NVIDIA GeForce MX550 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Comparison

The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER is a dominant force in this matchup, outperforming the GeForce MX550 by a wide margin in every benchmark where both were tested. The data reveals a stark performance gap, with the RTX 2080 SUPER delivering scores that are multiples of the MX550's results, reinforcing its position as a high-end desktop part against a mobile-focused entry-level chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unequivocal. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, the RTX 2080 SUPER scored 99,226 points, while the MX550 managed only 20,372 points. This represents a massive delta of -79.5% for the MX550, meaning the RTX 2080 SUPER is roughly 3.9 times faster in this compute-oriented workload. The Geekbench Vulkan test tells a similar story, with the RTX 2080 SUPER achieving 111,284 points against the MX550's 32,469 points, a -70.8% delta. This suggests the RTX 2080 SUPER is not only faster in raw compute but also in graphics API-specific performance.

These are not marginal wins; they are complete blowouts. The RTX 2080 SUPER's scores in both tests are over triple those of the MX550. While the MX550 is clearly not designed to compete with a card of this caliber, the sheer scale of the difference highlights the enormous gulf between a low-power integrated-style GPU and a dedicated enthusiast-tier part. The data shows that in any scenario where these two are pitted against each other, the RTX 2080 SUPER will finish the task in a fraction of the time.

Architecture Differences

Both GPUs are built on NVIDIA's Turing architecture and use a 12 nm process node from TSMC, but they are fundamentally different implementations. The MX550 uses the TU117SB chip, a small and power-efficient die measuring 200 mm² with 4,700 million transistors. In contrast, the RTX 2080 SUPER uses the TU104 chip, a much larger and more complex die at 545 mm² with 13,600 million transistors. This size difference alone explains a significant portion of the performance gap, as the RTX 2080 SUPER has nearly three times the transistor count.

The memory subsystems are also worlds apart. The MX550 has 2 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit bus, providing 96.00 GB/s of bandwidth. The RTX 2080 SUPER, however, features 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus, delivering 495.9 GB/s of bandwidth. This is a five-fold increase in memory bandwidth, which is critical for high-resolution textures and complex scenes. Clock speeds also favor the RTX 2080 SUPER, with a base clock of 1650 MHz and boost of 1815 MHz, compared to the MX550's 1065 MHz base and 1320 MHz boost.

The most significant architectural difference is the inclusion of specialized hardware. The RTX 2080 SUPER has 48 RT cores and 384 Tensor cores, enabling hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI features. The MX550 has none, with its RT core and Tensor core counts listed as null. This is a fundamental feature gap that cannot be bridged by clock speeds or memory. The RTX 2080 SUPER also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), while the MX550 is limited to DirectX 12 (12_1). The RTX 2080 SUPER's FP16 performance is also double its FP32 rate (22.30 TFLOPS vs 11.15 TFLOPS), whereas the MX550's FP16 and FP32 are identical at 2.703 TFLOPS, indicating a different compute design.

FAQ

Q: Is the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER faster than the GeForce MX550 in all benchmarks?

A: Yes. In the two head-to-head tests available, the RTX 2080 SUPER won both. It scored 99,226 in Geekbench OpenCL and 111,284 in Geekbench Vulkan, compared to the MX550's 20,372 and 32,469, respectively.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between the two GPUs?

A: The RTX 2080 SUPER is significantly faster. In Geekbench OpenCL, the MX550's score is 79.5% lower than the RTX 2080 SUPER's. In Geekbench Vulkan, the MX550's score is 70.8% lower.

Q: Do both GPUs support the same level of DirectX?

A: No. The RTX 2080 SUPER supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), while the MX550 supports DirectX 12 (12_1). This means the RTX 2080 SUPER is compliant with the latest DirectX feature set.

Q: Which GPU has more memory and bandwidth?

A: The RTX 2080 SUPER has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, resulting in 495.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The MX550 has only 2 GB of GDDR6 on a 64-bit bus, providing 96.00 GB/s.

Q: Does the MX550 have ray tracing or Tensor cores?

A: No. The MX550's specification lists RT cores and Tensor cores as null. The RTX 2080 SUPER has 48 RT cores and 384 Tensor cores.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each GPU?

A: The MX550 has an average benchmark score of 26,421, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs. The RTX 2080 SUPER has an average score of 24,170, placing it in the 69th percentile.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key differences between the two GPUs based on the provided data:

| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce MX550 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Chip | TU117SB | TU104 |

| Transistors | 4,700 million | 13,600 million |

| Die Size | 200 mm² | 545 mm² |

| Base Clock | 1065 MHz | 1650 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 1320 MHz | 1815 MHz |

| Memory Size | 2 GB | 8 GB |

| Memory Bus | 64 bit | 256 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | 96.00 GB/s | 495.9 GB/s |

| Memory Clock | 1500 MHz (12 Gbps effective) | 1937 MHz (15.5 Gbps effective) |

| Shading Units | 1024 | 3072 |

| TMUs | 32 | 192 |

| ROPs | 16 | 64 |

| RT Cores | Not present | 48 |

| Tensor Cores | Not present | 384 |

| Pixel Rate | 21.12 GPixel/s | 116.2 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 42.24 GTexel/s | 348.5 GTexel/s |

| FP32 Performance | 2.703 TFLOPS | 11.15 TFLOPS |

| FP16 Performance | 2.703 TFLOPS (1:1) | 22.30 TFLOPS (2:1) |

| TDP | 25 W | 250 W |

| Slot Width | IGP | Dual-slot |

| Power Connectors | None | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |

| Bus Interface | PCIe 4.0 x8 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |

| Display Outputs | Portable Device Dependent | 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x USB Type-C |

| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |

| Release Date | 2021-12-16 | 2019-07-22 |

Where Each One Wins

The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER wins in every measurable performance category. It absolutely dominates in compute through its higher FP32 and FP16 throughput, and it wins decisively in memory bandwidth and capacity. Its dedicated RT and Tensor cores give it capabilities that the MX550 lacks entirely, making it the only option for hardware-accelerated ray tracing and advanced AI-enhanced features. The RTX 2080 SUPER also has a much higher pixel and texture fill rate, which translates to better performance at high resolutions and with demanding visual effects.

The GeForce MX550's only "wins" are in areas of efficiency and form factor. Its TDP of 25 W is a fraction of the RTX 2080 SUPER's 250 W, and its integrated form factor (IGP) means it requires no power connectors and can be placed in portable devices. It is also a newer product, released in late 2021 compared to mid-2019 for the RTX 2080 SUPER. For a user building a small, low-power system where dedicated graphics are not an option, the MX550 is the only choice. However, in terms of raw performance, it has no advantage.

The Verdict

The data is conclusive: the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER is the vastly superior performer. For anyone needing high frame rates, high resolutions, or compute-intensive workloads, the RTX 2080 SUPER is the clear pick. Its massive lead in benchmark scores, memory bandwidth, and shading units makes it suitable for gaming and content creation. Its support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and hardware ray tracing also future-proofs it for modern titles.

The NVIDIA GeForce MX550, on the other hand, is for a completely different use case. Its low 25 W TDP and integrated design make it ideal for ultra-portable laptops where battery life and heat are more critical than raw performance. It is a capable chip for basic tasks and light gaming, but it is not in the same league as the RTX 2080 SUPER. A user should choose the MX550 only if they are constrained by a portable form factor and have no need for the RTX 2080 SUPER's extensive feature set and performance. For any other purpose, the RTX 2080 SUPER is the only rational choice based on the benchmark data.