GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce PCX 5300

NVIDIA

GeForce FX 5500

2021Core: 1065 MHzBoost: 1320 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce PCX 5300

2025Core: 2017 MHzBoost: 2407 MHz

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce PCX 5300 Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce PCX 5300 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 PCX 5300: 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

  • +33.3% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $23 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
  • Delivers 116.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.2 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($37 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (256 MB vs 128 MB).
  • Draws 25W instead of 575W, a 550W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Older hardware, 256 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.

GeForce PCX 5300

2025

Why buy it

  • Better long-term bet: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Measures 168mm instead of 171mm, a 3mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
  • More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (6 vs 8).
  • Less VRAM, with 128 MB vs 256 MB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 62.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $60 MSRPvs$37 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($60 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
  • 2200% higher power demand at 575W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce FX 5500 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 33.3% in PassMark G3D (8 vs 6), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce PCX 5300 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 12nm, 170 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2025 generation instead of 2021. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce FX 5500 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $23 cheaper on MSRP at $37 vs $60, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 116.2% (0.2 vs 0.1), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce FX 5500 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce PCX 5300 has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce PCX 5300 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce PCX 5300

The GeForce PCX 5300 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2017 MHz to 2407 MHz. It has 21760 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 575W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 170 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6 points. Launch price was $1,999.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce FX 5500 scores 8 versus the GeForce PCX 5300's 6 — the GeForce FX 5500 leads by 33.3%. The GeForce FX 5500 is built on Rankine while the GeForce PCX 5300 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 12 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 21,760 (GeForce PCX 5300). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500) vs 104.8 TFLOPS (GeForce PCX 5300). Boost clocks: 1320 MHz vs 2407 MHz.

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
G3D Mark Score
8+33%
6
Architecture
Rankine
Blackwell 2.0
Process Node
12 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
1024
21760+2025%
Compute (TFLOPS)
2.703 TFLOPS
104.8 TFLOPS+3777%
Boost Clock
1320 MHz
2407 MHz+82%
ROPs
16
176+1000%
TMUs
32
680+2025%
L1 Cache
2 MB
21.3 MB+965%
L2 Cache
2 MB
96 MB+4700%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
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 5500 has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce PCX 5300 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 PCX 5300. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce FX 5500) vs 96 MB (GeForce PCX 5300) — the GeForce PCX 5300 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
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
96 MB+4700%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5500) vs 9.0a (GeForce PCX 5300). Vulkan: None vs None. OpenGL: 1.5 vs 1.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
DirectX
9.0a
9.0a
Vulkan
None
None
OpenGL
1.5
1.5
Max Displays
2
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce FX 5500) vs None (GeForce PCX 5300). Decoder: No vs None.

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
Encoder
No
None
Decoder
No
None
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5500 draws 25W versus the GeForce PCX 5300's 575W — a 183.3% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5500) vs 350W (GeForce PCX 5300). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy. Card length: 171mm vs 168mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 70.

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
TDP
25W-96%
575W
Recommended PSU
350W
350W
Power Connector
Legacy
Legacy
Length
171mm
168mm
Height
111mm
100mm
Slots
1
1
Temp (Load)
70°C
70
Perf/Watt
0.3
0.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5500 came in at $37, while the GeForce PCX 5300 launched at $60. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 38.3% cheaper ($23 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 0.1 (GeForce PCX 5300) — the GeForce FX 5500 offers 100% better value. The newer card here is GeForce PCX 5300 (2025 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce FX 5500GeForce PCX 5300
MSRP
$37-38%
$60
Performance per Dollar
0.2+100%
0.1
Codename
TU117S
GB202
Release
December 17 2021
January 30 2025
Ranking
#468
#3

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