GEFORCE

NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX

NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores

1 GB
VRAM
โ€”
MHz Boost
20W
TDP
64
Bus Width

NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX Specifications

โš™๏ธ

GeForce GT 520MX GPU Core

Shader units and compute resources

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX 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
โฑ๏ธ

GT 520MX Clock Speeds

GPU and memory frequencies

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

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

NVIDIA's GeForce GT 520MX Memory

VRAM capacity and bandwidth

VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 520MX'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
๐Ÿ’พ

GeForce GT 520MX by NVIDIA Cache

On-chip cache hierarchy

On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 520MX, 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
๐Ÿ“ˆ

GT 520MX Theoretical Performance

Compute and fill rates

Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX 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)
172.8 GFLOPS
FP64 (Double)
14.40 GFLOPS (1:12)
Pixel Rate
1.800 GPixel/s
Texture Rate
7.200 GTexel/s
๐Ÿ—๏ธ

Fermi 2.0 Architecture & Process

Manufacturing and design details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX 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 520MX will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.

Architecture
Fermi 2.0
GPU Name
GF119
Process Node
40 nm
Foundry
TSMC
Transistors
292 million
Die Size
79 mmยฒ
Density
3.7M / mmยฒ
๐Ÿ”Œ

NVIDIA's GeForce GT 520MX Power & Thermal

TDP and power requirements

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

TDP
20 W
TDP
20W
Power Connectors
None
๐Ÿ“

GeForce GT 520MX by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity

Dimensions and outputs

Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX 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 2.0 x16
Display Outputs
Portable Device Dependent
Display Outputs
Portable Device Dependent
๐ŸŽฎ

NVIDIA API Support

Graphics and compute APIs

API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX. 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
๐Ÿ“ฆ

GeForce GT 520MX Product Information

Release and pricing details

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX 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 520MX 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
May 2011
Production
End-of-life
Predecessor
GeForce 400M
Successor
GeForce 600M

GeForce GT 520MX Benchmark Scores

geekbench_openclSource

Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms.

geekbench_opencl #555 of 582
1,470
0%
Max: 380,114
Compare with other GPUs

About NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX is a budget-tier GPU from 2011, built on the Fermi 2.0 architecture with a 40nm process. Its 1024MB DDR3 VRAM and 20W TDP position it as a low-power, entry-level card ideal for basic multimedia tasks and legacy gaming. With a Geekbench OpenCL score of 1,470, it struggles to meet modern demands, making it unsuitable for 1080p gaming or intensive applications. Used hardware markets might offer the GT 520MX at a nominal cost, but the financial savings rarely justify its underwhelming performance. For competitive alternatives, consider the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MXโ€™s contemporaries like the AMD Radeon HD 6480G or Intel HD Graphics 3000, which, while also dated, often provide better value in integrated systems. Longevity is its major drawback this GPU is a relic by todayโ€™s standards, offering only 2-3 years of relevance if paired with a similarly aged CPU.

  • Cost analysis: The GT 520MX is obsolete for new builds; used units cost $30 $50 but lack ROI for modern workloads.
  • Competitive alternatives: Modern budget GPUs like the GTX 1050 Ti or RX 550 deliver ~10x OpenCL performance at comparable prices.
  • Longevity: Expect minimal upgrade flexibility; the card canโ€™t handle current AAA games beyond low settings.
  • Build recommendations: Pair it with an Ivy Bridge i3 or AMD A6 APU for a mid-2012 HTPC or office rig, avoiding power-wasting PSUs.

The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 520MX

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 โ€ข 8 GB VRAM

View Specs Compare

Popular NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX Comparisons

See how the GeForce GT 520MX stacks up against similar graphics cards from the same generation and competing brands.

Compare GeForce GT 520MX with Other GPUs

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

Browse GPUs