ATI Radeon 9550 XT
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
AMDATI Radeon 9550 XT Specifications
ATI Radeon 9550 XT GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The ATI Radeon 9550 XT 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.
ATI Radeon 9550 XT Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the ATI Radeon 9550 XT'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 ATI Radeon 9550 XT by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's ATI Radeon 9550 XT Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ATI Radeon 9550 XT'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.
ATI Radeon 9550 XT Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the ATI Radeon 9550 XT 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.
R300 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The ATI Radeon 9550 XT is built on AMD's R300 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 ATI Radeon 9550 XT will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's ATI Radeon 9550 XT Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the ATI Radeon 9550 XT 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 ATI Radeon 9550 XT to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
ATI Radeon 9550 XT by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the ATI Radeon 9550 XT 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 ATI Radeon 9550 XT. 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.
ATI Radeon 9550 XT Product Information
Release and pricing details
The ATI Radeon 9550 XT 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 ATI Radeon 9550 XT by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
ATI Radeon 9550 XT Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About ATI Radeon 9550 XT
The ATI Radeon 9550 XT is an end-of-life graphics card from AMD, built on the RV350 chip with the R300 architecture. Fabricated on a 130 nm process at TSMC, it packs 60 million transistors onto a 76 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 789.5K per square millimeter. Released on May 3, 2005, it occupies the 50th percentile of all GPUs in the database, indicating a median standing in the performance hierarchy. The card uses an AGP 8x bus interface and is a single-slot design with no auxiliary power connectors.
Benchmark Performance
The FACT PACK records no benchmark scores for this card, with an average benchmark score of 0. This absence of data means the database holds no sampled performance measurements. However, the percentileVsAllGpus field places it at the 50th percentile. This is a critical anchor: exactly half of all GPUs in the database are slower, and half are faster. The card's pixel rate is 1.700 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 1.700 GTexel/s. These two figures are identical, which is a hallmark of a balanced fill-rate design. With 4 texture mapping units and 4 render output units, the card's parallelism is limited. The data suggests a symmetrical workload capacity: the pixel pipeline and texture pipeline operate at the same throughput.
Because no rival scores are provided in the nearestRivals array, no deltaPct values can be computed. The 50th percentile is the only comparative metric available. This implies a mid-pack position, not a flagship nor an entry-level part. The lack of benchmark data means that real-world performance must be inferred from the fill rates and memory subsystem. The 1.700 GTexel/s texture rate is a hard ceiling for texture-heavy scenes. Similarly, the 1.700 GPixel/s pixel rate caps the number of pixels that can be shaded per second. These numbers are modest by later standards, but for a 2005 release, they represent a specific performance tier. The architecture is R300, which supports DirectX 9.0 with the 9_0 feature level. This places it in the era of early Shader Model 2.0 games. The 50th percentile is a statistical median, but without scores, we cannot say how close it is to the next faster or slower card. The data leaves a question: does the 50th percentile reflect a wide spread or a dense cluster? Without rival deltas, that remains open.
Power and Cooling
The FACT PACK does not specify a TDP for the Radeon 9550 XT. This omission is notable; power draw must be discussed qualitatively. The card is single-slot and requires no power connectors. This is a strong indicator of a low-power design. The suggested PSU is 200 W. This is a concrete figure that tells users the minimum power supply capacity expected. The absence of power connectors means the card draws all its power from the AGP 8x bus slot. The 130 nm process node at TSMC is a mature manufacturing process. The 60 million transistors on a 76 mm² die suggest a relatively compact chip. The transistor density of 789.5K per square millimeter is a physical property of the design.
Without a TDP number, we cannot quantify heat output. However, the single-slot cooler and lack of auxiliary power connectors imply that a simple passive or low-profile active cooler suffices. The 200 W PSU recommendation is a system-level requirement, not a card-level draw. This suggests that the card itself is power-frugal. The AGP 8x interface is a legacy bus standard. The data shows no auxiliary power requirements, which is a benefit for older systems with limited power supplies. The lack of a TDP means that thermal management is straightforward. The 130 nm node is relatively large by modern standards, but it was efficient for its time. The card's end-of-life status means it is no longer in production, but its power characteristics remain relevant for retro builds.
Memory Subsystem
The Radeon 9550 XT is equipped with 128 MB of DDR memory. The memory type is DDR, not GDDR. The bus width is 128 bit. The memory clock is 325 MHz, with an effective data rate of 650 Mbps. This yields a memory bandwidth of 10.40 GB/s. This bandwidth is a critical bottleneck for high-resolution gaming. At higher resolutions, the demand for texture data and framebuffer writes increases. The 128 MB capacity is also a limitation. In 2005, 128 MB was a common amount, but it restricts the size of textures and framebuffers. The 128-bit bus is a standard width, but the relatively low clock speed caps the bandwidth. The 10.40 GB/s figure is the maximum theoretical bandwidth.
