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.

GeForce FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5500 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce FX 5200SE

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).
✅Measures 168mm instead of 171mm, a 3mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌2012 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
167.6% HIGHER MSRP
$99 MSRPvs$37 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($99 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
❌500% higher power demand at 150W vs 25W.

GeForce FX 5500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $62 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
✅Delivers 78.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.2 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($37 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
✅GeForce FX 5200SE is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce FX 5500 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 25W instead of 150W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (8 vs 12).
❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 512 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Older hardware, 256 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce FX 5200SE is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 50% in PassMark G3D (12 vs 8), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce FX 5500 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 12nm process instead of 40nm and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2012. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce FX 5500 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $62 cheaper on MSRP at $37 vs $99, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 78.4% (0.2 vs 0.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce FX 5200SE still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce FX 5200SE vs GeForce FX 5500 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce FX 5200SE

The GeForce FX 5200SE is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2012. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 736 MHz. It has 288 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12 points. Launch price was $89.99.

GeForce FX 5500

The GeForce FX 5500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5200SE scores 12 versus the GeForce FX 5500's 8 — the GeForce FX 5200SE leads by 50%. The GeForce FX 5200SE is built on Rankine while the GeForce FX 5500 uses Rankine, both on 40 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 288 (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500). Raw compute: 0.8479 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500).

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
G3D Mark Score	12+50%	8
Architecture	Rankine	Rankine
Process Node	40 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	288	1024+256%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.8479 TFLOPS	2.703 TFLOPS+219%
ROPs	24+50%	16
TMUs	48+50%	32
L1 Cache	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%
L2 Cache	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce FX 5200SE has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5500 carries 256 MB. GeForce FX 5200SE gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5200SE and 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5500. L2 Cache: 0.38 MB (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 2 MB (GeForce FX 5500) — the GeForce FX 5500 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB+100%	0.25 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	0.38 MB	2 MB+426%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 9.0a (GeForce FX 5500). Vulkan: N/A vs None. OpenGL: 1.5 vs 1.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
DirectX	9.0a	9.0a
Vulkan	N/A	None
OpenGL	1.5	1.5
Max Displays	2	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: None (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs No (GeForce FX 5500). Decoder: None vs No.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
Encoder	None	No
Decoder	None	No
Codecs	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5200SE draws 150W versus the GeForce FX 5500's 25W — a 142.9% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5500). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 168mm vs 171mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 70 vs 70°C.

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
TDP	150W	25W-83%
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	168mm	171mm
Height	100mm	111mm
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	70	70°C
Perf/Watt	0.1	0.3+200%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5200SE came in at $99, while the GeForce FX 5500 launched at $37. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 62.6% cheaper ($62 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.1 (GeForce FX 5200SE) vs 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) — the GeForce FX 5500 offers 100% better value. The newer card here is GeForce FX 5500 (2021 vs 2012).

Feature	GeForce FX 5200SE	GeForce FX 5500
MSRP	$99	$37-63%
Performance per Dollar	0.1	0.2+100%
Codename	GF114	TU117S
Release	February 20 2012	December 17 2021
Ranking	#706	#468

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