AMD Radeon RX 470
AMD Radeon RX 470 in 2025: Is It Worth Considering an Outdated Legend?
Analysis of architecture, performance, and relevance for modern tasks
Despite being released in 2016, the AMD Radeon RX 470 still captures the interest of budget segment enthusiasts. In 2025, it's mostly found on the secondary market, but even almost a decade later, it remains a symbol of affordable gaming. In this article, we will explore what the RX 470 is capable of today, who might benefit from it, and how it compares to modern solutions.
Architecture and Key Features
Polaris: A Modest Foundation for Its Era
The RX 470 is built on the Polaris architecture (codename Polaris 10), marking AMD's first step into the 14nm technology process from GlobalFoundries. The card is equipped with 2048 stream processors, 128 texture units, and 32 render units.
Noteworthy features include support for DirectX 12 and Vulkan, which still allow it to run most games in 2025, albeit with limitations. Technologies like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) version 1.0 work on the RX 470, though the quality of upscaling lags behind FSR 2.x and 3.x due to a lack of hardware optimization. Ray tracing and NVIDIA’s DLSS equivalents are not supported—these are purely software solutions.
Memory: A Modest Yet Important Resource
GDDR5: A Legacy of the Past
The RX 470 utilizes 4 GB of GDDR5 memory (occasionally 8 GB in modified versions) with a 256-bit bus. Its bandwidth reaches 224 GB/s, which in 2025 seems modest even compared to budget cards like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super (192 GB/s).
For gaming at 1080p, 4 GB of VRAM is the critical minimum. For instance, in Hogwarts Legacy (2023) at medium settings, around 5-6 GB of VRAM is required, leading to FPS drops and low-quality textures. However, in less demanding games like CS2, Fortnite, or Valorant, this amount is sufficient.
Gaming Performance: Realistic Expectations
1080p: Comfortable but Not Extravagant
In 2025, the RX 470 is well-suited for undemanding games and esports titles. Here are examples of average FPS (settings are on medium unless otherwise noted):
- CS2: 90-110 FPS (high settings);
- Fortnite: 45-55 FPS (without FSR);
- Apex Legends: 50-60 FPS (low settings);
- Cyberpunk 2077: 25-30 FPS (FSR 1.0, low settings).
For 1440p and 4K, the card is not recommended: even with FSR 1.0, reaching a stable 30 FPS is challenging. Ray tracing, as mentioned, is not available.
Professional Tasks: Limited Applicability
OpenCL and Modest Capabilities
The RX 470 supports OpenCL, allowing its use in software like Blender or DaVinci Resolve, but its performance significantly lags behind modern GPUs. For example, rendering a scene in Blender Cycles takes 3-4 times longer than on an NVIDIA RTX 3050.
For video editing at 1080p, the card can handle basic tasks, but 4K footage will cause lag even in Premiere Pro. In scientific computations and machine learning, its role is marginal—NVIDIA's CUDA cores are unmatched here.
Power Consumption and Heat Output
TDP 120W: A Modest Appetite
The RX 470 has a TDP of 120W, which is acceptable by 2025 standards. A 450W power supply (with some headroom) is sufficient for a build with this card. The cooling systems of reference models are simple—a heatsink plus one fan. In gaming, temperatures reach 70-80°C, thus a case with good ventilation (2-3 intake/exhaust fans) is necessary.
Advice: avoid compact Mini-ITX cases—high temperatures may lead to throttling.
Comparison with Competitors
Positioning Against the Modern Market
In 2025, the RX 470 can be compared to budget newcomers:
- NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super (4 GB GDDR6): 20-30% faster in games, supports FSR 2.0;
- AMD Radeon RX 6400 (4 GB GDDR6): Comparable performance but lower power consumption (53W);
- Intel Arc A380 (6 GB GDDR6): Better handling of modern APIs (DX12 Ultimate) but requires updated drivers.
Even among the used market, the RX 470 falls behind the NVIDIA GTX 1060 6 GB, which remains popular due to its larger memory capacity.
Practical Tips
How to Revive an Old Card
1. Power Supply: 450W with 80+ Bronze certification.
2. Compatibility: PCIe 3.0 x16 works on any modern motherboards, but check for UEFI BIOS support.
3. Drivers: AMD officially ended support for the RX 470 in 2024. Use the latest available version, Adrenalin 23.12.1.
4. Overclocking: With MSI Afterburner, you can increase the core frequency by 5-10%, but the effect will be minimal.
Pros and Cons
Why the RX 470 is a Conditional Choice
Pros:
- Low price on the secondary market ($50-80);
- Energy-efficient for its class;
- Support for FSR 1.0.
Cons:
- Only 4 GB of VRAM;
- No ray tracing or FSR 3.x;
- Outdated drivers.
Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the RX 470 in 2025?
This graphics card is an option for those who:
1. Are building a PC for office tasks or esports games (CS2, Dota 2) with a budget of up to $100.
2. Are looking for a temporary solution before upgrading to a modern GPU.
3. Want to upgrade an old computer without changing the power supply.
However, if your budget allows for $150-200, it’s better to look for newer models like the Intel Arc A580 or AMD Radeon RX 6600—these will provide double the performance and support for current technologies. The RX 470 in 2025 is a story of nostalgia, not pragmatism.