If the price difference is not huge, why not you go for HD4850? For me it's one of ATI's best GC. Try Gainwards GS. Just my 2 cents~

EDIT: saw a HD4850 selling for RM360 at garage sale. Link. But it's a reference card if I'm not mistaken.

This post has been edited by gto87: Apr 9 2009, 11:55 AM

Did you cleaned up the driver well before you install a new one.
You tried with a single card or with your CrossFire?

I wanna how much it has improved with HD4890. But it's ok.

Ok now, if you're planning to buy 3870 because it's cheaper then IMO you're just wasting your money.
Technology isn't going to stop progressing, and if you want to keep pace with it, you might as well buy the current top-level GC (or at least the one that its performance nearest to the latest) to minimize the financial damage down the road.

For me, the difference between 4850 and 3870 in term of performance is already huge enough, let alone taking 4870 into account. Just go to the garage sales thread and look up for the 4850 Golden Sample version or buy a 4870 1GB. The both I mentioned just now, is the best card at their time and you won't regret buying them.

Just my 2 cents

This post has been edited by gto87: Apr 10 2009, 11:52 AM

Guys wanna ask something. I'm interested in the 4870x2 cards performance (who wouldn't) but is it advisable for me to change from a 4890 to that particular card?

I heard there's a lot of problem with the x2 card but I don't know anything for sure because it's from google and I trust Lowyat members more.

So Sifus, what is the most important thing I should know before I buy an X2 card.

need help here....... again~

I was thinking the same until I read about some problems with the crossfire on the HD4890 thread in Lowyat. I'm not worrying about micro stuttering and stuffs, all I worried about is can I play most of the new games with this setup?
Hurm. Crysis has poisened me bro~

I wanna play smooth in all very high setting. Maybe I have to learn control myself and do crossfire instead later. hahaha~

Heard that CF heat consumption is higher than the X2 card, is it true? How hot are we talking about?

I'm using acbel M8, no idea whether it can support or not. (I'm still doing research about this stuff) but please do help me sort out this CF problems maybe it'll come in handy for other users to.

Planning to do it in next month.

Thanks for the info guys~

Hurm.. I'll help you as much as I can. Ok here goes.....

Depends on what game you gonna play, all I can say it's on par with the GTX260 216 (because the difference is too small).

To be more specific I think 260 wins slightly in most games but like I said before it comes down to what games you gonna play with the cards. Again I wanna stress the word slight here, you will get just 5 or 7 FPS difference . (I tested both in a pc that have the exact same spec so I'm sorry if it doesn't have the same result with any benchmarking that were done by pros)

But I bought the 4870 anyway because it's way more cheaper than the GTX260 216. Don't have any idea about the current price though~

But instead of going for 4870, why not you go for 4890, It's a good card and it's better than those two I mentioned before and it has a better overclocking solution which is really worth more than what you gonna pay for it.

Yes mate, for me, Sapphire is one of the most reliable manufacturer for ATI. You can try Asus but you have to add more $$.

This post has been edited by gto87: Apr 22 2009, 09:06 PM

Wow the performance is really good. I hope I will face minimum problem when I CF later next month.
So can my PSU (Acbel M8) support the 4890 CF?

No sir. Sapphire Can overclock to 980/1180 with the stock cooler and the fan is set to 100% (hairdryer like sound)
Try go several pages back, I proved it and post the benchmark also. Hurm..
I didn't test this clock with furmark yet. The last time I tested with Furmark I passed the test with 950/1145.
After that I just tested it with game benchmarking.
Tell you what. Nothing went wrong from playing Crysis(very High), Crysis Warhead (High), Far Cry 2, Hawx, COD4. COD5, GRID, GTA4, PES2009 and NFS Undercover.

Sorry for the late reply.
Btw, I'm using the Red Pcb. I never heard of a blue PCB for Sapphire 4890.

Sorry bro, I'm overlooked the posts.

The temp.. Idle 60-63c, Load Temp 79c (tested with crysis at all very high setting), Yeah its damn hot with its manual fan setting. It won't spin go higher than 35% that's why the temperature is very high.
The noise is not a problem at all unless you are planning to overclock it. 100% fan speed is almost like a hair dryer. haha~
Post your casing dimensions, maybe i can figure it out.

Btw, it's a very good card. bundle it with Artic cooler and OC it to 980/1170 and enjoy. Just my 2 cents

I'm using CM 690.

The Depth you need (excluding the HDD area) is around 24cm (w/out the power cable connected) 26-28cm (with the power cable connected)
The width of your casing is just 1cm different with the CM690 so no need to worry.
I don't think height is an issue here. From top to bottom (mobo to bottom of my case) is 30cm.

So, I think you are good to go bro.

---

Added on May 8, 2009, 11:07 amNobody is poor when they have 2 HD 4000 series card.

This post has been edited by gto87: May 8 2009, 11:07 AM

Actually the price is RM180 in Moderno, I don't know other place are selling or not. Last time I bought it when I was using my 4870. I sold it already because planed to buy GTX260 dual fan before. Thanks to my Gf, I end up buying this sapphire 4890.

Never tested in my 4890 yet. I'm waiting to buy another 4890 and fix both with AC cooler so that I can overcome the heat problem.

If I'm not mistaken, you own a 4870x2 right?

Haha, I saw the picture. Like I said before, poor man can't afford to buy two cards for gaming purposes.

How bout Buying Asus 4890 because it comes with the voltage tweaking software and it is covered by Asus warranty.




Tweak the voltage and clock the card all the way to 1000/1200!! That's gonna produce an awesome result my friend..
If I got the choice I'll buy the Asus card. Don't get me wrong. I am using Sapphire for years already but I'm interested in voltage tweaking but never try it because afraid that I'll wreck my card and it is not covered in Sapphire's warranty.

---

Added on May 8, 2009, 7:01 pmThe question about x2 card is for Terrence actually.

Btw, how bout the performance in gaming say, Crysis?

This post has been edited by gto87: May 8 2009, 07:10 PM

Hehe, ok then. Sapphire it is. one month time post your result here. hehe~

It's ok. Crysis sucks. haha~

Btw, can you post the picture of your setup. I like to see CF system. Thanks~

is it possible to CF two HD4890 fixed with AC accelero? A bigger casing plus there's a new Mobo with 6 pci-e slot that can make this possible.

The main problem is CF bridge which I think is not long enough to connect both cards.

Reason I'm planning on doing this is because I want to overcome the heat problem.

Anybody have better suggestion other than my method can share their ideas.

Thanks guys~

ITS POSSIBLE!! haha! One problem solve..
Got a survey a new casing. Currently using Cm690 and I highly doubt that I can CF with Accelero in it. Probably wanna go for RAVEN.
Thanks Bro Pikacu.. ~

EDIT: That setup in the picture looks really cool!

This post has been edited by gto87: May 12 2009, 08:23 PM

I think its the AC Accelero Twin Turbo and the price is RM180 at Moderno.

I think it's compatible

Here's the source

But I don't have any source to prove that one can CF if both cards are fixed with AC twin turbo.

The one in the picture is AC accelero S1 if I'm not mistaken. From what I know, it is not compatible with 4890. I chekced the details in Ac official web.

Bro Pikacu do you know anybody CFed 4890 fixed with AC Twin Turbo?

Thanks~

This post has been edited by gto87: May 12 2009, 11:57 PM

Are you sure CM690 can handle it. Hurm.. can you post some pic of your setup. Thanks~