GeForce GTX 555
VS
Radeon 540X

GeForce GTX 555 vs Radeon 540X

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 555

2011Core: 720 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon 540X

2018Core: 980 MHzBoost: 1046 MHz

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon 540X

#61
GeForce RTX 2070 (móvel)
MSRP: $800|Avg: $350
96%
#278
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
677%
#280
614%
#281
612%
#285
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
556%
#286
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
553%
#288
Radeon 540X
MSRP: $99|Avg: $40
100%
#289
GeForce 930MX
MSRP: $80|Avg: $25
100%
#291
GeForce MX250
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
99%
#292
Radeon 630
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
98%
#293
GeForce MX330
MSRP: $150|Avg: $100
98%
#297
Radeon RX 780
MSRP: $499|Avg: $721
96%
#300
GeForce 940MX
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
94%
#301
GeForce MX130
MSRP: $120|Avg: $50
94%
#302
Arc Graphics 130V
MSRP: $300|Avg: $250
94%
#303
Radeon R5 430
MSRP: $59|Avg: $50
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

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.

InsightGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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.

InsightGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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

NVIDIA

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.

AMD

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).

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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)

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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).

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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.

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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).

FeatureGeForce GTX 555Radeon 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