Radeon RX 540 vs Radeon 550

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 RX 540 is positioned at rank #235 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Radeon RX 540

#54

Radeon RX 6800S

MSRP: $800|Avg: $800

92%

#225

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

504%

#227

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

456%

#228

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

455%

#232

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

414%

#233

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

411%

#235

Radeon RX 540

MSRP: $99|Avg: $40

100%

#236

Radeon HD 6750M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

99%

#237

Radeon HD 7570M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $15

98%

#239

Arc Graphics 130T

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

96%

#240

GeForce MX570 A

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

96%

#242

GeForce GT 645

MSRP: $99|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon 550 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.3% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon RX 540 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	Radeon RX 540	Radeon 550
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.3%)	✅Leading raw performance (+0.3%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon RX 540 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Radeon RX 540 holds the technical lead. Priced at $40 (vs $79), it costs 49% less, resulting in a 96.9% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	Radeon RX 540	Radeon 550
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+96.9%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($40)	⚠️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.

Radeon RX 540 Benchmark Check

Radeon 550 Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Radeon RX 540 and Radeon 550

Radeon RX 540

The Radeon RX 540 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 11 2017. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1124 MHz to 1219 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,134 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 RX 540 scores 2,134 and the Radeon 550 reaches 2,140 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 540 is built on GCN 4.0 while the Radeon 550 uses GCN 4.0, both on a 14 nm process. Shader units: 512 (Radeon RX 540) vs 512 (Radeon 550). Raw compute: 1.248 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 540) vs 1.211 TFLOPS (Radeon 550). Boost clocks: 1219 MHz vs 1183 MHz.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon 550
G3D Mark Score	2,134	2,140
Architecture	GCN 4.0	GCN 4.0
Process Node	14 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	512	512
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.248 TFLOPS+3%	1.211 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1219 MHz+3%	1183 MHz
ROPs	16	16
TMUs	32	32
L1 Cache	128 KB	128 KB
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon 550
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	AMD Anti-Lag	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon RX 540 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon 550 has 2 GB. The Radeon RX 540 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (Radeon RX 540) vs 256 KB (Radeon 550) — the Radeon RX 540 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon 550
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+100%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit
L2 Cache	512 KB+100%	256 KB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 540 draws 50W versus the Radeon 550's 50W — a 0% difference. The Radeon 550 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon RX 540) vs 300W (Radeon 550). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None.

Feature	Radeon RX 540	Radeon 550
TDP	50W	50W
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	None
Length	1mm	—
Slots	0	—
Perf/Watt	42.7	42.8

💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon RX 540 launched at $99 MSRP and currently averages $40, while the Radeon 550 launched at $79 and now averages $79. The Radeon RX 540 costs 49.4% less ($39 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 53.4 (Radeon RX 540) vs 27.1 (Radeon 550) — the Radeon RX 540 offers 97% better value.