HD4870 + HD4890 Crossfire?

ComradeSader · Aug 24, 2009

Basically, I want to know if it works and how well/poor it works if that's the case.

I was planning on getting a second PowerColor(PC) 4870 PCS+ 1gb to go with mine, but the site I've made the order from (order is numerous other things as well, so not bothering to cancel, also already been paid lol) has ran out and can't get any more.

So, my options are a PC 4870 1gb, or PC 4890 1gb (I'd like to keep it PowerColor, for the whole similarity thing). The 4890 is pretty much the same price as the PCS+, but I'd assume with more "grunt", so I was thinking of getting that but I've heard that 4890+4870 combo's don't work out so well - if at all.

Any advice from the TPU community would be great :toast:

DrPepper · Aug 24, 2009

4870 and 4890 would work well in crossfire but it would only be as fast as the slowest card.

ComradeSader · Aug 24, 2009

DrPepper said:
4870 and 4890 would work well in crossfire but it would only be as fast as the slowest card.

Ahh, well it would only be as fast as the 4870 anyway.. which is underclocked 20mhz cause I'm too lazy to flash the BIOS, lol.
Well, since I've already paid them for the PCS+ I might as well grab the 4890, I should be able to get more money out of it as a single card compared to the 4870 when I sell it in a year or two

Though more input would be nice haha

Mussels · Aug 24, 2009

4870 and 4890 share everything in common except clock speeds, and those arent synchronised in crossfireX.

He would actually get a 4890+4870, it wouldnt drop down to work like two 4870's

Crazykenny · Aug 24, 2009

Mussels said:
4870 and 4890 share everything in common except clock speeds, and those arent synchronised in crossfireX.

He would actually get a 4890+4870, it wouldnt drop down to work like two 4870's

Agreed, it wont work like memory which automatically gets clocked down to the slowest module. I have yet to see someone that successfully gets two different cards to work together.

Mussels · Aug 24, 2009

Crazykenny said:
Agreed, it wont work like memory which automatically gets clocked down to the slowest module. I have yet to see someone that successfully gets two different cards to work together.

i did it. radeon 3200 IGP 256MB + 3450 PCI-E 512MB card. you cant get much more different than that.

Crazykenny · Aug 24, 2009

Wow, I didnt even think it was possible. But you cant tell me they ran normally right? If so... that what about the SLI side of things? GTX280 ~ 285.

Mussels · Aug 24, 2009

Crazykenny said:
Wow, I didnt even think it was possible. But you cant tell me they ran normally right? If so... that what about the SLI side of things? GTX280 ~ 285.

SLI is a no go. SLI requires matched cards with matched BIOS'es and everything looking like siamese twins.

CrossfireX is a different beast altogether - as long as they share the same GPU core, they can crossfire.

Crazykenny · Aug 24, 2009

I must note... I'm glad I switched to ATI with my current rig then. Never knew the possibilities on ATI cards would go this far. But what will Crossfiring with a different card do to performance? I mean a 4870 can never match up to the new 4890 series at stock.

phanbuey · Aug 24, 2009

Crazykenny said:
I must note... I'm glad I switched to ATI with my current rig then. Never knew the possibilities on ATI cards would go this far. But what will Crossfiring with a different card do to performance? I mean a 4870 can never match up to the new 4890 series at stock.

nothing.. it will be like having hd4880's in cfx :laugh:

Crazykenny · Aug 24, 2009

Hahaha, awesome

You learn something new every day

Wile E · Aug 24, 2009

Mussels said:
SLI is a no go. SLI requires matched cards with matched BIOS'es and everything looking like siamese twins.

CrossfireX is a different beast altogether - as long as they share the same GPU core, they can crossfire.

BIOSes no longer have to be matched in SLI, but it does have to be the same model cards, and it still takes the lowest common denominator approach.

And just to reiterate your point, Crossfire does not take the lowest common denominator approach, therefore a 4890+4870 is faster than 2x4870.

DrPepper · Aug 24, 2009

I thought clockspeeds have to be matched with xfire. Nice to see it doesn't.

ComradeSader · Aug 24, 2009

Wile E said:
therefore a 4890+4870 is faster than 2x4870.

Now that's what I wanted to hear :laugh:

I had a slight change of mind, and went for the 4890 PCS+ version instead of the standard, sure it costs more, but I like my PCS+ coolers

lol.

My choice; http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_800&products_id=11466

And thanks for all the input guys :toast:

tzitzibp · Aug 24, 2009

quick question, slightly off topic...

can a 4870 cooler be installed on a 4890 !!!????

eidairaman1 · Aug 24, 2009

Wile E said:
BIOSes no longer have to be matched in SLI, but it does have to be the same model cards, and it still takes the lowest common denominator approach.

And just to reiterate your point, Crossfire does not take the lowest common denominator approach, therefore a 4890+4870 is faster than 2x4870.

You do some testing of this yourself? I'd like to know where you got this data from.

Mussels · Aug 24, 2009

crossfires been getting better and better, SLI is still in the same boat as when it launched really.

Hayder_Master · Aug 24, 2009

yeh it is work well crossfire depend on the chip series , i crossfire my 4870 with 4850 and work well

ComradeSader · Aug 24, 2009

hayder.master said:
yeh it is work well crossfire depend on the chip series , i crossfire my 4870 with 4850 and work well

It's going in the new mobo in my specs for Yorky system, X48 chipset.

tzitzibp · Aug 24, 2009

tzitzibp said:
quick question, slightly off topic...

can a 4870 cooler be installed on a 4890 !!!????

anyone!?

ComradeSader · Aug 24, 2009

tzitzibp said:
anyone!?

No idea mate, sorry :eek:

Actually it wouldn't surprise me, they are basically the same card. Same GPU at least..

"The Thermalright T-RAD² is a slim high performance heatsink capable of cooling the latest gaming cards, including the Nvidia GTX-200 series and ATI 4000 series video cards."

So um yeah, they probably do

Mussels · Aug 24, 2009

as long as you make sure the VRM's are cooled, it should work.

Scrizz · Aug 24, 2009

I love crossfireX

Flyordie · Aug 24, 2009

DrPepper said:
I thought clockspeeds have to be matched with xfire. Nice to see it doesn't.

It used to be that way, that ended with the HD2xxx series...

Wile E · Aug 24, 2009

eidairaman1 said:
You do some testing of this yourself? I'd like to know where you got this data from.

I haven't tested 4890+4870, but I have tested 2x4850 vs 4850+4870 vs 2x4870. And that is the exact order of speed they come out at. ATI does not use the lowest common denominator approach at all. If one card is faster, it leverages it's power more than the slower card.

I should mention, there are likely exceptions. I'm guessing AFR rendered games probably slow the faster card down a bit, as it waits for the slower card to render it's frame.

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HD4870 + HD4890 Crossfire?

ComradeSader

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

ComradeSader

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Crazykenny

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Crazykenny

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Crazykenny

phanbuey

Crazykenny

Wile E

Power User

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

ComradeSader

tzitzibp

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

Mussels

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Hayder_Master

ComradeSader

tzitzibp

ComradeSader

Mussels

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Scrizz

Flyordie

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