 mm 6 inches
Bus Interface
PCIe 2.0 x1
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x HDMI 1.3a1x VGA
Display Outputs
1x DVI1x HDMI 1.3a1x VGA
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NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1. 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_0)
DirectX
12 (11_0)
OpenGL
4.6
OpenGL
4.6
OpenCL
1.1
CUDA
2.1
Shader Model
5.1
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GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 is manufactured by NVIDIA 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 GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.

Manufacturer
NVIDIA
Release Date
Apr 2011
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 400
Successor
GeForce 600

GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 Benchmark Scores

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No benchmark data available for this GPU.

About NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1

Can the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 GPU keep up with modern productivity demands? Its 1024 MB DDR3 VRAM and 40 nm architecture hint at modest performance, but does that translate to real-world efficiency? With a TDP of 29 W, this GPU might be power-efficient, yet gamers might question if it’s capable of handling multitasking or light workloads. The PCIe 2.0 x1 interface raises concerns about bandwidth limitations, especially when compared to newer standards. NVIDIA’s GT 520, released in 2011, was never designed for heavy compute tasks, but could it still serve as a budget-friendly option for basic workflows? Driver support and stability are critical for productivity, but how does the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 GPU fare in today’s software ecosystem?

Is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 GPU a relic in a modern workstation build? Its Fermi 2.0 architecture, while once cutting-edge, feels dated for tasks like video editing or 3D rendering. Gamers might wonder if this GPU’s 1024 MB DDR3 memory is enough for multitasking or if it’s better suited for secondary roles. The 29 W TDP suggests it’s low-power, but does that mean it’s underpowered for productivity? This GPU’s PCIe x1 slot compatibility could limit its potential in systems expecting higher bandwidth. How does the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1 GPU stack up against newer models for everyday tasks, and is it worth considering for a budget setup?

  • 1024 MB DDR3 VRAM for basic multitasking
  • 40 nm manufacturing process for efficiency
  • 29 W TDP ideal for low-power systems
  • Fermi 2.0 architecture with limited modern optimization
  • PCIe 2.0 x1 interface for constrained bandwidth
  • Released in 2011, now outdated for demanding workloads

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 520 PCIe x1

Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.

AMD Radeon RX 480

AMD • 8 GB VRAM

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