
GeForce GTX 555 vs Radeon 540X

GeForce GTX 555
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Radeon 540X
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Radeon 540X
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon 540X is significantly newer (2018 vs 2011). The Radeon 540X likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 555 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 555 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon 540X.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (2010−2014)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 555 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $30 versus $40 for the Radeon 540X, it costs 25% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 34.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+34.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($30) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($40) |
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 GTX 555 and Radeon 540X

GeForce GTX 555
The GeForce GTX 555 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 14 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,604 points. Launch price was $149.

Radeon 540X
The Radeon 540X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 5 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 980 MHz to 1046 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,588 points.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 555 scores 1,604 and the Radeon 540X reaches 1,588 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 555 is built on Fermi 2.0 while the Radeon 540X uses GCN 4.0, both on 40 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 144 (GeForce GTX 555) vs 512 (Radeon 540X). Raw compute: 0.4147 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 555) vs 1.071 TFLOPS (Radeon 540X).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,604+1% | 1,588 |
| Architecture | Fermi 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 144 | 512+256% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.4147 TFLOPS | 1.071 TFLOPS+158% |
| ROPs | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 24 | 32+33% |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB+50% | 128 KB |
| L2 Cache | 384 KB | 512 KB+33% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 555 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon 540X has 512 MB. The GeForce GTX 555 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 384 KB (GeForce GTX 555) vs 512 KB (Radeon 540X) — the Radeon 540X has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 384 KB | 512 KB+33% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 555) vs 12 (Radeon 540X). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6+2% | 4.5 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 3+50% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 555) vs UVD (Radeon 540X). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs VCE. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 555) vs H.264,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1 (Radeon 540X).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | UVD |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP4 | VCE |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP | H.264,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 555 draws 70W versus the Radeon 540X's 50W — a 33.3% difference. The Radeon 540X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 555) vs 350W (Radeon 540X). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 210mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 70W | 50W-29% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 210mm | 0mm |
| Height | 111mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 22.9 | 31.8+39% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 555 launched at $150 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the Radeon 540X launched at $99 and now averages $40. The GeForce GTX 555 costs 25% less ($10 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.5 (GeForce GTX 555) vs 39.7 (Radeon 540X) — the GeForce GTX 555 offers 34.8% better value. The Radeon 540X is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 555 | Radeon 540X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $99-34% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-25% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 53.5+35% | 39.7 |
| Codename | GF116 | Lexa |
| Release | May 14 2011 | September 5 2018 |
| Ranking | #849 | #754 |
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