The RX 480, a graphics card that revolutionized the gaming industry, has been around for a while. But exactly how old is it? In this article, we’ll take a journey back in time to explore the history of this powerful GPU and see how it has fared over the years.
The Launch of RX 480: A Game-Changer in 2016
The RX 480 was launched on June 29, 2016, as part of AMD’s Polaris family of graphics cards. This GPU was designed to be an affordable, high-performance solution for gamers and graphics enthusiasts. At the time of its release, the RX 480 was a significant departure from AMD’s previous graphics cards, offering better performance, power efficiency, and features like multi-threading and asynchronous shading.
The RX 480 was based on the Polaris 10 GPU, which was built using a 14nm FinFET process. This allowed for improved performance and reduced power consumption compared to AMD’s previous 28nm GPUs. The card featured 2304 stream processors, 144 texture units, and 32 ROPs (render outputs). It had a base clock speed of 1120 MHz and a boost clock speed of up to 1266 MHz.
Competing with NVIDIA’s Pascal GPUs
The RX 480 was launched in a highly competitive market, with NVIDIA’s Pascal GPUs ( GeForce GTX 1060, GTX 1070, and GTX 1080) dominating the high-end segment. However, AMD positioned the RX 480 as a more affordable alternative, with a launch price of around $200. This made it an attractive option for gamers who wanted high-performance graphics without breaking the bank.
In terms of performance, the RX 480 was neck-and-neck with NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 970, a popular mid-range GPU at the time. The RX 480 outperformed the GTX 970 in some games, but fell behind in others. Overall, it was a strong contender in the mid-range market, offering better value for money than NVIDIA’s offerings.
Key Features and Technologies
The RX 480 was packed with innovative features and technologies that set it apart from its competitors. Some of the key features included:
Multi-Threaded Command Buffer
The RX 480 introduced a new multi-threaded command buffer that allowed for better performance and reduced latency. This technology enabled the GPU to process commands in parallel, improving overall performance and reducing the load on the CPU.
Asynchronous Shaders
Asynchronous shaders allowed the RX 480 to perform tasks concurrently, improving performance and reducing the load on the GPU. This technology enabled the GPU to handle complex graphics effects and physics simulations more efficiently.
High-Bandwidth Cache Controller
The RX 480 featured a high-bandwidth cache controller that improved memory bandwidth and reduced latency. This technology enabled faster access to memory, improving overall system performance.
Vulkan and DirectX 12 Support
The RX 480 supported both Vulkan and DirectX 12, allowing for better performance and compatibility with modern games and applications. Vulkan, in particular, was a new API at the time, offering improved performance and better multi-threading support.
Performance and Benchmarks
The RX 480 performed well in benchmarks, outperforming its predecessor, the R9 380, and rivaling NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 970. Here are some benchmark results from our database:
| GPU | 3DMark Fire Strike | 3DMark Time Spy | Unigine Heaven 4.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX 480 | 11,451 | 5,432 | 35.4 FPS |
| R9 380 | 9,154 | 4,219 | 27.3 FPS |
| GeForce GTX 970 | 10,921 | 5,141 | 34.1 FPS |
As you can see, the RX 480 performed well in both synthetic and real-world benchmarks, offering competitive performance to NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 970.
Overclocking and Custom Designs
The RX 480 was a popular choice among overclockers and custom designers. Its robust design and powerful cooling system made it an attractive option for those who wanted to push the limits of their GPUs.
Many custom designs and overclocked versions of the RX 480 were released, featuring improved cooling systems, higher clock speeds, and customized PCBs (printed circuit boards). These custom designs often offered improved performance and overclocking headroom, making them popular among enthusiasts.
The Legacy of RX 480
The RX 480 may be an old GPU, but its legacy lives on. It was a crucial part of AMD’s graphics strategy, paving the way for future GPUs like the Vega and Radeon RX 5000 series.
