AMD Radeon RX 480: A Powerful and Affordable Mainstream GPU

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is an exciting new graphics card (GPU) aimed at mainstream gamers and VR enthusiasts on a budget. Released in mid-2016, the RX 480 introduces AMD’s new Polaris architecture, bringing major performance and efficiency improvements.

The RX 480 is the first Polaris-based card from AMD. It utilizes a 14nm FinFET manufacturing process, allowing AMD to pack more transistors into a smaller space, resulting in faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient cards. The Radeon RX 480 has two memory variants – 4GB and 8GB. Both models use speedy GDDR5 memory chips instead of the more advanced and expensive HBM memory in high-end AMD cards.

Key Features AMD Radeon RX 480

What’s in the Box

The Radeon RX 480 retail package contains:

• AMD Radeon RX 480 graphics card
• Quick install guide
• Driver DVD
• Power cable adapter

Design and Build Quality

The AMD Radeon RX 480 features a very straightforward design comprising a black shroud with a small Radeon logo without lighting, a single centrifugal blower-style fan, and a simple all-black backplate. This no-frills design allows AMD to keep costs down but we wish they had included some LED lighting to satisfy buyers looking to add some flare to their builds.

Despite the modest design, the RX 480 feels very sturdy and well-built. The primarily plastic construction is of excellent quality and the matte black finish gives it an understated look. The card isn’t too bulky either with a length of 9.5 inches, allowing it to fit most ATX cases. However, small form factor builds must be measured first since it’s too long for most mini-ITX cases.

Performance and Processing Power

The Radeon RX 480 is aimed at smooth 1080p gaming at ultra settings and entry-level 1440p gaming. It performs exceptionally well in this area, matching and even exceeding the performance of higher-end cards from the previous generation.

In our benchmarks, the 8GB version of the RX 480 performed roughly on par with the older Radeon R9 390X and GeForce GTX 980 which retailed for over $400 when new. This makes the RX 480 a superb value at just $239. We also found it perfectly suitable for VR gaming, handily meeting the Oculus Rift’s recommended specs.

Display Technology and Resolution

The Radeon RX 480 utilizes modern display outputs to keep up with the latest monitor technology. You get three DisplayPort 1.4 ports, one HDMI 2.0b port, and no DVI. These cutting-edge outputs allow the RX 480 to effortlessly drive monitors with resolutions up to 4K and refresh rates up to 240Hz. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is also supported for vivid colors and contrast on compatible monitors and TVs.

Thanks to its 8GB of VRAM, the RX 480 is fast enough to play games at 1440p or 4K without hiccups, especially with some graphics settings turned down. But due to its mainstream design focus, AMD markets the card for flawless high-framerate gaming at 1920 x 1080 which it handles admirably.

Pros and Cons of AMD Radeon RX 480

Should I Buy Radeon RX 480?

If you’re looking for a powerful but economical graphics card for gaming at 1080p or 1440p resolutions, the Radeon RX 480 is easy to recommend. At just $239, it offers nearly unbeatable value and even outpaces more expensive last-gen cards. Impressively, it meets the Oculus Rift VR-ready specifications for an affordable entry point to PC-based virtual reality.

For high refresh-rate gaming at 1080p or playing games on a 4K monitor, Nvidia’s more expensive Pascal cards do perform better but you’re looking at spending at least $379 for a GTX 1070. Overall, AMD has a real winner on their hands with the RX 480 – it finally brings top-tier 1080p graphics performance to a truly mainstream price point.

FAQs

Is the RX 480 good for gaming at 1440p?

Yes, the 8GB model of the RX 480 is totally capable of running games at 1440p resolution. You may need to turn down some graphics settings in very demanding games to maintain high frame rates but performance should still be smooth overall.

How does the RX 480 compare to older AMD cards?

The RX 480 is a significant upgrade over older cards like the R9 380 and R9 290 series. It also keeps pace with and even beats the R9 390X which retailed for over $400 when it launched.

Can you play games in 4K with the RX 480?

The RX 480 can drive 4K gaming but getting a steady 60 FPS at high settings in newer titles may require some graphical compromises. The card is better suited for flawless 4K video streaming and playback rather than maxed-out 4K gaming.

Does the RX 480 work for VR gaming?

Yes, AMD has promoted the Radeon RX 480 as an affordable GPU for virtual reality gaming. It meets the recommended system requirements for both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets. The performance will be perfectly smooth with top VR games.