The pixel rate of 1.700 GPixel/s and the bandwidth of 10.40 GB/s are the two key throughput figures. The data shows that the memory subsystem is balanced for its fill rate, but not generous. For high resolutions, the 128 MB capacity will force the card to rely on system memory via AGP, which is slower. The 650 Mbps effective memory speed is a specific figure. The 325 MHz clock is the base. The DDR type means data is transferred on both edges of the clock, doubling the effective rate. The bus width of 128 bit is a fixed hardware parameter. The bandwidth of 10.40 GB/s is the product of the bus width and the effective clock. This is a classic calculation. The memory subsystem is a clear weak point for high-resolution workloads.
Who Should Consider It
Given the 50th percentile standing, the Radeon 9550 XT is a median performer. It is not a high-end card. The data suggests it is suitable for moderate settings and lower resolutions. The 128 MB VRAM and 10.40 GB/s bandwidth are the primary constraints. For games from its release era (2005), it could handle typical resolutions, but the exact values are not in the FACT PACK. The card supports DirectX 9.0, so it can run games that use that API. The 4 TMUs and 4 ROPs limit the complexity of effects. The 50th percentile means it will outperform half of the GPUs in the database, but underperform the other half.
The card's single-slot design and no power connectors make it easy to install in older AGP systems. The suggested PSU of 200 W is a low bar. The card is end-of-life, so it is only relevant for legacy systems or retro gaming. The data indicates that it is not suitable for high resolutions or demanding modern titles. The memory bandwidth of 10.40 GB/s is a hard limit. The pixel rate of 1.700 GPixel/s is also a limit. Users who play older titles with low system requirements will find it adequate. Those who want to play at high resolutions with anti-aliasing will hit the memory bandwidth wall quickly.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The FACT PACK lists no ray tracing cores (rtCores: null) and no tensor cores (tensorCores: null). This means the card has no dedicated hardware for ray tracing or AI acceleration. The API support is limited to DirectX 9.0 (9_0) and OpenGL 2.0. No Vulkan support is listed (null). The feature set is fixed-function for its era. The R300 architecture is the base. The card has 4 texture mapping units and 4 render output units. The pixel rate and texture rate are both 1.700. This indicates a symmetrical design. The absence of RT and tensor cores means that any ray tracing would be software-based, which is impractical given the fill rates.
The DirectX 9.0 support allows for Shader Model 2.0 features. OpenGL 2.0 provides a cross-platform API. The card's feature set is defined by its architecture, not by any specialized units. The 4 ROPs are responsible for pixel output. The 4 TMUs handle texture filtering. The data shows no support for modern APIs like Vulkan. The card is strictly a legacy part. The 50th percentile is a performance metric, not a feature metric. The feature set is limited to what was available in 2005. The lack of RT cores is expected for that generation. The lack of tensor cores is also expected. The card's value lies in its compatibility with older software, not in modern features.
FAQ
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the ATI Radeon 9550 XT?
A: The memory bandwidth is 10.40 GB/s, derived from a 128-bit bus and DDR memory running at 325 MHz (650 Mbps effective).
Q: Does the card require any power connectors?
A: No. The FACT PACK lists "None" for power connectors, and the suggested PSU is 200 W.
Q: What is the process node and transistor count?
A: The card is fabricated on a 130 nm process at TSMC, with 60 million transistors on a 76 mm² die.
Q: What is the release date of this card?
A: The release date is May 3, 2005.
Q: What is the bus interface?
A: The card uses an AGP 8x bus interface.
Q: What is the pixel rate?
A: The pixel rate is 1.700 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is also 1.700 GTexel/s.
Q: How many ROPs and TMUs does it have?
A: It has 4 render output units (ROPs) and 4 texture mapping units (TMUs).
Q: What is the percentile rank of this GPU?
A: It is at the 50th percentile of all GPUs in the database.
How It Compares
The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the Radeon 9550 XT. The nearestRivals array is empty. This means the database has no comparative scores or deltaPct values for this card. Without rival data, we cannot state percentage differences. The only comparative metric is the 50th percentile, which places it exactly in the middle of the database. This is a statistical anchor. The card's predecessor is the Radeon R200 series, and its successor is the Radeon R400 AGP. These are generational markers, not performance comparisons.
The 50th percentile implies that half of all GPUs are faster and half are slower. The absence of rival data prevents a detailed competitive analysis. The card's performance must be judged on its own fill rates and memory bandwidth. The 1.700 GPixel/s and 1.700 GTexel/s are its defining throughput figures. The 128 MB memory and 10.40 GB/s bandwidth are its memory constraints. Compared to the broader database, it is a median performer. The lack of benchmark scores (average score 0) means that the percentile is based on other criteria or is a placeholder. The data shows a card that is neither a leader nor a laggard. Its position is defined by the 50th percentile, which is a clear, unambiguous ranking. Without rivals, the comparison is limited to this single statistic.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of ATI Radeon 9550 XT
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