Verdict: The XFX Radeon RX 470 was an excellent 1080p midrange graphics card in 2016. In 2026, it is a conditional used purchase: worthwhile only at a very low price, with verified operation, and mainly for older games, esports, and reduced-settings 1080p play. Its age, 4 GiB memory, used-card failure risk, and limited feature headroom make it a poor choice when priced close to a newer used GPU.
This review concerns the XFX RX-470P4L tested by Hardware Secrets, while also distinguishing it from the separate XFX RX 470 4GB Black Edition. Those are not identical cards, so their clock speeds, cooling, dimensions, and measured results should not be combined.
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Which XFX RX 470 is this?
“XFX Radeon RX 470” describes several board designs. The Hardware Secrets review published on November 17, 2016, tested the XFX RX-470P4L, a 4 GiB card with a factory-overclocked maximum clock of 1,256 MHz. That is the model whose specifications and benchmark comparisons form the main historical review.
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Other XFX cards use different designs. The XFX Radeon RX 470 4GB Black Edition tested by Legit Reviews was a factory-overclocked dual-fan model using XFX’s Ghost 4.0 cooler. The RX-470P4SFD5, meanwhile, is a separate single-fan 4 GiB model listed by Newegg. Always verify the label, product number, fan arrangement, and memory capacity before applying any review result.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Graphics Performance: Features the AMD Radeon RX 470 GPU with 4GB DDR5 memory, delivering smooth gaming experiences and excellent performance for modern titles at 1080p resolution with high graphics settings
- Enhanced Clock Speed: Operates at an impressive 1226MHz core clock speed, providing fast rendering capabilities and responsive gameplay for demanding applications and graphics-intensive tasks
- Triple X Cooling: Equipped with XFX's signature Triple X cooling system featuring a red fan design that efficiently dissipates heat while maintaining optimal operating temperatures during extended gaming sessions
- High-Speed Memory: Utilizes DDR5 video memory technology with 4GB capacity, ensuring rapid data transfer rates and seamless texture loading for enhanced visual quality and reduced stuttering
- Multiple Display Support: Supports multiple monitor configurations allowing you to expand your workspace or create immersive multi-screen gaming setups with ease
Specifications: RX-470P4L
| Specification | XFX RX-470P4L |
|---|---|
| GPU architecture | AMD Polaris, Ellesmere |
| Processing cores | 2,048 |
| Memory | 4 GiB GDDR5 |
| Memory interface | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 224 GB/s |
| Maximum clock | 1,256 MHz |
| Board power class | 120 W |
| External power | One six-pin PCIe connector |
| API support | DirectX 12 |
| Video outputs | DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b, three DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Form factor | Dual-slot |
AMD’s reference-level RX 470 specification was approximately a 1,206 MHz boost clock, 6.6 Gbps memory, and 120 W board power. XFX’s factory-overclocked versions exceed some of those baseline figures.
The RX 470 is a cut-down version of the Polaris GPU used in the RX 480. It has fewer stream processors and texture units, but retains the same broad feature generation and 256-bit memory bus. That made it a capable 1080p product at launch, although the RX 480 remained the faster card and was sometimes available for less than particular RX 470 models.
Design, cooling, and installation
The RX-470P4L uses a dual-slot cooler with three heat pipes, two 90 mm fans, contact for the GPU and voltage-regulator area, and a backplate. The removable-fan design is intended to make cleaning or fan replacement easier than with a permanently integrated fan shroud.
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The separately tested Black Edition used XFX’s Ghost 4.0 cooling design and hard-swap interchangeable fans. Its power connector was positioned at the rear of the card, and Legit Reviews lists approximate dimensions of 9.45 × 4.76 × 1.57 inches. It also recommends a 500 W power supply.
Rank #2
- Chipset: AMD RX 7600
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- XFX SWFT Dual Fan Cooling Solution
- Boost Clock: Up to 2655 MHz
Case compatibility is model-specific. Check the exact card’s length, height, thickness, and connector position. Some XFX designs extend above normal expansion-bracket height, which can interfere with a narrow case or a side panel. Your power supply also needs a genuine six-pin PCIe connector; a nominal wattage rating alone does not establish that an old or low-quality PSU is suitable.
Historical gaming performance
The original Hardware Secrets results are useful for understanding the RX 470’s position at launch, not for predicting performance in 2026 games. The test used Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD driver 16.5.2.1, an Athlon X4 880K running at 4.4 GHz, and 16 GiB of DDR3-2133 memory. Most game tests were run at 1080p, although the desktop configuration was 3840 × 2160. The publication reported a 3% error margin and noted that some results were CPU-limited.
