GeForce MX550 vs Radeon HD 7870 XT
GeForce MX550
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 7870 XT
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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. The GeForce MX550 is positioned at rank #187 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce MX550
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce MX550 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2012). The GeForce MX550 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 7870 XT lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce MX550 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 7870 XT.
| Insight | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.2%) |
| Longevity | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce MX550 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $150 versus $270 for the Radeon HD 7870 XT, it costs 44% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 80.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+80.4%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($150) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($270) |
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 MX550 and Radeon HD 7870 XT
GeForce MX550
The GeForce MX550 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,480 points.
Radeon HD 7870 XT
The Radeon HD 7870 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 19 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 925 MHz to 975 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 185W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,470 points. Launch price was $270.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce MX550 scores 4,480 and the Radeon HD 7870 XT reaches 4,470 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce MX550 is built on Turing while the Radeon HD 7870 XT uses GCN 1.0, both on 12 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce MX550) vs 1,536 (Radeon HD 7870 XT). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce MX550) vs 2.995 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7870 XT). Boost clocks: 1320 MHz vs 975 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 4,480 | 4,470 |
| Architecture | Turing | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 12 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 | 1536+50% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.703 TFLOPS | 2.995 TFLOPS+11% |
| Boost Clock | 1320 MHz+35% | 975 MHz |
| ROPs | 16 | 32+100% |
| TMUs | 32 | 96+200% |
| L1 Cache | 2 MB+426% | 0.38 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 2 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce MX550) vs 192 GB/s (Radeon HD 7870 XT) — a 140% advantage for the Radeon HD 7870 XT. Bus width: 64-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce MX550) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 7870 XT) — the GeForce MX550 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 80 GB/s | 192 GB/s+140% |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 256-bit+300% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce MX550 draws 25W versus the Radeon HD 7870 XT's 185W — a 152.4% difference. The GeForce MX550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce MX550) vs 500W (Radeon HD 7870 XT). Power connectors: Mobile vs 2x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 25W-86% | 185W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-30% | 500W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 267mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | — | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | — | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 179.2+640% | 24.2 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce MX550 launched at $150 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the Radeon HD 7870 XT launched at $270 and now averages $270. The GeForce MX550 costs 44.4% less ($120 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 29.9 (GeForce MX550) vs 16.6 (Radeon HD 7870 XT) — the GeForce MX550 offers 80.1% better value. The GeForce MX550 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce MX550 | Radeon HD 7870 XT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150-44% | $270 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150-44% | $270 |
| Performance per Dollar | 29.9+80% | 16.6 |
| Codename | TU117S | Tahiti |
| Release | December 17 2021 | November 19 2012 |
| Ranking | #468 | #469 |
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