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AMD Radeon RX 480 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£60
  • Avg. price in US: ~$60
  • VRAM: 4 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 150 W

AMD Radeon RX 480 review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.5

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.5

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.5

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

2.7

Performance

24.0%

3.9

Memory

12.0%

7.7

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.2

Design

4.0%

8.5

Connectivity & Media

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 6.4
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.7
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 6.1
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    ?

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.6

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £60

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a mid-range graphics card based on the 14nm Polaris 10 architecture, featuring 2,304 stream processors, 36 compute units, and a boost clock of 1,266 MHz. Available in 4GB and 8GB GDDR5 configurations with a 256-bit memory interface, it delivers up to 5.8 TFLOPS of compute performance and supports modern APIs like DirectX 12 and Vulkan. Its main strengths include exceptional value for 1080p and 1440p gaming, VR-ready capabilities, and significantly improved power efficiency over previous generations with a 150W TDP. However, the reference blower-style cooler can run hot and loud under load, and early models faced criticism for drawing power that occasionally exceeded PCIe slot specifications.

Technical Specifications of AMD Radeon RX 480

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

?

Performance

24.0%

?

Memory

12.0%

?

Power & Cooling

11.0%

?

Platform & Features

5.0%

?

Design

4.0%

?

Connectivity & Media

4.5
AMD Radeon RX 480 has a technical score of 4.47 points, which is lower than that of 84.7% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
1.0
AMD Radeon RX 480 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 55.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.5

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.1
AMD Radeon RX 480 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.1 points, which is lower than 79.1% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

4 GB
AMD Radeon RX 480 has 4 GB of VRAM, which is less than 88% of graphics cards and equal to 6% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
AMD Radeon RX 480 uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
AMD Radeon RX 480 uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

256 GB/s
AMD Radeon RX 480 reaches 256 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 80.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.7% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
AMD Radeon RX 480 supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
AMD Radeon RX 480 uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

?
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.3
AMD Radeon RX 480 supports Vulkan 1.3, which is older than on 73.5% of graphics cards and equal to 22.5% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.5
AMD Radeon RX 480 supports OpenGL 4.5, which is older than on 95.2% of graphics cards and equal to 3.3% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
AMD Radeon RX 480 supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

7680x4320
AMD Radeon RX 480 supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 44.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 55.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

3
AMD Radeon RX 480 offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.4
AMD Radeon RX 480 supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 77.3% of graphics cards and equal to 16.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

?
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

150 W
AMD Radeon RX 480 has a TDP of 150 W, which is lower than that of 73% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.5% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

?
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

500 W
AMD Radeon RX 480 recommends a 500 W PSU, which is lower than that of 76.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 9.6% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

?
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

150 W
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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

?
Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

240 mm
AMD Radeon RX 480 is 240 mm long, which is shorter than 76.8% of graphics cards and equal in length to 1.4% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

95 mm
AMD Radeon RX 480 is 95 mm tall, which is shorter than 97.4% of graphics cards and equal in height to 0.1% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
AMD Radeon RX 480 occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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AMD Radeon RX 480 vs the average graphics card

  • Includes dual BIOS
    AMD Radeon RX 480 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Includes dual BIOS for redundancy or overclocking profiles
    When it matters: When you want a safer recovery path after tweaking fan curves or overclock settings, or you need separate quiet and performance profiles.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon RX 480 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 32 mm lower card height
    AMD Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (95 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
    What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
    When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (95 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.95 mm vs 127 mm
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.500 W vs 650 W
  • 30.2% lower TDP
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (150 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (150 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.150 W vs 215 W
  • 45.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (240 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (240 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.240 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • 14.3% faster VRAM clock
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,000 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,000 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.2000 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • 8.83x cheaper
    AMD Radeon RX 480 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£60 vs £530).
    AMD Radeon RX 480 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£60 vs £530).£60 vs £530
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
    What it is: Ratio of double-precision (FP64) to single-precision (FP32) performance
    When it matters: When you need to know whether FP64 is merely present or genuinely useful.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).1:16 vs 1:64
  • Better FP64 ratio
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
  • 14.3% faster VRAM clock
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (2,000 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • Supports multi-GPU linking
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    AMD Radeon RX 480 includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (500 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 30.2% lower TDP
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (150 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 6 °C lower idle temperature
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (32 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 32 mm lower card height
    AMD Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (95 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 45.37 mm shorter card length
    AMD Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (240 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.

Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 49.4% lower boost clock speed
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,266 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 41.7% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,120 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • No CUDA support
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support CUDA, the average graphics card does.
  • 75.5% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (40.5 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 51.6% lower texture rate
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (182.3 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 40 fewer TMUs
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (144 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 4 fewer compute units
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (36 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 80.2% lower FP16 performance
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (5.8 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
  • 2,048 fewer FP32 units
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (2,304 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 57.9% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (8,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 42.9% lower memory bandwidth
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (256 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 93.8% smaller L2 cache
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 87.5% smaller L1 cache
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (16 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 2.8x larger process node
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (14 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • Older PCIe version
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    AMD Radeon RX 480 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No XeSS support
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No DirectStorage support
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support DirectStorage, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.3 vs 1.4).
  • No sampler feedback
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • Older OpenGL version
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older OpenGL version than the average graphics card (4.5 vs 4.6).
  • 74% fewer transistors
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (5,700 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • Older shader model
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older shader model than the average graphics card (6.7 vs 6.8).
  • No AV1 encoding
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    AMD Radeon RX 480 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • 2 fewer fans
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
  • 14 °C higher load temperature
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (81 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
  • 36.4% higher idle power draw
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher idle power draw than the average graphics card (15 W vs 11 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 11 W.
  • No backplate
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 49.4% lower boost clock speed
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,266 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,266 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1266 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 2 fewer fans
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (1 vs 3).1 vs 3
  • 2.8x larger process node
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (14 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a higher process node than the average graphics card (14 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.14 nm vs 5 nm
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 41.7% lower base clock speed
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,120 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
    What it is: Base operating frequency of the GPU core under standard conditions
    When it matters: When you want to understand the card's guaranteed starting frequency instead of looking only at optimistic boost figures.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,120 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.1120 MHz vs 1920 MHz
  • No CUDA support
    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support CUDA, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Supports CUDA parallel computing platform
    When it matters: When your apps or AI tools specifically depend on the CUDA software stack.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon RX 480 does not support CUDA, the average graphics card does.
  • 75.5% lower pixel rate
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (40.5 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
    What it is: Number of pixels the GPU can render per second
    When it matters: When you play at high resolutions or care about older raster-heavy games.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (40.5 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.40.51 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s
  • 57.9% slower memory speed
    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (8,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Radeon RX 480 has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (8,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.8000 MHz vs 19000 MHz
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

Graphic comparison of AMD Radeon RX 480 and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about AMD Radeon RX 480?

  • Excellent value for money, often cited as a 'price/performance king' for its launch segment
  • Strong performance at 1080p resolution, capable of handling most AAA games at high settings
  • First mainstream card to offer a 'premium VR experience' at an affordable entry price
  • Solid DirectX 12 support, providing better future-proofing and performance in modern APIs compared to older rivals
  • Improved power efficiency over previous AMD generations like the R9 390
  • The 8GB variant offers ample VRAM for texture-heavy titles and longevity

What customers dislike about AMD Radeon RX 480?

  • The reference cooling solution is often criticised for being loud and inefficient
  • Tendency to run hot, with high thermal levels reported on stock models
  • Initial power draw concerns where the card exceeded the 75W PCIe slot specification
  • Limited overclocking headroom with the reference cooler
  • Cannot compete with high-end enthusiast cards like NVIDIA's GTX 1070 or 1080 in raw performance
  • Reference design can feel dated or less premium compared to board-partner (AIB) custom designs

Expert reviews

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tomshardware.com
04/04/2017
Reference AMD Radeon RX 480 Review www.techspot.com

