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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Review | 118 Data compared

Avg. price:~£20VRAM:1 GBMemory bus width:192 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):116 W

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Review: Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Graphics cards category and whether it is worth buying.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

3.6/10

▼Worse than 99% of graphics cards

5.5

▼Worse than 97%

3.4

▼Worse than 98%

4.7

▼Worse than 99%

1.4
Gaming
Gaming
1.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for gaming performance.
When it matters
When you want to play demanding mobile games, 3D titles, or run graphics-intensive apps smoothly.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
45.0%
1.0
Floating-point performance
25.0%
1.0
VRAM
20.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
10.0%
5.2
PCI Express (PCIe) version
3.7
Video editing
Video editing
3.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for video editing performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific video editing needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
35.0%
7.0
AV1 encode
30.0%
1.0
VRAM
20.0%
1.0
Floating-point performance
15.0%
5.2
PCI Express (PCIe) version
1.4
1080p
1080p
1.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for 1080p performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific 1080p needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
55.0%
1.0
Floating-point performance
25.0%
1.0
VRAM
10.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
10.0%
5.2
PCI Express (PCIe) version
1.2
1440p
1440p
1.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for 1440p performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific 1440p needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
50.0%
1.0
Floating-point performance
30.0%
1.0
VRAM
15.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
5.0%
5.2
PCI Express (PCIe) version
1.2
4K
4K
1.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for 4k performance.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this graphics-cards meets your specific 4k needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
40.0%
1.0
Floating-point performance
35.0%
1.0
VRAM
20.0%
1.0
Ray tracing cores / units
5.0%
5.2
PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Technical Specifications of graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

3.6

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Performance

1.6

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3DMark Time Spy benchmark score

?

3DMark Port Royal score

PassMark (G3D) result

PassMark (DirectCompute) result

Floating-point performance

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Memory

2.1

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VRAM

Memory type

GDDR5

GDDR version

Memory bus width

Maximum memory bandwidth

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Platform & Features

5.8

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PCI Express (PCIe) version

PCIe lanes

DirectX version

Vulkan version

N/A

OpenGL version

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Connectivity & Media

5.1

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Max displays supported

Max digital resolution

DisplayPort outputs

DisplayPort version

?

DisplayPort link rates

?

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Power & Cooling

7.9

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)

Power consumption while under peak load

Recommended PSU wattage

Board power limit

PCIe power spec

116 W

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Design

8.9

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Size

210x 111x 35 mm

Length

Height

Slot width

Weight

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti vs the average graphics card

Why is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti better than the average graphics card?

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38.5% lower PSU requirement
This graphics card has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
400 W vs 650 W
46% lower TDP
This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (116 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
116 W vs 215 W
75 mm shorter card length
This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (210 mm vs 285 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285 mm.
210 mm vs 285 mm
13.85 mm lower card height
This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (111.2 mm vs 125 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 125 mm.
111.15 mm vs 125 mm
0.5 slot/s slimmer design
This graphics card occupies fewer slots than the average graphics card (2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
48.4% lower board power limit
This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (116 W vs 225 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 225 W.
116 W vs 225 W
2 more DVI outputs
This graphics card has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
2 vs 0
26.5x cheaper
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti is cheaper than the average graphics card (£20 vs £530).
£20 vs £530

26.5x cheaper
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti is cheaper than the average graphics card (£20 vs £530).
£20 vs £530

2 more GPUs supported
This graphics card supports more GPUs in multi-GPU mode than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card supports 0 GPUs in multi-GPU mode.
2 vs 0
Supports multi-GPU linking
This graphics card supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
Supports NVLink
This graphics card supports NVLink, the average graphics card does not.

