GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs Radeon RX 550X

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 GTX 860M SLI vs Radeon RX 550X 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 GTX 860M SLI vs Radeon RX 550X: 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 GTX 860M SLI

2014

Why buy it

✅44.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation (2023).
❌2014 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 21.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $109 MSRP).
❌140% higher power demand at 120W vs 50W.

Radeon RX 550X

2018

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 21.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($109 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation (2023).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs 2 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 860M SLI is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon RX 550X is the less risky modern option long term.
✅Draws 50W instead of 120W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 860M SLI across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2018 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 860M SLI is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 44.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 5% in PassMark G3D (2,500 vs 2,381), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

Radeon RX 550X is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) and FSR Frame Generation (2023), while GeForce GTX 860M SLI is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, a 14nm process instead of 28nm, and a newer 2018 generation instead of 2014. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

Radeon RX 550X makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. GeForce GTX 860M SLI still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce GTX 860M SLI vs Radeon RX 550X Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 860M SLI

The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 12 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock speed is 1029 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,500 points.

Radeon RX 550X

The Radeon RX 550X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 16 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1100 MHz to 1183 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,381 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 860M SLI scores 2,500 versus the Radeon RX 550X's 2,381 — the GeForce GTX 860M SLI leads by 5%. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI is built on Maxwell while the Radeon RX 550X uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 1,280 (GeForce GTX 860M SLI) vs 512 (Radeon RX 550X).

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M SLI	Radeon RX 550X
G3D Mark Score	2,500+5%	2,381
Architecture	Maxwell	GCN 4.0
Process Node	28 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	1280+150%	512

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the Radeon RX 550X is support for FSR Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce GTX 860M SLI does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce GTX 860M SLI gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon RX 550X leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M SLI	Radeon RX 550X
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 860M SLI has 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 550X carries 4 GB. Radeon RX 550X 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 GTX 860M SLI and 128-bit on the Radeon RX 550X.

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M SLI	Radeon RX 550X
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	Unknown
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 860M SLI draws 120W versus the Radeon RX 550X's 50W — a 82.4% difference. The Radeon RX 550X is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 860M SLI) vs 300W (Radeon RX 550X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None.

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M SLI	Radeon RX 550X
TDP	120W	50W-58%
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	None
Length	—	145mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	85°C
Perf/Watt	20.8	47.6+129%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is Radeon RX 550X (2018 vs 2014).

Feature	GeForce GTX 860M SLI	Radeon RX 550X
MSRP	—	$109
Codename	—	Lexa
Release	March 12 2014	December 16 2018
Ranking	#457	#642

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