What To Know
- G-Sync is a technology that synchronizes the refresh rate of your monitor with the output of your graphics card, reducing screen tearing and providing a more immersive gaming experience.
- The GTX 1650 offers significantly better performance for a slightly higher price, making it the better value for most users.
- However, if you’re on a very strict budget, the Radeon 520 is still a decent option that can handle most games at low settings.
When it comes to budget graphics cards, the AMD Radeon 520 and NVIDIA GTX 1650 are two of the most popular options. Both cards offer solid performance for their price point, but which one is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the key differences between the AMD Radeon 520 and GTX 1650 to help you make an informed decision.
Performance Comparison
The GTX 1650 is a clear winner in terms of performance. It features the newer Turing architecture, which offers significantly improved efficiency and performance over the Radeon 520’s Polaris architecture. In benchmarks, the GTX 1650 outperforms the Radeon 520 by an average of 50-60%. This means you’ll get smoother gameplay and higher frame rates with the GTX 1650.
Features and Technologies
Both the Radeon 520 and GTX 1650 support DirectX 12 and Vulkan, ensuring compatibility with the latest games. However, the GTX 1650 offers additional features such as NVIDIA G-Sync and NVIDIA ShadowPlay. G-Sync is a technology that synchronizes the refresh rate of your monitor with the output of your graphics card, reducing screen tearing and providing a more immersive gaming experience. ShadowPlay is a screen capture and streaming software that allows you to easily record and share your gameplay.
Power Consumption and Cooling
The Radeon 520 is a very power-efficient card, consuming only around 50 watts of power. This makes it a great choice for budget-friendly builds or systems with limited power supplies. The GTX 1650, on the other hand, consumes around 75 watts of power. While it’s still relatively power-efficient, it may require a slightly more powerful power supply. Both cards feature passive cooling systems, which means they don’t require any fans. This can be an advantage for users who value quiet operation.
Memory and Bandwidth
The Radeon 520 comes with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, while the GTX 1650 offers 4GB of GDDR6 memory. GDDR6 is a faster type of memory than GDDR5, providing higher bandwidth and better performance. The GTX 1650’s 4GB of memory also gives it an advantage in games that require more than 2GB of VRAM.
Price and Availability
The Radeon 520 is typically priced around $50-$70, while the GTX 1650 can be found for around $150-$200. The GTX 1650 offers significantly better performance for a slightly higher price, making it the better value for most users. However, if you’re on a very tight budget, the Radeon 520 is still a viable option.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for the best budget graphics card, the GTX 1650 is the clear winner. It offers superior performance, more features, and better memory than the Radeon 520. However, if you’re on a very strict budget, the Radeon 520 is still a decent option that can handle most games at low settings.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q: Which card is better for gaming?
A: The GTX 1650 is the better choice for gaming, offering significantly higher performance than the Radeon 520.
Q: Which card is more power efficient?
A: The Radeon 520 is more power efficient, consuming around 50 watts of power compared to the GTX 1650’s 75 watts.
Q: Which card has more memory?
A: The GTX 1650 has more memory, with 4GB of GDDR6 compared to the Radeon 520’s 2GB of GDDR5.
Q: Which card is more expensive?
A: The GTX 1650 is more expensive, typically costing around $150-$200 compared to the Radeon 520’s $50-$70 price range.
Q: Which card is better for streaming?
A: The GTX 1650 is better for streaming, as it supports NVIDIA ShadowPlay, which allows for easy recording and sharing of gameplay.
