Official AMD Polaris Review Thread: Radeon RX 480, RX 470, and RX 460

[amenx]

Well, at least they have the performance/$ win. As long as its not CF.

 

[KaRLiToS]

Wow it's worse than my 390x on almost every benchmark I see at 1080p.

I don't know what to do now. Newegg has two models in stock but I almost feel like waiting for AIB versions to hopefully get an upgrade via OCing.

Don't sidegrade, upgrade in 2017 or get GTX 1070/1080 for a real upgrade.

 

[sze5003]

Wow it's worse than my 390x on almost every benchmark I see at 1080p.

I don't know what to do now. Newegg has two models in stock but I almost feel like waiting for AIB versions to hopefully get an upgrade via OCing.

I want to wait for AIB too. But I'm giving my card away soon. I may end up with a 1070 then if they don't introduce AiB models sooner than 2 weeks.

 

[AnandThenMan]

The 1080 showing 74% higher perf/watt is unbelievable the upper end GPUs tend to have diminishing returns in efficiency. And I must be seeing things because Fury non-X has the same perf/watt as the 480.

 

[Mercennarius]

This is truly only an "upgrade" for 290X/390X owners if they plan to go crossfire....otherwise its just a side grade that offers lower power consumption.

 

[crisium]

And I must be seeing things because Fury non-X has the same perf/watt as the 480.

Asus Fury Strixx is factory undervolted, since AMD always provides too much stock voltage too their cards. Combined with HBM for extra savings and it sure is nice. I went Sapphire though since it scored better on the noise marks.

 

[iiiankiii]

The 1080 showing 74% higher perf/watt is unbelievable the upper end GPUs tend to have diminishing returns in efficiency. And I must be seeing things because Fury non-X has the same perf/watt as the 480.

This is by far the worst node shrink from AMD in a very long time. I can't remember something sucking this bad from a node shrink. I honestly expected no more than 125 watts for typical gaming. 150+ watts is out of control. What a piece of turd.

 

[Beer4Me]

Another AMD launch, another fail in my opinion.

Seconded. Whole lot of hype surrounding this launch for nothing. Nothing to see here folks...

 

[24601]

The 1080 showing 74% higher perf/watt is unbelievable the upper end GPUs tend to have diminishing returns in efficiency. And I must be seeing things because Fury non-X has the same perf/watt as the 480.

Simply shows how close to the wall AMD went with 480.

Those expecting massive overclocks on aftermarket 480 must be kidding themselves.

 

[AnandThenMan]

This is by far the worst node shrink from AMD in a very long time. I can't remember something sucking this bad from a node shrink. I honestly expected no more than 125 watts for typical gaming. 150+ watts is out of control. What a piece of turd.

AMD could have re-branded Fury and ended up in the same place. I don't know about cost but how much more could a GPU on an ancient process really be? Maybe the memory is still expensive....

On a potentially bright note GloFo's process tends to improve with time so we could see the exact same GPUs have their power consumption drop quite a bit. But by then it probably won't matter.

 

[boozzer]

Wow it's worse than my 390x on almost every benchmark I see at 1080p.

I don't know what to do now. Newegg has two models in stock but I almost feel like waiting for AIB versions to hopefully get an upgrade via OCing.

if you have a 390 or better, 480 is not for you. this is for people with a 380 or lower.

This is by far the worst node shrink from AMD in a very long time. I can't remember something sucking this bad from a node shrink. I honestly expected no more than 125 watts for typical gaming. 150+ watts is out of control. What a piece of turd.

200$ mainstream card that beats 970 and 390 is trash? ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[crisium]

Simply shows how close to the wall AMD went with 480.

Those expecting massive overclocks on aftermarket 480 must be kidding themselves.

It depends. With already breaking PCI-e + 6pin specs, it is very possible it could OC more. Of course, it is also possible that even with 1x8pin+1x6pin and lots of overvolting that it struggles to get above 1350-1400MHz regardless. We'll find out next month.

 

[SPBHM]

This is truly only an "upgrade" for 290X/390X owners if they plan to go crossfire....otherwise its just a side grade that offers lower power consumption.

upgrade for 970, 290 and 390 owners is the 1070, not an $200 card

and crossfire... WHY? there is no reason for that the 1070 makes a lot more sense, cost is the same, perf is close enough, but power usage is a lot better, and games with no CF support are becoming more common...

I like the 480X as an $200 card and that's it, I see no reason to CF it or sell it as a "VR card".

the 480X is a viable upgrade to cards like the 960 (also released for $200 early in 2015) and slower...

 

[Genx87]

Eh glancing through the preview on Anandtechs. Total system power is close to the 1070 at less than 970 performance? In some cases the 1070 is blowing this thing away. What has AMD been doing for the past years to get a better power\performance?

