Best RX 480 Graphics Cards of 2023 – Ultimate Guide

Austin
| Last Updated: January 14, 2023

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PC gamers have highly benefited from the launch of the RX 480 graphics card.

However, selecting any one card for all your gaming needs can be tricky.

So, we have reviewed the best cards in the market, and have also provided you with a helpful guide and some notable features that make this card stand out. 

Comparison Chart of the Best RX 480 Graphics Cards

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Can support 4 monitors at a time
  • Can generate 22% more air pressure for silence
  • LED controlled individually
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  • Makes 30% cooler
  • Offers triple the silent performance
  • XSplit Gamecaster offers enhanced monitoring
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  • Best for the Money
  • Equipped with bandwith of 256.0GB per second
  • Comes with 90-day warranty
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  • Features a unique back-plate
  • Uses 256-bit memory
  • Able to handle up to 3 monitors
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  • Effective and efficient fan design
  • Runs cool and quiet
  • Offers customizable color settings
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Pros and Cons of the RX 480 

Many gamers often find themselves confused about whether or not they should upgrade their setup and invest in a new graphics card.

If you are also confused about the RX 480, then here we have listed some important pros and cons of the RX 480, so you can decide for yourself. 

Pros

Here are some of the more prominent advantages of investing in an RX 480:

Price to Performance Ratio

The RX480 is available in a range of prices. These prices vary from one card to another, but the main range is pretty affordable, considering the features this card has to offer and also its durability. Many people use the card for years and therefore, find it budget-friendly.

AMD Radeon RX 480 Gaming Graphics Card

Strong Build

The card has the Polaris AMD architecture quality that ensures a strong and sturdy build. These cards also have more ports, such as three display ports and two HDMIs that ensure great build quality. 

Great For 1080p Screen

If you are playing 1080p games or have a 1080p display set up, then these cards are the perfect pick. 

Cons

There are a few limitations, but the most important one is:

Runs Hot

One major, highly significant issue that many RX 480 users report is the inefficient cooling system. The average temperature that a card should not exceed is ideally 60 degrees Celsius. But RX 480 usually goes to 77 degrees. 

Review of the Best RX 480 Graphics Cards

The following are some of the reviews of the best RX 480 graphics card. They have been reviewed in detail so that you know what to expect from a certain product. Scroll through to find your best pick. 

Best Overall:
MSI GAMING Radeon RX 480 GDDR5

PROS

  • Has 2x HDMI ports
  • Supports 4x multiple displays 
  • Power supply requirement of 500W
  • Mystic lighting with animation effects
  • Minimum fan noise with Zero Frozr technology

CONS

  • Card might die after a few uses 
  • No warranty or guarantee supports it

What Recent Buyers Report

To put it simply, this unit received mixed reviews. Some people reported dissatisfaction with the MSI app. However, when it came to the performance of the card, buyers were particularly happy with the cooling system. They reported using the PC for long hours of gaming, but the card did not heat up a bit. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

While there are various significant features of this card, the most notable is the lighting. The Mystic Lighting effects with customizable animations make this a truly advanced card meant for customizing the whole PC gaming experience. We also find the fan design and functionality efficient and truly functional. 

Who Will Use This Most

This unit is made for pro-gamers. If you are going to be gaming for long durations, then this efficient card will do the job. Those who have multiple displays can also make use of the HDMI ports and multiple display support feature. 

Bottom Line

Overall, the unit is a great choice for all gamers. It’s a more professional card and has to offer customizability. It is the perfect fit for those who look for efficient and smooth functionality with some good aesthetics. 

