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What TechPowerUp’s review establishes
TechPowerUp published its review on November 22, 2019, with W1zzard as the author. The available performance-per-dollar page explains the review’s price methodology: it used USD prices checked at Newegg at the time and substituted the last reasonable price for products that were no longer available. Those values are historical inputs to a 2019 comparison, not current prices or a present-day value recommendation. TechPowerUp’s Radeon RX 5500 review
The accessible review material also reports 32 dBA gaming noise and characterizes the tested card’s operation as quiet. It notes that this particular card did not have fan-stop, so its fans did not fully switch off at idle. These are observations about the sample TechPowerUp tested; partner cards can use different coolers, fan controls and board designs.
The available passages do not provide enough information to reproduce game-by-game frame rates, calculate an overall performance ranking, or state TechPowerUp’s complete final verdict. They also do not support a comprehensive thermal assessment. Those conclusions should not be inferred from the noise note or the price-index methodology alone.
#1 Best Overall
- Axial-tech fans now feature a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- 2.5-slot design allows for greater build compatibility while maintaining cooling performance
- 0dB technology lets you enjoy light gaming in relative silence
- Dual BIOS switch lets you toggle between Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles
- Dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearing designs
RX 5500 desktop specifications
AMD’s current product page lists the desktop Radeon RX 5500 with the following specifications. “Up to” figures are AMD’s listed maxima rather than guarantees that every partner card will reach the same operating conditions.
| Specification | AMD’s listed value |
|---|---|
| Compute units | 22 |
| Stream processors | 1,408 |
| Game frequency | 1,670 MHz |
| Boost frequency | Up to 1,845 MHz |
| Peak FP32 performance | 5.2 TFLOPs |
| Memory | Up to 4 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface | 128-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | Up to 224 GB/s |
| Typical desktop board power | 150 W |
| Auxiliary power connector | One 8-pin connector |
| Minimum recommended PSU | 550 W |
AMD also lists HDMI support for 4K at 60 Hz and H.264/H.265 encode and decode support. Check the specific card’s product page for its exact display outputs, size and power requirements; manufacturer specifications can vary between partner models. See AMD’s Radeon RX 5500 specifications.
Rank #2
- AMD Radeon RX 550 Chipset, Silver plated PCB & all solid capacitors provide lower temperature, higher efficiency & stability
- 9CM unique fan provide low noise and huge airflow for your GPU
- GPU Boost Clock / Memory Speed : up to 1183 MHz / 4GB GDDR5 / 6000 MHz Memory, Stream Processors 512, Perfect for 3D CAD/CAM working, video and photo editing, Video Games @1080p
- Support: DirectX 12, Shader Model 5.0, OpenGL 4.6/4.5, 4K Video Decode
How to interpret AMD’s 1080p performance claim
AMD announced the RX 5500 series on October 7, 2019, positioning it for 1080p gaming. Its release claimed “up to 37 percent faster performance on average than the competitive product in select titles at 1080p.” That is a launch-era vendor claim, not TechPowerUp’s independent result and not a promise of a 37 percent advantage across games. AMD’s footnote says its performance claims came from pre-production hardware tested by AMD performance labs on August 29, 2019. The selected titles, comparison product and test conditions limit how broadly the figure can be applied. AMD’s October 2019 RX 5500 announcement
Power, cooling and system fit
AMD lists 150 W typical board power, one 8-pin auxiliary connector and a 550 W minimum PSU recommendation for the desktop RX 5500. These figures help with planning, but they do not replace checking the exact partner card and the rest of the PC. Confirm that the power supply has the required connector and that the case can accommodate the card. A system’s actual power draw depends on its other components and workload; the 150 W specification is not a measurement of total PC consumption.
Rank #3
- System Compatibility Note: This 2‑slot card measures 249 mm (L) x 132 mm (W) x 41 mm (H) and requires a single 8‑pin power connector. Please verify available chassis clearance and ensure your power supply is rated for a recommended 550W before purchase.
- Dedicated Support: Please contact us directly through Amazon for any product questions or assistance you may require.
- Next‑Gen AMD RDNA 4 Architecture: Powered by the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU with 32 Compute Units featuring 3rd Gen Ray Tracing and 2nd Gen AI Accelerators, delivering exceptional 1440p gaming and AI‑enhanced performance.
- Blazing‑Fast Engine Clock: Delivers a boost clock of up to 3290 MHz and a game clock of 2700 MHz out of the box, providing the raw power for smooth, high‑framerate gameplay.
- 16GB GDDR6 Memory on 128‑Bit Bus: Equipped with 16GB of high‑speed GDDR6 memory running at 20 Gbps, offering ample capacity and bandwidth for modern game textures and creative applications.
For acoustics, TechPowerUp’s 32 dBA gaming observation belongs to its tested card and review conditions. It is not a noise rating for every RX 5500. Cooler design, fan curves, case airflow and workload can change both temperatures and sound levels. Since the available review material does not establish a full thermal result, it cannot support a broad claim about RX 5500 cooling performance.
Driver availability is not a support guarantee
AMD’s support page, checked for this article on September 30, 2026, displayed Windows 10 and Windows 11 Adrenalin downloads, including 26.8.1 WHQL Recommended dated August 20, 2026, and 26.9.1 WHQL Optional dated September 3, 2026. Driver listings can change, so check AMD’s RX 5500 driver page for the current package and supported operating system. A download listing indicates availability at the time checked; it does not guarantee a particular future support period.
Rank #4
- 【Ultimate Triple Display Connectivity】: Features a versatile output array including HDMI, DisplayPort (DP), and DVI. Whether you're connecting a high-refresh-rate gaming monitor via DP or a standard office screen via HDMI, this card supports triple-monitor setups for maximum productivity.
- 【Compact Size & Wide Compatibility】: Measuring 240x135x45mm (9.45x5.31x1.77 inches), this dual-fan RX 580 fits perfectly into standard ATX Mid-Towers, Micro-ATX (M-ATX), ideal for compact desktop PC upgrades and space-saving gaming builds.
- 【Optimized Gaming Performance】: With 2048 Stream Processors and a 1206 MHz core clock, this card delivers solid frame rates in popular titles like Fortnite, GTA V, Apex Legends, and Valorant. It’s the ideal budget-friendly GPU for entry-level to mid-range gaming rigs.
- 【Advanced Thermal Management】: Engineered with a dual-fan cooling system and high-efficiency heat pipes to ensure stable performance under heavy loads. The intelligent fan control keeps your system quiet during light office work and provides maximum airflow during intense gaming sessions.
- 【Ready for Content Creation】: Supports DirectX 12, Vulkan, and OpenGL 4.6, making it more than just a gaming card. It provides hardware acceleration for video editing in Premiere Pro, 3D rendering in Blender, and smooth streaming for aspiring creators.
What this review can—and cannot—tell a buyer now
The review offers historical evidence about one tested RX 5500 card, and its price index reflects the USD prices available to TechPowerUp in 2019. It does not establish what an RX 5500 costs now, whether a particular used listing is in good condition, or how the card compares with GPUs currently available in your market.
To judge a specific RX 5500 listing for a 1080p gaming PC, look for comparable tests using the same games and settings, and weigh those results alongside VRAM capacity, power draw, cooling and noise, display outputs, physical dimensions, and the card’s current price and condition. Without those current, like-for-like comparisons, this review alone is not enough to call the card a good-value purchase today.
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Best Value
- Chipset: AMD RX 7600
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- XFX SWFT Dual Fan Cooling Solution
- Boost Clock: Up to 2655 MHz
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
