Adjusts power distribution

AMD has implemented two different solutions, with first automatically fixing the power distribution between the 6-pin PCI-Express power connector and the PCI-Express slot.

According to tests performed by Techpowerup.com, AMD actually used a feature of the IR3567 voltage controller used on all reference cards which adjust the power phase balance by changing the controller's configuration.

The second solution is the "Compatibility Mode" which can be enabled in Radeon Settings and which lowers the power draw even more. Thanks to performance improvements brought by the new driver, the performance impact for those that activate the "compatibility mode" toggle is barely noticeable, at least in Metro: Last Light game, tested by Techpowerup.com.

With the new drivers, the RX 480 draws more power from the 6-pin PCI-Express connector thus pushing down the power draw from slot down to 76W with the new drivers and 71W with the Compatibility Mode enabled. The performance is quite similar with all options and only noticeable higher when the Compatibility Mode is not enabled.

While the issue was limited to a couple of burnt motherboards, AMD has addressed the problem accordingly and solved it quite quickly so we advise you to download the new drivers if you are gaming on the Radeon RX 480.

Source: Techpowerup.com.