2 more DVI outputs
This graphics card has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
2 vs 0

38.5% lower PSU requirement
This graphics card has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (400 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
400 W vs 650 W
46% lower TDP
This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (116 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
116 W vs 215 W
48.4% lower board power limit
This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (116 W vs 225 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 225 W.
116 W vs 225 W

75 mm shorter card length
This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (210 mm vs 285 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285 mm.
210 mm vs 285 mm
13.85 mm lower card height
This graphics card is shorter than the average graphics card (111.2 mm vs 125 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 125 mm.
111.15 mm vs 125 mm
0.5 slot/s slimmer design
This graphics card occupies fewer slots than the average graphics card (2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2.5 slot/s.
2 slot/s vs 2.5 slot/s
51.5% lighter card weight
This graphics card is lighter than the average graphics card (495 g vs 1021 g). The average graphics card weighs 1021 g.
495 g vs 1,021 g

Why is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti worse than the average graphics card?

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64.1% lower boost clock speed
This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (900 MHz vs 2505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2505 MHz.
900 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
11 GB less VRAM
This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (1 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
1 GB vs 12 GB
36 fewer compute units
This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (4 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
4 vs 40
8x larger process node
This graphics card has a higher process node than the average graphics card (40 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
40 nm vs 5 nm
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
2 fewer fans
This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
1 vs 3
53.1% lower base clock speed
This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (900 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
900 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
152 fewer TMUs
This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (32 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
32 vs 184

30.8% worse value for money
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti has worse value for money than the average graphics card (5.5 vs 7.2).
5.5 vs 7.2
70.4% lower user score
User score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
▼
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
the average graphics card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti has a lower user score than the average graphics card (4.70 vs 8.000).
4.7 vs 8

64.1% lower boost clock speed
This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (900 MHz vs 2505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2505 MHz.
900 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
36 fewer compute units
This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (4 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
4 vs 40
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
53.1% lower base clock speed
This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (900 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
900 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
152 fewer TMUs
This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (32 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
32 vs 184
92.4% lower texture rate
This graphics card has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (28.8 GTexel/s vs 381.2 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 381.2 GTexel/s.
28.8 GTexel/s vs 381.2 GTexel/s
95.6% lower pixel rate
This graphics card has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (7.2 GPixel/s vs 163.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 163.2 GPixel/s.
7.2 GPixel/s vs 163.2 GPixel/s
40 fewer ROPs
This graphics card has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (24 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
24 vs 64
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
96.9% lower FP32 performance
This graphics card has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (0.7 TFLOPS vs 22.57 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.57 TFLOPS.
0.69 TFLOPS vs 22.57 TFLOPS
93.1% lower PassMark score
This graphics card has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (1554 points vs 22653 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 22653 points.
1,554 points vs 22,653 points
94.1% lower compute score
This graphics card has a lower compute score than the average graphics card (713 points vs 12074 points). The average graphics card has a compute score of 12074 points.
713 points vs 12,074 points
97.7% lower FP16 performance
This graphics card has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (0.7 TFLOPS vs 29.7 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.725 TFLOPS.
0.69 TFLOPS vs 29.725 TFLOPS
97% lower compute throughput
This graphics card has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (0.7 TFLOPS vs 22.98 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 22.98 TFLOPS.
0.69 TFLOPS vs 22.98 TFLOPS
87.5% lower FP64 performance
This graphics card has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.48 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.48 TFLOPS.
0.06 TFLOPS vs 0.48 TFLOPS
4,160 fewer FP32 units
This graphics card has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (192 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
192 vs 4,352

11 GB less VRAM
This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (1 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
1 GB vs 12 GB
64 bit narrower memory bus
This graphics card has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (192 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
192 bit vs 256 bit
78% lower memory bandwidth
This graphics card has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (98.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
98.4 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
78.4% slower memory speed
This graphics card has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (4100 MHz vs 19000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19000 MHz.
4,100 MHz vs 19,000 MHz
41.4% slower VRAM clock
This graphics card has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1026 MHz vs 1750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1750 MHz.
1,026 MHz vs 1,750 MHz
50% smaller L1 cache
This graphics card has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (64 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
64 vs 128

