Quadro M520 vs GeForce GTX 950M

VS

Aggregate performance score

We've compared GeForce GTX 950M with Quadro M520, including specs and performance data.

GTX 950M
2015
4 GB DDR3 or GDDR5, 75 Watt
6.71
+37.5%

GTX 950M outperforms M520 by a substantial 38% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

GPU architecture, market segment, value for money and other general parameters compared.

Place in the ranking562637
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Power efficiency6.1313.38
ArchitectureMaxwell (2014−2017)Maxwell (2014−2017)
GPU code nameGM107GM108
Market segmentLaptopMobile workstation
Release date13 March 2015 (9 years ago)11 January 2017 (7 years ago)

Detailed specifications

General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores640384
Core clock speed914 MHz1041 MHz
Boost clock speed1124 MHz1019 MHz
Number of transistors1,870 millionno data
Manufacturing process technology28 nm28 nm
Power consumption (TDP)75 Watt25 Watt
Texture fill rate44.9616.66
Floating-point processing power1.439 TFLOPS0.7995 TFLOPS
ROPs168
TMUs4016

Form factor & compatibility

Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).

Laptop sizemedium sizedmedium sized
Bus supportPCI Express 3.0no data
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x8MXM-A (3.0)
Supplementary power connectorsno dataNone
SLI options+-

VRAM capacity and type

Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.

Memory typeDDR3 or GDDR5GDDR5
Maximum RAM amount4 GB2 GB
Memory bus width128 Bit64 Bit
Memory clock speed1000 or 2500 MHz1253 MHz
Memory bandwidth32 or 80 GB/s40 GB/s
Shared memory--

Connectivity and outputs

Types and number of video connectors present on the reviewed GPUs. As a rule, data in this section is precise only for desktop reference ones (so-called Founders Edition for NVIDIA chips). OEM manufacturers may change the number and type of output ports, while for notebook cards availability of certain video outputs ports depends on the laptop model rather than on the card itself.

Display ConnectorsNo outputsNo outputs
VGA аnalog display support+no data
DisplayPort Multimode (DP++) support+no data
HDMI+-

Supported technologies

Supported technological solutions. This information will prove useful if you need some particular technology for your purposes.

GameStream+-
GeForce ShadowPlay+-
GPU Boost2.0no data
GameWorks+-
H.264, VC1, MPEG2 1080p video decoder+-
Optimus++
BatteryBoost+-
3D Stereono data+
nView Display Managementno data+
Optimusno data+
Ansel+no data

API compatibility

List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX12 (11_0)12
Shader Model5.15.1
OpenGL4.54.5
OpenCL1.21.2
Vulkan1.1.1261.1.126
CUDA+5.0

Synthetic benchmark performance

Non-gaming benchmark results comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark score. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

GTX 950M 6.71
+37.5%
Quadro M520 4.88

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.

GTX 950M 2584
+37.4%
Quadro M520 1881

3DMark 11 Performance GPU

3DMark 11 is an obsolete DirectX 11 benchmark by Futuremark. It used four tests based on two scenes, one being few submarines exploring the submerged wreck of a sunken ship, the other is an abandoned temple deep in the jungle. All the tests are heavy with volumetric lighting and tessellation, and despite being done in 1280x720 resolution, are relatively taxing. Discontinued in January 2020, 3DMark 11 is now superseded by Time Spy.

GTX 950M 4367
+64.3%
Quadro M520 2658

3DMark Vantage Performance

3DMark Vantage is an outdated DirectX 10 benchmark using 1280x1024 screen resolution. It taxes the graphics card with two scenes, one depicting a girl escaping some militarized base located within a sea cave, the other displaying a space fleet attack on a defenseless planet. It was discontinued in April 2017, and Time Spy benchmark is now recommended to be used instead.

GTX 950M 15710
+39.3%
Quadro M520 11278

3DMark Fire Strike Graphics

Fire Strike is a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs. It features two separate tests displaying a fight between a humanoid and a fiery creature made of lava. Using 1920x1080 resolution, Fire Strike shows off some realistic graphics and is quite taxing on hardware.

