NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GT 550M Specifications
GeForce GT 550M GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 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.
GT 550M Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GT 550M'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 GeForce GT 550M by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 550M Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GT 550M'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.
GeForce GT 550M by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GT 550M, 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.
GT 550M Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 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.
Fermi Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M is built on NVIDIA's Fermi 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 GT 550M will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GT 550M Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 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 GeForce GT 550M to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GT 550M by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 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.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M. 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.
GeForce GT 550M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M is manufactured by NVIDIA 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 GeForce GT 550M by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GT 550M Benchmark Scores
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby PerformersAbout NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M is a Fermi-based mobile GPU using the GF108 chip, fabricated by TSMC on a 40 nm process. The die contains 585 million transistors across 116 mm², yielding a transistor density of 5.0M / mm². It belongs to the GeForce 500M generation, with the GeForce 400M as its predecessor and the GeForce 600M as its successor. Released on January 4, 2011, it is now end-of-life. The bus interface is PCIe 2.0 x16, and display outputs are portable-device dependent. In the cataloged Geekbench OpenCL benchmark, the GT 550M scores 2363, placing it at the 13th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in that result include the NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M (2367, delta -0.2%), NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (2377, delta -0.6%), NVIDIA Quadro M1000M (2326, delta +1.6%), and AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB (2402, delta -1.6%).
Who Should Consider It
The GT 550M’s 2363 OpenCL score is not a high-performance result. The 13th percentile rank indicates that only a small slice of the recorded GPU population scores lower, and the vast majority of GPUs in the database sit above it. The data therefore positions the GT 550M as an entry-level mobile part, best matched to workloads that do not demand large memory transfers or high fill-rate throughput.
Because the nearest rivals — GT 630M and MX150 — are separated from the GT 550M by only -0.2% and -0.6% respectively, applications that are acceptable on those GPUs should see broadly similar OpenCL compute behavior on the GT 550M. The practical limit is the memory subsystem: 1024 MB of DDR3 over a 128-bit bus at 28.80 GB/s means that working sets and frame buffers must remain modest. For rendering-style workloads, that suggests lower internal resolutions, smaller texture footprints, and conservative settings rather than high-detail configurations.
The API list includes DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, so applications built on those API paths can run, but the underlying throughput figures define a low-end envelope. The pixel rate is 1.900 GPixel/s, the texture rate is 7.600 GTexel/s, and FP32 compute is 182.4 GFLOPS. Those numbers are small enough to make the GT 550M a candidate for legacy laptops, simple 3D applications, and lighter productivity acceleration. It is not a part for high-resolution or high-compute environments, and with no RT or tensor core data recorded, hardware ray tracing and tensor-accelerated workloads are outside its feature set.
How It Compares
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
The GT 630M averages 2367 in the same OpenCL test, while the GT 550M scores 2363. The delta is -0.2%, meaning the GT 550M trails by two tenths of a percent. For all practical purposes, the data treats these two as equivalent compute performers. This is the closest rival margin in the entire group and suggests that any performance distinction between the two would be difficult to observe in normal application workloads.
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
The MX150 averages 2377, which is 0.6% higher than the GT 550M’s 2363. Although the MX150 is the faster part in this pairing, the gap is sub-percent. The GT 550M remains inside the same immediate performance cluster. A user moving between these two mobile GPUs would likely see similar OpenCL throughput, with the MX150 holding a very narrow numerical advantage.
NVIDIA Quadro M1000M
The Quadro M1000M averages 2326, which is 1.6% lower than the GT 550M. This is the only rival in the list that the GT 550M leads. The +1.6% delta indicates that, in this OpenCL compute benchmark, the GT 550M is the faster product despite the workstation-oriented Quadro branding. The margin is still small, but it is the largest absolute advantage the GT 550M holds against any of its nearest rivals.
AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB
The AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB averages 2402, which is 1.6% higher than the GT 550M. This is the fastest score in the nearest-rival set, putting the GT 550M at the lower end of the group. Even so, the delta is only -1.6%, so in this specific OpenCL result the RX 6750 GRE 12 GB is far from a blowout. The entire cluster from 2326 to 2402 covers a narrow band, and the GT 550M sits just below the top of that cluster.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The data records null values for both RT cores and tensor cores. That means the GT 550M’s feature list does not include hardware ray tracing units or tensor cores. This is consistent with a Fermi-era architecture built around more traditional rasterization and shader work.
The GPU uses the GF108 chip, and the shader configuration includes 96 shading units, 16 texture mapping units, and 4 ROPs. Fixed-function throughput is modest: 1.900 GPixel/s pixel fill and 7.600 GTexel/s texture fill. FP32 performance is 182.4 GFLOPS, which represents the raw compute ceiling for shader operations.