8x larger process node
This graphics card has a higher process node than the average graphics card (40 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
40 nm vs 5 nm
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.
Older PCIe version
This graphics card supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (2 vs 4).
2.0 vs 4.0
12 older
This graphics card was released earlier than the average graphics card (2011 vs 2023).
March 2011
2,011 vs 2,023
No AI upscalers
This graphics card does not support AI upscalers, the average graphics card does.
No mesh shaders
This graphics card does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
No XeSS support
This graphics card does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
No DirectStorage support
This graphics card does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
Worse SAM support
This graphics card offers worse SAM support than the average graphics card (no vs yes).
Older DirectX version
This graphics card supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12 vs 12 Ultimate).
12 vs 12 Ultimate
Older OpenCL version
This graphics card supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (1.1 vs 3).
1.1 vs 3.0
Older shader model
This graphics card supports an older shader model than the average graphics card (5.1 vs 6.8).
5.1 vs 6.8
No sampler feedback
This graphics card does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
94.9% fewer transistors
This graphics card has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (1170 million vs 22900 million). The average graphics card has 22900 million transistors.
1,170 million vs 22,900 million
Older FSR version
This graphics card supports an older FSR version than the average graphics card (1 vs 3.1).
1.0 vs 3.1

3 fewer DisplayPort outputs
This graphics card has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (0 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
0 vs 3
No AV1 encoding
This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
2 fewer displays supported
This graphics card supports fewer displays than the average graphics card (2 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 displays.
2 vs 4
No AV1 decoding
This graphics card does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
No DSC support
This graphics card does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
Older HDMI version
This graphics card supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (1.4a vs 2.1).
1.4a vs 2.1
No VRR support
This graphics card does not support VRR, the average graphics card does.
Narrower encode codec support
This graphics card supports narrower hardware encode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9).
H.264 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9
Older HDCP version
This graphics card supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (1.2 vs 2.3).
1.2 vs 2.3
Narrower decode codec support
This graphics card supports narrower hardware decode codec support than the average graphics card (H.264/MPEG-2/VC-1 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9/MPEG-2/VC-1).
H.264/MPEG-2/VC-1 vs H.264/H.265/AV1/VP9/MPEG-2/VC-1
Lower display resolution
This graphics card supports a lower maximum digital resolution than the average graphics card (2560x1600 vs 7680x4320). The average graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320.
2560x1600 vs 7680x4320
Not VR ready
This graphics card is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.

2 fewer fans
This graphics card has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
1 vs 3
No fan stop
This graphics card does not support fan stop, the average graphics card does.
9.5 dB noisier under load
This graphics card has a higher load noise level than the average graphics card (44.9 dB vs 35.4 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35.4 dB.
44.9 dB vs 35.4 dB
28 dB noisier at idle
This graphics card has a higher idle noise level than the average graphics card (28 dB vs 0 dB). The average graphics card has an idle noise level of 0 dB.
28 dB vs 0 dB
8 °C higher load temperature
This graphics card has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (75 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
75 °C vs 67 °C

No backplate
This graphics card does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
No RGB lighting
This graphics card does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

techpowerup.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sonic 1 GB Review - The Card

The Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sonic is a compact, dual-slot graphics card featuring integrated HDMI audio, which supports up to 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD without requiring an external cable. It provides comprehensive 3D Blu-ray support via HDMI 1.4, while offering a versatile array of connectivity, including native VGA, DVI, and mini-HDMI. TechPowerUp However, a significant drawback is the NVIDIA display architecture’s restriction to only two simultaneous displays, unlike competing AMD cards that offer more flexible multi-monitor setups. Additionally, the card uses a mini-HDMI port rather than a full-sized one, potentially necessitating adapters, and lacks support for higher-end HDMI 1.4 audio features. TechPowerUp

techpowerup.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

ASUS GeForce GTX 550 Ti Direct CU 1 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review of the ASUS GeForce GTX 550 Ti DirectCU highlights a well-engineered card featuring an effective DirectCU cooler, low power consumption, and a full-size HDMI port. It offers excellent overclocking headroom, with cores reaching 1065 MHz, yet it is limited to 1680x1050 gaming, failing to provide a significant performance jump over cheaper, older alternatives. Key drawbacks include poor price-to-performance value compared to the GTX 460 768 MB and high idle fan noise due to a high minimum RPM, despite its cooling efficiency. While the ASUS design is superior, the underlying GPU architecture limits the overall recommendation of this specific model.

m.hexus.net

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti OC graphics card review Would you like help finding drivers or benchmarks for specific modern games running on this hardwa...

