AMD Radeon RX 470 Review: Good Gaming on a Budget in 2025

Technical Specs and Design

The AMD Radeon RX 470 uses the Polaris architecture, which was a big step up when it first came out. This 14nm graphics card still has specs that can handle many games today. Let’s examine what makes this budget-friendly GPU tick and why its design choices still matter in 2025.

• GPU Architecture: Polaris
• Stream Processors: 2048 units
• Base Clock: 926 MHz
• Boost Clock: Up to 1206 MHz
• Memory: 4GB GDDR5
• Memory Interface: 256-bit
• Memory Speed: 6600 MHz (effective)
• DirectX Support: DirectX 12
• OpenGL Support: OpenGL 4.5
• Power Use: About 120W
• Power Supply Needed: At least 450W

The RX 470’s 14nm process helps it run cooler than older cards. Its 2048 stream units work well for most games at 1080p. The 4GB GDDR5 memory might seem small in 2025, but it’s still enough for many games at medium settings.

Performance Tests and Abilities

In 2025, the RX 470 still shows it can handle many games well at 1080p. Its Polaris design and DirectX 12 support help it stay useful even as newer games come out. Let’s see how this mid-range graphics card performs in today’s gaming world.

The RX 470 can run about 93% of top PC games, with 70% at good or best settings. Here’s how it does with some popular titles:

Driver updates over time have helped the RX 470 keep up with newer games. Its DirectX 12 and Vulkan support means it can take advantage of modern game coding. At 1080p, most esports titles run at high fps, while bigger AAA games need medium settings for smooth play.

RX 470 vs. RX 480: Is Upgrading Worth It?

Both the RX 470 and RX 480 are Polaris cards, but they have some key differences. If you’re choosing between these two budget options in 2025, it helps to know what sets them apart. Let’s compare these two cards to see which might be best for your needs.

• The RX 480 uses 25% more power (30W extra)
• The RX 470 costs less but offers good value
• The RX 470 often can be overclocked better
• Both cards perform about the same at 4K (both struggle)
• The extra VRAM in the RX 480 helps with higher settings
• The RX 470 runs cooler due to lower power needs

For most 1080p gaming, the 6-8% speed boost from the RX 480 might not be worth the extra cost. But for 1440p gaming, the RX 480’s 37% better performance makes a big difference.

Gaming With Modern Games

Even in 2025, the RX 470 can still run many modern games at playable frame rates. While you won’t max out the newest titles, smart settings choices can give you a good gaming experience. Let’s see how this older GPU handles today’s games.

The RX 470 works best with these types of games:

• Esports titles: Games like CS: GO, League of Legends, and Valorant run great
• Older AAA games: GTA V, Witcher 3, and similar games from 2014-2020 run well
• Indie games: Most indie titles need less GPU power and run smooth
• Simulation games: City builders and strategy games often work well

For the best experience with newer AAA games, try these tips:

• Lower shadow quality first (big fps boost)
• Use medium texture settings to work with the 4GB VRAM
• Turn off extras like motion blur and depth of field
• Use AMD FSR when games support it (it helps boost fps)
• Set resolution to 1080p (avoid 1440p for newer games)
• Use FreeSync monitors to help with frame dips

Games like Grand Theft Auto V, Monster Hunter: World and FIFA 23 still run great on the RX 470. More demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dying Light 2 need medium or low settings but remain playable.

VR Support and Limits

Virtual reality needs a lot of graphics power, and the AMD Radeon RX 470 sits right on the edge of VR readiness. While not ideal for VR, it can still run some VR apps with the right settings. Let’s look at what this budget card can do in virtual worlds.

The RX 470’s VR status can be summed up as “capable but not ideal.” In SteamVR tests, it scores in the higher end of the “capable” range, showing it can handle basic VR tasks. Older or simpler VR games and apps often run well enough to enjoy.

VR performance notes:

• Can maintain 90 FPS in some less demanding VR titles
• Works better with older VR headsets with lower resolution
• May struggle with newer high-res VR headsets
• The RX 480 is better for VR with full certification
• Settings often need to be turned down for smooth VR
• Some stuttering may occur in more complex VR scenes

To get the best VR experience with an RX 470:

• Stick to older or simple VR games and apps
• Use SteamVR’s resolution scaling to lower demands
• Make sure your CPU can keep up (VR needs a good CPU, too)
• Keep background apps closed while in VR
• Update drivers regularly for VR optimizations

While not perfect for VR, the RX 470 can provide a basic VR experience for those wanting to try virtual reality without buying a newer GPU.

Also Read: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: Complete Guide & Performance Review (2025)

Key Features and Tech

The AMD Radeon RX 470 has several features that help it stay useful in 2025. When it launched, AMD packed this card with tech that was ahead of its time. Let’s explore the features that still benefit gamers using this card today.

AMD FreeSync remains one of the RX 470’s best features. This tech syncs your monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate, which means:

• No screen tearing during gameplay
• Smoother visual experience even at lower fps
• Works with many affordable monitors
• Helps the card feel more capable than it is

The RX 470 also includes:

• Multiple display support: Run up to 4 monitors at once
• HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort outputs: Connect to modern displays
• DirectX 12 support: Access to modern graphics features
• OpenGL 4.5 support: Good compatibility with various games
• H.264/H.265 encoding/decoding: Helps with streaming and video work
• Shader Model 5.0: Support for various visual effects

Driver support has continued for years, helping the RX 470 run newer games. While AMD has moved on to newer designs, the solid foundation of the Polaris architecture means the RX 470 remains useful for basic gaming needs.

Also Read: AMD Radeon RX 550: Is This Budget Graphics Card Worth Buying in 2025?

Price, Availability, and Value in 2025

Finding an RX 470 in 2025 usually means looking at the used market. As an older card, its value depends on price and what you plan to use it for. Let’s see how this aged graphics card stacks up as a budget option today.

In 2025, the used market price for an RX 470 typically ranges from $50-80 depending on:

• Card condition
• Remaining warranty (if any)
• Brand/model (some run cooler/faster)
• Mining history (cards used for crypto mining may have more wear)

Value comparison to modern budget options:

The RX 470 still makes sense for:

• Super tight budgets where every dollar counts
• Basic 1080p gaming systems
• Media center PCs that sometimes play games
• Kids’ first gaming computers
• Temporary solutions while saving for a better card

When buying a used RX 470, check for:

• Working fans without unusual noise
• No visual damage to the card
• Stable temperatures under load
• All display outputs are working properly
• Clean power connectors

For around $50-60, the RX 470 will be a good value in 2025 for basic 1080p gaming needs, especially for older or less demanding games.

Also Read: AMD RX 6700 XT vs NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti: The Ultimate 2024 GPU Comparison

Wrapping UP

The AMD Radeon RX 470 is still a good choice for budget gamers in 2025, mainly for 1080p gaming at medium settings. While newer games will test their limits, they offer good power use and decent speed for used market prices. For gamers with basic needs or those building their first gaming PC on a tight budget, this Polaris card gives a solid gaming start without spending too much. It’s worth buying if found at a good price, mainly for less demanding or older games in your collection.

The card’s 4GB GDDR5 memory, 2048 stream processors, and DirectX 12 support help it stay useful even as we move through 2025. With AMD FreeSync technology, the gaming experience feels smoother than raw fps numbers suggest. While not future-proof for the latest AAA titles at high settings, the RX 470 remains a capable entry point to PC gaming that balances performance and affordability in the used market.