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|---|---|
| 3DMark Fire Strike versus GTX 960 | RX 470 24% faster |
| 3DMark Sky Diver versus GTX 960 | RX 470 12% faster |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate versus GTX 960 | RX 470 3% faster |
| Dying Light versus RX 460 | RX 470 21% faster |
| Mad Max versus GTX 960 | RX 470 40% faster |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider versus GTX 960 | RX 470 12% faster |
| The Witcher 3 versus GTX 960 | RX 470 41% faster |
| The Witcher 3 versus RX 460 | RX 470 80% faster |
The lead was not universal. Hardware Secrets recorded the RX 470 as 4% slower than the GTX 960 in Dying Light and 9% slower in GTA V. These exceptions, along with CPU limitations, are reminders that “RX 470 beats GTX 960” is a statement about the cited 2016 tests, not a permanent ranking in every game and driver version.
Legit Reviews’ separate Black Edition test recorded 75 FPS average in GTA V at 1080p and 49.8 FPS at 1440p. In The Division at Ultra settings, it recorded 52 FPS at 1080p and 37.8 FPS at 1440p. The publication also reported a SteamVR Performance Test average quality score of 5.8. These are historical results from a different XFX model and should not be presented as current benchmarks.
What the RX 470 can realistically do in 2026
The card remains most sensible for older games, competitive titles, and 1080p gaming with settings adjusted to match its age. It should not be bought on the assumption that it will deliver a consistent 60 FPS in modern AAA games.
Rank #3
- ✅ The XFX RX 580 series graphics card feature the latest Polaris architecture which includes the 4th Gen GCN graphics cores, a brand new display engine, new multimedia cores, all on the revolutionary Next FinFET 14 process technology for enhanced performance and efficiency.
- ✅ Equipped with XFX Double Dissipation Cooling Technology for optimal cooling and performance
- ✅ Multiple Factory GPU Overclocked Settings – 1366MHz True Clock and 1386MHz OC+
- ✅ AMD VR Ready Premium -Experience the new generation of compelling Virtual Reality content with the Radeon RX GTS graphics card paired with the leading VR headsets. The Radeon RX GTS graphics card coupled with AMD LiquidVR technology delivers a virtually stutter-free, low latency experience, essential for remarkable Virtual Reality environments.
The 4 GiB framebuffer is now a significant restriction. Newer games may require lower texture quality and can show stutter or frame-time spikes even when the average frame rate appears acceptable. Large open worlds, demanding shaders, high-resolution textures, and ray-traced effects can overwhelm the card quickly.
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Driver support and operating systems
As of August 16, 2026, AMD’s RX 470 support page still provides driver downloads for supported operating systems, and AMD publishes a Polaris/Vega Adrenalin branch that includes the 26.5.2 release for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Download drivers from AMD’s official RX 470 support page or its official support resources rather than an unverified driver archive.
- Windows 10 and Windows 11: AMD’s current Polaris/Vega release notes list supported driver packages, but future availability can change.
- Windows 7: AMD identifies the operating system as legacy, with no additional driver releases planned. Do not treat Windows 7 as having current support.
- Linux: Check AMD’s current support information and the package availability for your specific distribution.
“Current driver available” does not mean indefinite support or feature parity with a current GPU. It means only that AMD presently publishes a supported branch for the relevant operating system.
RX 470 versus RX 480
The RX 480 is the more important historical alternative. It has more stream processors and texture units, so it is faster overall. The RX 470 generally uses less power and may offer a preferable cooler or physical design, but those advantages do not justify paying an RX 480-class price.
Rank #4
- Chipset: AMD RX 7600
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- XFX SWFT Dual Fan Cooling Solution
- Boost Clock: Up to 2655 MHz
Legit Reviews’ Black Edition comparison showed the RX 470 behind an RX 480 8GB in both GTA V and The Division. The extra memory on an 8 GiB RX 480 can also be useful in games where 4 GiB becomes restrictive. The sensible rule is simple: compare the price and condition of the specific cards. Buy the RX 470 only when it is clearly cheaper or has a compelling advantage in condition, size, cooling, or warranty.
Overclocking and undervolting
Legit Reviews used AMD WattMan on its Black Edition sample and achieved approximately 4.5% additional GPU overclocking, with a core boost of roughly 1,315 MHz and memory at 1,800 MHz, or 7.2 Gbps effective. The test increased the power target by 50% and raised the temperature target from 65°C to 73°C.
That is one sample’s result, not a promise for every RX 470. Silicon quality, BIOS settings, voltage behavior, fan wear, dust, and dried thermal compound all affect the result. On a card this old, stock operation or a modest undervolt is usually more sensible than adding heat and voltage for a small performance gain. Test stability with your actual games, and monitor temperatures, clocks, and artifacts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Buying an XFX RX 470 used
The card’s value in 2026 depends almost entirely on the individual unit and its price. There is no dependable current official retail price for these discontinued models, so a generic “best price” recommendation would be misleading. It is attractive only when clearly cheaper than newer used graphics cards and when the seller allows testing or offers meaningful returns.
