AMD Radeon RX 550X
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDAMD Radeon RX 550X Specifications
Radeon RX 550X GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The AMD Radeon RX 550X 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 550X Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the Radeon RX 550X'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 550X by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's Radeon RX 550X Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The Radeon RX 550X'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 550X by AMD Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the RX 550X, 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 550X Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the AMD Radeon RX 550X 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 550X 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 550X will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's Radeon RX 550X Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the AMD Radeon RX 550X 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 550X to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
Radeon RX 550X by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the AMD Radeon RX 550X 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 550X. 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 550X Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Radeon RX 550X 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 550X by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
Radeon RX 550X Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how AMD Radeon RX 550X handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performersgeekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how AMD Radeon RX 550X performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About AMD Radeon RX 550X
The AMD Radeon RX 550X is a modest, end-of-life entry-level graphics card built on the 14nm GCN 4.0 architecture with the Lexa chip. Its average benchmark score of 10095 places it at the 47th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it sits near the middle of the pack for low-end hardware. The data shows a card that trades blows with professional and older mobile parts, rather than one that delivers a decisive generational leap. This analysis details its performance, memory subsystem, and positioning against its nearest measured rivals.
Benchmark Performance
The RX 550X’s average benchmark score of 10095 is derived from two specific tests: a Geekbench OpenCL score of 9025 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 11165. The Vulkan result is notably stronger, suggesting the architecture handles modern low-level APIs more efficiently than legacy compute workloads. This gap of over 2000 points between the two APIs indicates that real-world performance will vary significantly depending on the software's graphics API.
Comparing to its direct rivals, the RX 550X is effectively in a statistical dead heat with the NVIDIA Quadro P4000, which scores 10134. The delta of -0.4% means the RX 550X trails the Quadro by less than half a percentage point, a margin that is negligible in practical terms. Against the AMD Radeon R9 M375, the RX 550X leads by 0.9%, with a score of 10001. This is a slim victory, showing that the newer 500X series does not offer a massive improvement over older mobile Radeon parts. The gap to the Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580 is similarly tight, with the RX 550X trailing by 0.9% (10189 vs. 10095). Finally, the RX 550X edges out the AMD FirePro W5000 by 1.0%, as that card scores 9999.
The most striking takeaway is how clustered these results are. With deltas of roughly 1% or less in either direction, the RX 550X is not categorically faster or slower than any of its nearest rivals. It exists in a performance tier where architectural differences and driver optimizations will matter more than raw compute potential. The 47th percentile ranking confirms this is a middle-of-the-road performer for its era, not a value standout and not a weakling. The FP32 throughput of 1,211.4 GFLOPS and texture rate of 37.86 GTexel/s are respectable for a 50W part, but they do not translate into class-leading benchmark victories.
Who Should Consider It
Given its performance profile, the RX 550X is suited for users targeting 1080p gaming at low to medium settings in older or less demanding titles. The data does not support its use for high-refresh-rate or high-resolution gaming, as its compute scores are too close to older rivals like the R9 M375 to suggest any modern AAA capability at high presets. The Vulkan score of 11165 does hint that games leveraging Vulkan’s low overhead could run better than those using DirectX 12, but this remains an entry-level experience.
Users with a 4GB frame buffer will find it adequate for eSports titles and indie games, but not for texture-heavy modern releases. The card is a better fit for a secondary PC, a basic multimedia machine, or a light gaming rig where the primary goal is 1080p at 60fps in games from several years ago. It is not for enthusiasts or those seeking future-proofing, as the 47th percentile ranking places it below the median of all GPUs. Resolution-wise, the data suggests that 1440p or 4K gaming is out of reach; the 96.00 GB/s bandwidth and 16 ROPs would bottleneck any such workload severely.
For productivity, the OpenCL score of 9025 is the relevant metric. This indicates the card can handle basic GPU-accelerated tasks like video transcoding or photo editing, but it will not accelerate heavy 3D rendering or machine learning workloads. The 1,211.4 GFLOPS FP32 performance is entry-level, so any compute task that relies on raw FP32 will be slow. In short, this is a card for budget-conscious builders who need a display output and light gaming, not for demanding users.
Memory Subsystem
The RX 550X comes equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus. This configuration yields a memory bandwidth of 96.00 GB/s, a figure that is modest by modern standards but consistent with its 2018 release. The memory clock runs at 1500 MHz, translating to 6 Gbps effective. For a card in this tier, 4 GB is a reasonable amount, allowing for 1080p textures in most games without exceeding the frame buffer.
The 128-bit bus width is the primary limiting factor for high resolutions. At 1440p or 4K, the 96.00 GB/s bandwidth becomes a severe bottleneck, as the GPU cannot fetch texture data fast enough to keep up with the demands of high-res rendering. The pixel rate of 18.93 GPixel/s and texture rate of 37.86 GTexel/s further reinforce this limitation; these figures are too low for high-resolution fill-rate requirements. In practice, this means the memory subsystem is balanced for 1080p, where the bandwidth is sufficient for the low-to-medium settings this card can handle.