The HEXUS review of the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti OC covers NVIDIA's mainstream GF116 architecture, which upgrades the older GTS 450 by utilizing all three memory-controller partitions to offer a 384KB L2 cache, 24 ROPs, and a 192-bit memory interface. A major technical highlight of the card is its unique mixed-density memory configuration, combining four 128MB chips and two 256MB chips to achieve a 1GB GDDR5 frame buffer. Gigabyte enhances the stock package by applying an out-of-the-box overclock, raising the core clock from 900MHz to 970MHz and the memory speed to an effective 4,200MHz. Physically, the card features an Ultra Durable component design alongside a massive 10cm PWM fan mounted onto a circular heatsink to handle cooling duties. The review highlights distinct performance pros and cons for this specific Gigabyte implementation. On the positive side (pros), the card features exceptional cooling efficiency, keeping temperatures very low while maintaining whisper-quiet acoustic levels both at idle and under heavy gaming loads. Additionally, the GPU exhibits outstanding manual overclocking headroom, safely pushing up to a 1,050MHz core and 5,000MHz memory on default...

guru3d.com

22/03/2011

Summary of the review

Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sonic review

The Guru3D review introduces the Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sonic as a highly capable entry-level, lower mid-range graphics card priced at roughly $135 to $150 upon its March 2011 launch. Aimed at replacing the older GTS 450, this card is powered by the 40 nm GF116-400 GPU featuring 192 shader/CUDA cores and a unique 192-bit bus width carrying 1 GB of GDDR5 memory. A major highlight of the Sonic edition is its aggressive factory overclock, pushing the base core frequency from the reference 900 MHz straight to a blazing 1000 MHz (1 GHz) right out of the box. Guru3D notes that Palit uses a completely custom-designed cooling solution sitting on top of a red PCB. Connectivity is versatile for its era, incorporating one dual-link DVI, one standard VGA (D-Sub), and one HDMI 1.4 port. It operates at a modest 116W TDP, requiring a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. The primary pros highlighted in the review focus on the card's superb value, performance-to-price ratio, and thermal efficiency. Guru3D praises the Palit custom cooler for being "extremely silent" during both idle...

hardwarecanucks.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Roundup - ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI

Pros and Cons Pro: Innovative Memory Architecture — Features a mixed-allotment 192-bit interface that blends 256MB and 512MB modules to maintain a 1GB capacity without sacrificing crucial memory bandwidth. Pro: Excellent Partner Engineering — Delivers robust custom cooling designs (like MSI’s Military Class components and Gigabyte's Ultra Durable VGA layout) and great value with minimal price premiums. Pro: Solid Efficiency Gains — Achieves a mere 10W thermal design power (TDP) increase over the older GTS 450 despite enabling more ROPs and higher clock speeds. Con: Awkward Market Positioning — Suffers severe internal competition from older GTX 460 cards, which often retail for under $150 and easily overpower the GTX 550 Ti in pure performance. Con: Price Premium on Top Models — The ASUS Ultimate demands a steep $20 surcharge ($169 total) while skimping out on a mini-HDMI adapter.

techgage.com

23/03/2011

Summary of the review

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Review - Techgage

The Techgage review of the $130–$150 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti highlights significant architectural improvements over the GTS 450, specifically a 192-bit memory bus that enhances bandwidth and resolves previous performance bottlenecks. Pros include excellent performance in DirectX 11 applications, high 900MHz core clock speeds, and strong power efficiency, making it capable of solid 1680x1050 gaming. Conversely, the card struggles to consistently outperform the older AMD Radeon HD 5770 and often requires lowered settings to handle heavy post-processing effects. The review concludes that while it is a decent budget option, the price point makes it difficult to recommend over existing, more cost-effective alternatives.

