• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Is there a compatibilty problem with the ATI 4850 and Furmark?

i am either going to buy a 4870 1gb sapphire fro £155
or the cheapest 4890 i can find the cheapest i can find is £188


worth the price differnce?

btw i am using a 1920x1200 and 2042x1158 monitors
 
Well, OC's were really quick to test and they've issued a refund so i'm now looking very hard at the Asus 4850 512mb version which now, apparently, comes with the glacier heatsink/fan.

pyrophonich, i'm not an expert on the comparability of those 2 cards - but i do know that the 4870 tests well against the 4850.

Plec
 
Ok, i've ordered the Asus 4850 512mb, the new glaciator heatsink version (it looks like the 1024mb vesion if you want an image) - so heat shouldn't be an issue even though it's a single slot card.

Hopefully, this time monday evening i'll be tidying my case wires with 'plastic pull ties' rather than balancing my whole rig on anti-static sheets and cardboard; component testing every part to the n'th degree...

I'll let you know my opinion of it for those of you who are still making their minds up which card to replace there xfx with.

Plec
 
Guys, so you don't get into trouble - forum rules are that you can't mention competitors names.

Jammy, you have mail.

Plec
 
pyrophonich, read my last post as you may have missed its content answering Jammy's question. You can't mention other company names on these boards as the forums are run by Overclockers - they get a bit sensitive about competitors being posted on them - you probably didn't realise.

No harm no foul if you just edit it and delete the companys name - then the mods wont get upset.

Plec
 
Last edited:
just installed my new power color 4870 1gb with a aftermarket cooler.

ran furmark no crashes, i hope you all get the same result.

I think i am going to avoid xfx now so i dont have the same problem ever.
 
N1, pyrophonich glad to hear you got a good result.

My asus 4850 with glaciator fan/heatsink arrives on monday hopefully i'll be whistling a similar tune.

This is deff is my last xfx product - i haven't ordered one that's worked in 4 years - i know i've been unlucky but even so...

Plec
 
First, thanks to the OC mods for being quick on validating my account.

Just to say that I've had the same problems on this card, but it applies to all 3D apps. Run a Furmark stress test for another problem after being recommended to by OC's tech specialist and it originally gave black/yellow stripes on the screen... was ok for a week ish, then it started the sound loop/black/grey line thing that's been reported elsewhere. Also did it on Far Cry and BGAE, which is quite old now!

Had Windows stability problems so upgraded my PSU (the old one was admittedly low for my system) but its still got the same problems for 3D programs... here's hoping for an RMA. Is it worth spending a little extra for a step up? This card is meant to be pretty good, but given the issues don't really want to swap it straight for a new on.
 
I've opted for the Asus 4850 512mb version that now comes with the glaciator cooling system which has fixed all its cooling issues - 35 degrees idle and 50 - 60 degrees under stress. In fact if reviews are to be believed this version is now as cool as the xfx and the core is easily clocked to 700 (look at the 1024 mb version for a picture of cooler it now uses). You'll need to check that the place where your buying it from has that particular version - as if they have old stock it may have the original less efficient cooler.

If you're thinking about stepping up to a bigger card it depends on your spec and what resolution you have your sceen set at etc. If you have high spec machine and run high resolutuions the the 4870 may be a worthwhile upgrade but it will cost you a minimum of £50 extra compared to the xfx 4850.

I wish the card had worked not just because of the hassle it caused identifying the problem but because it would have proved to be exceptionally good value.

Plec
 
Sorry to hear your having the same problem. I opted for a sapphire 1GB 4870 at £150. I set a max budget at £160 so I just got the reference card not the toxic version. It arrives on Tuesday will let you know how it goes.

It's up to you if you want to step up. I felt I owed to myself after the hassle of testing my computer ect.
 
Well, my new card arrives and it seems to be working fine - so far.

However, the memory errors i was getting have not dissapeared as i had hoped. I was hoping they were a result of the faulty gfx card crashing the system all the time and that was why i had to keep clearing the cmos but now i'm not so sure.

I either have a problem with my memory or the motherboard. What's wierd is if i clear the cmos memtest works fine but after a few re-boots it seems to become corrupted again. I'm going to have to do yet more trouble shooting and a separate post on this issue.

I can honestly say now without any doubt this build, out of about 30 odd over the past 10 years, has got to be the worst. I hate this machine - it was meant to be a bargain upgrade, one that would box well above its weight with clocking but it can't even run at stock speeds without causing problems.

Back to testing - but it looks like i'll be rma'ing either the memory or the motherboard.

Totally demoralised.

Plec
 
Ignoring my above problems in the post above...

The card is brilliant clocks upto core and memory clock to 700 and 1100 respectively without breaking a sweat. The only downside is that the fan on this thing is quite noisy even when idling at 50% - but who cares as long as it works.

I may load on the Asus apps as i may be able to lower the default idle speed of the fan.

Furmark and Crysis absolutly no problems - and the card appears to just as fast as the xfx 4850 xxx.

Ok, fun over - back to trouble shooting the memory/motherboard.

Additional: despite all the problems i've had OC's were brilliant with refunding my card and postage etc - at least that side was painless and fast - thanks.

Plec
 
Last edited:
I bought the XFX 4850 XXX Edition this week with other components to build a PC for a friend.

He cant play any games for more than 10 minutes as they lock up with the fine vertical lines on the screen.

Im going to have to call OCUK on monday and arrange a return. I think we will just pay the Extra for a 260 or something instead.

Shame it seems faulty :(
 
Hedge said:
Shame it seems faulty :(
Click to expand...


Yes, it is because on paper it's a great value card. Unfortunately, it does sound like you have the same problem as we all had.

As already mentioned in previous posts i've replaced mine for an Asus 4850 512mb the Glaciator version (just look at the 1024 mb version for a pic). It comes as standard on all the latest stock of this card so you need to ring the place you're buying it from to check that they stock that version. I only mention this as it only cost me £10 more - and essentially it is the very same card and very clockable.

Mines clocked to 700 and 2200 without any issues at all - and it still doesn't go above 75 degrees. The only down side is that it's quite loud compared to the xfx but i'm trying to sort that through the ATI CCC.

Good luck

Plec
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom