OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Graphics cards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Graphics cards Methodology v3.0

MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB review: 117 specs compared

Avg. price:~£220VRAM:8 GBMemory bus width:128 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):130 W

MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB Review: Compare 117 technical specifications and 2 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Graphics cards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB
5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

40%

4.9

Technical score

25%

4.9

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

4.9

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 94% of graphics cards
6.7

Value for money

Value for money
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

â–¼Worse than 83%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

44%

3.1

Performance

24%

3.4

Memory

12%

8.7

Power

11%

8.0

Features

5%

8.2

Design

4%

8.7

Connectivity

â–¼Worse than 85%
4.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models

4.9

Mark 7.5 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.7

Average grade

20%

6.5

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
1 review, with a printed score. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 90%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
  • msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
msi-radeon-rx-5500-xt-gaming-x-8gb
Where to buy
    N/A~ £220
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB

Based on 203 owners sharing their experience in online comments

55%positive16%mixed29%negative

Owners value smooth gaming, efficiency, and ample memory, while driver bugs, high temperatures, and tuning limits frustrate many.

What owners dislike

  • Owners report overclocks often crash, with memory limited around 1800 to 1850 MHz and core clocks sometimes capped near 2000 MHz unless voltage is raised.12
  • Owners say AMD's software has frequent problems, including settings resetting after restart, fan-control issues, and black screens or driver crashes.11
  • Owners report the card runs hot in demanding games, often reaching 80 to 90 °C or more, and some say fan curves need adjusting to keep temperatures down.8
  • Owners say it struggles to hold high frame rates in demanding titles like Warzone and Far Cry 5, and that the 4 GB version drops badly at ultra settings.7
  • Some owners report crashes, freezes, and black screens during play, sometimes needing a PC restart, with some blaming drivers or unstable settings.6
  • Owners report the core or memory clock sticks at low values such as 100 MHz or 1750 MHz at idle, or fluctuates unstably under load.5
  • Owners say it runs 1080p well but is not suited to 1440p or 4K, where frame rates fall short in demanding games.3
  • Some owners see transparent blocky artifacts or a painted look in games, which they describe as appearing at certain viewing angles.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of graphics card MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

