The AMD Radeon RX 470 is a popular mid-range graphics card that offers an impressive balance of performance and price. Released in 2016, this GPU has been a staple in the gaming community for several years, providing a reliable and affordable option for those seeking to upgrade their desktop or laptop’s graphics capabilities.

Architecture and Performance

The RX 470 is based on AMD’s Polaris architecture, which was designed to deliver improved power efficiency and performance per watt compared to its predecessors. The GPU features 2048 stream processors, 128 texture units, and 32 ROPs (render output units), making it a capable performer in modern games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.

In terms of raw performance, the RX 470 is often compared to NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1060, although it tends to trail behind in some benchmarks. However, this difference is largely mitigated by the RX 470’s lower power consumption and price point.

Memory and Bandwidth

The RX 470 comes with either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the specific model. While 4GB may seem limited compared to more recent GPUs, it’s still sufficient for most modern games at lower resolutions (e.g., 1080p). The memory bandwidth is a respectable 224 GB/s, which helps maintain smooth frame rates in demanding titles.

Power Consumption and Cooling

The RX 470 operates at a relatively low power draw of around 120W TDP (thermal design power), making it suitable for smaller systems or those with limited cooling capacity. Many aftermarket coolers are available to further reduce temperatures and noise levels, ensuring the GPU runs smoothly even during prolonged gaming sessions.

Features and Technologies

The RX 470 supports various advanced features like:

• Multi-display support: up to four monitors can be connected simultaneously
• DirectX 12 and Vulkan API support for improved performance and efficiency
• AMD’s FreeSync technology for reduced screen tearing and improved overall visual quality
• HDMI 2.0b output for 4K resolution at 60Hz or lower

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 470 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers seeking a reliable and capable graphics card. Its balance of performance, power efficiency, and price makes it an attractive option for those with 1080p or 1440p monitors.

While newer GPUs have surpassed the RX 470 in terms of raw performance, its affordability and compatibility with older systems make it still a viable choice today. If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming setup on a budget, the RX 470 is definitely worth considering.

Technical Specifications:

• Architecture: Polaris
• Process Node: 14nm FinFET
• Stream Processors: 2048
• Memory: 4GB or 8GB GDDR5
• Memory Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
• TDP: 120W
• Power Connectors: 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connectors
• Outputs: DisplayPort, HDMI 2.0b, DVI-D
• DirectX Support: 12
• Vulkan Support: Yes