Radeon RX 550X vs Radeon RX Vega 5

AMD

Radeon RX 550X

2018Core: 1100 MHzBoost: 1183 MHz
VS
AMD

Radeon RX Vega 5

2020Boost: 1400 MHz

Radeon RX 550X vs Radeon RX Vega 5 Performance Spectrum

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.

Radeon RX 550X vs Radeon RX Vega 5 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Radeon RX 550X vs Radeon RX Vega 5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Radeon RX 550X

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 21.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($109 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • βœ…Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation (2023).
  • βœ…100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (4 GB vs Unknown).
  • βœ…Radeon RX Vega 5 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so Radeon RX 550X is the less risky modern option long term.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower average FPS than Radeon RX Vega 5 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • ❌2018 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • ❌233.3% higher power demand at 50W vs 15W.

Radeon RX Vega 5

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…53.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • βœ…Draws 15W instead of 50W, a 35W reduction.
  • βœ…More future proof: Vega (2017βˆ’2020) on 7nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 4 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • ❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation (2023).
  • ❌2020 hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 21.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Radeon RX Vega 5 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 53.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward Radeon RX 550X instead at 2,381 vs 2,356, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
Radeon RX 550X is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 4 GB vs Unknown of VRAM and native frame generation with FSR Frame Generation (2023), while Radeon RX Vega 5 has no comparable frame-generation support. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Radeon RX 550X makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. Radeon RX Vega 5 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

Radeon RX 550X vs Radeon RX Vega 5 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Radeon RX 550X

The Radeon RX 550X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 16 2018. 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: 2,381 points.

AMD

Radeon RX Vega 5

The Radeon RX Vega 5 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 7 2020. It features the Vega architecture. The boost clock speed is 1400 MHz. It has 320 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,356 points.

⚑

Graphics Performance

The Radeon RX 550X scores 2,381 and the Radeon RX Vega 5 reaches 2,356 in the G3D Mark benchmark β€” just a 1.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 550X is built on GCN 4.0 while the Radeon RX Vega 5 uses Vega, both on 14 nm vs 7 nm. Shader units: 512 (Radeon RX 550X) vs 320 (Radeon RX Vega 5). Boost clocks: 1183 MHz vs 1400 MHz.

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
G3D Mark Score
2,381+1%
2,356
Architecture
GCN 4.0
Vega
Process Node
14 nm
7 nm
Shading Units
512+60%
320
Boost Clock
1183 MHz
1400 MHz+18%
Frame Generation
FSR upscaling + limited Frame Generation
FSR upscaling
✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the Radeon RX 550X is support for FSR Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The Radeon RX Vega 5 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
Upscaling Tech
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
FSR Frame Generation
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
AMD Anti-Lag
AMD Anti-Lag
πŸ’Ύ

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon RX 550X has 4 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX Vega 5 carries 0 MB. Radeon RX 550X gives you 100+% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the Radeon RX 550X and System on the Radeon RX Vega 5.

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
VRAM Capacity
4 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR5
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
System
Bus Width
128-bit
System
πŸ–₯️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (Radeon RX 550X) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (Radeon RX Vega 5). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 3.

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
DirectX
12
12 (FL 12_1)
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
2
3+50%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: UVD (Radeon RX 550X) vs VCN 2.0 (Radeon RX Vega 5). Decoder: VCE vs VCN 2.0. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 550X) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (Radeon RX Vega 5).

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
Encoder
UVD
VCN 2.0
Decoder
VCE
VCN 2.0
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,VP9
H.264,H.265/HEVC
πŸ”Œ

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 550X draws 50W versus the Radeon RX Vega 5's 15W β€” a 107.7% difference. The Radeon RX Vega 5 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (Radeon RX 550X) vs 1W (Radeon RX Vega 5). Power connectors: None vs Integrated.

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
TDP
50W
15W-70%
Recommended PSU
300W
1W-100%
Power Connector
None
Integrated
Length
145mm
β€”
Height
111mm
β€”
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
85Β°C
β€”
Perf/Watt
47.6
157.1+230%
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Radeon RX 550X came in at $109, while the Radeon RX Vega 5 launched at $0. On MSRP, Radeon RX Vega 5 was 100+% cheaper ($109 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 21.8 (Radeon RX 550X) vs Infinity (Radeon RX Vega 5) β€” the Radeon RX Vega 5 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is Radeon RX Vega 5 (2020 vs 2018).

FeatureRadeon RX 550XRadeon RX Vega 5
MSRP
$109
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
21.8
Infinity
Codename
Lexa
Vega
Release
December 16 2018
January 7 2020
Ranking
#642
#716

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