44%

3.1

Performance

24%

3.4

Memory

12%

8.7

Power

11%

8.0

Features

5%

8.2

Design

4%

8.7

Connectivity

4.9
Reviews score
4.9
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

6.7
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
5,600 points
Market range: <4.1k points – >30.1k points
This graphics card scores 5,600 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is lower than 83.7% of graphics cards and equal to 0.1% of graphics cards.
3DMark Port Royal score
0 points
Market range: <0 points – >22.4k points
This graphics card scores 0 points in 3DMark Port Royal, which is lower than 83.1% of graphics cards and equal to 16.9% of graphics cards.
PassMark (G3D) result
8,914 points
Market range: <7.7k points – >36k points
This graphics card scores 8,914 points in PassMark G3D, which is lower than 86.8% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
5,300 points
Market range: <3.1k points – >26.3k points
This graphics card scores 5,300 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 82% of graphics cards.
FP32 performance
5.2 TFLOPS
Market range: <3.94 TFLOPS – >56.3 TFLOPS
This graphics card delivers 5.2 TFLOPS FP32 performance, which is lower than that of 85.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.3% of graphics cards.
Show more
VRAM
8 GB
Market range: <4 GB – >16 GB
This graphics card has 8 GB of VRAM, which is less than 56.8% of graphics cards and equal to 25.7% of graphics cards.
Memory type
GDDR6
This graphics card uses GDDR6 memory, which is newer than on 16.4% of graphics cards and equal to 40.3% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
128 bit
Market range: <128 bit – >384 bit
This graphics card uses a 128 bit memory bus, which is narrower than that of 68.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 26.7% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
224 GB/s
Market range: <168 GB/s – >960 GB/s
This graphics card reaches 224 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 83.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.5% of graphics cards.
Effective memory speed
14,000 MHz
Market range: <7k MHz – >28k MHz
This graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 14,000 MHz, which is slower than that of 69.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 11.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
4
This graphics card supports PCIe 4, which is newer than on 22.5% of graphics cards and equal to 50.5% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
x8
This graphics card uses x8 PCIe lanes, which is fewer than 75.9% of graphics cards and equal to 22.9% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
12
This graphics card supports DirectX 12, which is older than on 81.8% of graphics cards and equal to 17% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
1.4
This graphics card supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 20.8% of graphics cards and equal to 79.2% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
4.6
This graphics card supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 2% of graphics cards and equal to 98% of graphics cards.
Show more
Max displays supported
4
Market range: <4 – >4
This graphics card supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 9% of graphics cards and equal to 88.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
7680x4320
This graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 9.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 90.9% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
3
Market range: <1 – >3
This graphics card offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 21.7% of graphics cards and equal to 76% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
1.4
This graphics card supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 80.8% of graphics cards and equal to 13.1% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
8.1 Gbps
Market range: <5.4 Gbps – >80 Gbps
This graphics card supports DisplayPort link rates up to 8.1 Gbps, which is slower than on 65.3% of graphics cards and equal to 22.5% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
130 W
Market range: <86 W – >360 W
This graphics card has a TDP of 130 W, which is lower than that of 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 3.1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
140 W
Market range: <106 W – >365 W
This graphics card draws 140 W under peak load, which is lower than 79.5% of graphics cards and equal to 0.6% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
450 W
Market range: <450 W – >850 W
This graphics card recommends a 450 W PSU, which is lower than that of 84% of graphics cards and equal to that of 6.1% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
140 W
Market range: <107 W – >400 W
This graphics card has a board power limit of 140 W, which is lower than that of 80.1% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.9% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
130 W
Show more
Size
247x 128x 47 mm
Length
247 mm
Market range: <200 mm – >337 mm
This graphics card is 247 mm long, which is shorter than 70.2% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.8% of graphics cards.
Height
128 mm
Market range: <109 mm – >146 mm
This graphics card is 128 mm tall, which is taller than 56.1% of graphics cards and equal in height to 1.3% of graphics cards.
Slot width
2.5 slot/s
Market range: <2 slot/s – >3.25 slot/s
This graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s, which is slimmer than 35.4% of graphics cards and equal in width to 14.7% of graphics cards.
Weight
686 g
Market range: <541 g – >2k g
This graphics card weighs 686 g, which is lighter than 79% of Graphics cards and equal to 0.2% of Graphics cards.
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MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB vs the average graphics card

246810TotalPerformanceMemoryFeaturesConnectivityPowerDesign
  • 30.8% lower PSU requirement
    This graphics card has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (450 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    450 W vs 650 W
  • 39.5% lower TDP
    This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    130 W vs 215 W
  • 35.2 mm shorter card length
    This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (247 mm vs 282.2 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 282.2 mm.
    247 mm vs 282.2 mm
  • 36.4% lower board power limit
    This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (140 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    140 W vs 220 W
  • More FP64 throughput
    This graphics card has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
    1:16 vs 1:64
  • 2.36x cheaper
    MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB is cheaper than the average graphics card (£220 vs £520).
    £220 vs £520
  • 58.3% lower idle power draw
    This graphics card has a lower idle power draw than the average graphics card (5 W vs 12 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 12 W.
    5 W vs 12 W
  • 6.4 dB quieter under load
    This graphics card has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (29 dB vs 35.4 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35.4 dB.
    29 dB vs 35.4 dB
  • 2.36x cheaper
    MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB is cheaper than the average graphics card (£220 vs £520).
    £220 vs £520
  • More FP64 throughput
    This graphics card has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
    1:16 vs 1:64
  • 30.8% lower PSU requirement
    This graphics card has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (450 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    450 W vs 650 W
  • 39.5% lower TDP
    This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (130 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    130 W vs 215 W
  • 36.4% lower board power limit
    This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (140 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    140 W vs 220 W
  • 58.3% lower idle power draw
    This graphics card has a lower idle power draw than the average graphics card (5 W vs 12 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 12 W.
    5 W vs 12 W
  • 6.4 dB quieter under load
    This graphics card has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (29 dB vs 35.4 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35.4 dB.
    29 dB vs 35.4 dB
  • 35.2 mm shorter card length
    This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (247 mm vs 282.2 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 282.2 mm.
    247 mm vs 282.2 mm
  • 40 fewer ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    0 vs 40
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (no vs multi frame generation).
  • No CUDA support
    This graphics card does not support CUDA, the average graphics card does.
  • 26.3% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,845 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,845 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 31.9% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models

