Interpreting ATI Product Numbers

[_SBradley_]

Can anyone tell me, is there an easy logic to ATI's numbering scheme? For example, the new cards will be 5xxx. Does the 5 represent the "current range"? What about the second digit? Etc? Thanks!

 

[_SBradley_]

I'm guessing the answer is: higher the number, better the card. I can't see any specific meaning for each digit, but I'm still curious!

If I were to go for one of the XFX 4890s, which would be the one to choose? There are two for £150 (ignoring This Week Only); one is faster, but am I missing something about the other that justifies its equal pricing?

Are the two with Zalman cooling significantly better than the other two? Is the only difference between them the 20 MHz?

Sorry for such questions: I'm considering moving to ATI after several generations of nVidia!

 

[reflux]

It's really not difficult mate; in fact I think it's the easiest and most logical numbering system any component manufacturer uses

Basically, the higher the numbers, the more powerful the card. The current range is the 4xxx series. 43xx cards are the low end, 46xx and 47xx are the mid range, and the 48xx cards are the high end. A card with 'X2' at the end of the name denotes that it is a dual GPU card; thus a Radeon 4870X2 is twice as powerful (give or take) as a Radeon 4870.

If two cards look physically the same, barring the manufacturer sticker, then likely the only difference will be the bundle and warranty - as most graphics cards are made in the same factory.

When two cards are obviously distinct, this is where you have to pay attention to detail. Some have small overclocks, some have large overclocks and some have custom coolers.

The problem with the stock 4890 design is that the stock cooler is only just adequate and produces a lot of noise, so if you care about how loud your PC is it's a good idea to get a custom-cooled card. The Sapphire Vapor-X models are the quietest available I believe.

The two XFX 4890s you're talking about are the XXX version and a custom-cooled version. The XXX edition has a worthwhile overclock on the GPU, but 50mhz is something that you should be able to achieve with any card.

So basically you have to balance the factors of each card against how much you want to pay and what benefit you will get out of them

 

[james.miller]

yes, its a numbering scheme that actually works for the most part. example, the 4830 is faster than the 4670, or the 4730. there's only one oddball and thats the 4770, which is faster than a 4830 and almost on par with the 4850.

 

[_SBradley_]

Thanks for the info, guys! Sorry for the newbie questions!

The Sapphire Vapor-X models are the quietest available I believe.

This is worth knowing. Thanks!

 

[Nelly]

The Sapphire Vapor-X models are the quietest available I believe.

Indeed, lowest you can have the fan is 20% but even at 60% I cannot hear the fan at all!! 70% is when the fan is audible.

With the Cat 9.8 drivers which have auto fan settings even on full load playing Crysis at 1900x1200 resolution the fan is never audible, my GTX 295 used to sound like a Euro Fighter about to take off lol.

 

[reflux]

Nearly bought one of those actually but with Evergreen just around the corner I decided to hold back.

 

[_SBradley_]

Nearly bought one of those actually but with Evergreen just around the corner I decided to hold back.

I suspect I'll do the same, as I have to wait till my house move is complete before I can start building! But I'm doing my best to prepare myself, so that I'm ready to build when the time comes.

 

[Nelly]

Nearly bought one of those actually but with Evergreen just around the corner I decided to hold back.

My next upgrade will be a Vapor-X or IceQ version of Evergreen.

 

[arc@css]

Never realised how quiet those vapor models were, thought they were only a reasonable improvement. Impressive figures.

 

[_SBradley_]

My next upgrade will be a Vapor-X or IceQ version of Evergreen.

Vapor-X, I've just been taught, is a Sapphire thing. And, from a quick Google search, IceQ seems to be the HIS equivalent.

I've never heard of the brand HIS before today! What's the scoop? Decent company? Decent products? Decent warranty/support?

 

[arc@css]

Haven't read much about their support though the cooling on the cards is meant to be good. I can vouch for this since some peoples' temps on their X2's is somewhat higher on idle than what I seem to get. Mine only came with a one year warranty though.