MSI Radeon RX 480 Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£60
  • VRAM: 8 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 150 W

MSI 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.

5.1

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%

4.6

Technical Score

10.0%

9.3

User score

Good
4.6

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%

2.5

Performance

24.0%

4.2

Memory

12.0%

8.2

Power & Cooling

11.0%

7.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.6

Design

4.0%

7.5

Connectivity & Media

Poor
9.3

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%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(893)
amazon
4.0
(10)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(172)
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(13)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 3.8
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.6

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.7
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.6

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.1
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.6

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.2
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.6

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.6
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.6

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best rankings

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

Verdict

The MSI Radeon RX 480 is a mid-range graphics card based on the 14nm Polaris architecture, featuring 2,304 stream processors and either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 256-bit memory interface. Premium variants like the Gaming X model offer factory-overclocked boost speeds up to 1,316 MHz and utilise the Twin Frozr VI cooling system with Zero Frozr technology, which keeps fans idle below 60°C for silent operation. Main pros include strong 1080p gaming performance, VR readiness, and customisable RGB lighting. However, notable cons include higher power consumption compared to reference models—often requiring an 8-pin connector—and potential issues with audible coil whine or aggressive fan curves under heavy load.

Technical Specifications of MSI 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%

2.5

Performance

24.0%

4.2

Memory

12.0%

8.2

Power & Cooling

11.0%

7.1

Platform & Features

5.0%

8.6

Design

4.0%

7.5

Connectivity & Media

4.6
MSI Radeon RX 480 has a technical score of 4.61 points, which is lower than that of 83% 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%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(893)
amazon
4.0
(10)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(172)
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(13)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.3
MSI Radeon RX 480 has a user score of 9.29 points, which is higher than that of 83.9% of products in this category.
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.
10
MSI Radeon RX 480 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% 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%

5.1

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.6
MSI Radeon RX 480 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.6 points, which is lower than 57.2% 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

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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

N/A
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

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

Importance: LOW

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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

5.83 TFLOPS
MSI Radeon RX 480 delivers 5.83 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 87.2% of graphics cards.
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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

8 GB
MSI Radeon RX 480 has 8 GB of VRAM, which is less than 57.6% of graphics cards and equal to 25.1% 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
MSI 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
MSI 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
MSI 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
MSI 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
MSI 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

12
MSI Radeon RX 480 supports DirectX 12, which is older than on 92.7% of graphics cards and equal to 7.1% of graphics cards.
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
MSI 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

4.6
MSI Radeon RX 480 supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% 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
MSI 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

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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

2
MSI Radeon RX 480 offers 2 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 79.2% of graphics cards and equal to 10.2% 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
MSI 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
MSI 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

200 W
MSI Radeon RX 480 draws 200 W under peak load, which is lower than 52% of graphics cards and equal to 3.8% of graphics cards.
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
MSI 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

225 W
MSI Radeon RX 480 has a board power limit of 225 W, which is higher than that of 52.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.4% of graphics cards.
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

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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

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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

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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

112 mm
MSI Radeon RX 480 is 112 mm tall, which is shorter than 84.4% of graphics cards and equal in height to 2.8% 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
MSI 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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MSI Radeon RX 480 vs the average graphics card

  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
  • 15 mm lower card height
    MSI Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (112 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

    MSI Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (112 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.112 mm vs 127 mm
  • 14.3% faster VRAM clock
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI Radeon RX 480 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 8.83x cheaper
    MSI Radeon RX 480 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£60 vs £530).
    MSI Radeon RX 480 is cheaper than the average graphics card (£60 vs £530).£60 vs £530
  • 16.1% higher user score
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.29 vs 8.000).
    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.
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a higher user score than the average graphics card (9.29 vs 8.000).9.29 vs 8
  • Better FP64 ratio
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
  • 14.3% faster VRAM clock
    MSI 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
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports multi-GPU linking, the average graphics card does not.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 23.1% lower PSU requirement
    MSI 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
    MSI 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.
  • 15 mm lower card height
    MSI Radeon RX 480 is shorter than the average graphics card (112 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 49.4% lower boost clock speed
    MSI 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
    MSI 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.
  • 51.1% lower texture rate
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (184.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 74.6% lower FP32 performance
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (5.8 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 40 fewer TMUs
    MSI 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
    MSI 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
    MSI 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.
  • 74.8% lower compute throughput
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (5.8 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 2,048 fewer FP32 units
    MSI 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.
  • 57.9% slower memory speed
    MSI 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.
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 42.9% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI 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
    MSI 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
    MSI 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
    MSI 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.
  • No ray tracing
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    MSI Radeon RX 480 was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No XeSS support
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support XeSS, the average graphics card does.
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.3 vs 1.4).
  • Older DirectX version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older DirectX version than the average graphics card (12 vs 12 Ultimate).
  • Older OpenCL version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older OpenCL version than the average graphics card (2 vs 3.0).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 74% fewer transistors
    MSI 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.
  • No AV1 encoding
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (2 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI Radeon RX 480 supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 6 °C higher load temperature
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a higher load temperature than the average graphics card (73 °C vs 67 °C). The average graphics card has a load temperature of 67 °C.
  • 49.4% lower boost clock speed
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
  • 2.8x larger process node
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
  • 41.7% lower base clock speed
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 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

    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 57.9% slower memory speed
    MSI 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

    MSI 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
  • 51.1% lower texture rate
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (184.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI Radeon RX 480 has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (184.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.184.2 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • No ray tracing
    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Hardware support for real-time ray tracing effects
    When it matters: When you care about ray-traced lighting, reflections, and shadows and want to avoid buying a card that only handles traditional raster graphics well.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI Radeon RX 480 does not support ray tracing, the average graphics card does.
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 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

    MSI Radeon RX 480 has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.8 GB vs 12 GB

Graphic comparison of MSI Radeon RX 480 and

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Third-party reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI Radeon RX 480?

