Upgrade your RX 480 to RX 580 for Free!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Upgrade from RX 480 to RX 580?
3. Step 1: Installing the RX 580
4. Step 2: Visiting TechPowerUp Website
5. Step 3: Downloading GPU-Z and ATI Flash Utility
6. Step 4: Saving the Stock BIOS
7. Step 5: Finding the Compatible RX 580 BIOS
8. Step 6: Flashing the BIOS using ATI Flash Utility
9. Step 7: Verifying the Flash and Restarting the System
10. Performance Comparison: RX 480 vs RX 580
11. Additional Benefits of Upgrading
12. Conclusion

💡 Upgrading from RX 480 to RX 580: How and Why

Are you a proud owner of an RX 480 graphics card? While it may have served you well since its launch a year and a half ago, you might be noticing that it no longer meets your performance standards. Don't fret! In today's article, we will show you how to give your RX 480 a free upgrade to an RX 580, without spending a single dime. Yes, you read that right - a performance upgrade at no cost! So, let's dive in and learn how to transform your RX 480 into an RX 580, step by step.

Introduction

The RX 480 and RX 580 are both highly popular graphics cards known for their exceptional gaming performance. However, if you're currently using an RX 480, you might be looking for a performance boost without the need to invest in a new graphics card. That's where the upgrade to an RX 580 comes in. By following the steps Mentioned in this article, you'll be able to unlock the full potential of your current RX 480 and experience improved performance without spending any money.

Why Upgrade from RX 480 to RX 580?

You might be Wondering why you should bother upgrading your RX 480 to an RX 580. After all, is the performance gain really worth the effort? The answer is a resounding yes! The RX 580 offers several advantages over its predecessor, including higher core clock speeds, lower power consumption, and improved overall efficiency. Additionally, upgrading to an RX 580 opens up the possibility of crossfire configurations, allowing you to extend the life of your current graphics card by adding another compatible RX 580 in the future. So, without further ado, let's get started with the upgrade process.

Step 1: Installing the RX 580

Before you can proceed with the upgrade, you need to have the RX 580 installed in your system. It's recommended to have a secondary graphics card already installed to ensure a smooth process in case anything goes wrong. This can be any graphics card, such as a GT 1032, GTX 1080i, or even the integrated graphics on your Intel CPU. With the RX 580 properly installed, you're ready to begin the upgrade process.

Step 2: Visiting TechPowerUp Website

To upgrade your RX 480 to an RX 580, you'll need certain utilities from the TechPowerUp website. Head over to their website and navigate to the section where you can find the required software for this specific project. The three primary tools you'll need are GPU-Z, the BIOS database, and the ATI Flash utility. These tools will assist you in identifying your current RX 480's BIOS, finding a compatible RX 580 BIOS, and flashing the new BIOS onto your card.

Step 3: Downloading GPU-Z and ATI Flash Utility

Start by downloading GPU-Z from the TechPowerUp website. GPU-Z is a vital tool that allows you to extract and save your RX 480's stock BIOS. Once downloaded, open GPU-Z and locate your RX 480 in the drop-down menu. Save the stock BIOS to a file, ensuring that you have a backup in case anything goes wrong during the upgrade process. In addition to GPU-Z, also download the ATI Flash utility, which will be used to flash the new RX 580 BIOS onto your RX 480.

Step 4: Saving the Stock BIOS

With GPU-Z open and your RX 480 selected, click on the save button to save your stock BIOS to a file. This step is crucial as it ensures that you have a backup of your original BIOS in case something goes awry. By saving the stock BIOS, you have a safety net to revert back to if needed. This precautionary measure will give you peace of mind throughout the upgrade process, knowing that you can always restore your card to its original state.

Step 5: Finding the Compatible RX 580 BIOS

To upgrade your RX 480 to an RX 580, you need to find a compatible RX 580 BIOS for your specific card. The key is to find a BIOS that closely aligns with the layout and specifications of your RX 480. Start by selecting the card vendor from the BIOS database, such as PowerColor in our case. Then, choose the appropriate card model, which for us is the PowerColor Red Devil RX 580. It's essential to pick a BIOS with a core clock that is not significantly higher than your current RX 480's clock speed to avoid potential issues.

