AMD Radeon RX 550X vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2 Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Radeon RX 550X is the clear winner in the recorded head-to-head measurements, taking the only shared benchmark with a 10.5% advantage in Geekbench OpenCL. For users prioritizing raw compute performance per benchmark score, the RX 550X leads, but its victory comes with a substantial power efficiency gap. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2, despite its lower average score, still holds relevance through a different performance profile, yet the data indicates it is outpaced in the single directly comparable test.

The RX 550X should be the pick for anyone needing a compact, low-power GPU that still delivers modern API support and a higher benchmark score. Its 50 W TDP, no power connectors, and 145 mm length make it a drop-in candidate for slim or legacy systems where the GTX 460 v2 would require a 450 W suggested PSU and two 6-pin connectors. The GTX 460 v2, with a 160 W TDP and a 210 mm length, belongs in systems that already have robust power delivery and space for a longer card.

For compute workloads measured by Geekbench OpenCL, the RX 550X's 9662 score versus 8743 gives it a definitive edge. In the broader database context, the RX 550X sits at the 49th percentile among all GPUs, while the GTX 460 v2 sits at the 44th, reinforcing the AMD card's higher standing. The GTX 460 v2's only advantage in the recorded data is its launch MSRP of 199 USD, but that figure is historical and not a current purchasing guide.

The verdict is straightforward: the RX 550X is the superior choice for modern, power-conscious builds, while the GTX 460 v2 is a relic that only makes sense if the workload specifically requires its older Fermi architecture traits, which the benchmark data does not support favoring.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 550X has an average benchmark score of 10481, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2 scores 8743. This places the RX 550X at the 49th percentile versus the 44th for the GTX 460 v2.

Q: How do the two compare in the only shared benchmark test?

A: In Geekbench OpenCL, the RX 550X scores 9662, beating the GTX 460 v2's 8743 by 10.5%. The GTX 460 v2 has no recorded Geekbench Vulkan score, while the RX 550X scores 11299 in that test.

Q: Which card requires less power and fewer connections?

A: The RX 550X has a 50 W TDP and requires no power connectors and a 250 W suggested PSU. The GTX 460 v2 has a 160 W TDP, needs 2x 6-pin connectors, and a 450 W suggested PSU.

Q: What are the physical size differences?

A: The RX 550X is 145 mm (5.7 inches) long, while the GTX 460 v2 is 210 mm (8.3 inches) long. Both are dual-slot cards.

Q: Does the GTX 460 v2 support modern APIs like the RX 550X?

A: No. The RX 550X supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3. The GTX 460 v2 supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, but has no Vulkan support listed.

Q: Which card has more VRAM and higher memory bandwidth?

A: The RX 550X has 4 GB GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus with 96.00 GB/s bandwidth. The GTX 460 v2 has 1024 MB GDDR5 on a 192-bit bus with 96.19 GB/s bandwidth, so the bandwidth is nearly identical, but the RX 550X has four times the capacity.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two cards is generational and fundamental. The AMD Radeon RX 550X uses the Lexa chip built on GCN 4.0 architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2 uses the GF114 chip based on Fermi 2.0, built on a 40 nm process at TSMC. This process gap is stark: 14 nm versus 40 nm, which explains the dramatic differences in transistor density and power consumption.

The RX 550X packs 2,200 million transistors into a 103 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 21.4 million per mm². The GTX 460 v2 contains 1,950 million transistors on a much larger 332 mm² die, with a density of only 5.9 million per mm². The RX 550X is therefore not just smaller and denser, it also consumes less power: 50 W versus 160 W.

In terms of compute resources, the RX 550X has 512 shading units, 32 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs. The GTX 460 v2 has 336 shading units, 56 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. This means the NVIDIA card has more texture and pixel throughput hardware, while the AMD card has more shading units. The pixel rate of the RX 550X is 18.93 GPixel/s versus 10.91 GPixel/s for the GTX 460 v2, showing the AMD card's ROP efficiency is superior despite fewer ROPs. The texture rate, however, favors NVIDIA: 43.62 GTexel/s versus 37.86 GTexel/s.

Memory architecture also diverges. The RX 550X uses a 128-bit bus with 4 GB GDDR5, while the GTX 460 v2 uses a 192-bit bus with only 1024 MB GDDR5. Despite the wider bus on the NVIDIA card, bandwidth is nearly identical: 96.00 GB/s versus 96.19 GB/s. The RX 550X's memory runs at 1500 MHz (6 Gbps effective), while the GTX 460 v2's memory runs at 1002 MHz (4 Gbps effective).

API support reflects the age difference. The RX 550X supports DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3. The GTX 460 v2 supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, but has no Vulkan support recorded. The RX 550X also supports FP16 compute at a 1:1 ratio with FP32, while the GTX 460 v2 has no listed FP16 support.

The bus interface differs as well: the RX 550X uses PCIe 3.0 x8, while the GTX 460 v2 uses PCIe 2.0 x16. Display outputs also differ: the RX 550X offers 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0b, and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a, while the GTX 460 v2 offers 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a.

Specification Differences

The two cards differ across nearly every specification field. The RX 550X is a 14 nm part from GlobalFoundries with 2,200 million transistors on a 103 mm² die. The GTX 460 v2 is a 40 nm part from TSMC with 1,950 million transistors on a 332 mm² die.

