Radeon R9 M385 vs Radeon 550
Radeon R9 M385
Popular choices:
Radeon 550
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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 Radeon R9 M385 is positioned at rank #420 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 Radeon R9 M385
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon 550 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3.8% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 M385 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / 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 | — | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 M385 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon R9 M385 holds the technical lead. Priced at $60 (vs $79), it costs 24% less, resulting in a 26.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+26.8%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($60) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($79) |
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 R9 M385 and Radeon 550
Radeon R9 M385
The Radeon R9 M385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 5 2015. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 900 MHz to 1100 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,061 points.
Radeon 550
The Radeon 550 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: 2,140 points. Launch price was $79.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon R9 M385 scores 2,061 and the Radeon 550 reaches 2,140 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon R9 M385 is built on GCN 2.0 while the Radeon 550 uses GCN 4.0, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 896 (Radeon R9 M385) vs 512 (Radeon 550). Raw compute: 1.792 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M385) vs 1.211 TFLOPS (Radeon 550). Boost clocks: 1100 MHz vs 1183 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 2,061 | 2,140+4% |
| Architecture | GCN 2.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 896+75% | 512 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.792 TFLOPS+48% | 1.211 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1100 MHz | 1183 MHz+8% |
| ROPs | 16 | 16 |
| TMUs | 56+75% | 32 |
| L1 Cache | 224 KB+75% | 128 KB |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 R9 M385 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon 550 has 2 GB. The Radeon R9 M385 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB+100% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon R9 M385 draws 75W versus the Radeon 550's 50W — a 40% difference. The Radeon 550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon R9 M385) vs 300W (Radeon 550). Power connectors: Mobile vs None.
| Feature | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W | 50W-33% |
| Recommended PSU | 350W | 300W-14% |
| Power Connector | Mobile | None |
| Perf/Watt | 27.5 | 42.8+56% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 M385 launched at $300 MSRP and currently averages $60, while the Radeon 550 launched at $79 and now averages $79. The Radeon R9 M385 costs 24.1% less ($19 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 34.4 (Radeon R9 M385) vs 27.1 (Radeon 550) — the Radeon R9 M385 offers 26.9% better value. The Radeon 550 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon R9 M385 | Radeon 550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $300 | $79-74% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-24% | $79 |
| Performance per Dollar | 34.4+27% | 27.1 |
| Codename | Strato | Lexa |
| Release | May 5 2015 | April 20 2017 |
| Ranking | #674 | #668 |
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