NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX Specifications
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby PerformersAbout NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX is an end-of-life mobile graphics part from the GeForce 500M generation, built on the 40 nm GF119 chip using the Fermi 2.0 architecture. Its benchmark data places it near the very bottom of the performance spectrum, with a Geekbench OpenCL score of 1470 that puts it in the 7th percentile of all GPUs. This is a legacy component whose primary relevance today is in identifying the capability of older laptops, not in powering modern workloads.
Memory Subsystem
The GT 520MX is equipped with 1024 MB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus interface. The memory clock runs at 900 MHz, translating to 1800 Mbps effective, which yields a total bandwidth of 14.40 GB/s. This is an extremely narrow and slow memory configuration by any modern standard. The 64-bit bus is the primary bottleneck, limiting the amount of data that can be moved between the GPU and memory in a given clock cycle. For high-resolution gaming or texture-heavy applications, this bandwidth figure of 14.40 GB/s is critically insufficient, causing significant frame rate drops when the framebuffer exceeds the small 1 GB capacity. The pixel rate of 1.800 GPixel/s and texture rate of 7.200 GTexel/s further corroborate that this part is designed for minimal resolutions and low-detail settings, as any demand for large textures or high pixel counts will immediately saturate the available bandwidth.
Who Should Consider It
The data suggests this GPU is only suitable for legacy systems and basic desktop tasks. With a Geekbench OpenCL score of 1470, it is not viable for modern gaming at any resolution above the lowest settings. The 7th percentile ranking across all GPUs indicates that it outperforms only a tiny fraction of the market, making it unsuitable for any current 3D application. For users with a laptop containing this chip, the realistic use cases are limited to 2D office work, web browsing, and video playback of non-demanding formats. At 720p with minimal graphical settings, some older games from its 2011 era might run, but the 14.40 GB/s bandwidth and 4 ROPs will cap performance severely. It is not a part anyone should seek out for a new purchase; it is only relevant for understanding the limitations of an existing machine.
Benchmark Performance
The single available benchmark result, Geekbench OpenCL, gives the GT 520MX a score of 1470. Its average benchmark score is identical at 1470, confirming a consistent performance level. The nearest rival data shows how tightly packed this low-end segment is. The GT 520MX is 0.8% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, which scores 1458. That is a negligible lead, essentially a statistical tie. Against the AMD Radeon HD 7670M, which scores 1400, the GT 520MX holds a 5% advantage. This is a more tangible lead but still within the realm of low-end performance. Conversely, the AMD Radeon HD 6570 scores 1554, which means the GT 520MX trails it by 5.4%. The most significant delta is against the NVIDIA GeForce 610M, which scores 1383; the GT 520MX is 6.3% faster. These deltas reveal that the GT 520MX sits in the upper-middle of the absolute lowest tier of GPUs, but all scores are within a narrow 171-point band, indicating that no chip in this group offers a meaningful performance advantage over another.
How It Compares
vs. NVIDIA GeForce 800M: The GT 520MX leads by a razor-thin 0.8% margin, with scores of 1470 and 1458 respectively. This difference is within run-to-run variance and offers no real-world performance benefit. In practical terms, these two GPUs are interchangeable in their capabilities.
vs. AMD Radeon HD 7670M: The GT 520MX is 5% ahead of the Radeon HD 7670M (1470 vs. 1400). While this is the largest margin of victory for the GT 520MX, the absolute scores are so low that the delta translates to only a few frames per second in undemanding titles. The lead does not change the fundamental usability class of the hardware.
vs. AMD Radeon HD 6570: The Radeon HD 6570 outperforms the GT 520MX by 5.4%, scoring 1554 against 1470. This is the only rival in the list that consistently beats the GT 520MX. The 84-point gap is modest but indicates the Radeon part has a slight edge in compute workloads.
vs. NVIDIA GeForce 610M: The GT 520MX is 6.3% faster than the GeForce 610M (1470 vs. 1383). This is the largest delta in the rival group, giving the GT 520MX a clear, albeit small, performance lead over the 610M. The ranking positions the GT 520MX above the 610M in the low-end hierarchy.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The GT 520MX has no dedicated ray tracing cores and no tensor cores, as these technologies were not part of the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The chip relies on 48 shading units, 8 texture mapping units, and 4 raster output pipelines to handle all graphics work. Its compute capability is listed at 172.8 GFLOPS for FP32, which is a very low figure for any modern workload. In terms of API support, the GPU supports DirectX 12 (11_0), which means it is technically compatible with DirectX 12 titles but only at the 11_0 feature level, lacking many modern features. OpenGL 4.6 is supported, which covers most current OpenGL applications. There is no Vulkan support listed, which excludes it from a growing number of modern games that rely on Vulkan for performance. Given the lack of RT and tensor cores, any ray-traced effects are entirely out of the question, and the feature set is limited to the baseline DirectX 11 capabilities from its generation.
FAQ
Q: What is the Geekbench OpenCL score of the GT 520MX?
A: The GT 520MX scores 1470 in Geekbench OpenCL, which places it in the 7th percentile of all GPUs.
Q: How much VRAM does it have and what is the bus width?
A: It has 1024 MB of DDR3 memory on a 64-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 14.40 GB/s.
Q: Is the GT 520MX faster than the GeForce 610M?
A: Yes, the GT 520MX is 6.3% faster than the GeForce 610M, which scores 1383 compared to 1470.
Q: Does it support ray tracing?
A: No, it has no ray tracing cores. It only supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, with no Vulkan support.
Q: What is the transistor count and die size?
A: The GF119 chip contains 292 million transistors on a 79 mm² die, manufactured on a 40 nm process at TSMC.
Q: What is the successor to this GPU?
A: The successor is the GeForce 600M series, with the predecessor being the GeForce 400M series.
Power and Cooling
The GT 520MX has a thermal design power (TDP) of just 20 W, which is exceptionally low. This low power draw means it is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a slot width of IGP, requiring no dedicated cooling solution beyond the laptop's standard system cooling. It has no power connectors and no suggested PSU rating, as it draws all power from the motherboard slot. The bus interface is PCIe 2.0 x16, which is a standard connection for mobile GPUs of this era. The 20 W TDP is a key reason why this chip was placed in thin and light laptops; the thermal load is minimal, and the performance ceiling is directly tied to this power limit. The absence of any auxiliary power connectors simplifies integration, but the low TDP also guarantees that the GPU can never punch above its weight class in performance.
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.
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