    4.9

    Mark 7.5 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.7

    Average grade

    20%

    6.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    1 review, with a printed score. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.9 vs 7.2
  • 18 fewer compute units
    This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    22 vs 40
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    8 GB vs 12 GB
  • 96 fewer TMUs
    This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (88 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    88 vs 184
  • 31.9% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models

    4.9

    Mark 7.5 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.7

    Average grade

    20%

    6.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    1 review, with a printed score. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.9 vs 7.2
  • 37.2% lower sentiment score
    4.9 vs 7.8
  • 11.2% worse value for money
    MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB has worse value for money than the average graphics card (6.67 vs 7.4).
    6.67 vs 7.41
  • 40 fewer ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    0 vs 40
  • No CUDA support
    This graphics card does not support CUDA, the average graphics card does.
  • 26.3% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,845 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,845 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 18 fewer compute units
    This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (22 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    22 vs 40
  • 96 fewer TMUs
    This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (88 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    88 vs 184
  • 57% lower texture rate
    This graphics card has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (162.4 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 378 GTexel/s.
    162.4 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s
  • 144 fewer AI cores
    This graphics card has fewer AI cores than the average graphics card (0 vs 144). The average graphics card has 144 AI cores.
    0 vs 144
  • 63.4% lower pixel rate
    This graphics card has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (59 GPixel/s vs 161.3 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 161.3 GPixel/s.
    59.04 GPixel/s vs 161.3 GPixel/s
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    This graphics card has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    32 vs 64
  • 77% lower FP32 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (5.2 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.6 TFLOPS.
    5.2 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS
  • 60.6% lower PassMark score
    This graphics card has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (8,914 points vs 22,638 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 22,638 points.
    8,914 points vs 22,638 points
  • 4 years older
    This graphics card was released earlier than the average graphics card (2019 vs 2023).
    December 2019
    2019 vs 2023
  • 12.2% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,685 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    1,685 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • 62.1% lower gaming score
    This graphics card has a lower gaming score than the average graphics card (5,600 points vs 14,779 points). The average graphics card has a gaming score of 14,779 points.
    5,600 points vs 14,779 points
  • 56.1% lower compute score
    This graphics card has a lower compute score than the average graphics card (5,300 points vs 12,70.5 points). The average graphics card has a compute score of 12,070.5 points.
    5,300 points vs 12,070.5 points
  • 64.8% lower FP16 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (10.4 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
    10.39 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS
  • 2,944 fewer FP32 units
    This graphics card has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,408 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
    1,408 vs 4,352
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    8 GB vs 12 GB
  • 50% lower memory bandwidth
    This graphics card has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (224 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    224 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
  • 64 bit narrower memory bus
    This graphics card has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 192 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 192 bit.
    128 bit vs 192 bit
  • 26.3% slower memory speed
    This graphics card has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (14,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    14,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz
  • 91.7% smaller L2 cache
    This graphics card has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 24 MB). The average graphics card has 24 MB L2 cache.
    2 MB vs 24 MB
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    This graphics card has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 KB vs 128 KB). The average graphics card has 128 KB L1 cache.
    16 KB vs 128 KB
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (no vs multi frame generation).
  • No DLSS support
    This graphics card does not support DLSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No ray tracing
    This graphics card does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • Fewer PCIe lanes
    This graphics card has fewer PCIe lanes than the average graphics card (x8 vs x16). The average graphics card has x16 PCIe lanes.
    x8 vs x16
  • 40% larger process node
    This graphics card uses a larger manufacturing process than the average graphics card (7 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a manufacturing process of 5 nm.
    7 nm vs 5 nm
  • No mesh shaders
    This graphics card does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    This graphics card does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DirectX version
    This graphics card supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12 vs 12 Ultimate).
    12 vs 12 Ultimate
  • No sampler feedback
    This graphics card does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenCL version
    This graphics card supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (2.1 vs 3).
    2.1 vs 3
  • 72.1% fewer transistors
    This graphics card has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (6,400 million vs 22,900 million). The average graphics card has 22,900 million transistors.
    6,400 million vs 22,900 million
  • No AV1 encoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    This graphics card supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1a).
    2.0b vs 2.1a
  • No AV1 decoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    This graphics card supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
    1.4 vs 1.4a
  • More basic codec support
    This graphics card encodes more basic formats than the average graphics card (H.264/H.265/VP9 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
    H.264/H.265/VP9 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9
  • 62.5% lower DisplayPort bandwidth
    This graphics card has a lower DisplayPort bandwidth than the average graphics card (8.1 Gbps vs 21.6 Gbps). The average graphics card has DisplayPort bandwidth of 21.6 Gbps.
    8.1 Gbps vs 21.6 Gbps
  • 1 fewer fans
    This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    2 vs 3
  • No dual BIOS
    This graphics card does not include dual BIOS, the average graphics card does.
  • 15 °C lower thermal ceiling
    This graphics card has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (110 °C vs 95 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 95 °C.
    110 °C vs 95 °C

