1. Introduction
This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your VisionTek AMD Radeon RX 550 2GB GDDR5 Low Profile Small Form Factor Video Graphics Card. This card is designed to enhance your system's display capabilities, supporting up to four monitors with 4K resolution, making it suitable for various applications from business productivity to digital signage.
Image 1.1: Top view of the VisionTek AMD Radeon RX 550 graphics card, showing the fan and heatsink assembly.
2. Product Features
- Multi-Display Support: Supports up to four displays with 4K resolutions via Mini DisplayPort connections.
- Energy Efficient: Requires only 50 watts of power, drawing directly from the system's PCI Express bus, eliminating the need for additional power connectors.
- Flexible Form Factor: Features a Short/Small Form Factor (SFF) design with an included tall bracket for conversion to standard ATX cases.
- High-Speed Memory: Equipped with 2GB of GDDR5 memory for efficient content delivery and high-resolution performance.
- HD Audio: Delivers HD 7.1 surround sound independently to four displays through its integrated Discrete Digital Multi-Point Audio technology.
- Secure Ports: mDP secure screw ports are compatible with both screw and non-screw mDP cables and adapters.
3. Package Contents
Verify that all items are present in your product package:
- VisionTek AMD Radeon RX 550 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
- 2 x Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Passive Adapters
- 2 x Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D Passive Adapters
- Tall / Full Height Bracket
Image 3.1: The graphics card shown with the included low-profile bracket, a full-height bracket, and four Mini DisplayPort adapters (two DP, two DVI).
4. Setup
4.1. Physical Installation
- Prepare Your System: Power off your computer and disconnect all cables. Open the computer case.
- Select Bracket: The card comes with a low-profile bracket installed. If your system requires a full-height bracket, carefully remove the two screws securing the low-profile bracket and replace it with the included tall bracket.
- Locate PCI Express Slot: Identify an available PCI Express 3.0 x8 or larger slot on your motherboard.
- Insert Graphics Card: Gently align the graphics card with the PCI Express slot and press down firmly until it is securely seated. Secure the card with the case's retention mechanism or screw.
- Close Case: Close your computer case and reconnect all cables.
Image 4.1: Angled view of the graphics card, highlighting the four Mini DisplayPort outputs.
4.2. Connecting Displays
The VisionTek RX 550 features four Mini DisplayPort (mDP) outputs. To connect your monitors:
- Use Mini DisplayPort cables for direct connections to mDP-compatible monitors.
- For DisplayPort monitors, use the included mDP to DisplayPort passive adapters.
- For DVI-D monitors, use the included mDP to DVI-D passive adapters.
- Important Note on Adapters: When connecting more than two displays that are not native DisplayPort, you may require active adapters. Passive adapters are generally sufficient for up to two non-DisplayPort connections. If you experience issues with multiple displays, especially DVI or HDMI, consider using active Mini DisplayPort adapters for optimal compatibility.
4.3. Power Requirements
The RX 550 graphics card is designed for low power consumption, requiring approximately 50 watts. It draws all necessary power directly from the PCI Express slot on your motherboard. No additional power connectors from your power supply unit (PSU) are needed. Most systems with a 350-watt or higher PSU will be compatible without upgrades.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1. Driver Installation
After physical installation, you will need to install the graphics drivers for proper functionality:
- Power on your computer. Windows may install a basic display driver automatically.
- Visit the official AMD website to download the latest drivers for the Radeon RX 550. Look for the auto-detect software, which can help identify and install the correct drivers for your operating system (Windows 10/11 64-bit, Windows 7 32/64-bit, Ubuntu x86 64-bit, Linux x86_64).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation. A system restart may be required.
5.2. Multi-Monitor Configuration
Once drivers are installed, you can configure your multiple displays:
- Windows Display Settings: Right-click on your desktop and select 'Display settings' (Windows 10/11) or 'Screen Resolution' (Windows 7).
- Detect Displays: Your system should detect all connected monitors. If not, click 'Detect'.
- Arrange and Extend: Drag and drop the display icons to match their physical arrangement. Select 'Extend these displays' to use all monitors as a single, continuous desktop.
- Resolution and Orientation: Adjust the resolution and orientation (landscape/portrait) for each monitor as needed. The card supports up to 4K resolution per display.
5.3. Audio Output
The VisionTek RX 550 supports HD 7.1 surround sound output independently to each connected display via its Mini DisplayPort interfaces. To configure audio:
- Open your system's Sound settings (usually found in Control Panel or Settings).
- Select the desired display as the audio output device.
6. Maintenance
To ensure optimal performance and longevity of your graphics card:
- Keep Clean: Periodically clean dust from the fan and heatsink using compressed air. Ensure your computer case has adequate airflow.
- Driver Updates: Regularly check the AMD website for updated drivers to benefit from performance improvements and bug fixes.
- Environmental Conditions: Operate the card within recommended temperature and humidity ranges. Avoid extreme heat or cold.
7. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your VisionTek RX 550 graphics card, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause / Solution |
|---|---|
| No display or incorrect resolution after installation. |
|
| Only two displays are detected, or issues with three/four displays. |
|
| 4K monitor blinks on/off or displays at lower resolution. |
|
| Difficulty installing drivers. |
|
8. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Graphics Coprocessor | AMD Radeon™ RX 550 |
| Graphics Card RAM Size | 2 GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Speed | 1071 MHz (Core), 1500 MHz (Memory) |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit |
| Video Output Interface | PCI Express 3.0 x8 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 3840x2160 Pixels (4K) |
| Display Outputs | 4x Mini DisplayPort |
| DirectX Support | DirectX 12 |
| Power Consumption | 50W (Bus Power) |
| Item Model Number | 901466 |
| Product Dimensions (LxWxH) | 7.25 x 3.25 x 0.1 inches |
| Item Weight | 5.4 ounces |
9. Warranty and Support
VisionTek products are backed by dedicated customer support. If you require assistance with installation, troubleshooting, or have questions about your product, please contact VisionTek technical support. Their support team is known for providing prompt and helpful assistance.
For warranty information and to access support resources, please visit the official VisionTek website or refer to the warranty documentation included with your purchase.
