Is the AMD Radeon RX 550X mobile GPU worth buying in 2023?

The Radeon RX 550X is a mobile graphics processing unit (GPU) designed for use in laptops and notebooks. It is based on the fourth-generation Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, which includes Polaris chips manufactured on a 14nm process. Released in early 2019, the RX 550X was one of AMD’s first attempts at developing graphics cards for laptops and notebooks like the Lenovo ThinkPad E590.

The RX 550X is a mid-range graphics card marketed primarily for gamers. However, it has shown below-average performance and benchmark results in basic gaming tests for modern PC games. Despite its lower power consumption compared to other cards, the RX 550X falls behind in gaming performance compared to the RX 500. However, it’s still able to offer a decent gaming experience for games that require medium specs.


Specifications and performance of the AMD Radeon RX 550X mobile GPU


specifications

product line

Radeon RX 500X series

kind

desk, notebook

OS support

Windows 11 – 64-bit Edition

memory speed

7 Gbps

Maximum storage size

4GB

storage type

GDDR5

storage interface

128-bit

memory bandwidth

Up to 112GB/s

units of account

8/10

boost frequency

Up to 1287MHz

stream processors

512/640

texture units

40

Supported rendering format

HDMI 4K support | 4K H264 decoding | 4K H264 encoding | H265/HEVC decoding | H265/HEVC encoding

DisplayPort

1.4 HDR

HDMI

4K60 support

Dual link DVI

Yes

VGA

no


power

The performance of the RX 550X in games is generally limited. The maximum frame rates achieved on this GPU are typically achieved at a resolution of 1280 x 720 with medium or low graphics settings. That works out to an average of 45-60 FPS (Frames Per Second) for demanding games like Call of Duty: Warzone, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Battlefield V.

The Radeon RX 550X struggles with graphics-heavy games that have been released in recent years. In order to get a smooth gaming experience, gamers may need to lower the graphics settings and resolution. However, entry-level games will not have any problems. Games like Tomb Raider 2013 and Dota 2 Reborn 2015 seem to perform well on the RX 550X, with a consistent frame rate of around 60-70 FPS, even at higher resolutions.


To build

The Polaris 23 MXT version of the RX 550X chipset supports DirectX 12, which allows it to run modern PC games. The GPU has 512 or 640 shading units and 40 texture units at clock speeds, making it a decent mid-range option.

The RX 550X is an upgrade of the desktop version RX 500 with 4GB of GGDR5 memory. Aside from this upgrade, not much has changed from the previous version. It still uses the same PCIe 3.0 x 8 bus interface to connect to the motherboard. The initial 2GB variant had no display connectivity and relied on the system’s display output.

The Radeon RX 550 is more than capable of delivering the frames you need to thrive in the most popular esports titles. Take a closer look: bit.ly/2EmbJ5D https://t.co/cPA5OrsWxl

The maximum power consumption of the RX 550X is 50 W, which is an important factor when choosing a power supply (SMPS). According to AMD, the clock rate of the GPU is around 1287 MHz, but this can vary depending on the system tested.


pricing

AMD has kept its pricing competitive, and the RX 550X is a mid-range graphics card that offers good value for money if you’re on a tight budget. In terms of performance and price, the RX 550X is often comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030, with differences depending on the retailer. With the GT 1030 being discontinued by some dealers, the RX 550X is a viable alternative.


Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 550X Mobile is one of AMD’s early releases designed specifically for gaming laptops and notebooks. It has slight variances from the RX 500 for desktop and is capable of handling games that were coming out at the time of its release. However, if you intend to play modern games, adjustments will need to be made to achieve acceptable performance. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly graphics card for light gaming, the Radeon RX 550X is a great option. It can be purchased from Amazon (for US and international customers).

Edited by Siddharth Satish