MSI’s RX 460 cuts out external power to achieve compact performance

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Known as the MSI Radeon RX 460 2GB/4GB OC, both cards have ditched the external power connector so commonly seen on contemporary graphics processing units (GPUs), which means neither requires more than the 75w that the PCIExpress port is rated for.

Because of that low power draw, we know there won’t be a lot of heat output either, which is why MSI opted for just a single fan on these graphics cards, which should keep them cool without getting too noisy.

That’s nice to see, because as TechReport points out, a lot of the RX 470 and 460 examples we’ve seen in recent weeks have utilized much larger cooling setups and have often required an additional 6pin power connector to run. While that’s hardly a problem for most systems, for those looking to build micro PCs with some gaming power in them, an ultra compact card like this running cool and quiet, is an ideal scenario.

Judging by early reviews, the RX 460 has enough power under the hood to offer a decent level of performance while maintaining its small footprint — acting a little like a new generation R9 Nano.

Both MSI’s new RX 460s use GDDR5 video memory, offering 2GB or 4GB depending on your preference. That memory operates at 7,000MHz regardless of size and is paired up with a Polaris 11 core that we’re told boosts up to 1,210 MHz, though MSI’s official page doesn’t detail the base frequency.

In terms of ports, you can expect a DisplayPort version 1.4 and a 2.0b HDMI connector, alongside a traditional DVI-D port. No pricing information for these cards has yet been released, and there is no official release date, but we’ll update you when we learn more.