You'll notice that the RX 580 generally outperforms the RX 480 with a roughly 10% increase in overall performance. The RX 580 has a higher clock speed and better thermals, allowing it to operate cooler and more efficiently under load. In specific metrics, the RX 580 boasts a floating-point performance of 6,175 GFLOPS compared to RX 480's 5,833 GFLOPS, and a memory bandwidth of 256 GB/s versus 224 GB/s. This translates to smoother gameplay and enhanced graphical performance in demanding applications. With more performance per watt, the RX 580 offers a more polished experience in gaming and multi-tasking. Exploring further, you'll uncover additional intriguing benefits.
General Information
Released in the second quarter of 2017, the RX 580 serves as a refined upgrade from the RX 480, boasting enhanced thermals and higher clock speeds. When you compare the two, the RX 580 not only operates cooler but also delivers a smoother performance under load due to these improved thermals. This is important when you push your system through intensive gaming sessions or demanding applications.
In terms of clock speeds, the RX 580 offers a significant bump, which translates into roughly a 10% performance increase over the RX 480. This is evident in benchmark results where the RX 580 consistently outperforms its predecessor, making it a worthwhile upgrade if you're seeking better efficiency and power.
Moreover, both the RX 580 and RX 480 come equipped with GDDR5 memory, but the real competition heats up when comparing the RX 580 to the NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB. Benchmarks show that the RX 580 generally matches or sometimes exceeds the performance of the GTX 1060, particularly in games optimized for AMD architectures. This makes the RX 580 an excellent choice for gamers looking to maximize their budget without compromising on quality and performance.
Technical Specifications
Diving into the technical specifications, the RX 580 boasts a higher general performance rating of 193.0 compared to the RX 480's 182.3, reflecting its superior computing power. This advantage is further underscored by the RX 580's floating-point performance, which tops out at 6,175 GFLOPS, markedly higher than the RX 480's 5,834 GFLOPS. Such metrics reveal that you're dealing with a more robust GPU when you opt for the RX 580.
Both GPUs utilize GDDR5 memory, but it's the edge in memory bandwidth that really separates the RX 580 from its predecessor. With a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s versus the RX 480's 224 GB/s, the RX 580 facilitates faster and more efficient data transfer, enhancing your overall gaming and rendering performance. This improvement is linked to the RX 580's 256-bit interface, which remains consistent with the RX 480, yet operates at an optimized pace due to the increased clock speed.
These enhancements ensure that the RX 580 not only outperforms the RX 480 in raw metrics but also provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience in high-demand applications. Whether you're gaming or handling complex graphics tasks, the RX 580 stands out as the superior choice.
Memory and Storage
When comparing the RX 580 and RX 480, both GPUs are equipped with 8GB of GDDR5 memory, ensuring you'll experience quick and efficient data handling for demanding tasks. The memory bus width in both cards is 256-bit, maximizing the capacity for rapid data transfer between the GPU and the memory. This is important when you're tackling graphically intense applications or high-resolution gaming.
Both the RX 580 and RX 480 boast a memory clock speed of 8000MHz. This high-speed memory performance is vital in boosting frame rates and maintaining smooth gameplay in complex gaming scenarios. The 8GB VRAM in each GPU also supports running multiple applications simultaneously, making both cards excellent choices for multitasking and gaming without compromises.
In benchmark tests, the similar memory specifications translate to very comparable performance outcomes in most scenarios. Whether you're editing high-resolution videos or engaging in VR gaming, both the RX 580 and RX 480 deliver robust performance thanks to their GDDR5 memory. However, individual game settings and system configurations might cause slight variations in performance, so it's worth checking specific benchmarks related to your use case.
Video Outputs
Both the RX 580 and RX 480 offer identical video outputs, featuring 1x HDMI and 3x DisplayPort connections, with the RX 580 supporting the newer HDMI 2.0 standard. This means you'll get enhanced performance when connecting the RX 580 to newer displays that can handle higher bandwidth, which is essential for higher resolution and refresh rates. The HDMI 2.0 support allows for 4K resolution at 60 Hz, which is a significant improvement over HDMI 1.4's limit of 4K at 30 Hz. This is particularly advantageous if you're looking to game or consume media at higher resolutions.
On the other hand, the RX 480, while lacking in HDMI 2.0, supports DisplayPort 1.4HDR. This enables it to deliver high dynamic range (HDR) content, providing you with richer colors and higher contrast ratios, essential for a more immersive viewing experience. Both cards offer substantial connectivity options, allowing you to hook up multiple displays, making them ideal for multi-monitor setups.
