ATI 4xxx Series Thread

[taltamir]

SAPPHIRE HD4870 PCIE 512MB CTLRDDR3

DDR3? How is it actually better then a 4850 then?

although they did NOT specify that it is GDDR3... GDDR3 = DDR2 + some different abilities.
GDDR 5 = DDR3 + some different abilities.

Think they might have used regular DDR3 in there and it is the right speed? No, that makes little to no sense, at all whatesoever... so what the hell is going on?

Is AMD seeing an opportunity and now scrambling to make some "lower end" models of the 4870 to fit in the price the promised, and then jacking up the price on the proper card to match the GTX 280? It would be sound business practice on their part. (it is not illegal price setting if your counterpart just jacks up their prices, and then you follow suit without meeting them to coordinate such a raise)

 

[golem]

Weren't all the prices just rumors anyway with no direct confirmation?

 

[Kuzi]

I think they will use both memory versions for the 4870, and it's good move.

GDDR5 is not widely available yet, and it's more expensive. People having smaller LCDs are running at lower resolutions, they dont need the high bandwidth of GDDR5, so why pay more for GDDR5 memory when you don't need it.

Instead of ATI releasing 4870 with "only" GDDR5 and then going out of stock, they use GDDR3 in some cards. Lower prices+more stock of 4870.

 

[Calculator83]

Originally posted by: Kuzi
It will if it's going to sell for only $300

Here we gohhhh ATI,, ATI,,,,ATI<,,,ATI ,,,, ATI,,

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Kuzi
I think they will use both memory versions for the 4870, and it's good move.

GDDR5 is not widely available yet, and it's more expensive. People having smaller LCDs are running at lower resolutions, they dont need the high bandwidth of GDDR5, so why pay more for GDDR5 memory when you don't need it.

Instead of ATI releasing 4870 with "only" GDDR5 and then going out of stock, they use GDDR3 in some cards. Lower prices+more stock of 4870.

because as far as we can tell the only difference between the 4850 and the 4870 is the core clock (MAYBE) and the choice of ram...

Ofcourse, they might actually differ architecturally, which we will see when they are actually out.

 

[rollacorolla]

I'm setting up a new build that I would like to eventually have the option to crossfire 2x 4870s. Can someone recommend a PSU with 4x 6pin connectors? I put up a thread in the PSU forum:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2198634&enterthread=y

thanks

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: taltamir
SAPPHIRE HD4870 PCIE 512MB CTLRDDR3

DDR3? How is it actually better then a 4850 then?

although they did NOT specify that it is GDDR3... GDDR3 = DDR2 + some different abilities.
GDDR 5 = DDR3 + some different abilities.

Think they might have used regular DDR3 in there and it is the right speed? No, that makes little to no sense, at all whatesoever... so what the hell is going on?

Is AMD seeing an opportunity and now scrambling to make some "lower end" models of the 4870 to fit in the price the promised, and then jacking up the price on the proper card to match the GTX 280? It would be sound business practice on their part. (it is not illegal price setting if your counterpart just jacks up their prices, and then you follow suit without meeting them to coordinate such a raise)

It's still better than a 4850 in that the core clock is 750MHz vs. 625MHz. The core is surely binned more aggressively than the 4850, giving you a better overclock, and it is likely that the board is better equipped to give you the power needed for a higher overclock. The cooler is also dual-slot, making overclocking easier and also allowing for quieter operation because the fan is bigger and doesn't have to spin as much to keep the card cool.

If the 4870 is around the speed of the GTX 260, then I think it is likely you will see the $299-349 price tag. If it is anything faster than that.... I'm thinking that it will be $399 or more. I can't see AMD releasing a card faster than the GTX 260 for $299/329 when the 280 is $649. This goes against what I said before, but I'm beginning to think that either the pricing information or the performance expectations of the 4870 are incorrect. Unless of course AMD is gunning for serious market share, but I think AMD shareholders are more concerned about profits out of the graphics division than market share at this point.

 

[Leon]

Wrong thread

 

[*kjm]

To the guys with the 4850"s the Cat 8.6's are out.

 

[EKTELESTES]

Guys...I was thinking of going again from Nvidia to Ati and from 8800gt to 4850... but I'm beggining to feel disappointed...

~ about the same performance with 8800gt @ higher price??? wtf ???

 

[manko]

French Preview of 4850 with lots of benches

Google translation

The 4850 beats the 9800GTX with AA in most tests. Without AA, the 9800GTX pulls ahead a in a few tests. The 4850 also beats the GTX 260 without AA in: Rainbox Six: Vegas, GRID (also with AA) and Bioshock.

Cards tested:

GTX 280
GTX 260
9800 GX2
9800 GTX
8800 Ultra
3870 X2
4850
3870

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: manko
French Preview of 4850 with lots of benches

Google translation

The 4850 beats the 9800GTX with AA in most tests. Without AA, the 9800GTX pulls ahead a in a few tests. The 4850 also beats the GTX 260 without AA in: Rainbox Six: Vegas, GRID (also with AA) and Bioshock.