Step 6: Flashing the BIOS using ATI Flash Utility

Now that you have the compatible RX 580 BIOS downloaded, it's time to flash it onto your RX 480. While the ATI Win Flash utility can be used for this purpose, we recommend using the ATI Flash utility for a more reliable and advanced experience. Launch the command Prompt by right-clicking and selecting "Open command window here." In the command prompt, navigate to the folder where the ATI Flash utility is located. Use the commands "ATI flash -i" and "ATI flash -p" to select the adapter number and program the BIOS respectively. If you encounter any errors, you can force the flash by adding the "-f" flag to the command.

Step 7: Verifying the Flash and Restarting the System

After flashing the RX 580 BIOS onto your RX 480, verify that the flash was successful. Reboot your system and ensure that the RX 580 is recognized as the new GPU in the system. You can check this by opening GPU-Z, where you should see the RX 580 as the detected card. Additionally, check the AMD Radeon settings to confirm that your RX 480 has successfully become an RX 580. Take note of the new GPU clock speed, as this will be essential in the performance comparison to follow.

Performance Comparison: RX 480 vs RX 580

Now that your RX 480 has been transformed into an RX 580, it's time to assess the performance gains achieved through this upgrade. By comparing the performance of the original RX 480 to the newly upgraded RX 580, you can gauge the effectiveness of the flash. Benchmarks have shown that the difference in performance ranges from 2-4% when compared to the stock RX 480, depending on the Game being played. However, it's worth noting that this slight performance gain can be further improved through overclocking.

Additional Benefits of Upgrading

While the performance gain may seem minimal at first glance, the upgrade to an RX 580 comes with additional benefits. The RX 580 BIOS allows the card to idle at lower power states, resulting in improved efficiency when performing non-intensive tasks. This makes your PC more energy-efficient when conducting office work or other light activities. Additionally, upgrading to an RX 580 eliminates the need to search for another RX 480 for crossfire configurations due to availability constraints. By flashing and upgrading your current RX 480, you can unlock the potential for future crossfire setups and extend the lifespan of your GPU.

Conclusion

In conclusion, upgrading your RX 480 to an RX 580 can be a worthwhile endeavor. While the performance gains may seem modest, the ability to overclock, reduced power consumption, and the potential for crossfire configurations make this a compelling upgrade for many users. However, it's important to remember that flashing a BIOS poses a risk, and caution should be exercised throughout the process. Always ensure you have a backup of your original BIOS and closely follow the steps outlined in this article to minimize the chances of encountering any issues. So, if you're ready to give your RX 480 a performance boost, follow the steps provided, and enjoy the benefits of an RX 580 without spending a dime.

Highlights:

• Upgrade your RX 480 to an RX 580 for free
• Follow the step-by-step process to unlock the full potential of your card
• Experience improved performance and lower power consumption
• Unlock the possibility of future crossfire configurations
• Backup your original BIOS before flashing for added security

FAQ:

Q: Is the upgrade from RX 480 to RX 580 worth the effort? A: While the performance gain may seem modest, the ability to overclock, reduced power consumption, and the potential for future crossfire setups make the upgrade worthwhile for many users.

Q: Are there any risks involved in flashing the BIOS? A: Yes, there is a risk of bricking your card if not done correctly. It's essential to backup your original BIOS and follow the steps outlined in this article to minimize potential issues.

Q: Can I revert back to my original RX 480 BIOS if desired? A: Yes, by saving your original BIOS and re-flashing it onto your card, you can restore it to its original state.

Q: Are there any additional benefits to upgrading to an RX 580? A: Yes, the RX 580 BIOS allows for lower power consumption during idle states, making the card more energy-efficient for non-intensive tasks. Additionally, it eliminates the need to search for another RX 480 for crossfire setups due to availability constraints.