Geforce GT 520M
Nvidia Geforce GT 520M is an affordable entry level graphics card that is often found in newer laptops. It comes with DirectX 11 support and is based on GT119 GPU, which was launched at the beginning of 2011. The GPU packs 48 shader units but only 64-bit memory interface, unlike the GT 525M (GF108, 96 shaders) which has 128-bit interface. The 64-bit DDR3 is a bottleneck for GT 520M cards but some performance has been compensated for with high core and shader clocks.
GF108 – 600/1200MHz, 128 Bit 900 MHz DDR3
GF119 – 740/1480MHz, 64 Bit 800 MHz DDR3
Nvidia launched its GT 520MX graphics card a few days ago, but you should know it is basically a faster GT520M. The GT520M runs at 740MHz, while the GT 520MX runs at 900MHz (shaders at 1800MHz). The memory is up from 800MHz to 900MHz (DDR3). You can find GT 520MX results on the next page and we got them simply by overclocking the GT 520M.
Features
The 520M supports Bitstream HD Audio (Blu-Ray) output via HDMI, meaning that the card transfers Dolby True HD and DTS-HD bitstream without quality loss to a HiFi receiver. The integrated PureVideo HD video processor 4 (VP4) can decode two streams simultaneously, which can be used for Blu-ray Picture-in-picture where primary video runs in 1080p and the secondary in 480p.
Nvidia didn’t quite plan on 3D Vision support on GT 520M, although some OEM drivers do offer 3D TV support via HDMI.
You can access shader cores (e.g. for video transcoding) via CUDA interface, DirectCompute 2.1 or OpenCL. Although PhysX calculations are theoretically possible on GF119, the card’s performance isn’t enough to run PhysX effects.
The GT 500M series supports Optimus technology, which means that discrete graphics automatically shuts down when the laptop is in 2D mode. This saves power and helps with battery life as integrated graphics takes over.
Gaming Performance
The results clearly show that Asus U30S is not a gaming laptop but gaming is definitely possible if you lower in-game detail settings. Geforce GT 520M is currently the slowest offering from second generation of Fermi, but we still hit higher than 40fps in Dirt 2 with ‘Low’ graphics settings. Most games are playable only after turning off effects, whereas others had to be run below 1366x768 to be playable. So, Crysis 2 with High Quality settings at 1366x768 is not playable.
3DMark 2011
Dirt 2
Asus U30S’ graphics performance is good enough for Dirt 2 and we managed 32fps with medium graphics settings.
Aliens vs Predator
Metro 2033
We stripped Metro 2033 of DX11 effects, tessellation and DOF, which resulted in pleasant gaming at normal settings.
Lost Planet 2
Crysis 2