Technical Differences between 4870 vs 4890

purecain · Apr 6, 2009

its for my xfx hd4890xt.... i just want to use voltage tweak....
maybe i'll stick to riva.....

EastCoasthandle · Apr 7, 2009

Something to take note concerning the 4870

I found some information that maybe good to know about the 4870. There appears to be 2 different types of 4870s. The reference design which we all know and an improved power management designed which offers 4+2 instead of 3+2.

Top: Reference
Bottom: PowerColor

Reference Design 3+2

PowerColor at 800 MHz 4+2

Reference Design

PowerColor at 800MHz

The 4+2 has a GPU clock rate of 800MHz.

DrPepper · Apr 7, 2009

purecain said:
its for my xfx hd4890xt.... i just want to use voltage tweak....
maybe i'll stick to riva.....

Ah right I though you were going to try flash the 4870's to 4890 which could work I think.

largon · Apr 7, 2009

Those 3-phase CPLA-3-50 and 2-phase Pulse PA1312NL inductors drain to different power planes. That's clear by just looking at the PCB after the inductors. It looks like the core receives 2 different voltages... Someone should stick a DMM probe on them and measure the voltages in idle and load.

LuxZg · Apr 7, 2009

nafets, all I wanted is what you just said - voltage can be tweaked through software on all cards

I see that some shops have pushed prices some 13% lower in last 2-3 days, so I'm ready to plunge in and get me one. Won't be waiting for non-reference cards - my hands are just itching to have this baby handed to them

Hell, I've never been buying latest graphics cards, specialy not in the same week as they got out. And after buying HD4870 right away, this is my second speedy-purchase.. And we all have to thank AMD/ATI for that

Like last time, you can expect a lot of info about this card vs HD4870.. as soon as I get my hands on it

EastCoasthandle · Apr 9, 2009

LuxZg,
If you actually buy one it will be a substantial performance improvement over your 1950Pro. In any case, I consider the 4890 a much better video card then the 4870.

Take a look at the power managment of the HD2900 vs the HD4870. Then look at the HD2900 vs the HD 4890.

HD2900

4870

HD4890

LuxZg · Apr 9, 2009

Well, I can agree on both.. I know it's gonna rule against current X1950, because HD4870 was also way better card

And I too believe HD4890 is much improved vs 4870, that's why I got rid of 4870 and I'm now buying 4890 card for the same money I've sold my 4870 roughly a month ago

EastCoasthandle · Apr 9, 2009

Sounds like a plan. Test a few games at 8xAA and see if you are getting better performance then your 1950pro with just 4xAA.

In any case the 4870 is the power management which is very different from the 2900 and 4890.

g0dM@n · Apr 11, 2009

I have a PC 4870 1GB and I just recently bought an MSI 4890 and waiting for it.

will my MCW60-4870 waterblock fit on the 4890? I'm guessing so... anything add'tl I may have to do other than the block?

miloshs · Jun 9, 2009

I'm also curious about HSF's from 4850/4870 fitting on the new 4890... From the photos in the 1st post it looks like the mounting holes are at the same place compared to 4870? Is it just my eyes or am i right about that one...

Somehow the increase from 256mm^2 to 282mm^2 die size doesn't strike me as a reason to push the mounting holes further away...

I guess getting a 4890 as opposed to 4870 only makes sense if you own a Full HD monitor/TV since i can play everything maxed out on my 4850 (8xAA, 16xAF, highest detail) at a resolution of 1680x1050... Everything except Crysis which is more of a benchmark than a game

largon · Jun 9, 2009

Mounting holes are identical.
One might even be able to put the reference 4870 cooler on 4980, if that would make sense that is, as 4890's one has slightly better VRM cooling.

g0dM@n · Jun 9, 2009

miloshs said:
I'm also curious about HSF's from 4850/4870 fitting on the new 4890... From the photos in the 1st post it looks like the mounting holes are at the same place compared to 4870? Is it just my eyes or am i right about that one...

Somehow the increase from 256mm^2 to 282mm^2 die size doesn't strike me as a reason to push the mounting holes further away...

I guess getting a 4890 as opposed to 4870 only makes sense if you own a Full HD monitor/TV since i can play everything maxed out on my 4850 (8xAA, 16xAF, highest detail) at a resolution of 1680x1050... Everything except Crysis which is more of a benchmark than a game

It all depends on the game you play... some games the 4890 will do better but the 4870 does it good enough. For example, L4D (Left4Dead)... I had my 4870 and a waterblock for it too, but was just too lazy to slap it on. I used it stock and it kicked butt at FULLY MAXED OUT 1920x1080 on my 37" 1080p. That was with stock clocks. Right now I use a 4890 (that I also have a WB for and too lazy to take apart my water loop), and that kicks butt too. I really have NO REASON to overclock it. It's as smooth as can be. If I OCed the 4870 just a bit, I wouldn't have had any reason to upgrade.

So... even at 1920x1080, the 4870 1gb can shine... just depends on the game, though... Crysis (although I've never played it) always has room for upgrade.

miloshs · Jun 9, 2009

g0dM@n said:
So... even at 1920x1080, the 4870 1gb can shine... just depends on the game, though... Crysis (although I've never played it) always has room for upgrade.

Crysis, Very High details, maxed out AA, maxed out AF, maxed out everything. Room for upgrade - You got that right

Yup it all depends on the game, but still im able to play 90% of the games full blast with my HD4850 (1680x1050). Really think if you dont own a Full HD display you may as well wait for DX11 GPU's to buy a new GPU and a new display...

CrackerJack · Jun 9, 2009

so would a 4890 aftermarket cooler will work on a 4870 too? I just wonder! It looks like the holes are in the same spot. How well does a 4890 oc anyways, compare a 4870?

miloshs · Jun 9, 2009

I have my doubts about 4890 cooler fitting on a 4870 cuz of the difference in PWM area. It might fit but not provide efficient cooling for the PWM's (contact not being too good betweent the HSF and PWM)...

largon · Jun 10, 2009

^Why?
Dimensions of the VRM area are in practice identical, differences are 1-2mm, mounting holes are the same, only real difference being the heatpipe/vapor chamber on top of 4890's cooler baseplate that runs over the VRM area. But that can't have any significant effect.

miloshs · Jun 10, 2009

Thats true, but leaves us with one option... Waiting for the 1st person to try it out

AsRock · Jun 11, 2009

Nice thread East. Thanks for the time you put in it.

tigger · Jun 16, 2009

I'm getting a 4870 tommorow.I'm pretty sure the xspc full cover block from my 4850 wil fit on the 4870.

I'm pretty certain if i cut off the marked section it will fit.

AsRock · Jun 17, 2009

Well if the holes the same and all why not just change the copper part for the GPU and the fan

.

And East if you want me check if there is a difference with the 2900XT fan and 4890 fan let me know..

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Technical Differences between 4870 vs 4890

purecain

EastCoasthandle

New Member

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

largon

LuxZg

EastCoasthandle

New Member

LuxZg

EastCoasthandle

New Member

g0dM@n

New Member

miloshs

New Member

largon

g0dM@n

New Member

miloshs

New Member

CrackerJack

miloshs

New Member

largon

miloshs

New Member

AsRock

TPU addict

tigger

I'm the only one

AsRock

TPU addict

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