GeForce GT 550M vs GeForce GTS 250
GeForce GT 550M
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GeForce GTS 250
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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 GT 550M is positioned at rank 125 and the GeForce GTS 250 is on rank 246, so the GeForce GT 550M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 550M
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTS 250
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTS 250 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 550M.
| Insight | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTS 250 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTS 250 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $30), it costs 33% less, resulting in a 52.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+52.1%) |
| 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 GT 550M and GeForce GTS 250
GeForce GT 550M
The GeForce GT 550M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 25 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 980 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 561 points.
GeForce GTS 250
The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GT 550M scores 561 and the GeForce GTS 250 reaches 569 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GT 550M is built on Kepler while the GeForce GTS 250 uses Fermi, both on 28 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce GT 550M) vs 192 (GeForce GTS 250). Raw compute: 0.7526 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 550M) vs 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250).
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 561 | 569+1% |
| Architecture | Kepler | Fermi |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 384+100% | 192 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.7526 TFLOPS+25% | 0.6013 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 32 | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB | 256 KB+700% |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 11.0 (GeForce GT 550M) vs 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250). OpenGL: 4.0 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.0 | 11.1 (10_0) |
| OpenGL | 4.0+21% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 1 | 2+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: No (GeForce GT 550M) vs PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs PureVideo HD VP5. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 550M) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250).
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | No | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | PureVideo HD VP5 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GT 550M draws 50W versus the GeForce GTS 250's 106W — a 71.8% difference. The GeForce GT 550M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GT 550M) vs 450W (GeForce GTS 250). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 229mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 90°C.
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-53% | 106W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-22% | 450W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 229mm |
| Height | 0mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C-6% | 90°C |
| Perf/Watt | 11.2+107% | 5.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTS 250 costs 33.3% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 18.7 (GeForce GT 550M) vs 28.4 (GeForce GTS 250) — the GeForce GTS 250 offers 51.9% better value. The GeForce GT 550M is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce GT 550M | GeForce GTS 250 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $129 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $20-33% |
| Performance per Dollar | 18.7 | 28.4+52% |
| Codename | GK107 | GF106 |
| Release | June 25 2013 | September 13 2010 |
| Ranking | #726 | #791 |
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