  • Excellent cooling performance with the Twin Frozr VI cooler, running significantly cooler than reference models
  • Near-silent operation; fans remain idle under low loads (Zero Frozr technology)
  • Strong 1080p gaming performance and capable 1440p performance with adjusted settings
  • Premium build quality including a sturdy metal backplate and customizable RGB lighting
  • Improved power delivery via an 8-pin connector compared to the 6-pin reference design
  • Excellent current second-hand value for budget builds

What customers dislike about MSI Radeon RX 480?

  • High power consumption under load, often exceeding the 150W TDP advertised for the chip
  • Limited overclocking headroom as the card comes factory-tweaked near its limits
  • Dated architecture that struggles with modern AAA titles and lacks ray-tracing support
  • Large physical footprint (custom PCB) may not fit in compact or small-form-factor cases
  • Audible coil whine reported by some users under specific heavy workloads
  • Fan curve may require manual tuning in some closed-case environments to prevent higher temps

Expert reviews

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overclockersclub.com
07/12/2016

The Overclockers Club review of the MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8G highlights a well-engineered aftermarket card featuring a custom PCB with Military Class IV components and a highly effective Twin Frozr VI cooling system. Key strengths include a silent 0-RPM fan mode (ZeroFrozr), effective RGB lighting, and solid overclocking headroom, with testers achieving a stable 1410MHz core clock. On...Read more

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overclockers.com
04/08/2016

The MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8G is a non-reference card utilizing AMD’s 14nm Polaris 10 architecture and the custom Twin Frozr VI cooler, which provides silent, 0dB operation under 60°C and superior thermal performance. Factory-overclocked with robust power components, it delivers strong 1080p and entry-level 1440p performance, making it a capable, cool-running mainstream option....Read more

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tomshardware.com
04/04/2017

The MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8G is a physically large and beefy graphics card weighing 974 grams, measuring 27.5 cm in length, and featuring a dual-slot form factor with a 1303 MHz Gaming Mode clock rate. It is built around a non-reference PCB layout that positions a six-phase GPU voltage regulation circuit controlled by an IR3567B chip on the right, alongside 8GB of Samsung GDDR5 memory...Read more

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gamersnexus.net
02/08/2016

Summary The MSI RX 480 Gaming X is a highly capable custom variant of AMD's Polaris 10 architecture that fixes the major shortcomings of the reference model for a modest $15 price premium. Equipped with the Twin Frozr VI cooling solution, the card runs roughly 10°C cooler under load (~46.16°C vs ~56°C delta over ambient) and maintains completely silent 0RPM fan operation when...Read more

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guru3d.com
01/08/2016

The MSI Radeon RX 480 GAMING X 8GB review by Guru3D evaluates a highly potent, custom-cooled graphics card targeting mainstream gamers playing at Full HD (1080p) and WQHD (1440p) resolutions. Built on AMD’s 14nm Polaris 10 architecture, the card features 2,304 shader processors, a 256-bit memory bus, and an upgraded 8-pin power connector coupled with a 6 phase VRM design for...Read more

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techpowerup.com
01/08/2016

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8 GB highlights a custom card featuring superior thermal and acoustic performance via the Twin Frozr VI cooler, operating quietly at 31 dBA and significantly cooler than the reference design. Pros include a 0 RPM idle mode, a premium backplate, a DVI port, and a robust 8-pin power delivery system for improved overclocking potential....Read more

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igorslab.de
03/04/2017

This comprehensive roundup evaluates several custom AMD Radeon RX 480 graphics cards (including models from Asus, MSI, Powercolor, Sapphire, XFX, and HIS) alongside the original reference card to analyze how individual board partner designs interpret the Polaris 10 architecture. Tested under realistic conditions inside both open test benches and closed PC cases, the review bypasses...Read more

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comptoir-hardware.com
26/08/2016

The review evaluates whether two custom ASUS Strix AMD Radeon RX 480 graphics cards running in a CrossFire dual-GPU configuration can outperform a single factory-overclocked MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Gaming X. Published during the launch cycle of AMD’s Polaris 10 and Nvidia's Pascal architectures, the test aims to see if the higher total cost of two mainstream AMD cards provides a...Read more

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ginjfo.com
10/12/2020

The GinjFo review finds the AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB still viable for budget-conscious, light gaming, largely due to its 8GB VRAM buffer that manages modern, memory-heavy titles. Synthetic tests confirm it performs roughly 7.7% to 10.4% faster than the R9 290, maintaining a competitive, albeit dated, position against older hardware. However, the card’s outdated architecture poses...Read more

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techpulse.be
29/06/2016

The AMD Radeon RX 480 is a highly cost-effective, VR-ready graphics card that delivers mid-range performance comparable to Nvidia's GTX 970 at a significantly lower launch price of €260. Built on the 14-nanometer Polaris 10 architecture, the card features 2,304 stream processors, a boost clock of 1266 MHz, and 8GB of standard GDDR5 memory. Performance benchmarks reveal that the RX...Read more

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