Clock speeds: the RX 550X has a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 1183 MHz, while the GTX 460 v2 has no base or boost clock listed in the database. Memory clocks: 1500 MHz (6 Gbps effective) for the RX 550X, 1002 MHz (4 Gbps effective) for the GTX 460 v2.

Memory configuration: 4 GB GDDR5 on 128-bit bus for the RX 550X, versus 1024 MB GDDR5 on 192-bit bus for the GTX 460 v2. Bandwidth is nearly equal at 96.00 GB/s versus 96.19 GB/s.

Compute units: 512 shading units, 32 TMUs, 16 ROPs for the RX 550X; 336 shading units, 56 TMUs, 24 ROPs for the GTX 460 v2. Pixel rate: 18.93 GPixel/s versus 10.91 GPixel/s. Texture rate: 37.86 GTexel/s versus 43.62 GTexel/s. FP32: 1211.4 GFLOPS versus 1046.3 GFLOPS. FP16: 1211.4 GFLOPS for the RX 550X, none listed for the GTX 460 v2.

Power and cooling: 50 W TDP, no power connectors, 250 W suggested PSU for the RX 550X; 160 W TDP, 2x 6-pin connectors, 450 W suggested PSU for the GTX 460 v2. Both are dual-slot.

Physical dimensions: 145 mm (5.7 inches) for the RX 550X, 210 mm (8.3 inches) for the GTX 460 v2.

Bus interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 for the RX 550X, PCIe 2.0 x16 for the GTX 460 v2.

Display outputs: 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a for the RX 550X; 2x DVI, 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a for the GTX 460 v2.

API support: DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.3 for the RX 550X; DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, no Vulkan for the GTX 460 v2.

Release dates: the RX 550X launched on 2018-12-15, while the GTX 460 v2 launched on 2011-09-23. The RX 550X has a launch MSRP of none recorded, while the GTX 460 v2 has a launch MSRP of 199 USD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records one direct head-to-head benchmark between these two cards: Geekbench OpenCL. The AMD Radeon RX 550X scores 9662, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2 scores 8743. The RX 550X wins by 10.5%. This is the only shared test, and it determines the win tally: 1 win for the RX 550X, 0 for the GTX 460 v2.

Beyond the head-to-head, the RX 550X also has a Geekbench Vulkan score of 11299, which the GTX 460 v2 cannot match because it has no Vulkan support. The average benchmark score reinforces the OpenCL result: the RX 550X averages 10481, which is 19.9% higher than the GTX 460 v2's 8743.

The RX 550X's nearest rivals in the database further contextualize its performance. It sits within 1.4% of the AMD Radeon RX 6600S (10629) and 1.2% above the AMD Radeon RX 6500M (10362). It is also 0.8% above the NVIDIA Tesla C2075 (10400) and 1% below the AMD Radeon R9 M275X (10582). This places the RX 550X in a tight competitive band around the 10.4k to 10.6k score range.

The GTX 460 v2's nearest rivals show a similar clustering. It is within 0% of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Mobile (8746), 0.7% above the NVIDIA Quadro P2200 (8686), 1.2% below the AMD Radeon R9 M265X (8851), and 1.4% below the AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100 (8863). The GTX 460 v2's 8743 score places it at the lower end of its immediate competitive group.

The 10.5% delta in the head-to-head is significant because it represents a full generation of architectural progress. The RX 550X achieves higher compute throughput with a fraction of the power draw.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Radeon RX 550X wins in every measurable benchmark category recorded. It takes the Geekbench OpenCL test with 9662 versus 8743, and it has an additional Vulkan score of 11299 that the GTX 460 v2 cannot produce. Its average benchmark score of 10481 versus 8743 gives it a clear overall lead. The RX 550X also wins on efficiency: 50 W TDP versus 160 W, no power connectors versus 2x 6-pin, and a 250 W suggested PSU versus 450 W. Its smaller footprint, 145 mm versus 210 mm, makes it fit in more cases. The 4 GB VRAM capacity versus 1024 MB is another decisive win for modern workloads that need more memory.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2 has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its only advantage is in specific hardware traits: it has more texture mapping units (56 versus 32), more ROPs (24 versus 16), and a wider memory bus (192-bit versus 128-bit). Its texture rate of 43.62 GTexel/s exceeds the RX 550X's 37.86 GTexel/s, which suggests it might handle texture-heavy workloads slightly better, but no benchmark in the database confirms this. The GTX 460 v2 also has a higher memory bandwidth by a razor-thin margin: 96.19 GB/s versus 96.00 GB/s, a difference of 0.2% that is practically negligible.

The GTX 460 v2 was released in 2011 with a launch MSRP of 199 USD, making it a historical product. Its PCIe 2.0 x16 interface and 2x DVI plus mini-HDMI outputs reflect its era. The RX 550X, released in 2018, offers modern connectivity with HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4a.

In practical terms, the RX 550X wins for any current use case: compute, general desktop, or light gaming. The GTX 460 v2's only potential niche would be a system that requires its specific texture throughput or wider memory bus, but the lack of Vulkan support and the 1 GB VRAM limit make it unsuitable for modern software. The database verdict is clear: the RX 550X outperforms the GTX 460 v2 in the only recorded comparison, and it does so while consuming less than a third of the power.