Performance Benchmarks
Considering the performance benchmarks, the RX 580 shows an approximate 10% increase in performance over the RX 480, primarily due to its higher clock speeds and more efficient silicon design. When you examine the details, you'll find that the Gigabyte RX 580 AORUS model particularly stands out with its impressive core clock speed of 1380 MHz in boost mode, compared to the RX 480 which typically clocks around 1266 MHz on similar high-end models. This increase in clock speed contributes notably to the raw computational power you'll notice in various performance metrics.
Moreover, the RX 580's advancements aren't just about speed. The newer silicon technology used in the RX 580 enhances power efficiency, which means you're getting more performance per watt compared to the RX 480. This is important for maintaining better performance under load without excessive power draw.
The enhanced cooling technology in the RX 580 AORUS model further ensures that the increased core clock speed doesn't lead to overheating issues. Better cooling translates to sustained performance, even under strenuous tasks, and prolongs the life of your GPU. This improvement in cooling efficiency is a key factor in the overall performance benchmarks that favor the RX 580 over its predecessor, the RX 480.
Gaming Capabilities
When comparing the RX 580 and RX 480 regarding gaming, you'll notice the RX 580 consistently achieves higher frame rates, which can greatly enhance your gaming experience.
For instance, in demanding games such as 'The Witcher 3' and 'Shadow of the Tomb Raider,' the RX 580 maintains smoother performance with fewer frame drops.
Additionally, the RX 580's improved graphics quality impacts visual fidelity, making it a superior choice for newer, graphics-intensive games.
Frame Rate Comparison
When comparing the RX 580 and RX 480 for gaming performance, the RX 580 usually provides frame rates that are 5-10% higher, due to its increased clock speeds and enhanced efficiency.
If you're keen on specifics, the RX 580's superior NBody calculation speed plays a pivotal role in complex physics simulations in games, offering smoother and more consistent performance.
Additionally, its ability to handle peak reflections more effectively means that scenes with dynamic lighting and reflections are less likely to suffer from frame drops.
For gamers contemplating an upgrade, the shift from an RX 480 to an RX 580 won't only boost your frame rates but also enhance your overall gaming experience, making it a worthwhile investment for more demanding gaming scenarios.
Graphics Quality Impact
The RX 580 elevates your gaming visuals by delivering enhanced lighting effects and sharper reflections compared to the RX 480. It's not just about slight improvements; the RX 580 excels in graphics quality, particularly in NBody calculation where it speeds through complex simulations, giving you a smoother and more realistic experience.
When it comes to texture detail, you'll notice more refined and vivid surfaces, thanks to its faster effective speed. This means crisper images and more immersive environments in your gaming sessions.
Moreover, the RX 580's peak reflection handling is a game-changer, offering superior mirror-like effects that make water surfaces and glass elements in games look incredibly engaging. You're not just playing; you're getting drawn into a visually compelling world.
Game Compatibility Differences
In gaming performance, the RX 580 outpaces the RX 480, offering higher frame rates and smoother gameplay across a variety of demanding titles. With its superior processing power, the RX 580 provides a noticeable uplift in gaming capabilities.
Benchmarks reveal that the RX 580's enhanced clock speeds lead to an average performance boost of about 10% over the RX 480. This is especially evident in games requiring intense NBody calculation, where the RX 580 handles complex physics and particle effects more efficiently.
The RX 580's game compatibility extends to newer, more resource-intensive games, supporting advanced lighting and reflection effects that immerse you deeper into the virtual worlds. This makes the RX 580 a more future-proof choice for gaming enthusiasts.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Considering the specifications and performance metrics, you'll find that the RX 580 edges out the RX 480 with higher floating-point performance and texture rates, albeit with the trade-off of increased power consumption. Specifically, the RX 580 boasts a 0.94 TFLOPS greater floating-point performance, enhancing its ability to handle complex calculations faster. This GPU also surpasses the RX 480 with a substantial 31.7 GTexels/s increase in texture rate, which translates into smoother and more detailed image rendering in games and high-resolution applications.
However, this performance boost comes at a cost. The RX 580 has a TDP that's 30W higher than the RX 480, which means it'll draw more power and potentially generate more heat. This could lead to higher electricity bills and might require better cooling solutions in your PC setup.
Moreover, the RX 580 supports Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP), a feature absent in the RX 480. This capability is important for scientific computations and professional rendering where precision is paramount. While this mightn't be a deal-breaker for average users, it's a significant advantage for professionals and enthusiasts who need this level of computational accuracy.
Conclusion
You'll notice that the RX 580 edges out the RX 480 in performance, thanks to its higher clock speeds and refined architecture.
In gaming, you can expect about a 10% increase in frame rates with the RX 580.
However, this comes at the cost of higher power consumption.
If you're looking to upgrade from an RX 480, the RX 580 offers a modest boost in most benchmarks, making it a decent choice if you're seeking better performance without breaking the bank.