Meta Description: The Radeon RX 470 graphics card from AMD is a good choice for users customizing a new system or upgrading a gaming rig. The numerous custom models of this GPU support DirectX 12 and Vulkan, and are powerful enough to allow users to stream or record demanding games without negatively impacting overall system performance.

Radeon RX 470: In Review

The Radeon RX 470 graphics card from AMD enables games to play games that require DirectX 12 or Vulkan. This GPU is best suited for high-definition graphics, but it is also VR ready. This model is based on Polaris 10 architecture to provide clear, smooth visuals with low latency at nearly any framerate. The specifications for the reference model were released in August 2016, shortly after the RX 480, which boasts enhanced features.
The base clock speed of the 470 reference model is 926 with a boost speed of 1206, compared to a base speed of 1120 with a boost value of 1,266 for the reference model of the RX 480. The release of custom models began in the fall of 2016, and now a range of overclocked options are available for users who want to push the limits of a 400-series GPU.

What Is the RX 470 and How Does It Work?

AMD released research model specifications for the Radeon 470 in mid-2016. This graphics card shares its Polaris 10 architecture with the RX 480, the flagship Polaris graphics card. Both of these GPUs rely on 5.7 billion transistor processors that incorporate 14 nanometer FinFET technology licensed to GlobalFoundries by Samsung. Both the RX 480 and RX 470 occupy 232 square millimeters of die space.
4GB or 8GB GDDR5 memory travels over a 256-bit bus in the 470 graphics card, which has a memory bandwidth of 211 GB per second. The 470 also features 128 texture units, with a peak texture fill-rate of 154.4 gigatexels per second. The 480 is also available with 4GB or 8GB GDDR5 memory and a 256-bit bus width. The 470 model is clocked below the 480 and draws slightly less power at 120W versus 150W.
The RX 470 features 2048 stream processors compared to 2304 in the RX 480. The 470 also has 128 texture mapping units down from 144 in the 480 model. The peak texture fill-rate of the 470 model comes in at 118.5 gigatexels per second compared to 161.3 with the 480 model. The 29.6 gigapixel per second pixel fill rate of the 470 model also comes in below the 35.6 gigapixel fill rate of the RX 480. Both of these upper 400-series Radeon graphics cards boast 32 render processing units, for a total of eight per shade engine across the processor.  Peak performance on the 470 model comes in at 4.9 teraflops versus 5.8 in the 480.
Once installed, most 470 models operate quietly and rely on customized cooling methods designed by manufacturers partnered with AMD. Fans and heat sink technology such as ASUS’s Strix technology help to keep these powerful components from overheating, even under heavy loads while running graphically demanding games or software titles. The ASUS ROG Strix Gaming GPU relies on DirectCU Ii technology including copper heat pipes, triple wing-blade fans, and FanConnect technology that targets the GPU for approximately 30% cooler performance than is possible with the reference model specifications.
The enhanced specifications of the RX 480 exceed the 470 model, but this makes the marginally less-powerful model ideal for gamers who play at lower resolutions, such as 1920×1080, rather than 2560×1440 or 4K. Both of these 400-series models feature cutting edge technologies such as AMD’s delta color compression algorithms to enhance throughput and proprietary features including AMD Eyefinity, Radeon WattMan, Radeon FreeSync, and Virtual Super Resolution.
The RX 470 graphics card supports high-definition resolutions and VR with HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 HDR connections. Eyefinity allows users to connect 400-series Radeon graphics cards to up to six displays with the DisplayPort MST hub while balancing the load on the GPU. WattMan is an updated version of AMD Overdrive which allows users to manage clocking, temperature, and voltage levels from within software and customize the functionality of this graphics card model. The manufacturer makes all relevant settings easy to modify within a straightforward interface to fine-tune the performance of these GPUs.

FreeSync relies on variable refresh rates to optimize the performance of the RX 470 at most framerates. This feature prevents broken frames, choppy gameplay, stuttering, or tearing in games or high-definition videos by matching the frame rate of the 470 graphics card to the refresh rate of compatible displays. The 470 model also features Virtual Super Resolution designed to re-render games at higher resolutions and display content at a lower resolution supported by the connected display. This provides a super sampling anti-aliasing feature for titles without this functionality built in. These features are also available on the RX 480, but they make a more noticeable difference on the 470 model.
The 470 and other models in the Radeon 400 series feature asynchronous shading, which explains the performance gains of AMD GPUs over the competition when it comes to meeting the graphical demands made by DirectX 12. The Asynchronous Shaders/Compute feature of this GPU and other AMD Radeon graphics cards allow tasks to be submitted and processed by shader units or stream processors asynchronously. This multi-threaded architecture drives up performance while minimizing latency.
The RX 480 and 470 graphics cards also feature Graphics Core Next architecture with upgraded geometry capabilities. This feature pushes pixels at faster rates while maintaining consistently high image quality. This technology shines when users push these GPUs to the limit with the optimal performance requirements of demanding DirectX 12 and Vulkan titles.

What Makes the RX 470 Unique?