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Inspection checklist
- Confirm the exact model number from the card label or GPU-Z.
- Verify whether it has 4 GiB or 8 GiB of memory.
- Check the number and type of display outputs against your monitor setup.
- Confirm that your PSU has a proper six-pin PCIe connector and adequate capacity.
- Inspect the PCB, cooler, screws, capacitors, and connectors for corrosion, damage, missing parts, or tampering.
- Listen for fan bearing noise and confirm that both fans start and respond normally.
- Run a repeatable GPU benchmark for at least 15–30 minutes.
- Watch for artifacts, black screens, driver crashes, abnormal temperatures, and clock throttling.
- Check memory stability separately if your test software permits it.
- Ask for the original invoice only if the seller is claiming remaining warranty coverage.
- Treat mining history as a risk factor, especially when the card is untested or has a modified BIOS.
Historical temperatures should not be used to certify a nine- or ten-year-old card. Legit Reviews recorded 46°C at idle with the fans stopped and 76°C under load on its Black Edition sample. Those measurements came from that particular card and test setup, described as an open test bench. A used card in a closed case may run differently, and degraded fans or clogged heatsinks can make the historical result irrelevant.
Best Value
- RX 550 4GB LP Version: 4GB/GDDR5/128bit/DP+HDMI/PCIe 3.0*16/ Core Clock 1100-1183 MHz/ TDP 35W.
- Short/Small Form Factor (SFF) design fits in today’s Low-Profile desktops and workstations via the short bracket mounted on card. This LP card can fir easily fit in almost all mini-ITX cases.
- Less Power Consuming: Because of their small size and lesser components, low-profile graphics cards consume less power than regular-sized graphics cards. The 51Risc RX550 low-profile graphics card does not need an external power connector from the PSU, and it works only on the power supplied by the PCI Express x16 slot. Also, you do not need a high Wattage power supply for them, as a budget PSU of 300W is enough for them, given that it is an average PC build.
- Less Noisy: This low-profile graphics card is generally less noisy, because it comes with a single cooling fan, and uses a heatsink for cooling. it is almost silent in operation.
- What you get: 1x RX550 low profile graphics card, 1x User manual, professional after-sale service.
Warranty reality
Do not assume that an XFX warranty follows the card. XFX’s current warranty page says RX-400-series coverage depends on the model category: standard RX-400 models receive two years, RS models three years, and GTR models three years plus a separate five-year fan provision under the stated terms. The exact model, region, registration, original purchase date, and proof of purchase matter.
XFX also states that RX-series warranties are not transferable and that person-to-person used-market purchases may have no warranty under the applicable terms. Commercial-use conditions can differ materially from household-use coverage. Read the current XFX warranty terms before treating warranty status as a reason to pay more.
Who should buy it?
Buy when all of these are true
- You need an inexpensive replacement for an older, weaker GPU.
- Your target is primarily older games, esports, or adjusted 1080p settings.
- Your PC has a sound PSU, a six-pin PCIe connector, and adequate airflow.
- The specific card passes a sustained test without artifacts, crashes, or disturbing fan noise.
- The price is dramatically below newer used alternatives.
- You accept limited future-proofing and the possibility of out-of-warranty failure.
Skip it when any of these apply
- The price approaches that of a substantially newer used GPU.
- You want demanding modern AAA games at high settings or reliable high-refresh 1080p.
- You need ray tracing, newer media features such as AV1 encoding, or a current feature ecosystem.
- The PSU is generic, old, or missing the required PCIe connector.
- The fans are noisy, the heatsink is clogged, or the card shows evidence of overheating.
- The seller cannot demonstrate stable operation or provide a return option.
- You are buying for commercial rendering, server, or mining use without checking the different warranty terms.
Final assessment
The XFX RX-470P4L earned its positive reputation honestly: in 2016, it was a strong 1080p card that usually outperformed the GTX 960 and clearly exceeded the RX 460 in the tested games. Its dual-fan cooler, heat pipes, backplate, and removable fans were attractive features, and the 120 W power class was reasonable for a midrange GPU.
That historical result does not make every RX 470 a good 2026 purchase. The card is discontinued, the model family is inconsistent, the 4 GiB memory limit is increasingly important, and every used unit carries age-related risks. Buy one only after confirming the exact model, testing the card, checking PSU and case compatibility, and comparing its price with newer used options. For demanding modern gaming or long-term ownership, skip it.
Quick Recap
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