Radeon RX 480 Performance Benchmarks with 16.7.1 driver
With the new AMD Radeon 16.7.1 driver freshly released I understand that there is concern among you guys that the power distribution fix might have done something that makes the Radeon RX 480 throttle or downclock e.g. have a negative effect on performance. Hence I ran some benchmarks.
So as it stands right now, the effect on the power distribution fix is not measurable. By saying that I mean the performance is has remained the same. There are 1 FPS differences here and there, but overall it's all similar and here and there the performance even increased a little, 3DMark FireStrike is such an example.
I ran 3DMark FireStrike, Hitman 2016, Rise of the Tom Raider, Total War: Warhammer and Far Cry Primal. You can check out the benchmarks inbetween the AMD Radeon Software Crimson Driver 16.6.2 without power fix and the new AMD Radeon Software Crimson Driver 16.7.1 below. I've made a full spread in resolution, meaning Full HD (1920x1080), WQHD (2560x1440) and Ultra HD (3840x2160). I've also added a core clock recording of the card in a 3DMark FireStrike loop. Though there is less varying throttling, the card runs below 1200 MHz with that benchmark (which is normal behaviour). I verified and compared this with against Unigine Heaven (also included), which runs steady at 1240~1250 MHz in an Extreme mode. So the card does still reach its maximum boost frequency.
Now in the driver you'll notice a new 'Compatibility mode' as well as a new 'Power Efficiency mode'. These modes are irrelevant in the sense that you do not have to change them. Compatibility mode” toggle will further reduce overall board power. All modes have the new power distribution applied, we confirmed this with AMD moments ago, so you do not have to switch or alter anything in the drivers.
Click the thumbnails to watch the benchmarks, and obviously the benchmarks themselves don't confirm if the power distribution actually was fixed and within normal parameters.
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Senior Member
Posts: 8230
Joined: 2010-11-16
Actually no

I would expect that clocks are more stable now.
Due to how PCI-E power specification works, ie forcefully lowering voltage when the current goes over the maximum threshold(7.14A) and this does happen with the old RX 480.
Senior Member
Posts: 9797
Joined: 2011-09-21
Good to see the performance was not effected.
Undying
Nvidia cards historically weaker in 3DMark than GCN cards.
Senior Member
Posts: 7755
Joined: 2005-12-06
The article says 16.7.1 but the benchmarks say 17.6.1
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 46396
Joined: 2000-02-22
Ahw sjeesh ... back to the excel sheet

Update: right let's pretend nobody noticed that - fixed.
Senior Member
Posts: 22347
Joined: 2008-08-28
Stock gtx980 score in FS.
Seems like on pair with upcoming gtx1060.