The AMD Radeon RX 460 is a popular graphics card designed to provide an affordable entry point into the world of mainstream gaming. Released in 2016, this GPU has been a staple in many PC builds, offering a great balance between performance and price.

Architecture and Performance

The RX 460 is based on the Polaris architecture, which was AMD’s second-generation GPU design after the Fury series. This architecture introduced significant improvements over its predecessors, including increased clock speeds, improved power efficiency, and enhanced features such as asynchronous compute engines (ACEs).

In terms of performance, the RX 460 delivers around 1-2 teraflops of single-precision floating-point performance, making it suitable for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings. It can also handle some 1440p titles at lower detail levels.

Memory and Bandwidth

The RX 460 comes with either 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory, depending on the specific model. This memory is connected via a 128-bit bus, resulting in a bandwidth of around 112 GB/s. While this might seem limiting compared to higher-end GPUs, it’s sufficient for most modern games at lower resolutions.

Power Consumption and Cooling

One of the RX 460’s strengths is its relatively low power consumption. It typically requires only 80-120W of power under load, making it an attractive option for smaller builds or those with limited power supply capacity.

The GPU also features a compact design, which helps to keep costs down. However, this also means that it relies on the system’s cooling solution to manage temperatures. As such, users should ensure their case has adequate airflow and a decent cooler to prevent overheating issues.

Competitors and Comparison

When comparing the RX 460 to its competitors from NVIDIA, we can see that it lags behind in terms of raw performance. The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, for example, offers around 20-30% better performance in most games. However, the RX 460’s lower power consumption and more affordable price point make it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 460 is a solid choice for those looking to enter the world of mainstream gaming without breaking the bank. Its Polaris architecture provides a decent balance between performance and power efficiency, making it suitable for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings.

While it may not be the most powerful GPU on the market, the RX 460 is an excellent option for those with smaller budgets or limited power supply capacity. Additionally, its compact design and low power consumption make it a great choice for smaller builds or those who want to minimize their system’s size and noise footprint.

Technical Specifications:

• Architecture: Polaris
• Cores/Clock Speeds: 896/1200 MHz (base), 1244 MHz (boost)
• Memory: 2GB or 4GB GDDR5
• Memory Bus: 128-bit
• Bandwidth: 112 GB/s
• Power Consumption: 80-120W
• Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D

Comparison Table:

GPU	Performance (1080p)	Price
AMD Radeon RX 460	60 FPS (medium settings)	$150-$200
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti	70-80 FPS (medium settings)	$150-$250
AMD Radeon RX 560	80-90 FPS (medium settings)	$200-$300

Note: Performance figures are estimates and may vary depending on the specific game and system configuration.