The AMD Radeon RX 480 Preview: Polaris Makes Its Mainstream Mark
by Ryan Smith on June 29, 2016 9:00 AM ESTGaming Performance
So with the basics of the architecture and core configuration behind us, let’s dive into some numbers.
Overall, AMD is pitching the RX 480 as a card suitable for 1440p gaming as well as 1080p gaming and VR gaming. In the case of 1080p the card is clearly powerful enough, as even Crysis 3 at its highest quality setting is flirting with 60fps. However when it comes to 1440p, the RX 480 feels like it’s coming up a bit short; other than DiRT Rally, performance is a bit low for the 60fps PC gamer. Traditionally cards in the $199-$249 mainstream range have been 1080p gaming cards, and in the long run I think this is where RX 480 will settle at as well.
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Chris A. - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
To replace my 7850 on my 1080p monitors maxed out at 60 Hz, it's an absolute winner.proxopspete - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
That's where I am... just need a non-stock coolercatavalon21 - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
I too have the 7850. I still would like to see some basic compute numbers for both, but yeah, this would handily fill the role for gaming...SunnyNW - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
Others with 7850s...Did you notice that the FPS numbers for the 7850 seemed a little on the low side... Going back and testing I easily get around 30 fps at 1080p in the games where it was showing in the 20s. Does the choice of OS make a performance difference? Between Win 7/8/10?Laxaa - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - link
Same here. Now I'm debating if it's wise to go with the 8GB version, or if I should spring for the 4GB one and save money. I'll eventually get a 4K display, but that will mostly be because of work.HollyDOL - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
eww, that's not really stellar, given the charts now GTX-1060 will likely have it for breakfast...D. Lister - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
If I were Nvidia, at this point I would probably take half a 1070, factory-OC the bejeezus out of it, add 6GB gddr5, slap on a $150 MSRP and call it a day. :pChris A. - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
Remember that die size on the 1070 is 40-50% larger than the RX480, so their margin is going to be smaller to reach that price point.Yojimbo - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - link
Yeah there's no reason to use GP104 when they have GP106 for that purpose.Ananke - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
NVidia has never in its history "slapped" $150 when they can put $300 price tag. At best, whenever such thing as GTX1050 happen, it may be around $200 mark for half of this performance. NVidia will never cannibalize its prices, they sell their 1070/1080 with markup easily anyway. There is no reason for them to not have markup on 1060/1050 as well.