CPU
GPU
GeForce FX 5500
Popular choices:
GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
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 GeForce FX 5500 is positioned at rank 736 and the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is on rank 377, so the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce FX 5500
Performance Per Dollar GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce FX 5500 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2011). The GeForce FX 5500 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 112.5% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce FX 5500 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-112.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+112.5%) |
| Longevity | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $20 versus $30 for the GeForce FX 5500, it costs 33% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 218.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+218.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($30) | ✅More affordable ($20) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce FX 5500 and GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
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.
GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 25 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 823 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5500 scores 8 versus the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra's 17 — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra leads by 112.5%. The GeForce FX 5500 is built on Rankine while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra uses Rankine, both on 12 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 384 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500) vs 1.263 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra).
| Feature | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8 | 17+113% |
| Architecture | Rankine | Rankine |
| Process Node | 12 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024+167% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.703 TFLOPS+114% | 1.263 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 16 | 32+100% |
| TMUs | 32 | 64+100% |
| L1 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GeForce FX 5500 comes with 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra has 128 MB. The GeForce FX 5500 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce FX 5500) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) — the GeForce FX 5500 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.25 GB+100% | 0.125 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5500) vs 9.0a (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 9.0a | 9.0a |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce FX 5500 draws 25W versus the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra's 160W — a 145.9% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5500) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 171mm vs 190mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 25W-84% | 160W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Length | 171mm | 190mm |
| Height | 111mm | — |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 70°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 0.3+200% | 0.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce FX 5500 launched at $37 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra launched at $199 and now averages $20. The GeForce FX 5600 Ultra costs 33.3% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 0.3 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 0.8 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) — the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra offers 166.7% better value. The GeForce FX 5500 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce FX 5500 | GeForce FX 5600 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $37-81% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $20-33% |
| Performance per Dollar | 0.3 | 0.8+167% |
| Codename | TU117S | GF114 |
| Release | December 17 2021 | January 25 2011 |
| Ranking | #468 | #580 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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