phoronix.com

21/10/2011

Summary of the review

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Review - Linux Benchmarks

The Phoronix review of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti (GF116) highlights its strong Linux performance, specifically superior VDPAU video acceleration and solid OpenGL capabilities in benchmarks like Unigine Heaven. Pros include reliable, feature-complete proprietary driver support for features like SLI and fan control. However, significant cons include high power consumption (116W TDP), high operating temperatures, and lack of support for overclocking via CoolBits on Linux. While competitive in some scenarios, the card faltered in cross-platform open-source games like Xonotic, where it was outperformed by the AMD Radeon HD 6770 by a wide margin. Furthermore, the review notes that AMD offers a better experience for users requiring an open-source driver stack, whereas this card is locked into NVIDIA's proprietary binary. Overall, it offered mixed value for Linux gaming at the time.

tomshardware.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti Review: Bridging The Budget Gap

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti was introduced to bridge the substantial performance gap between the GeForce GTS 450 and the GTX 460 768 MB, aiming to directly challenge AMD’s Radeon HD 5770 in the $125–$150 price segment. Built on the 40nm GF116 architecture, this GPU features 192 shader cores, 32 texture units, and an unlocked memory configuration of 24 ROPs. The most notable technical advantage of this card is its unique mixed-density memory controller. This allows for a full 1 GB of VRAM on a wider 192-bit bus interface without forcing manufacturers into the restrictive choices of an inadequate 768 MB capacity or a cost-prohibitive 1.5 GB setup. Thanks to this wider interface and aggressive factory clock speeds, the card delivers 70% more memory bandwidth than the GTS 450, boosting its fluidness when anti-aliasing is enabled. The major pro of the GeForce GTX 550 Ti is its vastly improved memory subsystem, which provides a 28% performance lift over the GTS 450 and fares noticeably better in high-bandwidth, anti-aliased scenarios. However, the review and early community feedback expose significant cons...

techpowerup.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sonic 1 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review of the Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sonic highlights a heavily customized, factory-overclocked card (1000 MHz core) designed for high-performance 1680x1050 gaming, featuring an exceptionally quiet custom cooler and native HDMI 1.4a for a $159 price point. While offering great value, the card suffers from higher power consumption than the faster GeForce GTX 460 and is outclassed by competitive alternatives like the AMD Radeon HD 6850. Pros include the impressive, noise-optimized cooling solution and no-premium price point for the high overclock, while cons are centered on superior competition from older/similar-priced cards and restricted multi-monitor setups.

techpowerup.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

MSI GeForce GTX 550 Ti Cyclone II 1 GB Review

The MSI GeForce GTX 550 Ti Cyclone II, retailing at $159, is a factory-overclocked card based on the 40 nm GF116 architecture with 70% higher memory bandwidth than the GTS 450. Key advantages include the efficient Cyclone II cooler, which keeps load temperatures under 60°C and maintains low idle power consumption (below 10W), along with good core overclocking potential. However, the card faces cons related to an aggressively tuned fan profile that increases noise under load, and poor value compared to better-performing alternatives like the GTX 460 and Radeon HD 6850. Furthermore, memory overclocking is limited, and the wide cooler design may cause compatibility issues in smaller PC cases.

hardware.fr

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti et Asus DirectCU TOP : Spécifications et test

This review by HardWare.fr evaluates the Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti and the custom Asus DirectCU TOP edition using an Intel Core i7 980X test bench running Windows 7 64-bit. The testing methodology focuses on three major gaming configurations—1680x1050 (with and without 4x MSAA) and 1920x1200 (without MSAA)—across high-profile titles of the era like Crysis Warhead, Far Cry 2, and Metro 2033. The main technical highlights center around the card's architecture, demonstrating a 15% computing power increase over the older GeForce GTS 450 and a massive 70% memory bandwidth upgrade driven by its newly widened 192-bit memory bus. TechPowerUp The core advantages highlighted in the review include the substantial memory bandwidth leap that prevents performance bottlenecks in texture-heavy scenes, alongside the strong cooling performance and factory overclocking advantages brought by the custom Asus DirectCU design. However, notable disadvantages restrict its appeal, particularly its struggle to maintain fluid frame rates at demanding high graphic presets or maximum resolutions in heavily taxing games like Crysis Warhead or Metro 2033. Additionally, the baseline architectural limitations of the entry-to-mid-range GF116 Fermi chip mean that...

