AMD Radeon RX 460 Power Consumption Results
Power Consumption Results
Measurement Methodology & Graphical Illustration
Taking into account the lessons learned from our follow-up measurements of AMD’s Radeon RX 480 and your feedback, we made some fundamental changes to the way we measure power consumption.
Our measurement intervals are now twice as long. There’s also a hardware-based low-pass filter and software-based variable filter in place (the latter is a feature of the software used to analyze data; it’s designed to evaluate the plausibility of very short load peaks and valleys). The resulting curves are a lot smoother than the old ones; we hope you derive more value from them as a result.
You’ll find more information about our power consumption test methodology in The Math Behind GPU Power Consumption And PSUs.
You’ll find a larger number of bar graphs, and higher-resolution versions of our power consumption charts that you can expand by clicking on them. We restructured our topic sections, added more comparison bar graphs, and, finally, added different scenarios to our measurements. In addition to power consumption, we also examine current to determine whether the graphics card stays within all of its relevant specifications. Our test equipment doesn’t change, though:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Power Consumption Measurement | |
|---|---|
| Test Method | Contact-free DC Measurement at PCIe Slot (Using a Riser Card) Contact-free DC Measurement at External Auxiliary Power Supply Cable Direct Voltage Measurement at Power Supply |
| Test Equipment | 2 x Rohde & Schwarz HMO 3054, 500 MHz Digital Multi-Channel Oscilloscope with Storage Function 4 x Rohde & Schwarz HZO50 Current Probe (1mA to 30A, 100 kHz, DC) 4 x Rohde & Schwarz HZ355 (10:1 Probes, 500 MHz) 1 x Rohde & Schwarz HMC 8012 Digital Multimeter with Storage Function |
Power Consumption at Different Loads
Similar to our Radeon RX 470 coverage, we’re adding several games to our measurement suite, though the familiar Metro: Last Light benchmark also turns out to be the Radeon RX 460’s biggest challenge.
It’s followed closely by Doom, which generates numbers that are almost as high. However, there’s a difference of less than 3W between Ashes of the Singularity and Metro: Last Light. This means that Asus’ graphics card is consistently running close to or at its limit.
The Strix RX 460’s almost 90W result is a lot higher than what we expected based on AMD’s pre-launch PR. Then again, this is Asus’ interpretation of the RX 460, which benefits from factory overclocking in our performance charts, but pays the price when we measure power. We’re pretty sure there will be other RX 460s that do away with the power connector altogether. Ultimately, you’re the one who has to decide if performance headroom or an efficient card without a power connector is more important.
The gray bar represents power consumption based on those load peaks that made it through our filters to the smoother curve. That bar doesn’t have any practical significance since the peaks we measured are too brief for them to matter (even if the shortest-duration ones were already filtered out by this point).
Power Connector Load Distribution
So, how’s the load distributed across the power rails during a realistic gaming load and a stress test? We aren’t including the motherboard’s 3.3V rail in this discussion, because it’s barely used (up to 1W, but usually less than that).
Load on the two 12V rails (the motherboard slot connector and six-pin power connector) is balanced beautifully. There’s lots of room left on them both. Even additional overclocking efforts will never push Asus’ Strix RX 460 beyond the limits set in its specifications.
Here are the corresponding graphs for gaming and our stress test. Click on them for a larger version.
Image 1 of 2
The PCI-SIG’s specifications only apply to current, meaning power consumption results on their own don’t tell the whole story. Our readings put the motherboard slot just over 4A. Given a ceiling of 5.5A, this is most certainly on the safe side with lots of room to spare.
Of course, there are larger graphs for the current measurements as well.
Image 1 of 2
Power Consumption Comparison with Other Graphics Cards
Finally, we’d like to know how the Strix RX 460 stacks up against other graphics cards. We’re using the peak power consumption numbers for this comparison because they’re what the previous results consisted of.
Gaming power consumption is much lower compared to older graphics cards. The same can’t be said for Blu-ray playback and multi-monitor setups, though. Asus’ Strix RX 460 lags way behind its competition in those disciplines.
AMD tells us that there’s a fix for the high power consumption readings at idle and under partial loads. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it into the latest driver, which we used for these tests.
MORE: Best Graphics Cards
MORE: Desktop GPU Performance Hierarchy Table
MORE: All Graphics Content
Current page:
Power Consumption Results
Prev Page Project CARS, StarCraft 2, Witcher 3 & Warcraft
Next Page Frequency, Temperature & Noise Results
Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
Topics
AMD
Graphics: Reviews, Testing and News About GPUs
Choosing the Best PSU for AMD’s Radeon RX 460 GPU
Learn how to choose a power supply for AMD’s Radeon RX 460 GPU based on power consumption and other factors.
In this article, I’ll go over the things you should consider when choosing a power supply for your computer with an AMD Radeon RX 460 graphics card.
Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for RX 460 GPUs below.
Best 650–1000 Watt PSU
EVGA SuperNOVA G5 Series Fully Modular Power Supply (220-G5-0650-X1)
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
How to Choose a Power Supply for the RX 460 GPU
The main job of a power supply is to convert the alternating current (AC) from your wall outlet into the direct current (DC) needed by the components inside your computer.
Power Output
An important factor when buying a PSU is the supported wattage.
You will need to add up the power consumption of each computer component to determine the total output power requirements for your power supply.
The peak power consumption of AMD’s Radeon RX 460 GPU is 75 W.
You can estimate your power requirements by using the following chart.
| Component | Peak Power Usage |
|---|---|
| RX 460 GPU | 75 W |
| Top-Tier CPU (e.g., Intel Core i9 13900K) | 253 W |
| Mid-Tier CPU (e.g., Intel Core i5 13600K) | 181 W |
| Motherboard | 80 W |
| Optical Drive | 30 W |
| 3.5″ Hard Drive | 9 W |
| M.2 or 2.5″ SSD | 9 W |
| 140 mm Case/CPU Fan | 6 W |
| 120 mm Case/CPU Fan | 6 W |
| 80 mm Case/CPU Fan | 3 W |
By adding up these numbers, you can estimate peak power usage.
Check out the top-tier and mid-tier example builds below.
It’s generally a good idea to add a 100–150 W buffer to your expected usage. This buffer will give you some flexibility in case of miscalculations and will allow you to add more drives, fans, or add-in cards in the future.
In most cases, buying a little more wattage than you need is a safer choice for ensuring system stability.
Don’t forget to account for the additional power required for overclocking if you intend to overclock your CPU or GPU. Overclocking could require roughly an extra 50–100 W, depending on how much you overclock these devices.
Check another AMD GPU:
Radeon RX 7900 XTX Radeon RX 7900 XT Radeon RX 6900 XT Radeon RX 6800 XT Radeon RX 6800 Radeon RX 6700 XT Radeon RX 6600 XT Radeon RX 6600 Radeon RX 6500 XT Radeon RX 6400 Radeon RX 5700 XT Radeon RX 5700 Radeon RX 5600 XT Radeon RX 5600 Radeon RX 5500 XT Radeon RX 5500 Radeon RX 5300 XT Radeon RX 5300 Radeon VII Radeon RX Vega 64 Liquid Radeon RX Vega 64 Radeon RX Vega 56 Radeon RX 590 Radeon RX 580 Radeon RX 570 Radeon RX 560 Radeon RX 550 Radeon RX 480 Radeon RX 470 Radeon RX 460
Top-Tier Estimate:
| Top-Tier Components | Peak Power Consumption |
|---|---|
| RX 460 GPU | 75 watts |
Top-Tier CPU (e. g., Intel Core i9 13900K) |
253 watts |
| Motherboard | 80 watts |
| 4 M.2 or 2.5″ SSDs | 36 watts |
| 3 Case Fans (120 mm) | 18 watts |
| 2 CPU Fans (120 mm) | 12 watts |
| Total Estimate: | 474 watts |
| Recommended Power Supply Wattage: | 600 watts |
Check the latest price of the 450–750 watt Corsair SF Power Supplies on Amazon (affiliate link).
Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for RX 460 GPUs below.
Featured 750 Watt PSUs ›
Amazon Affiliate Links
Corsair RMX Series (2021), RM750x, 750 Watt, Gold, Fully Modular Power Supply
Check Price on Amazon
EVGA 750 N1, 750W, 2 Year Warranty, Power Supply 100-N1-0750-L1
Check Price on Amazon
Mid-Tier Estimate:
| Mid-Tier Components | Peak Power Consumption |
|---|---|
| RX 460 GPU | 75 watts |
Mid-Tier CPU (e. g., Intel Core i5 13600K) |
181 watts |
| Motherboard | 80 watts |
| 2 M.2 or 2.5″ SSDs | 18 watts |
| 2 Case Fans (120 mm) | 12 watts |
| 2 CPU Fans (120 mm) | 12 watts |
| Total Estimate: | 378 watts |
| Recommended Power Supply Wattage: | 550 watts |
Check the latest price of the 450–750 watt Corsair SF Power Supplies on Amazon (affiliate link).
Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for RX 460 GPUs below.
Power Efficiency
PSUs with higher efficiency ratings use less energy and produce less heat, improving their reliability and reducing noise.
The 80 PLUS certification program for power supplies helps to promote energy efficiency by indicating its efficiency rating.
Higher efficiency power supplies may have a higher upfront cost. However, they could potentially save you money on electricity in the long run.