AMD Radeon RX 480 Review Summary However, the graphics card is held back by several notable design concessions and hardware shortcomings. Structurally, the reference build incorporates clear cost-cutting measures, including a single-piece black plastic shroud with decorative ruse Allen screws and a relocated VRM near the output bracket. In terms of power, the inclusion of a single...Read more

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notebookcheck.net
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 Review - The fastest Polaris desktop card at launch

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a mainstream desktop graphics card built on the Polaris 10 architecture using a 14 nm FinFET manufacturing process. Geared toward the budget-conscious segment with a launch price of $199 for the 4GB version and $239 for the 8GB variant, it targets smooth Full-HD gaming performance. In synthetic and gaming benchmarks, it performs roughly on par with older,...Read more

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rockpapershotgun.com
01/11/2017
AMD RX 480 review: Gone, but not forgotten Do you need help finding technical benchmarks for specific games using this card? Copy

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is positioned as a highly capable graphics card optimized for flawless 1080p gaming, while also serving as a workable, entry-level option for 1440p gaming with minor settings adjustments. Built on a cutting-edge 14nm manufacturing process via AMD's partnership with Global Foundries, the card delivers impressive real-world value and runs remarkably well on...Read more

I
ign.com
19/12/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 Review

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a watershed mid-range GPU based on the 14nm "3D" FinFET Polaris 10 architecture, specifically designed to offer affordable, entry-level VR performance. Tested in its reference design with 8GB of GDDR5 memory, a 256-bit memory bus, and clock speeds featuring a 1,120MHz base and 1,266MHz boost, the card is highly optimized for 1920x1080 resolution gaming. In...Read more

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digitalfoundry.net
13/08/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 review | Digital Foundry

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a highly cost-effective mainstream graphics card designed to deliver exceptional 1080p gaming performance and VR readiness without a premium price tag. Built on a 14nm FinFET process with 36 compute units and 2304 shaders, it targets console-level game upgrades by comfortably running demanding titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Star Wars Battlefront at a...Read more

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hardwarezone.com.sg
02/07/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 review: A budget card with not-so budget performance

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a highly value-oriented graphics card based on the 14nm FinFET Polaris architecture, designed to bring VR-ready performance to budget-conscious gamers. Priced at US$199 for the 4GB variant and US$239 for the 8GB version, it effectively lowers the financial barrier to entry for virtual reality setups. In traditional gaming benchmarks, the card performs...Read more

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pcper.com
29/06/2016
The AMD Radeon RX 480 Review - The Polaris Promise

The PC Perspective AMD Radeon RX 480 Review highlights the graphics card as a major milestone for AMD's 14nm FinFET Polaris architecture. The card targets budget-conscious gamers looking for a VR-ready experience at a highly competitive price point of $199 for the 4GB model and $239 for the 8GB model. Major pros detailed in the review include its outstanding performance-per-dollar...Read more

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techpowerup.com
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 8 GB Review

The TechPowerUp review for the AMD Radeon RX 480 8 GB highlights the card as a major milestone for mainstream gaming, offering exceptional value with performance comparable to the GTX 970 and R9 390 at a $239 price point. It provides solid 1080p and 1440p gaming, excellent DirectX 12 capabilities, and brings increased efficiency through the 14 nm "Polaris" architecture. YouTube ·...Read more

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techspot.com
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 Review - TechSpot

The TechSpot review of the AMD Radeon RX 480 highlights its exceptional value, offering competitive performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming at a disruptive price point. Utilizing the 14nm Polaris 10 architecture, the card delivers strong results in modern DirectX 12 titles and VR, often matching or exceeding the GTX 970 and R9 390. However, the reference card suffers from significant...Read more

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gamespot.com
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 Review

The GameSpot review highlights the AMD Radeon RX 480 as a top-tier value card, launching at $199-$239 to provide excellent 1080p gaming and premium VR experiences through its 14nm Polaris architecture. It delivers over 60 FPS in major titles and offers strong DirectX 12 performance. However, the card struggles with heavy 1440p gaming, with frame rates dipping in demanding titles,...Read more

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anandtech.com
29/06/2016
Gaming Performance - The AMD Radeon RX 480 Preview - AnandTech

The AnandTech Preview of the AMD Radeon RX 480 evaluates the 14nm Polaris architecture card as a strong, high-utility contender for mainstream PC gaming. In terms of performance, the review highlights several major pros, demonstrating that the graphics card is fully optimized for delivering smooth 60fps performance during 1080p gaming sessions, even when managing resource-heavy,...Read more

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igorslab.de
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 im Test: Kann Polaris gegen Pascal bestehen?

