GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce FX 5600XT

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 5600XT 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 5600XT: 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 $92 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅Delivers 209.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.2 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($37 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅GeForce FX 5600XT 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 9).
❌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.

GeForce FX 5600XT

2011

Why buy it

✅+12.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (512 MB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

❌2011 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
248.6% HIGHER MSRP
$129 MSRPvs$37 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($129 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
❌500% higher power demand at 150W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce FX 5600XT is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 12.5% in PassMark G3D (9 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 2011. 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 $92 cheaper on MSRP at $37 vs $129, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 209.9% (0.2 vs 0.1), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce FX 5600XT still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce FX 5600XT 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 5600XT

The GeForce FX 5600XT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2011. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock speed is 810 MHz. It has 336 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9 points. Launch price was $199.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5500 scores 8 versus the GeForce FX 5600XT's 9 — the GeForce FX 5600XT leads by 12.5%. The GeForce FX 5500 is built on Rankine while the GeForce FX 5600XT uses Rankine, both on 12 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 336 (GeForce FX 5600XT). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500) vs 1.089 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5600XT).

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600XT
G3D Mark Score	8	9+13%
Architecture	Rankine	Rankine
Process Node	12 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	1024+205%	336
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.703 TFLOPS+148%	1.089 TFLOPS
ROPs	16	32+100%
TMUs	32	56+75%
L1 Cache	2 MB+355%	0.44 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600XT
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 5600XT carries 512 MB. GeForce FX 5600XT 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 5600XT. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce FX 5500) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce FX 5600XT) — the GeForce FX 5500 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600XT
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	0.5 GB+100%
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 5600XT). OpenGL: 1.5 vs 1.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600XT
DirectX	9.0a	9.0a
OpenGL	1.5	1.5
Max Displays	2	2

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5500 draws 25W versus the GeForce FX 5600XT's 150W — a 142.9% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5500) vs 350W (GeForce FX 5600XT). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 55°C.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce FX 5600XT
TDP	25W-83%	150W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	Legacy	Legacy
Length	171mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1	1
Temp (Load)	70°C	55°C-21%
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 5600XT launched at $129. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 71.3% cheaper ($92 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 0.1 (GeForce FX 5600XT) — 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 5600XT
MSRP	$37-71%	$129
Performance per Dollar	0.2+100%	0.1
Codename	TU117S	GF114
Release	December 17 2021	May 17 2011
Ranking	#468	#605

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