Radeon RX 480 vs Radeon RX590 GME
Radeon RX 480
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Radeon RX590 GME
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Radeon RX590 GME
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The Radeon RX590 GME uses modern memory architecture. The Radeon RX590 GME likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon RX 480 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon RX 480 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.4% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon RX590 GME.
| Insight | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / GCN 4.0 (2016−2020)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX 480 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $55 versus $115 for the Radeon RX590 GME, it costs 52% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 114% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+114%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($55) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($115) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon RX 480 and Radeon RX590 GME
Radeon RX 480
The Radeon RX 480 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 29 2016. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1120 MHz to 1266 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,546 points. Launch price was $229.
Radeon RX590 GME
The Radeon RX590 GME is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 15 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1469 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,349 points. Launch price was $279.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon RX 480 scores 8,546 and the Radeon RX590 GME reaches 8,349 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.4% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon RX 480 is built on GCN 4.0 while the Radeon RX590 GME uses GCN 4.0, both on 14 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (Radeon RX 480) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX590 GME). Raw compute: 5.834 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 480) vs 7.119 TFLOPS (Radeon RX590 GME). Boost clocks: 1266 MHz vs 1545 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 8,546+2% | 8,349 |
| Architecture | GCN 4.0 | GCN 4.0 |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 2304 | 2304 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.834 TFLOPS | 7.119 TFLOPS+22% |
| Boost Clock | 1266 MHz | 1545 MHz+22% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 144 | 144 |
| L1 Cache | 576 KB | 576 KB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 2.1 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.0 (Radeon RX 480) vs 12.0 (Radeon RX590 GME). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 480) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX590 GME). Decoder: UVD 6.3 vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX 480) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX590 GME).
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | VCE 3.4 | VCE 3.4 |
| Decoder | UVD 6.3 | UVD 6.3 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon RX 480 draws 150W versus the Radeon RX590 GME's 175W — a 15.4% difference. The Radeon RX 480 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (Radeon RX 480) vs 500W (Radeon RX590 GME). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 240mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W-14% | 175W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 240mm | 241mm |
| Height | 95mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 57.0+19% | 47.7 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon RX 480 launched at $229 MSRP and currently averages $55, while the Radeon RX590 GME launched at $173 and now averages $115. The Radeon RX 480 costs 52.2% less ($60 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 155.4 (Radeon RX 480) vs 72.6 (Radeon RX590 GME) — the Radeon RX 480 offers 114% better value. The Radeon RX590 GME is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2016).
| Feature | Radeon RX 480 | Radeon RX590 GME |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $229 | $173-24% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $55-52% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 155.4+114% | 72.6 |
| Codename | Ellesmere | Polaris 30 |
| Release | June 29 2016 | November 15 2018 |
| Ranking | #305 | #285 |
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