The review of the AMD Radeon RX 480 highlights its potential as an affordable, introductory solution for virtual reality (VR) and 1440p (QHD) gaming, showing architectural strength in specific titles. In Ashes of the Singularity, the card showcases strong DirectX 12 capabilities, outpacing older hardware like the Radeon R9 290 and GeForce GTX 970 across both 1080p and 1440p...Read more

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computerbase.de
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 im Test: Schnell und effizient mit 8 GByte für 260 Euro

The AMD Radeon RX 480 targets the mainstream gaming market, offering a balanced blend of performance and efficiency with its Polaris 10 architecture built on a 14-nm FinFET process. Priced competitively at 256 Euros for the 8 GB GDDR5 model, the card features 2,304 shader units, a maximum boost clock of 1,266 MHz, and a 256-bit memory interface. Key technical pros highlighted in the...Read more

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extreme.pcgameshardware.de
05/04/2017
[Review] MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8G - Schnell, Leise & Preiswert!

The MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8G is a dual-slot graphics card featuring AMD’s Polaris architecture, 8 GB of VRAM, and MSI’s Twin Frozr VI cooling system, retailing for a "combat price" of approximately 240 Euros. Measuring 27.6 cm in length, the card comes with a matte black PCB, a matching black protective backplate adorned with the MSI gaming dragon, and subtle RGB LED lighting...Read more

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igorslab.de
03/04/2017
The large Radeon RX480 test roundup (Update)

The igor'sLAB AMD Radeon RX 480 roundup review provides an exhaustive, real-world evaluation of the Polaris 10 architecture by analyzing the AMD reference design alongside custom board partner cards like the Asus RX 480 Strix, MSI Gaming X, and Powercolor Red Devil. Tested under highly standardized conditions—specifically utilizing a closed PC case environment to mimic actual...Read more

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hardware.fr
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 8 Go : 14nm et Polaris en test - La Radeon RX 480 de référence Would you like to see similar reviews for the custom aftermarket mode...

The reference AMD Radeon RX 480 8 GB marks the debut of the 14nm Polaris 10 architecture, attempting to mirror the premium aesthetic of the R9 Fury X but heavily optimized for lower manufacturing costs. On the positive side, the graphics card utilizes a traditional radial blower fan design that effectively exhausts hot air directly out of the computer case. It features a robust,...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tomshardware.fr
29/06/2016
Test : Radeon RX 480, un rapport performances-prix révolutionnaire ?

The AMD Radeon RX 480 (Polaris 10 architecture) is a mid-range graphics card designed to bring high-quality virtual reality (VR) and solid 1080p performance to a mainstream budget. In gaming benchmarks across titles like Ashes of the Singularity and Hitman, it regularly outperforms or matches older enthusiast cards like the Radeon R9 290 and GeForce GTX 970. Built on a 14nm FinFET...Read more

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A
as.com
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480, Análisis - Meristation

AMD Radeon RX 480 Review Summary The AMD Radeon RX 480 delivers strong performance for its price, matching the Nvidia GTX 980 and outperforming the GTX 970 in DirectX 12 benchmarks thanks to its 14nm Polaris architecture, 5.5 teraflops of power, and 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Tested on a mid-range system with an i5-2500K processor, it avoids bottlenecks in almost all games, proving to be an...Read more

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geeknetic.es
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 [Análisis Completo en Español]