Cards tested:

GTX 280
GTX 260
9800 GX2
9800 GTX
8800 Ultra
3870 X2
4850
3870

It looks impressive in certain situations but in other situations it doesn't look that great, like Crysis.

What will be most interesting is how the HD 4870 does with 20% more processing power and ~80% more bandwidth.

 

[Munky]

I was just gonna post the French preview article too...

Looks like AA performance will definitely no longer be a problem for Ati :thumbsup:

 

[golem]

Interesting.. In general, it seems like in newer/shader intensive games it's slightly faster than a 9800GTX, in older games it's slightly slower. But like Munky said, AA seems to definately be fixed over the 3xxx and 2xxx series.

If these benchmarks are good, seems like a good buy at current prices compared to 9800GTX.

 

[Klinky1984]

Originally posted by: Kuzi
It will if it's going to sell for only $300

Seeing that you can get a 8800GT 512MB for as low as $130 & a 8800GTS for $200 it definitely colors me unimpressed on the 4850. This would make it seem like ATI is finally catching up with nVidia's last generation. Luckily it doesn't appear nVidia has gone much beyond their previous generation either.


Edit: Although that French review puts it in a different light beating out the 9800,8800Ultra & 260. Will be interesting to see what the 4870 brings to the table.

Edit2: My bad, I guess it's the 4870 @ $300 & the 4850 @ $200. Definitely impressive.

 

[EKTELESTES]

Finally, some positive benchmarks.

9800gtx + performance @ 160 euros is very nice

9800gtx in Greece = 235 euros

if those benchies are true and 4850 is 160 euros, then it's a steal !

 

[golem]

Originally posted by: Klinky1984

Originally posted by: Kuzi
It will if it's going to sell for only $300

Seeing that you can get a 8800GT 512MB for as low as $130 & a 8800GTS for $200 it definitely colors me unimpressed on the 4850. This would make it seem like ATI is finally catching up with nVidia's last generation. Luckily it doesn't appear nVidia has gone much beyond their previous generation either.

This review is for 4850, which will sell for $200.

I do think you can get a 8800GTS for around 150 to 160AR, which might be a better bang/buck buy however.

 

[golem]

Are Rainbox Six and Bioshock UT3 engine based?

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: manko
French Preview of 4850 with lots of benches

Google translation

The 4850 beats the 9800GTX with AA in most tests. Without AA, the 9800GTX pulls ahead a in a few tests. The 4850 also beats the GTX 260 without AA in: Rainbox Six: Vegas, GRID (also with AA) and Bioshock.

Cards tested:

GTX 280
GTX 260
9800 GX2
9800 GTX
8800 Ultra
3870 X2
4850
3870

Wow, seeing as the 4850 trades blows with the GTX260, depending on how much faster the 4870 is then the 4850, OCguy31 just may have to eat his sig.

 

[Nightmare225]

Originally posted by: golem
Are Rainbox Six and Bioshock UT3 engine based?

yes. both

 

[Klinky1984]

Originally posted by: golem

Originally posted by: Klinky1984

Originally posted by: Kuzi
It will if it's going to sell for only $300

Seeing that you can get a 8800GT 512MB for as low as $130 & a 8800GTS for $200 it definitely colors me unimpressed on the 4850. This would make it seem like ATI is finally catching up with nVidia's last generation. Luckily it doesn't appear nVidia has gone much beyond their previous generation either.

This review is for 4850, which will sell for $200.

I do think you can get a 8800GTS for around 150 to 160AR, which might be a better bang/buck buy however.

My bad then, definitely impressive output by ATi/AMD .

 

[golem]

Originally posted by: Klinky1984

Originally posted by: golem

Originally posted by: Klinky1984

Originally posted by: Kuzi
It will if it's going to sell for only $300

Seeing that you can get a 8800GT 512MB for as low as $130 & a 8800GTS for $200 it definitely colors me unimpressed on the 4850. This would make it seem like ATI is finally catching up with nVidia's last generation. Luckily it doesn't appear nVidia has gone much beyond their previous generation either.

This review is for 4850, which will sell for $200.

I do think you can get a 8800GTS for around 150 to 160AR, which might be a better bang/buck buy however.

My bad then, definitely impressive output by ATi/AMD .

I'm a little bit surprised too. Thought it would be around 8800GT/GTS, not 9800GTX and cheaper to boot.

 

[Janooo]

How about 2x700?
X12.5K

 

[Avalon]

I just tried installing the 8.6 cats for my 4850, and was greeted with a blank screen. I had to revert back to the modified 8.5 cats that came with my driver disc. Anyone else experience this? Steelsix?

*Edit*

This ATI install manager is awful.

 

[golem]

Avalon - what are your impressions so far?

I've haven't read the whole thread, sorry if you have already posted them.