GTX 950M 3200
+36.6%
Quadro M520 2342

3DMark Cloud Gate GPU

Cloud Gate is an outdated DirectX 11 feature level 10 benchmark that was used for home PCs and basic notebooks. It displays a few scenes of some weird space teleportation device launching spaceships into unknown, using fixed resolution of 1280x720. Just like Ice Storm benchmark, it has been discontinued in January 2020 and replaced by 3DMark Night Raid.

GTX 950M 21356
+59.4%
Quadro M520 13394

GeekBench 5 OpenCL

Geekbench 5 is a widespread graphics card benchmark combined from 11 different test scenarios. All these scenarios rely on direct usage of GPU's processing power, no 3D rendering is involved. This variation uses OpenCL API by Khronos Group.

GTX 950M 9730
+58.6%
Quadro M520 6135

3DMark Ice Storm GPU

Ice Storm Graphics is an obsolete benchmark, part of 3DMark suite. Ice Storm was used to measure entry level laptops and Windows-based tablets performance. It utilizes DirectX 11 feature level 9 to display a battle between two space fleets near a frozen planet in 1280x720 resolution. Discontinued in January 2020, it is now superseded by 3DMark Night Raid.

GTX 950M 198867
+19.7%
Quadro M520 166193

3DMark Time Spy Graphics

GTX 950M 971
+58.1%
Quadro M520 614

GeekBench 5 CUDA

Geekbench 5 is a widespread graphics card benchmark combined from 11 different test scenarios. All these scenarios rely on direct usage of GPU's processing power, no 3D rendering is involved. This variation uses CUDA API by NVIDIA.

GTX 950M 9777
+36.3%
Quadro M520 7173

Unigine Heaven 3.0

This is an old DirectX 11 benchmark using Unigine, a 3D game engine by eponymous Russian company. It displays a fantasy medieval town sprawling over several flying islands. Version 3.0 was released in 2012, and in 2013 it was superseded by Heaven 4.0, which introduced several slight improvements, including a newer version of Unigine.

GTX 950M 42
+50.9%
Quadro M520 28

Gaming performance

Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.

Average FPS across all PC games

Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:

Full HD29
+52.6%
19
−52.6%
1440p21
+50%
14−16
−50%
4K16
+33.3%
12
−33.3%

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Cyberpunk 2077 10−12
+37.5%
8−9
−37.5%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 23
+76.9%
12−14
−76.9%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 8−9
+60%
5−6
−60%
Battlefield 5 24
+100%
12−14
−100%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 14−16
+27.3%
10−12
−27.3%
Cyberpunk 2077 10−12
+37.5%
8−9
−37.5%
Far Cry 5 24
+140%
10−11
−140%
Far Cry New Dawn 24
+71.4%
14−16
−71.4%
Forza Horizon 4 40−45
+41.9%
30−35
−41.9%
Hitman 3 12−14
+18.2%
10−12
−18.2%
Horizon Zero Dawn 40−45
+25%
30−35
−25%
Metro Exodus 18−20
+72.7%
10−12
−72.7%
Red Dead Redemption 2 48
+269%
12−14
−269%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 43
+139%
18−20
−139%
Watch Dogs: Legion 50−55
+13%
45−50
−13%

Full HD
High Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 16−18
+30.8%
12−14
−30.8%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 8−9
+60%
5−6
−60%
Battlefield 5 18−20
+58.3%
12−14
−58.3%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 14−16
+27.3%
10−12
−27.3%
Cyberpunk 2077 10−12
+37.5%
8−9
−37.5%
Far Cry 5 20
+100%
10−11
−100%
Far Cry New Dawn 19
+35.7%
14−16
−35.7%
Forza Horizon 4 40−45
+41.9%
30−35
−41.9%
Hitman 3 12−14
+18.2%
10−12
−18.2%
Horizon Zero Dawn 40−45
+25%
30−35
−25%
Metro Exodus 18−20
+72.7%
10−12
−72.7%
Red Dead Redemption 2 18−20
+38.5%
12−14
−38.5%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 21−24
+27.8%
18−20
−27.8%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 46
+12.2%
41
−12.2%
Watch Dogs: Legion 50−55
+13%
45−50
−13%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 11
−18.2%
12−14
+18.2%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 8−9
+60%
5−6
−60%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 14−16
+27.3%
10−12
−27.3%
Cyberpunk 2077 10−12
+37.5%
8−9
−37.5%
Far Cry 5 15
+50%
10−11
−50%
Forza Horizon 4 40−45
+41.9%
30−35
−41.9%
Hitman 3 12−14
+18.2%
10−12
−18.2%
Horizon Zero Dawn 19
−68.4%
30−35
+68.4%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 21−24
+27.8%
18−20
−27.8%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 11
−63.6%
18−20
+63.6%
Watch Dogs: Legion 50−55
+13%
45−50
−13%

