GeForce GTS 250 vs GeForce GT 550M
GeForce GTS 250
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GeForce GT 550M
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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 GTS 250 is positioned at rank 246 and the GeForce GT 550M is on rank 125, 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 GTS 250
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 550M
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 GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / Kepler (2012−2018)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| 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 GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+52.1%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($20) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($30) |
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 GTS 250 and GeForce GT 550M
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTS 250 scores 569 and the GeForce GT 550M reaches 561 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTS 250 is built on Fermi while the GeForce GT 550M uses Kepler, both on 40 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 384 (GeForce GT 550M). Raw compute: 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250) vs 0.7526 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 550M).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 569+1% | 561 |
| Architecture | Fermi | Kepler |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 192 | 384+100% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.6013 TFLOPS | 0.7526 TFLOPS+25% |
| ROPs | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 32 | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 256 KB+700% | 32 KB |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250) vs 11.0 (GeForce GT 550M). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 1.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 11.1 (10_0) | 11.0 |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.0+21% |
| Max Displays | 2+100% | 1 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250) vs No (GeForce GT 550M). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GT 550M).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | No |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP5 | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTS 250 draws 106W versus the GeForce GT 550M's 50W — a 71.8% difference. The GeForce GT 550M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTS 250) vs 350W (GeForce GT 550M). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 229mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 85°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 106W | 50W-53% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 229mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | 85°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 5.4 | 11.2+107% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTS 250 costs 33.3% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 28.4 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 18.7 (GeForce GT 550M) — the GeForce GTS 250 offers 51.9% better value. The GeForce GT 550M is the newer GPU (2013 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce GTS 250 | GeForce GT 550M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-33% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.4+52% | 18.7 |
| Codename | GF106 | GK107 |
| Release | September 13 2010 | June 25 2013 |
| Ranking | #791 | #726 |
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