AMD Radeon Pro 555X vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 Comparison

The AMD Radeon Pro 555X and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 represent two distinct eras of GPU design, separated by seven years of architectural evolution. The data shows a remarkably close contest in raw compute benchmarks, with the older dual-chip GTX 590 edging out the newer mobile-oriented Radeon Pro 555X by a narrow margin. This comparison highlights how process node advancements and power efficiency can offset raw transistor counts and dual-GPU configurations.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark in the database is Geekbench OpenCL, where the two cards are nearly inseparable. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 scores 12,830 points, while the AMD Radeon Pro 555X trails slightly with 12,628 points. This represents a delta of -1.6% for the AMD part, meaning the GTX 590 holds a 1.6% performance advantage in this specific test. The practical difference is negligible—less than 2%—and falls well within the margin of error for most real-world workloads.

When looking at the broader benchmark picture, the Radeon Pro 555X shows a more complete performance profile. It achieves 14,479 in Geekbench Metal and 12,855 in Geekbench Vulkan, showcasing strong cross-API compatibility. The GTX 590 has no Metal or Vulkan scores recorded, leaving its OpenCL result as its only datapoint. This asymmetry limits direct comparison, but the available data suggests the AMD card is more versatile across modern compute interfaces.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the tight competition. The Radeon Pro 555X posts an average score of 13,321 across its three tests, while the GTX 590 averages 12,830 from its single OpenCL run. This gives the AMD card a 3.8% higher average score, though this is partially due to the GTX 590’s lack of additional benchmark data. The percentile rankings tell a similar story—the Radeon Pro 555X sits at the 54th percentile of all GPUs, while the GTX 590 lands at the 52nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 claims victory in the only head-to-head comparison available, winning the Geekbench OpenCL test with a 1.6% margin. This suggests that for compute workloads specifically optimized for OpenCL, the dual-GPU Fermi architecture still holds a slight edge. The GTX 590 also offers substantially higher memory bandwidth at 164.0 GB/s compared to the Radeon Pro 555X’s 94.08 GB/s, which could benefit memory-intensive tasks despite the older architecture.

The AMD Radeon Pro 555X wins in broader compatibility and efficiency metrics. It supports DirectX 12 (12_0) and Vulkan 1.3, while the GTX 590 only reaches DirectX 12 (11_0) and lacks Vulkan support entirely. For modern applications leveraging these newer APIs, the Radeon Pro 555X is the only viable option. The AMD card also demonstrates superior pixel and texture throughput per watt—its 14.51 GPixel/s and 43.54 GTexel/s come from a 75 W TDP, whereas the GTX 590’s 19.46 GPixel/s and 38.91 GTexel/s require 365 W.

In practical terms, the Radeon Pro 555X wins for integrated mobile systems, portable devices, and any workload using Metal or Vulkan. The GTX 590 wins for legacy OpenCL compute tasks where raw bandwidth and dual-GPU scaling matter more than power consumption or modern API support.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two GPUs is enormous, reflecting a seven-year evolution in semiconductor design. The Radeon Pro 555X uses AMD’s GCN 4.0 architecture on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while the GTX 590 relies on NVIDIA’s Fermi 2.0 architecture on a 40 nm process from TSMC. The process node shrunk from 40 nm to 14 nm, enabling dramatic improvements in transistor density—24.4 million transistors per mm² for the Radeon Pro 555X versus just 5.8 million per mm² for the GTX 590.

Both chips contain exactly 3,000 million transistors, but they use them very differently. The Radeon Pro 555X packs these into a 123 mm² die, while the GTX 590 spreads them across a massive 520 mm² die. The AMD card features 768 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 16 raster output units. The GTX 590, despite fewer shading units at 512, has 64 TMUs and 48 ROPs, giving it higher pixel throughput and better geometry processing capability.

Memory configurations differ substantially. The Radeon Pro 555X offers 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus, running at 1470 MHz with 5.9 Gbps effective speed. The GTX 590 provides 1536 MB of GDDR5 on a much wider 384-bit bus, operating at 854 MHz with 3.4 Gbps effective speed. This yields 164.0 GB/s bandwidth for the NVIDIA card versus 94.08 GB/s for the AMD card—a 74% bandwidth advantage for the GTX 590.

Power and physical characteristics diverge sharply. The Radeon Pro 555X is an integrated GPU (IGP) with a 75 W TDP, no power connectors, and portable-device-dependent display outputs. The GTX 590 is a dual-slot card measuring 279 mm by 111 mm by 40 mm, requiring 365 W through dual 8-pin connectors and a 750 W suggested power supply. It features three DVI and one mini-DisplayPort output. The GTX 590 uses PCIe 2.0 x16, while the Radeon Pro 555X uses PCIe 3.0 x8.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on use case rather than raw performance. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 is technically the faster card in OpenCL compute, winning the only direct head-to-head test by 1.6%. It offers significantly higher memory bandwidth and pixel throughput, which could benefit specific compute workloads. However, its 365 W power draw, dual-slot footprint, and lack of modern API support make it impractical for most contemporary applications.

The AMD Radeon Pro 555X, despite losing the single benchmark comparison, is the more versatile and forward-looking option. It supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3, making it compatible with modern software stacks. Its 75 W TDP and IGP form factor enable deployment in portable devices where the GTX 590 simply cannot function. The higher average benchmark score of 13,321 versus 12,830 further supports its overall capability.

For users building a modern system or requiring mobile graphics, the Radeon Pro 555X is the only rational choice. For those running legacy OpenCL compute workloads on a desktop with abundant power and space, the GTX 590’s bandwidth advantage might justify its age. The GTX 590’s launch MSRP was 699 USD. The Radeon Pro 555X has no launch MSRP listed, indicating it was likely sold as an OEM component rather than a retail product.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon Pro 555X achieves an average benchmark score of 13,321 across its three tests, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 averages 12,830 from its single OpenCL benchmark.

Q: How much faster is the GTX 590 in OpenCL?

A: The GTX 590 scores 12,830 in Geekbench OpenCL, outpacing the Radeon Pro 555X’s 12,628 by 1.6%. This is the only direct head-to-head benchmark available.

Q: Does the GTX 590 support Vulkan?

A: No, the GTX 590 has no Vulkan support listed. The Radeon Pro 555X supports Vulkan 1.3, giving it access to modern cross-platform graphics APIs.

Q: What is the transistor count for each GPU?

A: Both the Radeon Pro 555X and the GTX 590 contain exactly 3,000 million transistors. However, the Radeon Pro 555X packs them into a 123 mm² die, while the GTX 590 uses a 520 mm² die.

Q: Which GPU offers higher memory bandwidth?

A: The GTX 590 provides 164.0 GB/s bandwidth over a 384-bit bus, compared to the Radeon Pro 555X’s 94.08 GB/s over a 128-bit bus. This gives the NVIDIA card a 74% bandwidth advantage.

Q: What are the power requirements for each card?

A: The Radeon Pro 555X has a 75 W TDP and requires no power connectors, functioning as an integrated GPU. The GTX 590 has a 365 W TDP, requires dual 8-pin connectors, and recommends a 750 W power supply.