The AMD RX 480 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing a lead in six out of twelve measured specifications. Its most significant advantage over the competition is its shader unit count, which is 500% higher. This substantial difference in processing architecture provides the AMD RX 480 with a clear technical superiority in raw hardware capacity compared to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030, which only outperformed its rival in four categories.

Users prioritizing raw processing power should select the AMD RX 480 to leverage its vastly superior shader unit count. Conversely, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 is the better choice for those who prioritize power efficiency, as it offers an 80% advantage in TDP. Choosing between these two components depends entirely on whether your specific build requirements favor the high-capacity architecture of the former or the lower power consumption profile of the latter.