hardware.fr

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti et Asus DirectCU TOP

The Hardware.fr review highlights Nvidia's strategy of refreshing its Fermi architecture through the GF116 graphics processing unit, positioning the GeForce GTX 550 Ti as a more competitive mid-range choice against AMD's Radeon lineup. Rather than featuring an entirely new design, this GPU serves as an optimized revision of the older GF106 found on the GTS 450, specifically engineered to minimize current leakage and facilitate higher operating frequencies. A core focus of the analysis is Nvidia’s innovative and non-standard memory configuration. While traditional 192-bit buses limit configurations to 768 MB or 1.5 GB, Nvidia altered its memory controller to support mixed-density chips. This allows the card to achieve a total pool of 1 GB by pairing four 128 MB modules with two 256 MB modules, breaking the allocation into a fast 768 MB block and a slower 256 MB block that relies heavily on software drivers for optimal data placement. The core advantages and drawbacks identified in the hardware analysis include: Pro: Full activation of the 192-bit memory bus width, eliminating the 128-bit restrictions that previously bottlenecked its predecessor. Pro: Enhanced...

noticias3d.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti is a relatively small graphics card measuring 20.9 cm in length and weighing 502 grams, featuring a dual-slot design with a unique aesthetic marked by a shroud covering most of its PCB. It is built on a 40nm GF116 core with 192 Stream Processors, 24 ROPs, and 1GB of 192-bit GDDR5 memory running at 4,200 MHz, delivering a bandwidth of 100.8 GB/s. The card supports DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5.0 hardware acceleration and has a peak load TDP of 116W, requiring a single 6-pin PCIe power connector for extra power. For video output, it comes equipped with two Dual-Link DVI ports and a single mini-HDMI port, alongside an internal SLI connector for multi-GPU setups. A major pro of this specific model is its specialized dual-block cooling system, which uses a large 10cm diameter fan designed to provide very quiet operation despite making the card slightly taller than standard models. Additionally, its short length ensures it fits easily into most computer chassis. On the con side, the cooling configuration is designed in a way...

geeknetic.es

17/03/2011

Summary of the review

Zotac Nvidia Geforce GTX 550ti AMP! Edition - Geeknetic Si deseas complementar tu búsqueda, ¿te gustaría que buscase análisis en otros idiomas como el...

The Geeknetic review concludes that the Zotac Nvidia GeForce GTX 550Ti AMP! Edition is a highly capable, entry-level, and budget-friendly graphics card that addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, the GTS 450. The pros highlighted in the analysis focus heavily on its factory overclocking and physical optimization. Zotac pushes the GPU frequency to a leading 1GHz (up from the 900MHz reference model), matching it with a 2000MHz shader clock and a 4400MHz memory clock. Built with an upgraded 192-bit memory bus (handling 1GB of GDDR5 memory) and 24 rasterization units (ROPs), it handles standard resolutions up to 1680x1050 seamlessly and offers great architectural balance. Reviewers praised its compact, dual-slot form factor measuring under 20 cm, its quiet operation under heavy gaming stress, and its broad connectivity, which features standard dual-link DVI, a full-sized HDMI, and an added DisplayPort connector. Conversely, the major cons revolve around its raw power tier and the value proposition of multi-GPU scaling. While it can run games at 1920x1200 or run older MMOs perfectly, it falls short of being a performance powerhouse or a tool meant...

noticias3d.com

15/03/2011

Summary of the review

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti

The Noticias3D review focuses on the technical details and market positioning of the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti, an entry-level graphics card designed by NVIDIA to target the budget-conscious segment. Positioned as the direct successor to the GeForce GTS 450, the card relies on key structural upgrades to boost performance, such as widening the memory bus from 128-bit to a 192-bit interface. To achieve a 1GB VRAM configuration over this atypical bus size, NVIDIA uniquely mixes memory chips of varying densities. In terms of capability, the review highlights that the card delivers roughly half the raw power of the larger GTX 560 Ti and is ideally optimized for moderate visual workloads, recommending a target gaming resolution of up to 1680x1050 with 4x FSAA. Several specific pros and cons emerge from the analysis. On the positive side (Pros), the GTX 550 Ti is 28% faster and 20% more power-efficient per watt than the outgoing GTS 450. It also features excellent factory overclocking headroom despite its base 900 MHz core clock and is roughly six times more powerful than older legacy cards...