Lower wattage PSUs will be more power-efficient even when idle. For this reason, you may be able to save more on electricity by getting the correct wattage of PSU than by getting the one with the best 80 PLUS rating.
| Certification Level | 10% Load | 20% Load | 50% Load | 100% Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 Plus | 80% | 80% | 80% | |
| 80 Plus Bronze | 82% | 85% | 82% | |
| 80 Plus Silver | 85% | 88% | 85% | |
| 80 Plus Gold | 87% | 90% | 87% | |
| 80 Plus Platinum | 90% | 92% | 89% | |
| 80 Plus Titanium | 90% | 92% | 94% | 90% |
Cables
Connectors
Make sure your PSU has the correct connectors to support the hardware in your system.
Cheaper PSUs may cut costs on connectors and cables by offering fewer options and shorter lengths.
Check with your motherboard and graphics card documentation to determine which connector types are needed. Buy a popular, recently-released PSU; it will likely have the necessary connectors for a new PC build. However, if you use old components or an old power supply, you may find some incompatibilities.
Here are some common connector types that power supplies support:
- 24-pin connector for the motherboard
- 4/8-pin connector for the CPU
- 6/8/16-pin connectors for graphics cards
- SATA Power connector for each SATA HDD or SDD storage device
The latest graphics cards and ATX 3.0 PSUs support a new 16-pin PCIe 5.0 connector that replaces multiple 8-pin connectors.
Modular Cables
Typical power supplies come with various cables to connect your components. However, extra unused power cables can work against you by interrupting airflow.
In comparison, modular and semi-modular power supplies allow for attaching only the cables you need. As the name implies, semi-modular power supplies have some wires soldered on, while you can optionally connect others.
Cable Lengths
Most power supplies will have cables long enough to support mid-sized towers comfortably. If you have a full-size tower, you may want to check reviews and documentation to ensure that the cables are long enough to allow good cable management.
Power Supply Form Factors
Various form factors are available for power supplies. However, a standard-size desktop PC build will use an ATX power supply.
Small form factor PSUs allow for usage in many computer case shapes, including mini-PCs.
Power Supply Features
Overvoltage protection and short circuit protection can help to save your components in the case of a surge or accident.
LED lighting is another feature you might consider, depending on your PC goals.
Choosing a Cost-Effective Power Supply for the RX 460
Perhaps you live in a dorm or a family member’s house and don’t pay the power bill. Or maybe you don’t expect the computer to have heavy daily usage. In those cases, the lower upfront cost of a less efficient PSU may be the better choice.
On the other hand, if you care more about the electric bill or the environment and plan to maintain higher CPU or GPU usage, then a more efficient PSU may be better.
Don’t go too far over 150 W above your expected power needs. Rightsizing your power supply will keep electricity costs to a minimum, as higher wattage PSUs will consume some additional power, even when idle.
Recommended 750-1650 Watt ATX 3.0 PSU
- The Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 ATX 3.0 Power Supply on Amazon (affiliate link) is our recommended 750-1650 watt ATX 3.0 PSU.
- GOLD 80 PLUS efficiency ratings.
- ATX 3.0 standard for supporting newer graphics cards.
- Fully modular cabling allows you to optimize airflow and minimize clutter.
- Ultra quiet design.
- 10-year warranty.
- This series of power supplies comes in power outputs including 750, 850, 1000, 1200, 1350 and 1650 watts.
Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 Series 80+ Gold Full Modular ATX 3.0 PCIe Gen 5 Power Supply
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Recommended 650–1000 Watt PSU
- The Corsair SF Series Power Supply on Amazon (affiliate link) is our recommended 650–1000 watt PSU.
- Gold 80 PLUS efficiency ratings.
- Fully modular cabling allows you to optimize airflow and minimize clutter.
- Near silent during low usage.
- 10-year warranty.
- This series of power supplies comes in power outputs including 650, 750, 850, and 1000 watts.
EVGA SuperNOVA G5 Series Fully Modular Power Supply (220-G5-0650-X1)
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Other Considerations When Building a PC
Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:
- Cases:
- How to Choose the Best PC Case
- CPUs:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5.
0? - Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
- LGA 1700 CPU List
- LGA 1200 CPU List
- Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
- CPU Coolers:
- What is the Best Type of CPU cooler for a Gaming PC?
- How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Your PC
- Best LGA 1700 CPU Cooler for Intel’s 12th Gen Core Processors
- Best AM4 CPU Cooler for AMD Processors
- Storage:
- Can an SSD Improve PC Gaming Performance? and Does an SSD Increase FPS for PC Gaming?
- Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs
- Memory:
- How to Choose the Best RAM for Your PC
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming? and Is 32 GB of RAM Worth It for Gaming?
- DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy
- Is DDR5 Worth It? The Benefits of DDR5 and What Is DDR5?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support DDR5?
- PCI-Express:
- Is PCIe 5.
- Is PCIe 5.