Runner-up:
ASUS ROG STRIX Radeon Rx 480

PROS

  • 8 GB of memory space
  • Comes with a warranty card
  • DirectX III wing-blade fans for efficient cooling
  • AMD Polaris architecture for efficient functionality
  • 3x quieter performance with the patented fan system

CONS

  • No customizable lighting 
  • Might crash a lot during games

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers particularly report that the card is a great choice for long hours of gaming since it maintains a good temperature. Reports also suggest that it is significantly quiet and silent. In addition to this, buyers have also positively commented on the capability of this card for heavy-duty video editing. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

The fan cooling system in this unit is undoubtedly remarkable. It is a patented system that uses a wing-blade design to ensure better quality airflow and ventilation. With this advanced cooling system, the unit is also designed to be silent. 

Who Will Use This Most

We would strongly recommend this card to video editors. If you need to run heavy software, like Premiere on your Windows, then this card will do the job. In addition to this, it’s a great choice for beginners, as well, as it is in a more affordable price range. 

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this card has a great design with the AMFD Polaris architecture that proves to have a longer-lasting life and a sturdier, smoother performance. The runner-up unit also offers 8 GB of space, proving to be a multi-purpose card that is also great for video editing.

Best for the Money:
AMD Radeon RX 480 Gaming Graphics Card

PROS

  • Comes with a 90-day warranty
  • Affordable unit compared to others
  • Available in both 4 and 8 GB options
  • Comes in a protective and efficient packaging
  • 3x display port is good for professional gaming setups

CONS

  • Many buyers received damaged products

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of the buyers of this card report that this unit has a great price to performance ratio. Many first-timers and beginners were also impressed by this card and said that they needed minimal instructions to use it. People were also hugely satisfied with the low price that exceeded the expectations in terms of performance. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find the versatility of options this card gives important. It lets you choose between 4 and 8 GB, so you can choose depending on your needs and usage. Also, the 90-day warranty also adds further reliability to the card and makes it one of the best in the market.

Who Will Use This Most

If you are on a tight budget and are looking for an affordable alternative that will also have an efficient design and features, then this is the ideal pick for you. The unit is also meant for long hours of gaming. It offers a warranty, too, so if you have any doubts about a cheaper card, then this card will be a good choice. 

Bottom Line

Summing it up, the overall design of this card, along with its extra features such as the 3x display port and the warranty, all impress the users and the potential buyers of this card. It’s a great way to get a head start to your gaming experience. 

4. XFX Radeon RX 480 DirectX Video Card

PROS

  • 3 display port outputs
  • 8 GB of memory 
  • Buyers report silent and quiet fan
  • 4 HDMI port connectivity options
  • Full cover back plate for added stability

CONS

  • Some buyers find the price to be high in terms of performance

What Recent Buyers Report

Users particularly were satisfied with the price range of this unit, as it offers top-notch features but comes in the mid-range of the price spectrum. People also report the card to be a great choice for use with 1080p screens and games. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

The card has a FreeSync feature that connects and syncs with the rest of your gaming setup. Also, this versatile product features a silent and efficient cooling system that can allow you to game all night conveniently. In addition, it also has a good memory space of a whopping 8 GB. 

Who Will Use This Most

We think that the larger memory space, an efficient cooling system, and four HDMI ports make this the ideal pick for professional gamers. This is a great product for video editing, too. 

Bottom Line

To sum up, the unit is a complete package of important features like good memory space, good build quality, and a good range of ports. It’s a highly recommended product for professional gamers. 

5. Gigabyte Radeon Rx 480 Graphics Card

PROS

  • Almost silent fan functionality
  • Case temperatures remain low 
  • Blade fan design for efficient cooling
  • Built with a stylish and sturdy metal plate
  • Outstanding range of customizable lighting

CONS

  • 8 GB variant is not available 
  • Not the best for newer, latest games 

What Recent Buyers Report

Some happy customers report that the card keeps the case’s temperature pretty low. It means that people who used the card for extensive gaming found it appropriate. In addition, people also used it for playing the latest games and found it to be equally efficient and smooth. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find the blade fan design truly impressive. The blade fan makes cooling reliable, keeping temperatures optimal. Moreover, the build quality of the card is also remarkable. It has a black metal solid plate that offers good support and durability. 