All of the Radeon 470s initially released are custom models made by AMD hardware partners. Graphics cards designed by original equipment manufacturers and based on reference models are sometimes released first, but this design was intended for custom models. Clock speeds, design features, and cooling methods vary depending on the maker of a 470 model and the purpose for which the GPU is intended. It is possible to find basic 470 models designed for cryptocurrency mining, in addition to full versions for gaming.
You might consider custom models of the RX 470 released by respected manufacturers such as ASUS, Gigabyte, PowerColor, Sapphire, or XFX. If you are basically satisfied with the clocking speeds of the reference model, Sapphire has released a custom model overclocked to 1,216 MHz, which is only 10 MHz over the reference model specifications. An enhanced Sapphire Nitro + Radeon model is available with either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR memory that achieves a 1,260 MHz overclock speed and 7 GHz memory overclock, which surpasses the 6.6 GHz memory clock speed of the reference model.
We referred the enhanced cooling capabilities of the ASUS Strix GPUs above. The ROG Strix custom model of the 470 graphics card clocks in at 1,226 MHz and features this innovative cooling technology and Aura RGB lighting. XFX’s RS Triple X 4G achieves the same clocking speed as the ASUS graphics card, but also features fans that idle when loads drop. Both of these models feature six-pin connectors as opposed to the eight-pin connectors required for custom models from many other brands.
Gain a small boost with the Gigabyte RX 470 G1 Gaming graphics card overclocked to 1,230 MHz or an MSI model with 1,254 MHz overclock, an enhanced cooling system, fan shut-off options, and a red LED theme. For a higher price, you might consider another 1270 MHz overclocked model from the ASUS ROG Strix line.
Some of the top performing overclocked models are made by ASUS and PowerColor. The value- and performance-oriented PowerColor Red Devil was introduced at $199, though the continued availability of new models and the price vary widely. This version of the Radeon 470 graphics card achieves overclocking at 1270 MHz as opposed to the 1206 MHz boost clock of the reference model specifications.

How Much Does the RX 470 Cost?

The manufacturer’s recommended price for the Radeon 470 4GB model was $170 as of the fall of 2016. Due to increased demand for GPUs for use in cryptocurrency mining, the pricing of these graphics cards does not necessarily relate to their suitability for gaming usage. 470 models were introduced nearly two years ago, and these components can be more difficult to find new, refurbished, or used than 480 models.
The supply of new RX 470s on the market is very limited. A new ASUS 4G graphics card designed specifically for mining is selling for $368, while a new Gigabyte 4GB 470 graphics card retails for $399.99. A used 4GB Sapphire NITRO model retails for $361, while a used model made for mining goes for $338. If you are interested in gaming models, an MSI Gaming 4GB Crossfire model is available used from resellers on Amazon for around $300. The 8GB gaming model is even more difficult to track down and is presently priced around $440 used. New overclocked versions of these MSI GPUs are more widely available for sale. The 4GB Armor OC retails for $375.50, while a new 8GB OC model is available for $420. A used PowerColor Red Dragon 470 model is priced at $344.
Many custom manufacturers ran with the specifications of the RX 480 as opposed to the 470. Moreover, the pricing of this model never aligned with the recommended price, which made it a less obvious alternative to the version released earlier with more powerful graphical capabilities.

What Do Users Think About the RX 470?

Most users point out that the technical features of the RX 470 pale slightly in comparison to the RX 480. This model was intended to be more value-oriented, but new markets for GPUs have skewed prices across the market regardless of features. In turn, the RX 480 is an early version of the RX 580 based on the same Polaris architecture with a higher core clock speed.
Most users familiar with both the 400 series models released in mid-2016 and the 500 models released in the spring of 2017 point out that the 580 is an optimized version of the 480 with improved performance coupled with higher power usage. Reviews comparing AMD Radeon graphics cards in these series with GPUs from other brands point out that the 470 is particularly power-hungry compared with models from other manufacturers with similar specifications. It is also important to acknowledge the limitations of AMD’s product warranty, which does not cover damage caused by overclocked graphics cards even when this performance boost is enabled by AMD hardware.

How Does the RX 470 Compare?

Even back at the time of release, a number of reviewers considered the 470 a weaker version of the RX 480. The RX 500 and RX Vega GPUs launched in 2017 outperform the 400 series, yet these early GPUs have not fallen in price due to demand from other technology sectors. Even though the Radeon 470 and 480 are substantially less expensive than 500 or Vega series graphics cards, the prices of these models do not always align with their features.
At the time of writing, it is easier to find new and used 480 models than 470s, and these versions with enhanced specifications are sometimes more affordable. The 480 has 36 compute units as opposed to the 470’s 32 compute units and 2,304 stream processors versus 2,048. If you compare the specifications of these models, you may find that an RX 480 is the right choice if you are committed to purchasing a 400-series Radeon GPU.

What We Think

If you want a graphics card that will enable you to play graphically-demanding games on your PC, you should consider the Radeon 400 series. These GPUs achieve a solid balance between processing power and value, even though the prices of all of these products are skewed by the recent demand for GPUs in cryptocurrency mining. The RX 480 and 470 are outstanding choices for gamers who are custom-building or upgrading gaming rigs to support current titles and streaming or recording during gameplay.
Users who stream or record games can appreciate that this graphics card enables them to do so at 4K, H.265, and 60 frames-per-second without slowing down system performance. The overclocking features in various custom RX 470 models enable users to choose the model that will allow them to play and capture games while minimizing clipping, degraded quality, and latency.