AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB vs AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the RX 5500 XT 4GB and the RX 480 8GB with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The RX 5500 XT 4GB and the RX 480 8GB perform almost identically; price and features make the difference.
RX 5500 XT 4GB
- Index (1080p)
- 21/100
- VRAM
- 4 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $169 · ≈ €155
- Upscaling
- FSR
RX 480 8GB
- Index (1080p)
- 21/100
- VRAM
- 8 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $239 · ≈ €220
- Upscaling
- FSR
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | RX 5500 XT 4GB | RX 480 8GB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 23 | 23 | = |
| 1440p | 14 | 15 | +7% |
| 4K | 5 | 5 | = |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the RX 5500 XT 4GB and RX 480 8GB: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | RX 5500 XT 4GB | RX 480 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | AMD | AMD |
| VRAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| TDP | 130W | 150W |
| Tier | Entry-level | Mid-range |
| Score 1080p | 21 | 21 |
| Score 1440p | 14 | 15 |
| Score 4K | 6 | 7 |
| Price (MSRP) | $169 | $239 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | RX 5500 XT 4GB | RX 480 8GB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 24FPS | 24FPS | Tie |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 19FPS | 19FPS | Tie |
| Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | 24FPS | 24FPS | Tie |
| Marathon | 24FPS | 24FPS | Tie |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 21FPS | 21FPS | Tie |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 25FPS | 25FPS | Tie |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 24FPS | 24FPS | Tie |
| 007 First Light | 24FPS | 24FPS | Tie |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 20FPS | 20FPS | Tie |
| Pathologic 3 | 29FPS | 29FPS | Tie |
Verdict
It's a tie: both GPUs win in 0 out of 10 games
Both GPUs offer very similar performance. Choose based on price and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the RX 5500 XT 4GB with the RX 480 8GB.
Which is better, the RX 5500 XT 4GB or the RX 480 8GB?
On average at 1080p, the RX 5500 XT 4GB is 0% faster than the RX 480 8GB. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the RX 5500 XT 4GB averages 5 FPS and the RX 480 8GB 5 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 0% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.