ATI 4870 X2 (R700) GFX Review @ DriverHeaven

kris23

and its out of stock the same day it was released.....

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Veridian3

Hi, yes... all DX10 was enabled from running the EXE to the fur and shadows.

sammorris

While it certainly hasn't stopped me from buying one, ATI are not reassuring people with science with the 'they work above 100 celsius, they'll work fine' comments, they're lying to the consumer and that's going to cost them big soon. I know several people who own 4850s already and a fair few of them get lockups routinely at 94ºC, they don't have as well ventilated cases as perhaps they should, but that's not much of a margin for error. Clearly the 4870X2 has higher tolerances as it made it through DH's benches at 96, but how much higher? I'm going to raise the fan speeds for the card as soon as I get it in Catalyst, eventually once I stomach the courage, get a third party cooler for it, because the high temps are just too risky. I noticed this with my HD3870 as well, it locked up short of 86ºC, had to manually force the fan speed to 45% in games, and to 75% in crossfire (weird, in CF it locked up at 59ºC)


The high prices in the UK are because OcUK have exclusive rights to the first sales batch. Pre-orders from sites like ebuyer are priced at £345 inc. VAT and some other stores that don't yet have stock are posting it for as little as £309 - unless you desperately want one now, wait for the next batch to arrive elsewhere, else you're feeding this situation and it will only get worse.

Zardon

Unfortunately Sam, right now there are no options for raising fan speeds, its completely out of user control. Hopefully ATI add that option, but im guessing a 3rd party forthcoming cooler would be the wisest option. Well until one of the companies like Sapphire bring out an ultimate edition with beefed up cooler. My only concern with adding a third party cooler is, technically as far as I know it voids your warranty.

It also amazes me that they dont use 100-120mm fans on these things, sure they would "stick out" a bit more, but they have much more room for higher CFM while keeping noise lower. If it cost the consumer 10-15 more I think most people would be happy to pay it. Maybe I am wrong though.

EfrainMan

Kewl.

Couldn't resist. Bought one. Should be here tomorrow if I'm supah rucky.

kris23

i remember i used to force my 3870's fan speeds to 100% by modifying some INF in the CCC profiles, cant something like that work in this case as well?

in that same INF, i could force clock speeds, voltages and all settings for the 2D annd 3D performance. used to mess around ini there when i used to OC and it was incredibly stable as long as i cooled it on max... ever notiice anything like that?

Spyre

@ kris23

At the moment the same modification doesnt do anything in the 4870X2's case (and from what I remember it doesn't work for 3870X2 cards either) that mod however does work for 4850 and 4870 single cards and cards in Crossfire just not X2s (I think because its one card with its own unique fan control which the CCC's profile cant handle.

Its being investigated by AMD/ATI thats about all I can say at the moment.

Zardon

Nice one, where did you buy it from and which manufacturer? what kind of chassis have you?

Mousey

Hey Z, i've seen these on CCLonline.com and they're £299 o.0

Zardon

Ok a contact in AMD told me its the exact same size as a 3870 X2. I am fairly positive the coolers would be transferable, but I dont have a 3870X2 handy anymore.

Zardon

Really? cheapest I saw on there earlier was £370 inc VAT. got a link for our members?

kris23

nothin really to see there.....

314 ex VAT and 370 inc VAT....

Zardon

Yeah ive hunted for loweest prices UK today Kris, best I have seen in stock was about £370.

Tekheads had one for £350 Tekheads.co.uk but they sold out in minutes.

kris23

everyone is jumping on these 4870X2s...... i wish i could.... but oh well,

ill just deal with things as i go, kinda funny that my computer is rapidly becoming the epicenter of this house.... i already control the TVs and internet from here....

Zardon

I think ATI lovers have been waiting a long time for this video card. Still im surprised how well they are selling over here.

If you have the money, id treat yourself KRIS. we all need a toy now and again to make life a little easier, right?

OldBuzzard

Was he talking about outside dimentions, or the actual component layout. That would make a difference. There are places on the Koolance block for the 3870 X2 (and the stock one as well) where you need thermal pads of 2 different thicknesses to make sure you have contact on certain components to make sure they are cooled.

Zardon

I will ask my buddy Spyre if he can help you with this. he has both of the cards for beta testing.

kris23

well even though im upgrading soon, the money isnt mine and it aint right to spend it on something like this...

if it turns out that i need one in order to run more monitors for this whole thing then yea sure, but until then.... ill be running on a 3870

im always broke so things dont work out well all that much..... could use the job as DH reviewer though.... that spot still open? ill figure out something to review soon enough.

Zardon

we are currently looking for skilled reviewers yes to join the team. some part time some full time. best keeping that to PM though or email rather than this thread if you want to give it a shot bud.

H82LUZ

Awesome review Zardon and Spyre.too bad i bought a second 4870 for crossfirex