It looks priced right however at 199 and 239. Should sell well. But I hope this isnt a sign of things to come with the big chips.

 

[AnandThenMan]

One of two things happened. GloFo's process is terrible but AMD had to use them due to contractual obligations. Or AMD simply can't figure out how to make a power efficient GPU, which I don't really buy into seeing Fury is very good on the perf/watt spectrum even if you take away the HBM power savings.

 

[crisium]

AMD could have re-branded Fury and ended up in the same place. I don't know about cost but how much more could a GPU on an ancient process really be? Maybe the memory is still expensive....

On a potentially bright note GloFo's process tends to improve with time so we could see the exact same GPUs have their power consumption drop quite a bit. But by then it probably won't matter.

Polaris 10 is probably magnitudes cheaper to make then Fury. 232mm2 vs 596mm2... and GloFo provides them with a better deal that may make up for the expenses of a new node. Hawaii firesale at sub $300 after Maxwell probably already struggled to make margins. Larger node, and HBM as you said, it would be likely impossible to sell Fiji below 1070 MSRP (which they would have to do).

 

[boozzer]

Eh glancing through the preview on Anandtechs. Total system power is close to the 1070 at less than 970 performance? In some cases the 1070 is blowing this thing away. What has AMD been doing for the past years to get a better power\performance?

It looks priced right however at 199 and 239. Should sell well. But I hope this isnt a sign of things to come with the big chips.

it is better than 970 from other reviews. it beats 970 and 390. digital foundry and oc3d got some nice reviews for it. oc3d goes into superb detail in it's review.

it is very impressive for it's price.

 

[exar333]

A decent product at $199. Not very compelling unless you are running an older card and are on a budget for a new card (not a lot of this forum, but a LARGE population). Also should be the de facto 'base' GPU for a lot of OEM configurable builds until the 1060 arrives.

Perf/watt is just OK though...

Overall not impressed, not disappointed. Just 'OK' IMHO.

 

[amenx]

AMD are masters at turning fails into wins. All they have to do is drop prices to get get good review conclusions. Lets face it, price is the only saving grace for his card.

 

[Lyfer]

I think they should have positioned it at $179 and it would have been a much better card. I'm pretty disappointed myself as this was going to my upgrade from my aging GTX 670 FTW. My bday is coming up soon and I told the wifey GTX 1070 or bust.

 

[24601]

One of two things happened. GloFo's process is terrible but AMD had to use them due to contractual obligations. Or AMD simply can't figure out how to make a power efficient GPU, which I don't really buy into seeing Fury is very good on the perf/watt spectrum even if you take away the HBM power savings.

You have to factor in both Perf/Watt and Perf/MM^2 when calculating process and IC design.

Clearly AMD hasn't increased real Perf/Watt an iota since Tahiti in terms of IC design (Relying only on situational gimmicks to decrease power).

They also haven't increased IPC outside of the tessellation corner cases that AMD (finally) solved with Polaris since Tahiti.

Seems like GCN has been exactly what it was sold as since the beginning. The same architecture since 2012 with extra features continually bolted onto it.

 

[Yakk]

Canadian pricing for 8GB model at $329.99 is decent taking into account the currency exchange rate, import tariffs, and transport.

always AIB. why in such a hurry unless you absolutely need the blower?

Oh I prefer blower + option for reference water block which EK should have soon to make this into a single slot card. What's really making me hesitate is only having a 6-pin connector...

 

[topmounter]

Wow it's worse than my 390x on almost every benchmark I see at 1080p.

I don't know what to do now. Newegg has two models in stock but I almost feel like waiting for AIB versions to hopefully get an upgrade via OCing.

I guess I'll wait for the AIB cards and see what they have to offer. Otherwise I'll probably pick up a 4GB 480 at $199 and remain a 1080peasant and see what Vega brings :\

 

[MrTeal]

Canadian pricing for 8GB model at $329.99 is decent taking into account the currency exchange rate, import tariffs, and transport.



Oh I prefer blower + option for reference water block which EK should have soon to make this into a single slot card. What's really making me hesitate is only having a 6-pin connector...

Newegg.ca has them in stock for $309.99, which is right at MSRP. Shipping's a little pricy, but the card itself is right at MSRP.

 

[24601]

Canadian pricing for 8GB model at $329.99 is decent taking into account the currency exchange rate, import tariffs, and transport.



Oh I prefer blower + option for reference water block which EK should have soon to make this into a single slot card. What's really making me hesitate is only having a 6-pin connector...

As the owner of 5, count em, 5 melted PSU cables from the R9 290 8+6 pin debacle I would highly recommend you go with no less than 8+6 pin for the 480.

If I were less lucky I might have burned to death in the fire those would have absolutely caused.