Full HD
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 33
+154%
12−14
−154%

1440p
High Preset

Battlefield 5 12−14
+44.4%
9−10
−44.4%
Far Cry New Dawn 10−11
+42.9%
7−8
−42.9%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 6−7
+50%
4−5
−50%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 2−3
+100%
1−2
−100%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 6−7
+50%
4−5
−50%
Cyberpunk 2077 3−4
+50%
2−3
−50%
Far Cry 5 8−9
+33.3%
6−7
−33.3%
Forza Horizon 4 35
+250%
10−11
−250%
Hitman 3 10−11
+11.1%
9−10
−11.1%
Horizon Zero Dawn 13
+18.2%
10−12
−18.2%
Metro Exodus 7−8
+250%
2−3
−250%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 4−5
+100%
2−3
−100%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 6−7
+50%
4−5
−50%
Watch Dogs: Legion 40−45
+38.7%
30−35
−38.7%

1440p
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 19
+111%
9−10
−111%

4K
High Preset

Battlefield 5 6−7
+100%
3−4
−100%
Far Cry New Dawn 5−6
+66.7%
3−4
−66.7%
Hitman 3 3−4
+200%
1−2
−200%
Horizon Zero Dawn 20−22
+233%
6−7
−233%
Metro Exodus 4−5
+100%
2−3
−100%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 3−4
+200%
1−2
−200%

4K
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey 4−5
+33.3%
3−4
−33.3%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla 3−4
+50%
2−3
−50%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3−4
+50%
2−3
−50%
Cyberpunk 2077 0−1 0−1
Far Cry 5 3−4
+50%
2−3
−50%
Forza Horizon 4 7−8
+75%
4−5
−75%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 1−2 0−1
Watch Dogs: Legion 2−3
+100%
1−2
−100%

4K
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2 18
+260%
5−6
−260%

This is how GTX 950M and Quadro M520 compete in popular games:

  • GTX 950M is 53% faster in 1080p
  • GTX 950M is 50% faster in 1440p
  • GTX 950M is 33% faster in 4K

Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:

  • in Red Dead Redemption 2, with 1080p resolution and the Medium Preset, the GTX 950M is 269% faster.
  • in Horizon Zero Dawn, with 1080p resolution and the Ultra Preset, the Quadro M520 is 68% faster.

All in all, in popular games:

  • GTX 950M is ahead in 65 tests (96%)
  • Quadro M520 is ahead in 3 tests (4%)

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.71 4.88
Recency 13 March 2015 11 January 2017
Maximum RAM amount 4 GB 2 GB
Power consumption (TDP) 75 Watt 25 Watt

GTX 950M has a 37.5% higher aggregate performance score, and a 100% higher maximum VRAM amount.

Quadro M520, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and 200% lower power consumption.

The GeForce GTX 950M is our recommended choice as it beats the Quadro M520 in performance tests.

Be aware that GeForce GTX 950M is a notebook graphics card while Quadro M520 is a mobile workstation one.


Should you still have questions concerning choice between the reviewed GPUs, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite graphics card.


NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
GeForce GTX 950M
NVIDIA Quadro M520
Quadro M520

Comparisons with similar GPUs

We selected several comparisons of graphics cards with performance close to those reviewed, providing you with more options to consider.

Community ratings

Here you can see the user ratings of the compared graphics cards, as well as rate them yourself.


3.5 1115 votes

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Questions & comments

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