Radeon RX 5500
VS
Radeon R9 295X2

Radeon RX 5500 vs Radeon R9 295X2

AMD

Radeon RX 5500

2019Boost: 1845 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon R9 295X2

2014Boost: 1018 MHz

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

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

⚠️ Generational Difference

The Radeon RX 5500 uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX 5500 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 295X2 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon RX 5500 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the Radeon R9 295X2 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

InsightRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
Performance
Leading raw performance (+1.2%)
Lower raw frame rates (-1.2%)
Longevity
RDNA 1.0 (2019−2020) (7nm)
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / GCN 2.0 (2013−2017))
Ecosystem
Supports FSR Upscaling
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
🎮 High Capacity (4 GB)
✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly
Standard Size (307mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Radeon RX 5500 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $110 versus $200 for the Radeon R9 295X2, it costs 45% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 84% higher cost efficiency score.

InsightRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+84%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($110)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200)

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 RX 5500 and Radeon R9 295X2

AMD

Radeon RX 5500

The Radeon RX 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 7 2019. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1845 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 110W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,837 points.

AMD

Radeon R9 295X2

The Radeon R9 295X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 29 2014. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1018 MHz. It has 2816 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 500W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,734 points. Launch price was $1,499.

Graphics Performance

The Radeon RX 5500 scores 8,837 and the Radeon R9 295X2 reaches 8,734 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 5500 is built on RDNA 1.0 while the Radeon R9 295X2 uses GCN 2.0, both on 7 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,408 (Radeon RX 5500) vs 2,816 (Radeon R9 295X2). Raw compute: 5.196 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 5500) vs 5.733 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon R9 295X2). Boost clocks: 1845 MHz vs 1018 MHz.

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
G3D Mark Score
8,837+1%
8,734
Architecture
RDNA 1.0
GCN 2.0
Process Node
7 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
1408
2816 ×2+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)
5.196 TFLOPS
5.733 TFLOPS ×2+10%
Boost Clock
1845 MHz+81%
1018 MHz
ROPs
32
64 ×2+100%
TMUs
88
176 ×2+100%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
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 5500 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon R9 295X2 has 8 GB. The Radeon R9 295X2 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (Radeon RX 5500) vs 320 GB/s x2 (Radeon R9 295X2) — a 1329.5% advantage for the Radeon R9 295X2. Bus width: 128-bit vs 512-bit x2.

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
VRAM Capacity
4 GB
8 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
224 GB/s
320 GB/s x2+43%
Bus Width
128-bit
512-bit x2+300%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (Radeon RX 5500) vs 12.0 (Radeon R9 295X2). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
DirectX
12.1
12.0
Vulkan
1.2+9%
1.1
OpenGL
4.6+7%
4.3
Max Displays
4
6+50%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCN 2.0 (Radeon RX 5500) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon R9 295X2). Decoder: VCN 2.0 vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 5500) vs MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1 (Radeon R9 295X2).

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
Encoder
VCN 2.0
VCE 2.0
Decoder
VCN 2.0
UVD 4.2
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9
MPEG-2,H.264,VC-1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 5500 draws 110W versus the Radeon R9 295X2's 500W — a 127.9% difference. The Radeon RX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (Radeon RX 5500) vs 1000W (Radeon R9 295X2). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 180mm vs 307mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 65°C.

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
TDP
110W-78%
500W
Recommended PSU
450W-55%
1000W
Power Connector
8-pin
2x 8-pin
Length
180mm
307mm
Height
110mm
114mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
65°C-13%
Perf/Watt
80.3+359%
17.5
💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon RX 5500 launched at $179 MSRP and currently averages $110, while the Radeon R9 295X2 launched at $1499 and now averages $200. The Radeon RX 5500 costs 45% less ($90 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 80.3 (Radeon RX 5500) vs 43.7 (Radeon R9 295X2) — the Radeon RX 5500 offers 83.8% better value. The Radeon RX 5500 is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2014).

FeatureRadeon RX 5500Radeon R9 295X2
MSRP
$179-88%
$1499
Avg Price (30d)
$110-45%
$200
Performance per Dollar
80.3+84%
43.7
Codename
Navi 14
Vesuvius
Release
October 7 2019
April 29 2014
Ranking
#297
#303