The AMD Radeon RX 470 is a graphics card that was first released in August 2016 as part of the RX 400 series, which marked a significant shift for AMD’s Polaris architecture. This GPU offered improved performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors, making it an attractive option for PC gamers and content creators alike.

Architecture and Features

The Radeon RX 470 is based on AMD’s Polaris 10 XT GPU core, which features 2048 stream processors, 32 ROPs (Render Output Units), and 64 TMUs (Texture Mapping Units). This design enables the card to deliver a balanced mix of performance, power consumption, and heat generation.

One of the key features of the RX 470 is its support for asynchronous compute engines (ACEs), which allow for more efficient processing of graphics and compute workloads. Additionally, the card includes 4 GB or 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the specific model, with a 256-bit memory bus.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Radeon RX 470 is generally considered to be a mid-range GPU that competes directly with NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 960 and GTX 1050 Ti. In various gaming benchmarks, the RX 470 has demonstrated strong performance at resolutions up to 1080p (1920 x 1080), with frame rates ranging from 60 FPS to over 100 FPS in many popular titles.

However, as resolution increases or more demanding games are played, the RX 470’s performance begins to trail behind its competitors. This is largely due to the card’s limited memory bandwidth and lack of support for high-end features like multi-frame sampled anti-aliasing (MFAA) or variable rate shading (VRS).

Power Consumption and Cooling

The Radeon RX 470 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of around 120W, which is relatively low compared to other GPUs in its class. This makes it an attractive option for smaller form factor PCs or systems with limited power budgets.

Cooling-wise, the RX 470 typically relies on a dual-fan design, which provides effective airflow and heat dissipation. Some custom variants may feature more aggressive cooling solutions, such as triple-fan designs or watercooling blocks, but these are less common.

Comparison to Competitors

When compared to its contemporaries, the Radeon RX 470 generally holds its own against NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 960 and GTX 1050 Ti. In terms of performance per dollar, the RX 470 often comes out ahead due to its lower price point and improved power efficiency.

However, newer GPUs like AMD’s Radeon RX 560 and NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1660 Super have largely surpassed the RX 470 in terms of raw performance and features. As a result, the RX 470 is no longer considered a top-tier option for modern gaming or content creation workflows.

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 470 remains a solid mid-range GPU that offers competitive performance at an attractive price point. While it may not be the best choice for demanding gamers or professionals, it’s still a viable option for those on a budget or with more modest system requirements.

For those looking to upgrade their existing PC or build a new one, the RX 470 is worth considering due to its relatively low cost and decent performance. However, users should also consider newer GPUs that offer improved features and performance per dollar.

Technical Specifications:

• GPU Core: Polaris 10 XT
• Stream Processors: 2048
• ROPs (Render Output Units): 32
• TMUs (Texture Mapping Units): 64
• Memory: 4 GB or 8 GB GDDR5
• Memory Bus Width: 256-bit
• TDP (Thermal Design Power): around 120W
• Cooling: Dual-fan design (may vary depending on custom variant)
• Price (at launch): $179 (4 GB) and $199 (8 GB)