AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon RX 550 512SP Specifications
Radeon RX 550 512SP GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
RX 550 512SP Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon RX 550 512SP's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The Radeon RX 550 512SP by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon RX 550 512SP Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon RX 550 512SP's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
Radeon RX 550 512SP by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the RX 550 512SP, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
RX 550 512SP Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
GCN 4.0 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP is built on AMD's GCN 4.0 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the RX 550 512SP will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon RX 550 512SP Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the Radeon RX 550 512SP to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon RX 550 512SP by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
AMD API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
Radeon RX 550 512SP Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the Radeon RX 550 512SP by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon RX 550 512SP Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP
The AMD Radeon RX 550 512SP is a compact, low-power graphics card built on the 14nm Polaris generation architecture, specifically the Baffin chip using GCN 4.0. With a 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs, it is positioned strictly as an entry-level solution, and its benchmark data reflects a card designed for basic computing tasks and light gaming rather than high-performance workloads. This analysis interprets the available specifications and performance metrics to provide a practical assessment for potential users.
Benchmark Performance
The RX 550 512SP's performance profile is defined by its modest compute capabilities, with an FP32 throughput of 1,096.7 GFLOPS. This figure, paired with a texture fill rate of 34.27 GTexel/s and a pixel rate of 17.14 GPixel/s, indicates that the card is suited for resolutions up to 1080p with reduced graphical settings. The data shows that this card is not intended for competitive frame rates in modern titles; instead, it excels in older games, esports titles, or casual indie games where its 512 shading units and 32 texture mapping units can keep up with the workload.
The 50th percentile ranking places it in the exact middle of all GPUs tracked, which is a notable position for such a low-power part. This suggests that while it sits at the bottom of the performance hierarchy for dedicated graphics cards, it still outperforms integrated graphics solutions from the same era. The lack of direct rival benchmarks in the data set means we cannot provide specific percentage deltas, but the combination of a 1019 MHz base clock and 1071 MHz boost clock indicates that the card will deliver consistent, if unspectacular, performance. The 1:1 FP16 to FP32 ratio (both at 1,096.7 GFLOPS) is typical of the GCN architecture and offers no compute advantage for modern AI-accelerated workloads.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The RX 550 512SP lacks dedicated ray tracing cores and tensor cores, as these are not present in the GCN 4.0 architecture. This is a fundamental limitation for any modern gaming scenario that relies on hardware-accelerated ray tracing effects. The card's API support is solid for its age, including DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3, which means it can run games that use these APIs, but it will do so without ray tracing features enabled. For games that offer software-based ray tracing, the performance impact will be severe given the limited compute resources.
The feature set is otherwise standard for the 2017 era, with display outputs including 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0b, and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a. This allows for flexible monitor connectivity, including support for modern high-refresh-rate panels at lower resolutions through DisplayPort. The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface is sufficient for this card's bandwidth needs, as its 96.00 GB/s memory bandwidth does not require the full x16 lane allocation. Users should not expect any form of hardware-accelerated ray tracing or AI-based upscaling, as these technologies were not part of the GCN feature set.
Power and Cooling
Power consumption is the RX 550 512SP's strongest attribute, with a TDP of just 50 W. This makes the card exceptionally easy to cool, and the dual-slot design is likely overkill for the thermal output, but it allows for a passive or semi-passive cooling solution in many models. The card requires no external power connectors, drawing all its power from the PCIe slot, which simplifies installation in almost any desktop PC. The suggested PSU is a modest 250 W unit, which means that even older or low-wattage power supplies can handle this card without issue.
The 14nm manufacturing process from GlobalFoundries contributes to the low power draw, and the 3,000 million transistors on a 123 mm² die are packed at a density of 24.4M / mm². This efficiency is a key selling point for users building a compact or low-noise system. The lack of power connectors also means that cable management is simplified, and the 145 mm (5.7 inches) length ensures compatibility with most small form factor cases. For users upgrading an old office PC or a home theater PC, the low power requirements make the RX 550 512SP a drop-in solution that will not stress existing power delivery systems.
Who Should Consider It
This card is for users who prioritize low power consumption and basic display output over gaming performance. The benchmark data, with its 50th percentile standing, indicates that the RX 550 512SP is suitable for 1080p gaming at low to medium settings in less demanding titles. For esports games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or League of Legends, the card can provide playable frame rates, but users should temper expectations for modern AAA releases. The 2 GB VRAM capacity will be a limiting factor at 1080p in newer titles, often requiring texture quality to be set to low to avoid stuttering.
The card is also a viable option for a basic multimedia PC, where it can decode video and drive multiple displays (up to three via DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort) without taxing the CPU. However, for any user intending to play recent games with ray tracing or high-fidelity graphics, this card is not a suitable choice. The performance data does not support its use beyond the most casual gaming scenarios, and users should consider it a stopgap or a secondary card for a non-gaming rig. It is an end-of-life product, so new stock is limited, but for a specific niche of low-power builds, it fulfills a clear role.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK provides no nearest rivals for the RX 550 512SP, which means a direct comparison with specific percentage deltas is not possible. However, its position in the 50th percentile of all GPUs offers a broad reference point. Compared to its predecessor, Arctic Islands, this card represents a similar architectural approach with refinements in process technology. The successor, Vega, is a significant step up in performance and power, indicating that the RX 550 512SP sits at the bottom of the RX 500 series stack.
Within the Polaris generation, the RX 550 512SP is the entry-level model, with higher-tier Polaris cards offering substantially more compute units and memory bandwidth. The lack of a direct rival in the data set means we cannot quantify its performance against specific competitors, but the 50th percentile ranking suggests it outperforms integrated graphics from the same period while falling far behind any dedicated mid-range card. For users comparing it to other low-profile cards, the key differentiator here is the 50 W TDP, which is among the lowest for any discrete GPU, making it a unique option for ultra-low-power builds.
Memory Subsystem
The RX 550 512SP is equipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory running at 1500 MHz, which translates to 6 Gbps effective data rate. The memory interface is 128 bits wide, resulting in a total bandwidth of 96.00 GB/s. This is a modest amount of bandwidth by modern standards, but it is adequate for the card's compute capabilities. The 2 GB capacity is the primary bottleneck at high resolutions, as modern textures can easily exceed this limit, leading to significant performance drops when the system is forced to use slower system memory as a fallback.
For 1080p gaming, the 96.00 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for the card's 512 shading units, but users should avoid high-resolution texture packs. At 1440p or higher, the memory subsystem will be severely strained, and the card will likely fail to deliver playable frame rates in most games. The 128-bit bus width is typical for this class of card, and the effective 6 Gbps speed is a standard configuration for 2017-era GDDR5. The memory clock of 1500 MHz is not overclocked out of the box, leaving some headroom for enthusiasts, but the overall performance ceiling is strictly limited by the GPU core itself rather than the memory bandwidth.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon RX 550 512SP
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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