AMD Radeon RX 455 OEM
AMD Radeon RX 455 OEM: Budget GPU for Basic Tasks and Casual Gaming
April 2025
Introduction
The AMD Radeon RX 455 OEM graphics card is an option geared towards PC builders and OEM manufacturers looking for a balance between cost and basic performance. Although the model isn't marketed as a gaming GPU, it can handle everyday tasks and less demanding projects. In this article, we will explore who this GPU is suitable for, how it compares to competitors, and what potential pitfalls to consider.
1. Architecture and Key Features
Architecture: The RX 455 OEM is based on the outdated GCN 4.0 (Graphics Core Next) architecture, which first appeared in 2016. This means that the card lacks the modern optimizations found in RDNA architectures but maintains compatibility with most APIs, including DirectX 12 and Vulkan.
Manufacturing Process: The chip is made using 14nm technology from GlobalFoundries, which affects its energy efficiency and thermal output.
Unique Features:
- AMD FidelityFX: Support for a post-processing package that includes CAS (Contrast Adaptive Sharpening) to improve detail.
- FreeSync: Tear-free synchronization with monitors, beneficial for smooth visuals even at low FPS.
- No Ray Tracing or AI Acceleration: There is no hardware ray tracing or DLSS-like technology here (as seen with NVIDIA).
2. Memory
Type and Amount: The card comes with 2GB of GDDR5 memory—a modest figure for 2025. This is sufficient for office applications and older games, but modern projects may encounter "drops" due to insufficient VRAM.
Bus and Bandwidth:
- 128-bit bus.
- Bandwidth — 112 GB/s (memory frequency 7000 MHz).
Impact on Performance: The limited memory capacity makes the GPU unsuitable for games with high-resolution textures (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon Forbidden West), but it should handle lighter projects (e.g., CS2, Dota 2) at medium settings in 1080p without issues.
3. Gaming Performance
Average FPS in Popular Games (1080p, Medium Settings):
- Fortnite: 45–55 FPS (without enabling FSR).
- Apex Legends: 40–50 FPS.
- GTA V: 60–70 FPS.
- Valorant: 100–120 FPS.
Resolution Support:
- 1080p: Primary operational range.
- 1440p and 4K: Not recommended — lack of memory and computing power.
Ray Tracing: The absence of hardware support makes RTX modes in games unattainable. Even when using software methods (e.g., through Proton on Linux), performance drops to unacceptable levels (below 15 FPS).
4. Professional Tasks
Video Editing: In software like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, the GPU will manage basic editing and H.264/H.265 encoding thanks to VCN 1.0 decoders. However, rendering complex projects will take a considerable amount of time.
3D Modeling: In Blender or Maya, the card supports rendering via OpenCL, but speeds will be significantly slower than CUDA-enabled solutions (e.g., NVIDIA GTX 1650).
Scientific Calculations: Suitable only for simple tasks (e.g., training neural networks on basic datasets). For serious computations, it's better to choose a GPU with more memory and FP64 support.
5. Power Consumption and Thermal Output
TDP: 50W — a modest figure that allows for operation without additional power (powered through PCIe x16).
Cooling: Most OEM versions utilize passive cooling or compact coolers. For stable operation, there should be at least one exhaust vent in the case.
Case Recommendations: Even compact Mini-ITX cases with minimal ventilation will suffice (e.g., Fractal Design Node 202).
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD Radeon RX 550: The closest analog with similar performance but a lower price (about $70 compared to $85 for RX 455 OEM).
NVIDIA GT 1030 (GDDR5): A competitor with comparable capabilities. In games, NVIDIA often excels due to driver optimization but lags behind in multi-threaded task support.
Intel Arc A310: A budget model from 2024 with AV1 decoding support and a more modern architecture. Priced at $90, it offers better performance in DX12 games.
Conclusion: The RX 455 OEM falls behind modern counterparts but can be advantageous in pre-built PCs due to its low cost for OEM suppliers.
7. Practical Tips
Power Supply: A power supply of 300W is sufficient (e.g., be quiet! System Power 9).
Compatibility:
- Supports PCIe 3.0 x8.
- Recommended platform: Ryzen 3/5 or Intel Core i3/i5 (2020+ generation).
Drivers: Use the latest Adrenalin Edition versions, but note that AMD is gradually phasing out support for GCN architectures.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low power consumption.
- Quiet operation (in passive versions).
- FreeSync support.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture.
- Only 2GB of VRAM.
- Lack of technologies for modern games (RT, AI upscaling).
9. Final Verdict: Who is the RX 455 OEM For?
This graphics card is a choice for those who:
- Are building an office PC or media center.
- Play older or less demanding games (indie projects, classics).
- Are looking for a temporary solution until they can purchase a more powerful GPU.
Price: In new OEM builds, the GPU’s cost is indirectly included in the price of the PC. The card rarely appears for sale separately, but a rough estimate would be $80–90.
Conclusion
The AMD Radeon RX 455 OEM is a compromise for those who don’t need high performance. It highlights that even in 2025, there is a demand for budget solutions, but for contemporary tasks, it's advisable to consider GPUs with RDNA 3 architecture or Intel Arc.