RADEON 9550 vs RADEON 9500
RADEON 9550
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RADEON 9500
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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 RADEON 9550 is positioned at rank 363 and the RADEON 9500 is on rank 737, so the RADEON 9550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar RADEON 9550
Performance Per Dollar RADEON 9500
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RADEON 9500 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the RADEON 9550 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.9%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The RADEON 9500 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the RADEON 9500 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $30), it costs 0% less, resulting in a 2.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+2.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 RADEON 9550 and RADEON 9500
RADEON 9550
The RADEON 9550 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 20 2017. 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: 35 points. Launch price was $79.
RADEON 9500
The RADEON 9500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 29 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 735 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 95W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 36 points.
Graphics Performance
The RADEON 9550 scores 35 and the RADEON 9500 reaches 36 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The RADEON 9550 is built on GCN 4.0 while the RADEON 9500 uses GCN 3.0, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 512 (RADEON 9550) vs 2,048 (RADEON 9500). Raw compute: 1.211 TFLOPS (RADEON 9550) vs 4.096 TFLOPS (RADEON 9500). Boost clocks: 1183 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 35 | 36+3% |
| Architecture | GCN 4.0 | GCN 3.0 |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 512 | 2048+300% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.211 TFLOPS | 4.096 TFLOPS+238% |
| Boost Clock | 1183 MHz+18% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 16 | 32+100% |
| TMUs | 32 | 128+300% |
| L1 Cache | 128 KB | 512 KB+300% |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 512 KB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The RADEON 9550 comes with 256 MB of VRAM, while the RADEON 9500 has 128 MB. The RADEON 9550 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 64-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 256 KB (RADEON 9550) vs 512 KB (RADEON 9500) — the RADEON 9500 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.25 GB+100% | 0.125 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 512 KB+100% |
Power & Dimensions
The RADEON 9550 draws 50W versus the RADEON 9500's 95W — a 62.1% difference. The RADEON 9550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (RADEON 9550) vs 350W (RADEON 9500). Power connectors: Legacy vs Legacy.
| Feature | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50W-47% | 95W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 350W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | Legacy |
| Perf/Watt | 0.7+75% | 0.4 |
Value Analysis
The RADEON 9550 launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $30, while the RADEON 9500 launched at $179 and now averages $30. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 1.2 (RADEON 9550) vs 1.2 (RADEON 9500) — the RADEON 9500 offers 0% better value. The RADEON 9550 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).
| Feature | RADEON 9550 | RADEON 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129-28% | $179 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Codename | Lexa | Amethyst |
| Release | April 20 2017 | September 29 2015 |
| Ranking | #668 | #420 |
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