On the API side, the GT 550M supports DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6. Vulkan is not recorded in the data, so no Vulkan-based workload conclusions should be drawn from this entry. The presence of DirectX 12 (11_0) is notable for a GPU of this generation, but the overall feature context remains that of a low-throughput mobile Fermi part with no ray tracing or tensor acceleration.
FAQ
Q: Does the GeForce GT 550M have hardware ray tracing cores?
A: No. The RT core field in the data is null. The architecture is Fermi, and the feature set does not include ray tracing hardware.
Q: What API versions are supported?
A: DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6 are listed. Vulkan is not listed in the data.
Q: How much memory does the GT 550M have, and what is its bandwidth?
A: It has 1024 MB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus, with a memory clock of 900 MHz (1800 Mbps effective) and 28.80 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What is the TDP, and does it require external power connectors?
A: The TDP is 35 W. Power connectors are listed as “None,” and the slot width is IGP, so no auxiliary power connector is expected.
Q: How does the GT 550M compare to the GT 630M?
A: The GT 630M averages 2367 in Geekbench OpenCL, while the GT 550M averages 2363, for a delta of -0.2%. They are effectively tied in this benchmark.
Q: Where does the GT 550M rank among all GPUs?
A: It sits at the 13th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2363.
Power and Cooling
The GT 550M has a TDP of 35 W, which is a modest power envelope for a mobile GPU. The power connector field is “None,” meaning the data does not list any auxiliary power connections. The slot width is IGP, indicating that this is an integrated graphics package rather than a discrete expansion card.
No suggested PSU is recorded in the data, which is unsurprising given the integrated nature of the part. Display outputs are listed as portable-device dependent, so the physical display connections are determined by the laptop implementation. Cooling is likewise handled by the host platform; there is no separate cooler or fan data in the record. The combination of 35 W TDP and no auxiliary power connectors suggests that system power delivery is handled through the motherboard or mobile platform rather than through a dedicated graphics power cable.
Memory Subsystem
The memory subsystem consists of 1024 MB of DDR3 memory on a 128-bit bus. The memory clock is 900 MHz, or 1800 Mbps effective, and the resulting bandwidth is 28.80 GB/s. This is a modest bandwidth figure, and it has direct consequences for high-resolution and texture-heavy workloads.
A 128-bit bus paired with a 900 MHz memory clock produces a fixed data transfer ceiling of 28.80 GB/s. For workloads that stream large amounts of texture data or use high-resolution framebuffers, the memory bus is likely to be a limiting factor. The 1024 MB capacity also places a hard ceiling on the total amount of data that can reside on the GPU at once. Therefore, the data-supported recommendation is to keep settings and resolutions low enough to fit inside both the capacity and bandwidth of the memory subsystem.
At high resolutions, the 28.80 GB/s bandwidth becomes especially restrictive. The GPU would need to move more pixel and texture data across the same 128-bit bus, and the 900 MHz clock cannot provide the transfer rates expected by modern high-end workloads. The result is that the GT 550M is best suited to lighter memory loads where the 1024 MB capacity and 28.80 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient.
Benchmark Performance
The only benchmark score recorded for the GT 550M is Geekbench OpenCL, with a score of 2363. The average benchmark score is also 2363, meaning there is no additional benchmark variation in the data. In the overall ranking, the GT 550M sits at the 13th percentile of all GPUs, a low absolute position.
Comparing directly to the nearest rivals, the GT 550M trails the GT 630M by -0.2% (2367 vs. 2363), trails the MX150 by -0.6% (2377 vs. 2363), leads the Quadro M1000M by +1.6% (2363 vs. 2326), and trails the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB by -1.6% (2402 vs. 2363).
The most notable pattern in the data is the narrow spread among these five products. The closest slower rival is the GT 630M at 2367, and the closest faster rival is the RX 6750 GRE 12 GB at 2402. The GT 550M’s strongest head-to-head result is against the Quadro M1000M, which it leads by 1.6%. Its weakest result is against the RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, which leads by 1.6%.
Because the cataloged score is an OpenCL compute result, it does not by itself provide a complete gaming or rendering picture. What the data does show is that the GT 550M occupies a narrow performance band just below the GT 630M and MX150, just above the Quadro M1000M, and within 1.6% of the RX 6750 GRE 12 GB in this particular benchmark. Given the 13th percentile rank, however, this close grouping occurs near the lower end of the overall GPU performance distribution.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GT 550M
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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