GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra

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 5500 vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra 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 5500 vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra: 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 5500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $162 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 153.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.2 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($37 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce FX 5500 is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 25W instead of 160W, a 135W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (8 vs 17).
❌Older hardware, 256 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra

2011

Why buy it

✅+112.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 128 MB vs 256 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2011 hardware with 128 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
437.8% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$37 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
❌540% higher power demand at 160W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 112.5% in PassMark G3D (17 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: 256 MB vs 128 MB of VRAM, a 12nm process instead of 40nm, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2011. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce FX 5500 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $162 cheaper on MSRP at $37 vs $199, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 153.1% (0.2 vs 0.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce FX 5600 Ultra still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce FX 5600 Ultra Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce FX 5500 has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra carries 128 MB. GeForce FX 5500 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 5500 and 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra. 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

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5500 came in at $37, while the GeForce FX 5600 Ultra launched at $199. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 81.4% cheaper ($162 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600 Ultra) — the GeForce FX 5500 offers 100% better value. The newer card here is GeForce FX 5500 (2021 vs 2011).

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
MSRP	$37-81%	$199
Performance per Dollar	0.2+100%	0.1
Codename	TU117S	GF114
Release	December 17 2021	January 25 2011
Ranking	#468	#580

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