tomshw.it

21/07/2011

Summary of the review

GTX 560 Ti e GTX 550 Ti, Asus contro Zotac

Here is a specific summary of the hardware review from Tom's Hardware Italia: This review evaluates factory-overclocked, customized versions of Nvidia’s mid-range graphics cards by Asus and Zotac, specifically focusing on the GeForce GTX 560 Ti and GTX 550 Ti. The GTX 560 Ti is powered by the GF114 chip featuring 336 active stream processors, replacing the older GTX 470 at an average cost of €230. Its pros include strong mid-range value and standard clock speeds of 822 MHz core, 1644 MHz shader, and 1002 MHz memory that are boosted further by factory overclocking. On the down side, its cons include higher power demands and heat outputs typical of the Fermi architecture, plus a higher entry price compared to its smaller sibling. The budget-oriented GTX 550 Ti targets the entry-level tier at roughly €140, utilizing a GF116 chip with 192 stream processors to directly challenge AMD's older Radeon HD 5770. A major pro highlighted in the review is its superior performance over its Radeon rival when anti-aliasing filters are active, alongside factory-boosted clock speeds higher than the baseline 900 MHz...

tweakers.net

15/02/2012

Summary of the review

AMD's HD 7750 en HD 7770: nieuwe prijsvechters? - Review - Tweakers

The review evaluates AMD's Cape Verde-based Radeon HD 7750 and HD 7770 (including a custom XFX Black Edition) built on the 28nm Graphics Core Next architecture. While designed as budget-oriented mainstream cards, their synthetic benchmark performance positions the HD 7750 closely alongside Nvidia's GTX 550 Ti, whereas the 1GHz stock HD 7770 narrows the gap behind the older HD 6850. In real-world gaming tests at 1920x1080 resolution, the performance heavily fluctuates. While both cards manage playable framerates in titles like Shogun 2: Total War and Batman: Arkham City, they struggle significantly under maximum/ultra settings in heavy DirectX 11 titles like Battlefield 3, Alien vs. Predator, and The Witcher 2. The primary pros of this new generation include highly efficient idle power consumption—driven by AMD's ZeroCore Power technology which drops power down to roughly 3W when the display sleeps—and a very quiet, highly effective custom dual-fan cooling system on the XFX variant. Conversely, the prominent cons lie in their poor launch pricing and lackluster performance-per-dollar value. At roughly €120 for the HD 7750 and €150 for the HD 7770, they cost...

Third-party reviews

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Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

Capable of handling older titles and casual eSports games like CS:GO and Overwatch at playable frame rates
Affordable entry-level price point at launch, making it accessible for budget-conscious gamers
Low power requirements, typically requiring only a single 6-pin connector and a modest 400W power supply
Significant architectural improvement over its predecessor (GTS 450), offering up to 30% more performance and 70% better memory bandwidth
Runs relatively cool and quiet, making it suitable for Home Theatre PC (HTPC) setups

What we don't like about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

Severely limited for modern gaming due to its small 1GB of VRAM and lack of support for modern APIs like DirectX 12
Struggles significantly with modern AAA titles, often failing to reach 30 FPS even at low settings and 720p resolution
End-of-life status means it no longer receives official driver updates, leading to potential software and game support issues
Occupied a poor value position at launch compared to the slightly more expensive but much faster GTX 460
Modern integrated graphics (iGPUs) often outperform it, making it difficult to recommend even as a ultra-budget used option today

Verdict

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti is a mid-range graphics card released in 2011, built on the 40 nm Fermi architecture with a GF116 graphics processor featuring 192 CUDA cores, 32 texture mapping units, and 24 ROPs. It operates at a base clock of 900 MHz and is typically equipped with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 192-bit interface, delivering a memory bandwidth of approximately 98.5 GB/s. Main pros include its affordability for budget gaming, solid performance in legacy titles, and 2-way SLI support for dual-card configurations. However, its major cons are its limited 1 GB VRAM which struggles with modern gaming, a relatively high 116W TDP compared to its performance, and a lack of support for modern driver updates and DirectX 12 feature levels.

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