Review

ASUS ROG Strix RX 460 OC 4GB Review

Our first experience with AMD's Polaris 10 GPU architecture was in a form of ASUS ROG Strix RX 470 4GB OC graphics card and the conclusion wasn't nearly as significant as we had anticipated due to mere 3-4K price deference against the RX 480 8GB graphics card variant.

But keeping that all aside, today we are reviewing a AMD Polaris 11 architecture based product, the ASUS ROG Strix RX 460 4GB OC graphics card. The RX 460 is based on the Polaris 11 Codename Baffin GPU, a 4thgeneration GCN architecture with 75W TDP. The graphics card is targeted to the budget range with performance to play latest titles at 1080P with lower image quality. ASUS with its ROG Strix variant gives gamers a factory tweaked RX 460 graphic card with 1256 MHz of core Boost frequency and a custom DirectCU based cooling solution.

Now let's see what this ASUS RX 460 has for us.

Features

• 1256 MHz engine clock in OC mode for outstanding performance and gaming experience.
• DirectCU II with Patented Wing-Blade 0dB Fan Design delivers maximum air flow with 30% cooler and 3X quieter performance.
• ASUS FanConnect features 4-pin GPU-controlled header connected to system fans for optimal thermal performance.
• Industry Only Auto-Extreme Technology with Super Alloy Power II delivers premium quality and best reliability.
• Aura RGB Lighting to express personalized gaming style.
• GPU Tweak II with XSplit Gamecaster provides intuitive performance tweaking and lets you stream your gameplay instantly.

OUTSHINE THE COMPETITION
ROG Strix RX 460 gaming graphics cards are packed with exclusive ASUS technologies, including DirectCU II Technology with Patented Wing-Blade Fans for up to 30% cooler and 3X quieter performance, and Industry-only Auto-Extreme Technology for premium quality and the best reliability. Aura RGB Lighting enables a gaming system personalization. ROG Strix RX 460 also has GPU Tweak II with XSplit Gamecaster that provides intuitive performance tweaking and instant gameplay streaming.

LEVEL UP PERFORMANCE

DirectCU II Technology with Direct-GPU Contact Heatpipes
30% Cooler and 3X Quieter Performance. Exclusive DirectCU II cooling technology features direct-GPU contact heatpipes that transports more heat away from the GPU and outperform reference designs, achieving up to 30% cooler gaming performance.

Patented Dual Wing-Blade 0dB Fans
Max Air Flow with 105% More Air Pressure -DirectCU II features dual 0dB fans engineered with a patented wing-blade design that delivers maximum air flow and improved 105% static pressure over the heat sink, while operating at 3X quieter volumes than reference cards. The 0dB fans also let you enjoy games in complete silence and make DirectCU II the coolest and quietest graphics card in the market.

ASUS FanConnect
Targeted Supplemental Cooling- When gaming, GPU temperatures are often higher than CPU temps. However, chassis fans usually reference CPU temperatures only, which results in inefficient cooling of the system. For optimal thermal performance, ROG Strix RX 460 graphics cards feature a 4-pin GPU-controlled header that can be connected to system fan for targeted supplemental cooling.

PREMIUM QUALITY AND BEST RELIABILITY
Auto-Extreme Technology - Industry-only 100% Automated Production Process - All ASUS graphics cards are now produced using Auto-Extreme Technology, an industry-exclusive, 100% automated production process that incorporates premium materials to set a new standard of quality. Auto-Extreme Technology ensures consistent graphics card quality as well as improved performance and longevity. This new manufacturing process is also environmentally friendly, eliminating harsh chemicals and reducing power consumption by 50%.

4+1 Phase Super Alloy Power II
Enhanced Durability and Efficiency - ASUS engineers have integrated premium alloy components into their graphics card designs to reinforce overall reliability. Super Alloy Power II components greatly enhance efficiency, reduce power loss and achieve thermal levels that are approximately 50% cooler than previous designs.

Aura RGB Lighting
Where Style Meets Performance - Featuring Aura RGB Lighting on both the shroud, ROG Strix graphics cards are capable of displaying millions of colors and six different effects for a personalized gaming system.

Your Need for Speed, Fulfilled
The Best Combo Ultra-smooth Gameplay - AMD FreeSyncâ„¢ technology resolves the communication issues between processor and monitor, eliminating image tears and choppiness for effortlessly smooth gameplay. With ROG Strix gaming graphics cards and ASUS MG gaming monitors, scenes appear instantly, objects look sharper, and gameplay is super smooth, giving you a stunning visual experience and a serious competitive edge.

GPU Tweak II with XSplit Gamecaster
Tweak Till Your Heart's Content - Redesigned with an intuitive, all-new UI, GPU Tweak II makes overclocking easier and more visual than ever, while still retaining advanced options for seasoned overclockers. With one click, the new Gaming Booster function maximizes system performance by removing redundant processes and allocating all available resources automatically.

Gaming Booster
One-click Performance Up

XSplit Gamecaster
Instant Gameplay Streaming - An included 14-day XSplit Gamecaster premium license lets you easily stream or record gameplay via a convenient, in-game overlay. The overlay also displays GPU clock speed, temperature, and VRM usage, and has GPU Tweak II controls, so gamers can choose a gaming profile and boost performance with just one click.

Specifications

Package

The ASUS RX 460 comes in a black colored box with STRIX logo highlighted on front of the box . Back of box covers details about the product features along with specifications.

Inside the box

Along with the GFX card box also includes driver installation CD, quick start guide, ASUS Cable ties, ASUS stickers and World of Warships coupon.

Looks

ASUS ROG Strix RX 460 4GB graphics card features a full black colour theme with two super silent fans for cooling. Top side features a ROG logo with the AURA RGB lighting. Card also features a 4 pin (PWM) fan header to hook an external fan, which can be controlled via bundled software.

The back I/O plate is having a DVI connectors, a HDMI (2.0) connector and a DisplayPort (1.4) connector.

Testing

Test system configuration -

Bundled Softwares

Benchmarks

Temperatures

Room Temperature: 30C

In idle, the temperature is real good and at full load running 3D Mark Fire Strike temperature was ok and fans were not loud at all.

Power Consumption

Wattage reading as per displayed by APC Pro 1000VA (Model no. BR1000G-IN) UPS.

Pros

• Factory Overclocked
• Aura RGB Lighting
• Fan turns OFF when idle
• On board 4 pin fan Header
• Lower Temperature

Cons

• No Memory Overclocking
• No backplate

Conclusion

The ASUS ROG Strix RX 460 4GB OC graphics card is an entry level gaming solution and not meant for Ultra settings with any game. Factory overclocking along with 4GB of Video memory servers great to buffer more texture allowing better image quality without blurry textures. Comparing head on with an year old generation GTX 950, the Rx 460 performance was disappointing with last generation games, the Tome Raider DX12 version showed slight improvement in fps against GTX 950, that again is due to overclocking and 4GB memory.

ASUS have done great job with its DirectCU II thermal solution on this card resulting quieter operations with lower temperatures. With more upcoming new titles supporting DirectX 12 and Vulkan along with an upcoming driver update from AMD would help in raising the performance bars of RX 460.

At the conclusion ASUS ROG Strix RX 460 4GB graphics card is a great option for low budget gamers looking for low noise and low temperature gaming solution and worthy of our PC TeK REVIEWS Value Award.

Manufacturers Info

Thanks.

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