AMD Radeon RX 470: A Budget-Friendly GPU for 1440p Gaming

The AMD Radeon RX 470 is a popular graphics card that offers impressive performance at an affordable price point. Released in 2016, this mid-range GPU has been a staple for gamers looking to play games at high resolutions without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll delve into the technical specifications, features, and performance of the AMD Radeon RX 470.

Technical Specifications:

  • Architecture: Polaris (14nm)
  • CUDA Cores: 2048
  • Memory: 4GB GDDR5 or 8GB GDDR5
  • Memory Bus Width: 256-bit
  • Memory Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
  • Base Clock Speed: 926 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: up to 1206 MHz

Performance

The AMD Radeon RX 470 is capable of delivering smooth performance in modern games at 1440p resolutions (2560×1440). According to benchmarking tests, the GPU can handle games like The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and Overwatch at medium to high graphics settings.

In 1080p gaming, the RX 470 excels with frame rates above 60 FPS in most titles. However, as resolutions increase, performance may suffer slightly due to the limited VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) available on this GPU.

Comparison to Competitors

When comparing the AMD Radeon RX 470 to its competitors from NVIDIA, we see that it offers competitive performance at a lower price point. The GTX 1060, for example, is more expensive and has a slightly higher CUDA core count (1280), but the RX 470 still manages to keep up in most games.

Power Consumption

The AMD Radeon RX 470 requires a single 6-pin power connector and consumes around 120W of power. This makes it suitable for mid-range systems with modest power supplies.

Cooling System

The RX 470 features a dual-fan cooling system that is generally quiet and effective at keeping temperatures under control. However, some users may experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions or when the GPU is heavily overclocked.

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 470 is an excellent choice for gamers on a budget who want to play games at high resolutions without breaking the bank. Its impressive performance, affordable price point, and robust cooling system make it an attractive option for mid-range systems.

While it may not be the most powerful GPU available, the RX 470 delivers smooth performance in modern games and is a great starting point for those looking to upgrade their gaming rig.

Upgrade Options

If you’re already using the AMD Radeon RX 470 and want to upgrade, consider the following:

  • Upgrade to the RX 480 or RX 570 for improved performance at higher resolutions.
  • Consider an NVIDIA GPU like the GTX 1060 or GTX 1660 Super for alternative options.
  • If you’re planning to build a new system, look into more modern GPUs like the Radeon RX 5600 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060.

Compatibility

The AMD Radeon RX 470 is compatible with most modern systems that support PCIe 3.0 and have an available PCIe slot (x16). However, ensure your motherboard supports the GPU’s power requirements and has sufficient cooling capacity to prevent overheating issues.