The AMD Radeon RX 550 OC is a budget-friendly graphics card designed to deliver smooth and enjoyable gaming experiences without breaking the bank. As part of the RX 500 series, this card offers an impressive balance between performance and price, making it an attractive option for gamers on a tight budget.

Architecture and Performance

The RX 550 OC is based on AMD’s Polaris architecture, which provides a solid foundation for its performance capabilities. With 512 stream processors and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, this card is capable of handling modern games at medium to high settings. However, it’s essential to note that the RX 550 OC will struggle with demanding titles or ultra-high resolutions.

In terms of actual performance, the RX 550 OC can handle popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch at smooth frame rates. It also performs reasonably well in more demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, albeit at lower settings.

Cooling System

The RX 550 OC features a dual-fan cooling system that helps keep temperatures in check even during intense gaming sessions. While it’s not the most efficient cooler, it does an adequate job of managing heat dissipation, ensuring the card stays within safe operating temperatures.

Power Consumption and Power Requirements

One of the key advantages of the RX 550 OC is its relatively low power consumption. With a TDP of just 50 watts, this card can easily be powered by any standard PC power supply unit (PSU). This makes it an excellent choice for compact gaming builds or systems with limited PSU capacity.

Connectivity and Display Outputs

The RX 550 OC features three display outputs: one HDMI port, one Dual-Link DVI-D port, and a DisplayPort. This provides flexibility when connecting multiple monitors or TVs to your system. Additionally, the card supports AMD’s XConnect technology for seamless docking station connectivity.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to its competitors in the same price range, the RX 550 OC holds its own against NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti. While it may not outperform these cards in every aspect, the RX 550 OC offers an impressive balance of performance and power efficiency.

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 550 OC is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers who want to experience smooth and enjoyable gaming without breaking the bank. With its Polaris architecture, dual-fan cooling system, and relatively low power consumption, this card delivers an excellent balance between performance and price.

While it may not be the most powerful graphics card on the market, the RX 550 OC is an excellent option for those who want to play modern games at medium to high settings. With its competitive pricing starting at $99, the RX 550 OC is definitely worth considering for anyone looking to upgrade their gaming setup without overspending.

Technical Specifications:

• Architecture: Polaris
• Stream Processors: 512
• Memory: 4 GB GDDR5
• Memory Bus: 128-bit
• Memory Clock Speed: 7000 MHz
• GPU Clock Speed: 1108 MHz (Boost Clock)
• TDP: 50 watts
• Power Requirements: 6-pin PCIe power connector
• Display Outputs: HDMI, Dual-Link DVI-D, DisplayPort
• Connectivity: XConnect technology for seamless docking station connectivity