
Radeon RX 5500M vs Radeon R9 380X

Radeon RX 5500M
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Radeon R9 380X
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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 RX 5500M is positioned at rank #46 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Great 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 RX 5500M
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX 5500M uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX 5500M likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon R9 380X lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon R9 380X is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon RX 5500M.
| Insight | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+3%) |
| Longevity | RDNA 1.0 (2019−2020) (7nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon R9 380X offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $58 versus $100 for the Radeon RX 5500M, it costs 42% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 77.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+77.5%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($100) | ✅More affordable ($58) |
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 5500M and Radeon R9 380X

Radeon RX 5500M
The Radeon RX 5500M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 7 2019. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1375 MHz to 1645 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 85W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,954 points.

Radeon R9 380X
The Radeon R9 380X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 19 2015. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 970 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,131 points. Launch price was $229.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon RX 5500M scores 5,954 and the Radeon R9 380X reaches 6,131 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 5500M is built on RDNA 1.0 while the Radeon R9 380X uses GCN 3.0, both on 7 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 1,408 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 380X). Raw compute: 4.632 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 3.973 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 380X). Boost clocks: 1645 MHz vs 970 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 5,954 | 6,131+3% |
| Architecture | RDNA 1.0 | GCN 3.0 |
| Process Node | 7 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 1408 | 2048+45% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 4.632 TFLOPS+17% | 3.973 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1645 MHz+70% | 970 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 88 | 128+45% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 106 GB/s (Radeon R9 380X) — a 111.3% advantage for the Radeon RX 5500M. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 380X) — the Radeon RX 5500M has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s+111% | 106 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon R9 380X). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 | 12 (12_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.2 | 1.3+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 3 | 4+33% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCN 2.0 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs VCE 3.0 (Radeon R9 380X). Decoder: VCN 2.0 vs UVD 6.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs H.264,H.265,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1 (Radeon R9 380X).
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCN 2.0 | VCE 3.0 |
| Decoder | VCN 2.0 | UVD 6.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP9 | H.264,H.265,MPEG-2,MPEG-4,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon RX 5500M draws 85W versus the Radeon R9 380X's 250W — a 98.5% difference. The Radeon RX 5500M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 500W (Radeon R9 380X). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 221mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 85W-66% | 250W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-30% | 500W |
| Power Connector | PCIe-powered | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 0mm | 221mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 70.0+186% | 24.5 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon R9 380X costs 42% less ($42 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 59.5 (Radeon RX 5500M) vs 105.7 (Radeon R9 380X) — the Radeon R9 380X offers 77.6% better value. The Radeon RX 5500M is the newer GPU (2019 vs 2015).
| Feature | Radeon RX 5500M | Radeon R9 380X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $229 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $58-42% |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.5 | 105.7+78% |
| Codename | Navi 14 | Antigua |
| Release | October 7 2019 | November 19 2015 |
| Ranking | #400 | #394 |
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