Who Will Use This Most

This is the ideal card for people who play older video games. However, if you do want to play newer games, this card will function equally well. Also, it is good for amateur or beginner-level gamers, considering the 4 GB of memory space.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the overall performance and features of the card make it a great product. The price to performance ratio is good, too. With an efficient fan and cooling system and a sturdy build with 4 GB of RAM, this is the ideal pick for true gamers.

How To Crossfire RX 480 

Many people are unsure of how to Crossfire the RX 480 and often get confused between hardware and software changes they need to make. In this section, here are some helpful tips that you can use to Crossfire the RX 480.

  1. Make sure all power supplies are in accordance with the Crossfire requirements.

  2. Also, ensure that sure the system is powered off before you install the card. 

  3. Uninstall any older graphics card.

  4.  Install new drivers.

  5. After installing the new drivers and the new cards, restart your system. 

  6. Once the system is on, you will find both RX 480s on the "Device Manager" tab.

If you’re still confused about what to do, have a look at the following video:

How To Overclock RX 480 

Overclocking is totally possible with the RX 480. However, you might need to take care of some technical steps. Overclocking is important for improving the performance of your PC. 

  1. You need to download the overlocking software from MSI or the company that manufactured your card. 
  1. You will also need to keep a video game with you that needs a lot of load.

  2. For AMD RX 480, you will need to have the AMD Radeon settings software.

  3. You will need to keep GPU-Z open in the background. 

  4. A free version of the 3D Mark software is preferable to run a reliable speed test.

  5. In the AMD Radeon software, you will be adjusting the properties as follows:
  • Core frequency
  • Core voltage
  • Memory voltage
  • Fan RPM
  • Power percent target

You can also have a look at the following video to understand the process of overclocking better. 

RX 480 vs. RX 580 - Comparison Overview 

There are many other options in the market when it comes to a graphics card. The RX 480 saw a refreshed upgrade, called the RX 580 soon after its own release. However, not all gamers and computer programmers will find one card suitable. Therefore, we have compared two very similar and highly competitive cards in the market. 

RX 480

  1. Has a lesser speed rank

  2. Maximum recorded temperature is 77 degrees Celsius

  3. Fan noise is more at 51 dB

  4. 8 GB memory

RX 580

  1. Better and more versatile lighting effects

  2. Improved thermal, better heat dissipation

  3. 4 and 8 GB of memory 

  4. Fan noise is only 45 dB

  5. Has a better 1080p performance

Verdict

The overall conclusion we have derived from the comparison is that even though there are certain upgrades and significant differences in their performances, the RX 480 is still a great hardware choice. You shouldn’t be spending more money on the upgrade since the cards have very similar features. 

Gigabyte Radeon Rx 480 Graphics Card

Conclusion 

A graphics card can revolutionize a gamer’s experience. Choosing the best card for the games you play and also ensuring that the setup matches the requirements of a card is a challenging process. Therefore, choose your graphics card wisely as this is not a decision you can change every day. 

People Also Ask 

It is vital to understand the tiniest details about something so technical. Many gamers do not fully understand how a graphics card functions and therefore, end up damaging their setup or buying the wrong products. So, in this section, we have answered some questions to help you learn better. 

When Did the RX 480 Come Out?

The RX 480 was released in 2016. 

How Many Watts Does a RX 480 Use?

This card uses a total of 500 watts of power supply. 

Why is the RX 480 So Expensive?

The cards were released at an affordable price but now are not found below $250. They have become expensive because the demand is increasing since these high-quality cards are meant to last for a minimum of two years. 

How Long is the RX 480?

The card measures 241 mm in length. 

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Austin

When the tech company I worked for restructured and I ended up jobless, I decided to put the wealth of knowledge and management skills to use somewhere new. I’d checked out a few buyer’s guides on the site in the past and reached out to the previous owner. A few months later, here we are. Now, I get to be behind the scenes, helping people find the best tech.