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Crossfire HD4890s versus HD5870

Jayce85

Jayce85

Jayce85

Associate
Joined
25 Mar 2009
Posts
41
Location
Somerset, UK
Hi,

I entered this interesting topic as my review entry for the comp. I didn't win, of course, and nor will i hear any feedback. So thought i would post my thoughts on the forum. Would be interested in peoples opinions. Thanks

Crossfire HD4890s = £260
Single HD5870 = £310 (OCuk)

I built an identical system to one a saw in CustomPC mag (Issue 077);
[email protected], 4GB DDR2 1066MHz, 1TB 7,200rpm HDD, Windows 7 64-Bit on an Intel P45 mobo.

CustomPC used a HD5870 1GB
I used 2x XFX HD4890 1GB in Crossfire

The game tested was Crysis at 1680x1050, High settings with 2x AA.

Frame Rate results;
Custom PC reported a min of 31fps, with a 39fps average.
My PC managed a min of 36fps, with a 54fps average.

I'm aware that we could have benched different areas of the game, but regardless of the area the HD4890s would clearly match the HD5870 at worst.

What I'm basically saying is that surely the HD4890 didn't suddenly get worse when the HD5000 series came out, it just got cheaper!

Am I the only one thinking that a Crossfire HD4890 set-up is better for value and performance than the HD5870?

I didn't have a HD5870 to compare to, and for its price and the reported frame rates, I'm not likely to get one either, as my Xfire HD4890s have it beaten in the 2 areas that matter most - Price & Performance.

I have since stuck 3rd Party cooling on my both my HD4890s, and have still spent less than the asking price for the HD5870.

My review's main aim was to look at the effectiveness of Crossfire over a single card; my results showed it to be 41% faster in Futuremark's 06 & Vantage 3D benchmarks, and 91% faster in games*

*games tested - Crysis, Far Cry 2, Fallout 3, GTA IV, STALKER Clear Sky.

Any feedback, thoughts or input would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
Tis true indeed, think the info came up a few times before, two 4890's are very far from shabby.

I believe someone changed cards from dual 4890 to 5870 and posted about the performance drop here.

Since we're not exactly being flooded with DX11 games the best of the last gen is still very viable.
 
hey, i was pondering/agonising over the same decision: either to get 2 4890 in CF or a single 5870!

Did a lot of googling and forum lurching. After considering the merits of both options, i finally decided to hold off from either. 4890 in CF is very very attractive but the downside to it is the power, heat and noise it brings (same reasons why i looked at the 4870x2 and abandoned the idea as well).

A single 5870 is attractive due to the newer technologies it brings on a 40nm process allowing lower power draw and more than acceptable acoustic properties... but...(might get shot for saying this), it still isn't as powerful as i'd like it to be... just wished it could be the card to max out Crysis/Warhead with everything on full!! (min=60fps :P)

for me the most attractive option would be to get the 5970..but sadly money IS an object to me so i'm hoping for some nice price drops. For people like me with not enough disposable money, i will have to play the waiting game...and it looks like a looooooong wait :P
 
To Hotwired;
I read a review on ***** that said most of the benefits of Dx11 will be made available to Dx10 - except tessellation. I'm also aware that Windows 7 uses the same kernel as Vista, which technically makes 7 a Service Pack, not an new OS.
To me the HD5000 series is offering very little performance wise, and is relying on technical gimmicks like Dx11 to carry it through.

To han solo;
I have actually tested the HD4890s in 3-way crossfire! Which costs £390, I was getting stupidly high frame rates in the Vantage benchmark, and at over £100 cheaper than the HD5970 I would have to recommend it.
The Vortexx NEO VGA cooler is HD4890 compatible and costs as little as £12 from some retailers.
Granted you need a good 850W or so PSU (I have a Tagan 900W), but a cool and quiet 3-way or 2-way Crossfire HD4890 set-up is very achievable.
For a cheap motherboard to try out a 3-way HD4890 set-up, with Vortexx NEO cooling, the Foxconn ELA has 3 dual-width PCIe x16 2.0 slots and costs around £75. Don't expect to overclock your CPU on it though, its a tricky board.
 
yeah i agree with you there m8, i have the 4870 in crossfire and although i dont play crysis, in the games that i do play it plays without a hitch at 2560 x1600 on my 30" monitor, albeit without aa and things but when your running at that res there are no jaggies anyway so why bother, i definately will not be upgrading to a 5870 at that price.
 