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a highly cost-effective, mid-range graphics card based on the 14nm FinFET Polaris 10 architecture (GCN 4), delivering excellent performance for VR applications and 2K gaming. Priced aggressively between €218 (4GB VRAM) and €260 (8GB VRAM), it significantly outperforms older competitors like the GeForce GTX 970 while drawing a modest 110W of sustained power...Read more

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elchapuzasinformatico.com
29/06/2016
Review: AMD Radeon RX 480 - El Chapuzas Informático

The El Chapuzas Informático review of the AMD Radeon RX 480 highlights the 14nm Polaris architecture as a strong mid-range option, offering competitive 1080p and 1440p gaming performance that rivals higher-end older cards. Key advantages include its excellent performance-to-price ratio, strong DirectX 12 and Vulkan capabilities, and a fully VR-ready, up-to-date output design....Read more

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P
profesionalreview.com
29/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Review (Análisis completo)

The AMD Radeon RX 480 marks the debut of the 14nm Fin-FET Polaris architecture (GCN 4.0), featuring an Ellesmere GPU with 2,304 stream processors, 32 ROPs, and 8GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus. In stock configurations, the card delivers 5.8 TFLOPs of computing power, making it fully VR-ready and positioning its performance right alongside the Nvidia GTX 970. However, the true...Read more

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E
elchapuzasinformatico.com
29/06/2016
Review: AMD Radeon RX 480 - El Chapuzas Informático

The El Chapuzas Informático review highlights the AMD Radeon RX 480 as an excellent, budget-friendly 8GB card designed for high-performance, VR-ready gaming at 1080p and entry-level 1440p. Key advantages include its outstanding performance-per-dollar ratio, 14nm Polaris architecture, modern display standards, and the updated Wattman software control. However, the reference card's...Read more

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E
elchapuzasinformatico.com
22/07/2016
Review de la Asus ROG Strix Radeon RX 480, ocea muy poco

The El Chapuzas Informático review highlights the Asus ROG Strix Radeon RX 480 as a premium, highly customized rendition of AMD’s Polaris architecture that significantly improves upon the thermal downfalls of the reference design. A major pro is the massive DirectCU III triple-fan cooler, keeping the GPU running at exceptionally low temperatures, alongside the striking Aura RGB...Read more

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tech.everyeye.it
29/06/2016
Recensione AMD Radeon RX 480Go to product viewer dialog for this item. - Everyeye Tech

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a highly cost-effective mid-to-high-end graphics card built on the 14nm FinFET Polaris architecture, featuring 36 Compute Units, 2304 Stream Processors, and 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM. In performance testing, the card shines in 1080p and QHD (1440p) gaming, successfully delivering over 110 FPS in Doom at 1080p and maintaining a stable 60 FPS at 1440p. It trades blows...Read more

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L
leganerd.com
23/09/2016
Recensione AMD Radeon RX480 - Lega Nerd

The AMD Radeon RX 480 (specifically the 8GB XFX reference model with a backplate) delivers excellent value for mid-range budget PC builders looking for robust FullHD (1080p) performance and VR readiness. Tested on an Intel i7-4790 system using Crimson 16.7.3 drivers, the card achieved a 3DMark Firestrike graphic score of over 12,000 points and smoothly handled demanding titles like...Read more

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M
multiplayer.it
30/06/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480 - Speciale - Multiplayer

The AMD Radeon RX 480 represents a major mainstream push for AMD, utilizing the 14-nanometer Polaris 10 architecture to target the massive 84% of the PC market spending between $100 and $300. Priced highly competitively—with the Sapphire 8GB reference edition spotted at 269 euros—the card features 2,304 stream processors, a 256-bit memory bus, and a boost clock of 1266MHz,...Read more

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T
tomshw.it
06/07/2016
AMD Radeon RX 480, analisi approfondita consumi energetici

This in-depth power consumption analysis by Igor Wallossek for Tom's Hardware re-evaluates the reference AMD Radeon RX 480 to address controversies regarding its high power draw. The review confirms that while AMD's core claim is accurate—the GPU itself functions as a highly efficient 110W component—the total graphics card actually consumes 164W at average loads due to memory...Read more

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