Unleashing the Power: AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB is Still a Budget Beast

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Infamous AMD Radeon RX 480
3. The Rise and Fall of the RX 480
   1. GPU Apocalypse and Price Surge
   2. The Appeal of the Reference Model
4. Features and Specifications of the RX 480
   1. Introduction to the Polaris 10 XT GPU
   2. Interface and Clock Speeds
   3. Shaders and VRAM
   4. Power Consumption
5. Performance testing and Benchmarks
   1. A Different Approach to Benchmarking
   2. Back 4 Blood: A Classic in High Settings
   3. Cyberpunk 2077: Optimizations and Playability
   4. Doom Eternal: Smooth Gameplay and Visual Quality
   5. God of War: Optimization for Older Hardware
   6. Red Dead Redemption 2: Handling a Demanding Game
   7. Spider-Man Remastered: Surprising Results
   8. The Last of Us Part 1: Configuration and Playability
6. Final Thoughts on the RX 480
   1. Value and Performance
   2. Future Use and Upgrades
   3. Subscriber Engagement and Conclusion

🎮 The Infamous AMD Radeon RX 480

The AMD Radeon RX 480, released in 2016, holds a special place in the hearts of gamers and technology enthusiasts. Despite being infamous due to its high price and scarcity during the GPU apocalypse, the RX 480 remains a popular choice for many individuals. In this article, we will explore this legendary graphics card, its features, performance, and the potential it still holds in the gaming world.

📈 The Rise and Fall of the RX 480

GPU Apocalypse and Price Surge

In 2016, the GPU market experienced a phenomenon known as the "GPU apocalypse," where the demand for graphics cards skyrocketed due to cryptocurrency mining. The AMD Radeon RX 480, known for its mining capabilities, became a victim of this surge in demand, resulting in its scarcity and inflated prices. What was once an affordable graphics card suddenly became out of reach for many gamers.

The Appeal of the Reference Model

One distinguishing feature of the RX 480 was its reference model, which garnered a dedicated fanbase. Despite the criticism of its blower cooler and perceived loudness, the reference RX 480 had its Charm. Enthusiasts preferred the original design, as it embodied the essence of the card and was sought after for its authenticity. Those lucky enough to own a reference model took pride in its rarity and historical significance.

🔍 Features and Specifications of the RX 480

Introduction to the Polaris 10 XT GPU

The RX 480 was built around the Polaris 10 XT GPU, which marked AMD's transition to a new naming convention for their graphics cards. This GPU was a replacement for the R9 series, representing AMD's commitment to advancements in processing power and efficiency.

Interface and Clock Speeds

The RX 480 utilized the PCI Gen 3 x16 interface, ensuring compatibility with modern motherboards. With a base clock speed of 1120 megahertz and a boost clock speed of 1266 megahertz, the RX 480 offered decent performance for its time.

Shaders and VRAM

Equipped with 2,304 shaders, the RX 480 delivered smooth and immersive gaming experiences. The model we are focusing on today boasts eight gigabytes of GDDR5 VRAM, enabling it to handle demanding tasks and modern games with relative ease.

Power Consumption

One advantage of the RX 480, even by today's standards, is its efficient power consumption. Consuming only 150 watts, this graphics card provided a balance between performance and energy efficiency.

📊 Performance Testing and Benchmarks

A Different Approach to Benchmarking

In our testing, we took a different approach to benchmarking the RX 480. Instead of pushing it to its limits on high settings, we aimed to find the sweet spot where modern games were still playable without compromising too much visual fidelity. Let's delve into the performance of the RX 480 in popular titles.

Back 4 Blood: A Classic in High Settings

With a resolution of 1080p and the graphics preset set to high, the RX 480 showcased its capabilities, achieving an average of 84 frames per Second in Back 4 Blood. While the 1% lows were not impressive, the gameplay remained smooth without any noticeable stuttering.

Cyberpunk 2077: Optimizations and Playability

Cyberpunk 2077, a game notorious for its demanding system requirements, surprised us with its performance on the RX 480. With a resolution of 1080p, a medium preset, and the help of FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) with a balanced setting, we achieved an average of 60 FPS with a 1% low of 47. Although some visual quality was sacrificed, the gameplay remained enjoyable.

Doom Eternal: Smooth Gameplay and Visual Quality

Doom Eternal showcased the strengths of the RX 480. Even at a resolution of 1440p and a high preset, the RX 480 delivered an average of over 70 FPS, with 1% lows closely following suit. Playing this visually stunning game on the RX 480 was a dream, as its smooth performance complemented its outstanding visual quality.

God of War: Optimization for Older Hardware

God of War was historically demanding on GPUs, but with its regular updates and optimizations, it has become more accessible to older hardware. At 1080p resolution and the original graphics preset, the RX 480 handled the game well, achieving an average of 62 FPS with a 1% low of 50. The absence of visible stutters made it an enjoyable experience.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Handling a Demanding Game

Red Dead Redemption 2, one of the oldest games in our test suite, posed a challenge for the RX 480. However, with a resolution of 1080p and a balanced graphics preset, the RX 480 managed an average of 72 FPS with a 1% low of 54. It is worth noting that raising the graphic settings beyond this point did not significantly impact the gaming experience, making the RX 480 a good fit for this visually stunning game.

Spider-Man Remastered: Surprising Results

Spider-Man Remastered, being a relatively new title, initially seemed like a challenge for the aging RX 480. However, by reducing the graphics preset to medium at 1080p resolution, the game ran smoothly, averaging 75 FPS with a 1% low of 50. The RX 480 defied expectations and delivered an enjoyable experience without compromising much on visual quality.

The Last of Us Part 1: Configuration and Playability

Even an older game like The Last of Us Part 1 proved playable on the RX 480 with some configuration tweaks and assistance from AMD's FSR. While playing at 1080p with a high preset is not recommended, switching the preset to medium and enabling FSR with a performance setting allowed for smooth gameplay at an average of 50 FPS and a 1% low of 33. However, visual fidelity took a hit, necessitating a decision between performance and aesthetics.

💭 Final Thoughts on the RX 480

Value and Performance

The RX 480, even with its age, surprises with its value and performance. Its affordability, especially in today's market, makes it one of the best value cards. While newer cards like the RX 6600 offer more speed and features, the RX 480 remains a capable performer, delivering excellent gameplay experiences even with tweaked settings.

Future Use and Upgrades

If you still own an RX 480, whether the 4GB or 8GB version, you might be Wondering if it's time to upgrade. The answer depends on individual needs and preferences. The RX 480 can still handle modern games with some adjustments, but as games become more demanding, an upgrade may be necessary to maintain smooth and visually stunning gameplay.

Subscriber Engagement and Conclusion

At TagLab, we were amazed by the RX 480's performance and will continue exploring its potential. We encourage our subscribers to share their experiences with this iconic graphics card. Are you still running an RX 480? Do you own the 4GB or 8GB variant? Are you considering an upgrade, or will you continue using the RX 480 until it reaches its limits? Let us know in the comments below. Don't forget to subscribe to our Channel for more content and updates. Stay tuned for our next adventure with the RX 480!