Any difference between the ATI 4890s?

[AFK_Matrix]

Hi,

I am going to be doing a bit of an upgrade and have decided to go for the 4890 and I have bought the waterblock so sound isn't an issue. So is there much difference apart from warranty with these cards?

 

[Dark_Angel]

I belive difference in ram speeds too, though I only glanced through them.

 

[AMG]

there is in PCB design..... if its red and has a hole next to the power connecter than its stock/ref


you need to know that in case you flash the BIOS

I can't rember the other design


other than that no, might be slight differnces in memory brand and speeds and stuff but thats about it

 

[Mojo]

The cooler is the only difference. Some of the more expensve cards are cherry picked for higher speeds, although with a decent water block you should be ok with them anyways. I heard about some of the cards having different voltage regulators, meaning you couldn't tweak the voltage on them, which is quite a problem, although I'm not entirely sure how to tell which model does. Does anyone know by chance?

 

[AMG]

I think the highly overclocked sapphire atmoic does have a different power system not sure through, I think the power colours do as well not sure on that, did on the HD4870...but I only buy sapphire,HIS or asus anyway

 

[AFK_Matrix]

Ok sounds like they are pretty much all the same and I can overclock the card to get better performance etc. So what are the customer services like for these? I am leaning towards the Asus for it 3 years warranty but if there customer service is rubbish I'll consider another make.

 

[Serpico]

Won't you invalidate the warranty by removing the air-cooler to fit your water cooling kit anyway?

 

[AMG]

yes....


unless you get one with one fitted but I dealt that at this stage in time

 

[Voxination]

I think the highly overclocked sapphire atmoic does have a different power system not sure through, I think the power colours do as well not sure on that, did on the HD4870...but I only buy sapphire,HIS or asus anyway

Not sure about the Atomic, but the Vapor-X version must have a different power subsystem as it uses a 6-Pin and 8-Pin PCI-E power.

 

[beefybarn]

Im waiting for the vapour x, anyone got any idea when they will be stocked by ocuk

 

[Xelene]

Im waiting for the vapour x, anyone got any idea when they will be stocked by ocuk

Wish I knew mate, these ones are occupying all spots on my shortlist for an xfire setup. Seen em elsewhere for £150 a pop.

I'm after a good looking card with a blue PCB, these & the Gigabyte 275's are the main contenders for me.

 

[AMG]

Not sure about the Atomic, but the Vapor-X version must have a different power subsystem as it uses a 6-Pin and 8-Pin PCI-E power.

http://www.guru3d.com/imageview.php?image=18911[MG][/QUOTE]

yes that does. different PCB design as well, *note blue* plus the differnet power connectors

 

[sxndy]

What water block did you get? is it able to cool 2 x 4890s?

Or anyone know if there is a passive cooler for 4890s? I have a passive cooler on the 4850 I have in atm and it works great, never goes above 50deg. With the stock cooler it sounded like a jet engine and ran at 79deg.

I really want a solution for the 2 x 4890s I will be buying shortly. They will not be in crossfire, just need a 3 monitor setup.

 

[MoRT489]

To OP: IIRC the Asus allows you to tweak the voltage and OC without invalidating warranty + it has the longest warranty with 3 yrs.

To sxndy: If u just want to run a 3rd monitor u do not need the same card, u can use a much cheaper one as it wont be used to process complex graphics. Make sure it is the same brand tho (i.e. ATI with ATI).

 

[AFK_Matrix]

Hi sxndy,

I got the EK waterblock for the 4890, if you have 2 of them you would need to buy 2 waterblocks and there not cheap at £60 each.

 

[AMG]

I don't think the asus warrenty allows you to change cooler through need alone disassemble the card :|

 

[sxndy]

Hi sxndy,

I got the EK waterblock for the 4890, if you have 2 of them you would need to buy 2 waterblocks and there not cheap at £60 each.

Hi

Indeed, pretty expensive.

I may do this http://www.hardmac.com/articles/265/page1 They seem to have overcome the problem with parts other than the gpu not being cooled properly by using the plate from the original heatsink.

To Creed, I may crossfire in the future just for fun, thanks for the advice tho.

 

[Voxination]

I don't think the asus warrenty allows you to change cooler through need alone disassemble the card :|

You could just put the ref cooler back on when you send it back .

Providing you do a good job of it, they shouldn't know.

 

[AFK_Matrix]

Yeah completely forgot i would void the warranty when i attach the water block lol. Think i will go for the xfx xxx edition for £150, as it sounds like a good deal.

 

[sxndy]

Think i will go for the xfx xxx edition for £150, as it sounds like a good deal.

Was thinking the same thing.

I bought a 24" Dell monitor to go with my 2 x 22" Benqs last week. Problem is I have the money to buy 2 new 4890s but won't be able to set the 3 monitors up untill I move house, in about 2 months time. So I'm going to hold off on buying the graphics cards until I'm ready. It's taking a hell of a lot of willpower, because I want to play around with them now.