ATI Radeon HD 3550

The ATI Radeon HD 3550 is an end-of-life graphics card from AMD, built on the RV620 chip using the TeraScale architecture. Manufactured on TSMC's 55 nm process, the die integrates 181 million transistors on a 67 mm² package, yielding a transistor density of 2.7M per square millimeter. Released in 2008, it sits at the 50th percentile of all GPUs in the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of zero, indicating a baseline entry-level position.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the HD 3550 shows a 50th percentile placement across all GPUs, but the average benchmark score is recorded as zero. This indicates that no populated benchmark runs exist for this SKU in the database, so performance must be inferred from the architectural specifications. The FP32 compute is rated at 47.52 GFLOPS, a figure that reflects the 40 shading units. The pixel rate of 2.376 GPixel/s and texture rate of 2.376 GTexel/s are identical, which is characteristic of a design with 4 ROPs and 4 TMUs. These numbers indicate a part designed for basic 3D acceleration rather than high-end rendering. In the absence of rival scores, the percentile field serves as the only comparative metric, placing this card exactly at the midpoint of all GPUs tracked by the database. The 47.52 GFLOPS throughput is modest, and the 2.376 GPixel/s fill rate limits the card to low fill-rate scenarios. The 2.376 GTexel/s texture rate similarly caps the complexity of scenes that can be rendered. Taken together, the data suggests that the HD 3550 is a capable entry-level part for its generation, but it lacks the headroom for demanding workloads. The 50th percentile is a median position, implying that half of all GPUs are faster and half are slower, though the zero average score complicates direct interpretation. The 181 million transistor count and 67 mm² die size are small, which is consistent with a low-end chip. The 55 nm process allows for a reasonable balance of density and power, but the raw compute figures remain the limiting factor. The 2.7M per square millimeter transistor density is a measure of the design's efficiency, but it does not translate into high absolute performance. For any application requiring more than a few hundred GFLOPS, this card will be inadequate. The 4 TMUs and 4 ROPs are the smallest configuration in the TeraScale lineup, further underscoring the entry-level nature.

Power and Cooling

The HD 3550 carries a TDP of 30 W, a low figure that allows it to be powered entirely through the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot, as indicated by the absence of power connectors. The suggested PSU of 200 W is modest, making it suitable for systems with small power supplies. The single-slot design and lack of connectors simplify installation. The 55 nm process and 67 mm² die size contribute to the low thermal envelope, and the 181 million transistor count is modest, further reducing power demands. With no auxiliary power required, the card is plug-and-play for most motherboards. The 30 W TDP means that cooling requirements are minimal, and a passive or low-profile cooler would suffice, though the card is specified as single-slot. The 200 W suggested PSU provides ample headroom, as the card's own draw is only 30 W. This makes the HD 3550 an excellent choice for legacy systems with limited power delivery. The 55 nm manufacturing process is relatively mature for the era, and the small die size helps in keeping the TDP at 30 W. The absence of power connectors means that the card draws all its power from the PCIe slot, which is a standard configuration for low-power parts. The 200 W PSU recommendation is conservative, as the card's actual consumption is a fraction of that. The single-slot form factor ensures compatibility with most chassis, and the lack of a supplemental power connector reduces cable clutter. For users building a low-power HTPC or a basic office machine, the HD 3550's power profile is a strong asset.

