AMD launches the affordably VR-ready Radeon RX480 graphics card

AMD’s Radeon RX480 card has been on our radar for quite some time since its specifications were leaked ahead of it’s official announcement in late June. What makes it noteworthy is that it has been designed to offer the most bang for the least buck while also being one of, if not the cheapest way to get in on the next-gen VR gaming experience being offered by the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.

Of note is that the RX 480 card sports AMD’s new 14nm FinFET Polaris architecture. Minus the gobbledygook, it means that they’ve managed to cram more performance in a smaller chunk of silicon real estate on the card than ever before. The RX 480 graphics card is notably VR ready and crams in a host of future-proof tweaks that include DirectX 12 and Vulkan API support – both standards are increasingly seeing service in a host of upcoming games as time goes on.

The RX 480 also incorporates ports for all the hottest next-gen video and display standards with integrated compatibility with HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.3 HBR3 and DisplayPort 1.4 HDR. If you’re a YouTube or NetFlix junkie you’ll be inordinately pleased as the card has 10-bit HEVC support to offer high dynamic range video support so that streamed footage is silky smooth and crisp.

In keeping with it’s workhorse aspirations, AMD has kept the Radeon 480 to the tried and true when it comes to it’s external cooling shroud as it sports a rugged matte black stippled polycarbonate sheath that mitigates fingerprints with stencilled Radeon logos emblazoned on the sides while a mounted blower fan takes pride of place on the side; something usually seen on higher end reference graphics cards. The AMD Radeon 480 will ship in two variants, one with 4GB for US$199 and the other with 8GB for US239. It will also see manufacturer specific variants that will see service later on in  the year. For more details on the Radeon 480 do swing by shop.amd.com.