CPU
GPU
FireStream 9170
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 555M
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The FireStream 9170 is positioned at rank 393 and the GeForce GT 555M is on rank 95, so the GeForce GT 555M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FireStream 9170
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 555M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GT 555M is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the FireStream 9170.
| Insight | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The FireStream 9170 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FireStream 9170 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $35), it costs 43% less, resulting in a 74.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+74.5%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($35) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FireStream 9170 and GeForce GT 555M
FireStream 9170
The FireStream 9170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 23 2010. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 825 MHz. It has 1600 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 647 points.
GeForce GT 555M
The GeForce GT 555M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 25 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 980 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 649 points.
Graphics Performance
The FireStream 9170 scores 647 and the GeForce GT 555M reaches 649 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The FireStream 9170 is built on TeraScale 2 while the GeForce GT 555M uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,600 (FireStream 9170) vs 384 (GeForce GT 555M). Raw compute: 2.64 TFLOPS (FireStream 9170) vs 0.7526 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 555M).
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 647 | 649 |
| Architecture | TeraScale 2 | Kepler |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1600+317% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.64 TFLOPS+251% | 0.7526 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 80+150% | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 160 KB+400% | 32 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The FireStream 9170 comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 555M has 1 GB. The GeForce GT 555M offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (FireStream 9170) vs 256 KB (GeForce GT 555M) — the FireStream 9170 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 1 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 128-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (FireStream 9170) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GT 555M). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 0.
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 12 (11_0)+19% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 0 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (FireStream 9170) vs None (GeForce GT 555M). Decoder: UVD+ vs PureVideo HD (VP4). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (FireStream 9170) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4 (GeForce GT 555M).
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | None |
| Decoder | UVD+ | PureVideo HD (VP4) |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4 |
Power & Dimensions
The FireStream 9170 draws 225W versus the GeForce GT 555M's 50W — a 127.3% difference. The GeForce GT 555M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FireStream 9170) vs 350W (GeForce GT 555M). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 241mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 225W | 50W-78% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 241mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 2.9 | 13.0+348% |
Value Analysis
The FireStream 9170 costs 42.9% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 32.4 (FireStream 9170) vs 18.5 (GeForce GT 555M) — the FireStream 9170 offers 75.1% better value. The GeForce GT 555M is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2010).
| Feature | FireStream 9170 | GeForce GT 555M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1999 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-43% | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 32.4+75% | 18.5 |
| Codename | Cypress | GK107 |
| Release | June 23 2010 | June 25 2013 |
| Ranking | #631 | #726 |
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