Who Should Consider It

Given the 47.52 GFLOPS compute and 6.336 GB/s bandwidth, the HD 3550 is suited for low-resolution gaming and older DirectX 10.1 titles. The 512 MB VRAM and 64-bit bus limit high-resolution textures, making the card inadequate for modern games at high settings. The 2x DisplayPort outputs suggest a focus on multi-monitor desktop use rather than heavy 3D rendering. Users running demanding applications will find the pixel rate of 2.376 GPixel/s a bottleneck, as it caps the fill rate. The card's 50th percentile standing implies it is neither a bottom-tier nor a top-tier part, but for its era it could handle basic 3D workloads. For users with a 200 W PSU, the 30 W TDP is well within limits. The card's DirectX 10.1 support and OpenGL 3.3 compatibility make it suitable for older software libraries. However, the lack of Vulkan support limits its utility in modern cross-platform titles. The 2x DisplayPort outputs are a notable feature, allowing dual-monitor setups without adapters. For users who prioritize low power consumption and basic display output, the HD 3550 fits the bill, but for high-resolution gaming, the memory bandwidth and fill rate are insufficient. The 512 MB frame buffer is too small for current texture-heavy games, and the 6.336 GB/s bandwidth will saturate quickly. The 2.376 GPixel/s fill rate is sufficient for 2D desktop work and light 3D, but not for immersive environments. The card is best suited for users who need a silent, low-power solution for office productivity, web browsing, and legacy gaming.

How It Compares

The benchmark database lists no nearest rivals for the ATI Radeon HD 3550. Consequently, direct percentage deltas against competing parts cannot be computed. The card's 50th percentile standing is the only relative anchor, placing it at the median of all GPUs tracked. Without rival data, the analysis relies on absolute metrics: the 47.52 GFLOPS FP32 and 6.336 GB/s bandwidth. The pixel rate of 2.376 GPixel/s and texture rate of 2.376 GTexel/s are also key indicators. Since no rival names or scores are provided, any comparison would be speculative. The data simply shows a card that sits in the middle of the distribution, with no reference points to establish superiority or deficiency. The 50th percentile is a neutral position, but the zero average benchmark score suggests that the card has not been tested in the database, making even that percentile a placeholder. The lack of rivals also means that the card's performance relative to its immediate predecessors or successors, such as the Radeon R500 PCIe or Radeon R700, cannot be quantified. The data is clear: without nearest rival entries, the HD 3550 must be evaluated on its own specifications. The 50th percentile is a statistical artifact, but it does provide a general sense of where the card falls in the broader GPU landscape. However, the absence of any rival scores means that the card's competitive positioning is entirely unknown. The 47.52 GFLOPS and 6.336 GB/s are the only quantitative anchors, and they point to a low-end part.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem consists of 512 MB of DDR2 on a 64-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 6.336 GB/s. The effective memory clock of 792 Mbps is derived from a 396 MHz base. This bandwidth is a critical constraint for high-resolution workloads, as the 64-bit interface halves the data path compared to wider buses. The 512 MB capacity is small by modern standards, limiting texture buffering and frame buffer size. For the HD 3550, the memory subsystem is the primary bottleneck in any 3D application, as the compute rates (47.52 GFLOPS) outpace the ability to feed data. The 2.376 GPixel/s fill rate, however, aligns with the bandwidth, suggesting a balanced design for low-resolution output. The 64-bit bus width directly limits the amount of data that can be transferred per clock, and the DDR2 type, combined with the 396 MHz memory clock, produces a low peak bandwidth. At high resolutions, the 6.336 GB/s bandwidth will be saturated quickly, causing frame drops. The 512 MB frame buffer also limits the ability to store large textures, making the card best suited for low resolutions. The 792 Mbps effective data rate is a modest figure, and the 64-bit interface means that only 8 bytes are transferred per clock cycle. This is a significant limitation for any 3D rendering, but it is consistent with the card's entry-level positioning. The 396 MHz memory clock is the base frequency, and the 792 Mbps effective rate is double data rate. The 64-bit bus width is a common configuration for low-end cards, as it reduces the pin count and cost. The 6.336 GB/s bandwidth is enough for 2D desktop work and low-resolution 3D, but it will struggle with any texture-heavy load. The 512 MB capacity is a legacy figure, as modern games require multiple gigabytes. The memory subsystem is the most limiting aspect of the HD 3550, and it directly impacts the card's ability to handle high resolutions and advanced effects.