Wish I had space for another 4890 :( I am too fond of my Mini P180 :) A 5970 whould fit... in a couple of years when they are £150
 
d_brennen said:
Wish I had space for another 4890 :( I am too fond of my Mini P180 :) A 5970 whould fit... in a couple of years when they are £150
Click to expand...
Why can't you fit two?

I have a mini-P180 and I could stick two on my Maximus GENE III motherboard if I tucked the cables in a little.

Airflow would suck of course but airflow sucks anyway at least to the top card if you put two cards together like that.
 
Hotwired said:
Why can't you fit two?

I have a mini-P180 and I could stick two on my Maximus GENE III motherboard if I tucked the cables in a little.

Airflow would suck of course but airflow sucks anyway at least to the top card if you put two cards together like that.
Click to expand...

lol when i first installed my Asus EAH4890 a couple of the front panel cables touched the fan! Should have heard the noise, though the card was borked. Another one in there might just be possible (with some better cable tidying) but this one is loud and hot enough :)

EDIT: Oh, and there is the small matter that my board doesn't have a second PCIe slot, let alone crossfire support :D
 
@Jayce285

You've re-kindled myt interest in the 4890's!
Just how good are those vortexx coolers? Funnily enough i was looking at them when considering various 3rd party cooling solutions.

What were you temps and noise levels like?? :)
 
There was a gigabyte version that had specially selected parts and I believe it was that one that could easily clock to over 1ghz :) not much if a looker but hey :p
 
han_solo said:
@Jayce285

You've re-kindled myt interest in the 4890's!
Just how good are those vortexx coolers? Funnily enough i was looking at them when considering various 3rd party cooling solutions.

What were you temps and noise levels like?? :)
Click to expand...

For han_solo,

I had I bit of a nightmare with my Vortexx NEOs, as the 2 cards i used them on were faulty - they ran way too fast & too hot (the cards that is).

Custom PC* and here on OCUK people have reported good drops in temps. But the man from AKASA told me not to expect too much of a temp drop, instead you're more likely solve the fan noise problem.

*Custom PC showed a drop from 40C to 24C in idle, and a 52C to 47C drop under load.

My own Crossfire HD4890s have not only a AC Twin Turbo Pro attached but the fan from the Vortexx NEO stuck to the end of each - for a sideways airflow. Keeps them cool, overclocked and silent.

Had I not spent enough on coolers already I would get the Scythe Setsugen, it takes us the same amount of space as the stock cooler (and the Vortexx NEO) but cools much better, by pushing air away from the card as opposed to into it (like the Twin Turbo Pro).

Sorry to rattle on, but I would suggest getting the Vortexx NEO's if your on a budget and the Scythe Setsugen if you want to push the clocks up/no budget.

Whichever 3rd party cooler you go for (even if you use several like me) you'll be spending less than the HD5870, secure in the knowledge that you're got a superiour graphics set-up that won't get too noisy.
 
That's very helpful thanks! Did a bit of research, managed to source a pair of 2gb vapor x 4890's for a good price :). The acoustic footprint should be very acceptable according to most review sites. Only got the 2bg version as the price was the same as 1gb versions so what the hell right :) looking forward to these babies this Friday :)

thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts :)
 
I am using 2 asus 4890s in xfire @ 1920x1080 and am still very happy with them.

Granted my system sounds like a hoover and heats the room better than a radiator but I couldn't care less.

DX11 does not bother me much yet, im normally too engrossed in the game to notice the tiny extra details.

I still play prety much all new games on the highest dx10 mode and they work great - apart from Metro, that game destroyed them lol.

Anyway there is no way I feel the need to upgrade yet. If a lot of crazy spec games come out in the next 6 months or so I may pick up a cheap third card to go tri-fire, otherwise I will be waiting for the next gen.
 
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