Compared to rivals, the bandwidth is competitive but not superior. The Quadro P4000 and FirePro W5000 are professional cards with different memory configurations, but the benchmark data shows they perform within 1% of the RX 550X, suggesting that the 96.00 GB/s is not a disadvantage in the tested workloads. The 4 GB capacity is a positive for modern games that often exceed 2 GB at 1080p, but the narrow bus ensures that capacity is never fully utilized at higher resolutions.
How It Compares
vs. NVIDIA Quadro P4000: The RX 550X trails the Quadro by a mere 0.4% in average score (10095 vs. 10134). In practice, these cards are performance equals, despite the Quadro’s professional market positioning. The data shows no meaningful advantage for either card in general compute benchmarks, making the choice dependent on driver features rather than raw speed.
vs. AMD Radeon R9 M375: The RX 550X leads the older R9 M375 by 0.9% (10095 vs. 10001). This is a narrow victory that underscores the incremental nature of the 500X refresh. The performance gain is real but not transformative, indicating that the RX 550X is only slightly faster than a previous-generation mobile part.
vs. Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580: The RX 550X falls behind the Intel integrated solution by 0.9% (10095 vs. 10189). This is a surprising result, showing that top-end integrated graphics can match a discrete low-end card. The data suggests that for light workloads, a powerful iGPU is a viable alternative to this RX 550X.
vs. AMD FirePro W5000: The RX 550X outperforms the FirePro W5000 by 1.0% (10095 vs. 9999). This is the largest delta in the rival group, but still small. The victory shows that the newer GCN 4.0 architecture has a slight edge over the older FirePro, but the performance class is identical.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the AMD Radeon RX 550X?
A: The RX 550X has an average benchmark score of 10095, derived from a Geekbench OpenCL score of 9025 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 11165.
Q: How does the RX 550X compare to the NVIDIA Quadro P4000?
A: The RX 550X is 0.4% slower than the Quadro P4000, which scores 10134. This is a negligible difference, placing them in the same performance tier.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the RX 550X?
A: The card features 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 96.00 GB/s. The memory runs at 1500 MHz, or 6 Gbps effective.
Q: Is the RX 550X capable of ray tracing?
A: The fact pack lists no RT cores for this card. It is based on GCN 4.0 architecture, which predates dedicated ray tracing hardware.
Q: What is the power consumption of the RX 550X?
A: The RX 550X has a TDP of 50 W. The suggested power supply is 250 W, and the card requires no external power connectors.
Q: Does the RX 550X support Vulkan?
A: Yes, it supports Vulkan 1.3, along with DirectX 12 (12_0) and OpenGL 4.6. The Vulkan benchmark score of 11165 is higher than its OpenCL score.
Power and Cooling
The RX 550X is a highly efficient card, with a TDP of only 50 W. This low power draw means it does not require any external power connectors; the slot alone provides sufficient power. AMD recommends a 250 W power supply, which is a modest requirement that makes this card compatible with most pre-built office PCs or small form factor systems. The dual-slot design is larger than necessary for a 50W card, but it allows for a passive or low-speed fan solution that keeps noise minimal.
The board is 145 mm (5.7 inches) in length, making it a compact addition to any case. With no power connectors, cable management is simplified. The cooling solution is not specified in the data, but the low TDP suggests that a capable air cooler is sufficient. Users upgrading an older system will find the 250 W PSU recommendation easy to meet, as most standard desktops have at least this capacity. The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface is also a minor consideration; it offers half the bandwidth of x16, but for a card of this performance level, the limitation is negligible in practice.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The RX 550X does not include any RT cores or tensor cores, as the GCN 4.0 architecture predates AMD’s dedicated ray tracing hardware. Consequently, ray-traced effects are not supported in hardware, and any such workload would fall back to compute shaders, which would be prohibitively slow given the 1,211.4 GFLOPS FP32 performance. The card’s feature set is instead defined by its API support: DirectX 12 (12_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.3. This ensures broad compatibility with modern titles, even if visual features must be dialed back.
The display outputs include 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0b, and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a, allowing for multi-monitor setups up to 4K output. The HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4a support modern monitors, though the GPU’s compute limits mean high-resolution gaming is not viable. The FP32 and FP16 performance are identical at 1,211.4 GFLOPS (1:1 ratio), indicating no special half-precision acceleration. This makes the card a poor choice for AI or machine learning tasks, which typically benefit from boosted FP16 throughput. In essence, the RX 550X is a straightforward rasterization card for legacy and light-duty use.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of Radeon RX 550X
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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