The RX 480’s impact on the gaming industry cannot be overstated. It offered an affordable, high-performance solution for gamers, making it possible for more people to enjoy modern games at high resolutions and frame rates.
Today, the RX 480 may not be as relevant in the gaming world, but it remains a popular choice for retro gaming and legacy systems. Its affordability and performance make it an attractive option for those who want to breathe new life into older systems.
Conclusion
The RX 480 may be old, but it’s still a remarkable GPU. Its innovative features, competitive performance, and affordability made it a game-changer in 2016. Today, it may not be as powerful as modern GPUs, but its legacy lives on, inspiring future generations of graphics cards.
So, how old is the RX 480? As of 2023, it’s around 7 years old, but its impact on the gaming industry will be felt for years to come.
What is the RX 480 Graphics Card?
The RX 480 is a graphics card released by AMD in 2016. It was part of the Polaris family of graphics cards, which were designed to provide efficient performance while being power-efficient. The RX 480 was a popular option for budget-conscious gamers who wanted a graphics card that could handle modern games at high resolutions.
The RX 480 featured 2304 stream processors, 144 texture units, and 32 ROPs. It had a base clock speed of 1120 MHz and a boost clock speed of up to 1266 MHz. The card also had 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the model. Overall, the RX 480 was a solid performer for its time, offering smooth gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
When was the RX 480 Released?
The RX 480 was released on June 29, 2016. It was announced by AMD earlier that month, and it was made available for purchase on June 29. The release of the RX 480 marked a significant milestone for AMD, as it was the company’s first graphics card to use the Polaris architecture.
The RX 480 was launched alongside the RX 470, which was a slightly lower-performing variant of the RX 480. Both cards were popular among gamers and overclockers, who appreciated their performance, power efficiency, and affordability.
How Much did the RX 480 Cost at Launch?
The RX 480 had a launch price of $199 for the 4GB model and $239 for the 8GB model. At the time, this made it a very affordable option for gamers who wanted a high-performance graphics card without breaking the bank.
In comparison, NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 970, which was a similar performer to the RX 480, had a launch price of around $329. This made the RX 480 an attractive option for gamers on a budget who still wanted smooth performance at high resolutions.
What Games Can the RX 480 Handle?
The RX 480 was capable of handling modern games at high resolutions, including popular titles like Overwatch, Dota 2, and League of Legends. It could also handle more demanding games like The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, although at slightly lower detail settings.
In terms of specific resolutions, the RX 480 could handle 1080p resolution (1920×1080) with ease, and could also handle 1440p resolution (2560×1440) with moderate detail settings. However, it struggled with 4K resolution (3840×2160) and was not ideal for gaming at very high resolutions.
Is the RX 480 Still a Good Option for Gaming in 2022?
While the RX 480 was a solid performer in its time, it has largely been surpassed by more modern graphics cards. Today, the RX 480 is no longer a top performer, and it may struggle with more demanding modern games.
If you’re looking to build a gaming PC in 2022, it’s worth considering more modern graphics cards that offer better performance and power efficiency. However, if you’re on a very tight budget or want a graphics card for casual gaming, the RX 480 may still be a viable option.
Can the RX 480 Be Upgraded?
The RX 480 is not easily upgradable, as it is a self-contained graphics card with a fixed amount of memory and processing power. While it’s technically possible to upgrade certain components, such as the cooling system or the VRM, this is not a feasible or cost-effective option for most users.
Instead, if you want to upgrade your graphics card, it’s generally best to purchase a new, more modern graphics card that offers better performance and features.
Is the RX 480 Still Supported by AMD?
While the RX 480 is an older graphics card, AMD still provides limited support for it. This includes driver updates and bug fixes, although AMD may not prioritize the RX 480 as highly as more modern graphics cards.
However, it’s worth noting that AMD has officially moved the RX 480 to its “legacy” support category, which means that it will no longer receive new feature updates or significant performance optimizations.