AMD RX480 4 gig or 8 gig if undervolting?

[Duck Vader]

Hey! So I've read undervolting the RX480 fixes the voltage usage of the 480 while also raising performance. I had planned to buy the 8 gig version.

But I ask, if I'm undervolting, is it still worth getting the 8 gig? I don't plan to upgrade anything on my computer for a long while, so I'd prefer the 8 gig for future games that use more than 4 gigs. But would the benefits not be worth it if i'm undervolting? Or would that not make a difference?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

The GPU RAM amount and the Core Voltage really have nothing to do with one another.
When you change GPU Core Voltage, that is for the Core only. The RAM is not effected by that. Similar to when/if you change CPU VCore Voltage in Motherboard BIOS, this affects the CPU, not your RAM. As the RAM and other parts (like NB/SB Chipset) all have their own voltages.

Yes changes in voltage can affect overall GPU performance, or allow a higher OC to become stable where it might not have been with lower voltage.

I see no reason to mess with GPU Core Voltage for any reasons if the GPU Clocks are not going to be touched. If these GPUs have an issue like this, then I would avoid them until better versions come along.

[Duck Vader]

If I should avoid the 480, what card then, in your opinion, would get me the best bang for my buck at the same or preferably lower cost?

[John Doe]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Bad-Motha:

I see no reason to mess with GPU Core Voltage for any reasons if the GPU Clocks are not going to be touched. If these GPUs have an issue like this, then I would avoid them until better versions come along.

The RX 480 does indeed have such issue:

https://www.techpowerup.com/223833/official-statement-from-amd-on-the-pci-express-overcurrent-issue

OP, wait for the GTX 1060.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Then I wouldn't buy such crap. NVIDIA all the way.
Why 1060? Just go grab a GTX 970 or 980 for under $300

[upcoast]

Definitely wait for the non reverence models to see if the voltage problem is corrected properly or see what the gtx1060 brings to the table in the next few days.

There's really nothing at current in that price range because gpus are on the cusp of changing over to proper DX12 support.

The 390 has better dx12 support than gtx970 but the gtx1070 is better bang than either if you consider the performance boost.

Again just wait it out until the dust settles.


http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_r9_rx_480_8gb_review,10.html

A few 1080p dx12 benches ^.

[John Doe]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Bad-Motha:

Why 1060? Just go grab a GTX 970 or 980 for under $300

Well, because it'll be more efficient, newer, better / more tech to it, and likely faster than a 970 while being around the same price level of the old 900 series GPUs. Driver updates, temps etc etc, for everything it's a no brainer over a 900-series GPU.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

But you're also talking about something that is months away and more than likely out of reach for even the first month of release unless you able to order prior to release or just as they come in. Plus why would anyone want the first batch of anything, those are usually the ones to avoid. Let all the reviewers and must-have folks grab those, as those are almost always the ones that would have issues. Just like the issues seen when the first GTX 1080, 1070 and now the RX 480; all of them have some issues to some extent that will require fixing and then trickle out later in newer batches.

[John Doe]

The card is going to be released in less than a week, it's nowhere near being "months away". Just because something is first batch doesn't mean it's gonna have issues, and the reviews land in right after the launch anyway. I'd say he could likely have one knowing its ups and downs in couple weeks as long as he keeps track of its stock. Even the RX 480 went OOS in no time so that might be even worse for the 1060. The in stock tracker site is good for that.

[Duck Vader]

I've been waiting for about a year, and every time I just get "Wait for the new XYZ to come out because it'll be better". So I'm saying I want something now.

And I don't want to deal with delays on the first batch usually being crap. I'm looking for a mid tier build I can live iwth for a couple years. My current build can't handle games from like 2012.

Would I then want to grab a 970 or a 390?

[John Doe]

You would want a 970 if you want something right here, right now. But you'll ultimately be disappointed after you see how some custom 1060s and such outperform it in a month.

[Duck Vader]

Again though I've been wanting to upgrade for literally a year and I want to play games. My girlfriend and I got Ark and we both want to play, but my current build can't handle it. And I'd like to play some during the summer before school starts.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

I would avoid GTX 970 anyways; since u can usually find 980 right around the same pricing on Ebay and such

[upcoast]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Duck Vader:

I've been waiting for about a year, and every time I just get "Wait for the new XYZ to come out because it'll be better". So I'm saying I want something now.

And I don't want to deal with delays on the first batch usually being crap. I'm looking for a mid tier build I can live iwth for a couple years. My current build can't handle games from like 2012.

Would I then want to grab a 970 or a 390?

If it's an absolute must I'd say take the R9 390 for DX12 support.

http://www.techspot.com/review/1198-amd-radeon-rx-480/page2.html

Ps, you'll need a good quality 600w-650w psu with the 390.

[Duck Vader]

I currently plan to buy a 550W psu. Would that be good enough?

[John Doe]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Duck Vader:

I currently plan to buy a 550W psu. Would that be good enough?

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/10/26/xfx_r9_390x_double_dissipation_core_edition_review/9#.V3wr1Pax_8A

That is from the wall and not from the PSU, yes, 550W will be suffice as long as you don't have lots of other things to it or overclock everything to the max. You don't actually need more than that if the rest of your specs will be low power and you won't be overclocking.