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

5.0
The Tech Tank
≈ estimated
22/02/2020
Hands-on review · 1080p performance, temperatures and pricing
Verdict
MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB is a strong 1080p card, but its high price makes it hard to recommend.
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
techpowerup.com
✓ explicit
12/12/2019
Hardware review · Navi 14 core
Verdict
The MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB has fans that stop at idle and a metal backplate, but its core matches the earlier RX 5500.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB

  • Solid 1080p performance, maintaining 60+ FPS in most modern titles at high settings
  • Excellent thermal management with the Twin Frozr 7 design, keeping temperatures low under load
  • Near-silent operation during gaming and features a 'fan-stop' idle mode
  • High-quality build featuring a brushed metal backplate and subtle RGB lighting
  • Significant energy efficiency improvements over previous Polaris (RX 580/590) architecture
  • 8GB of VRAM provides better longevity for texture-heavy games compared to 4GB models

What customers don't like about MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB

  • High launch price made it less competitive against NVIDIA's GTX 1660 and 1660 Super
  • Limited performance gains over the older and often cheaper RX 580
  • Some users reported persistent driver stability issues and system crashes
  • Poor overclocking headroom; performance may even dip when manual overclocking is attempted
  • Large physical footprint (2.5-slot design) may be difficult to fit in compact SFF builds

Verdict

The MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Gaming X 8GB is a mid-range graphics card built on AMD's 7nm RDNA architecture, featuring 1408 stream processors and a factory-overclocked boost speed up to 1845 MHz. It is equipped with 8GB of high-speed GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 14 Gbps effective speed and 224 GB/s bandwidth for smooth 1080p gaming. Main characteristics include the premium Twin Frozr 7 thermal design with Torx 3.0 fans, which feature Zero Frozr technology for silent 0dB operation under light loads (below 60°C), alongside a sturdy brushed metal backplate and customizable RGB lighting. Key pros are its exceptional power efficiency with a 130W TDP, low operating temperatures, and quiet gaming performance that often surpasses older Polaris-based cards like the RX 580. Notable cons include its relatively high launch price compared to competitors like the GTX 1650 Super, a lack of dedicated hardware for ray tracing, and limited overclocking headroom beyond its out-of-the-box settings.

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