Gainward HD4870 Golden Sample Review

Hi, this is first review ever so could you please let me know were I can improve it.

The Golden Sample comes with the standard 750MHz core and with 512MB of overclocked DDR5 RAM, which runs at 3.8GHz, instead of the standard 3.6GHz.

Card Pictures
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...iew/PicOne.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...iew/PicTwo.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...w/PicThree.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...ew/PicFour.jpg

Rig Pictures

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...1111111111.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...yComputer5.jpg

Test System

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad @ 2.4GHz
RAM: 2GB (1GB x 2) Corsair Dominator PC2-8500 @ 1066MHz 5-5-5-15
Motherboard: ASUS P5E

Performance - Crysis

Settings: High Quality, 1680x1050 - 45FPS
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...nchmarkOne.jpg

Settings: Very High Quality, 1680x1050 - 31FPS
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...nchmarkTwo.jpg

Settings: High Quality, 1680x1050, 4xAA - 34FPS
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...hmarkThree.jpg

Settings: Very High Quality, 1680x1050, 4xAA.
Testing now, update very very soon :)

Performance - Half-Life 2 Lost Coast

Settings: Highest Quality, 1680x1050, 4xAA, 16xAF.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...e-Defaults.jpg

Settings: Highest Quality, 1280x1024, 4xAA, 16xAF.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...o-Defaults.jpg

Performance - F.E.A.R.

Settings: Maximum Quality, 1680x1050, 4xAA, 16xAF.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...e-Defaults.jpg

Settings: Maximum Quality, 1280x1024, 4xAA, 16xAF.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...o-Defaults.jpg

3D Mark

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...1-Defaults.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...3-Defaults.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...6-Defaults.jpg

Overclocking
I was expecting pretty good overclocking results since it has a better cooler and it’s a “golden sample” edition, I was not disappointed.

Max Core - 825MHz
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...erclockOne.jpg

Max Memory - 1150MHz (4.7GHz) :D
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...rclockOne2.jpg

Performance During Overclocking

Settings: High Quality, 1680x1050

Without Overclocking: 45.2FPS
With Overclocking: 49.1FPS

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...erclocking.jpg

Temps

The golden sample comes with a slot, dual fan cooler. This cooler kept the video card a considerably cooler then the stock cooler.

Room Temp
25C to 27C

No Overclocking - Auto Fan Speed
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...utoFanSpee.jpg

No Overclocking - 100% Fan Speed
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...00FanSpeed.jpg

Overclocked - Auto Fan Speed
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...toFanSpeed.jpg

Overclocked - 100% Fan Speed
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...00FanSpeed.jpg

Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Great performance
2. Overclocked
3. Better cooler, therefore lower temps, therefore better overclocking
4. Good overclocker
5. Quiet


Cons

1. The cooler isn’t the best looking

Finally notes:
I know some people will think that my Q6600 at 2.4GHz would restrict my HD4870 in Crysis, well i'v ran some test and even at 3.6GHz the FPS goes up my 1 at the most. Also i'm sorry I don't have many games.

So how did I do?

Thx for viewing.

nice :)
and about the cooler isn't the best looking wel thats somthing that doesn't matter for me :p
But it looks nice ^^

Thx, yeah it doesn't bother me either, i'm going to get a Thermalright Trad some time. Also I only put that cause i saw on another forum (somewhere) that some ppl didn't like it.

how good is this cooler compared to the reference cooler?

the graph shows a max of 54c at load... the stock cooler is quite silent untill it has to drop the core to about 45c at load... i think the fact that the back of the card is actively cooled aswell makes this the better chioce over stock cooling... good card...

The cooler on this card sucks. I have the Palit version, and even 2900XT wasn't this loud at idle. This card is not as hot as 2900XT...so WTH!?!:stick: Small fan spins 100%, 100% of the time.


(Palit cards run 775/4000, dual bios)

thanks for the review... was thinking about picking up one of these only needed to know how it go for temps vs max oc's :D

cadaveca, no pain (in the ears), no gain :D

That's the issue, I'm not really seeing any gains here. No ram latency changes, nothing. 2nd bios doesn't raise CCC gpu max either, so, all you get is extra 50mhz on memory(which goes to 1100 on the Palit card, mine perfectly stable)...but you cannot effectively use it...


If you happen to have a chance to look at this card in person, eva, take a look at the shroud...smaller fan spinning so fast prevents the larger fan from effectively cooling the gpu, as the hot air from the small fan ends up overcoming the flow from teh larger fan, and heats memory pretty good(no heatsink on them). This means that even though memory can reach 1100 no problem, once the card gets hot after about 45 mins of benching, the card begins to fail, as the memory is not cooled effectively. I had to add a 120mm fan on power plug end and one on side to be able to continue benching....Phase-change pad on gpu scares me too...


The card feels cheap in my hands. Even my X800 weighs more. This tells me they could have put a far better cooler, and lessened the noise. As such, this product get a "FAILURE" rating from me, and I'll be suggesting everyone stay away from them. A stock-cooled card is much better.

So there's my own review tacked on. Personal feelings, no hard numbers. FPS numbers mean very little now to me...multi-gpu has high FPS, but little visual quality. Single 4870 is better than 2x3870x2. 2x4870x2 will only work well if you have SidePort enabled cards, and then we must still wait for driver...

hi

thnks for the results!

i also heard the Second Fan on this cooler is very noisy , do you confirm??

btw: how did you test Crysis with Very High Settings in Windows XP @ DX9 ??? (with tweak Cvar config ?)


thnks again and regards !

Mascaras

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mascaras

hi

thnks for the results!

i also heard the Second Fan on this cooler is very noisy , do you confirm??

btw: how did you test Crysis with Very High Settings in Windows XP @ DX9 ??? (with tweak Cvar config ?)


thnks again and regards !

Mascaras

---

Well I have 3x Scythe 3000rpm 45DB fans(2x CPU, 1x RAM :D), and it lot quieter then them, I couldn't hear it with auto fan speed, even if I took the side off the case and put my ear near it.

Also yeah I only use XP and I tweaked the Crysis Cvar config :D.

BTW I forgot for the temp test my room temp was around 25C to 27C, i'll go fix that :).

Hmmm, can you upload bioses, pls? that might make my card quieter...I can upload mine if you'd like to give them a try...

Mind you 45db is deafening to me.

OK sure, but first where do I upload it to? Or do u want it by email?

Also I don't know how to flash a video card BIOS, i heard it very very dangerous, more then a mobo.

UPDATE: I just added performance during overclocking.

bioses should be small enough that you can attach them to a post here by clicking the "go advanced" button on "quick replay" box. You'll need to zip the file before upload, but as you can see by my own post, it's quite easily accomplished. You can save the bios using gpu-z.

Yes, bios flashing can go wrong, but so can voltmods, and I'm not afraid of either myself, but I've been doing it for years now.

Sorta off-topic, but please try to get rid of that Codegen PSU. Have mercy for your Quad and HD4870.
And thanks for your review.

Overclockers may have made a misprint, but they list this card as running at 775 / 4000, and the price on it is quite hefty.

I have recently been converted to the juicy all copper zerotherm coolers though. Looks shouldnt matter, but now that I have pimped my PC so much with copper loops, they do matter to me :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by burebista

Sorta off-topic, but please try to get rid of that Codegen PSU. Have mercy for your Quad and HD4870.
And thanks for your review.

---

LOL I know, but its not the only PSU, i'v got a Thermaltake 650watt drive bay PSU for my 4870 :D

Ok here's the BIOS. I saved it using GPU-Z.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatguy1992

Well I have 3x Scythe 3000rpm 45DB fans (2x CPU, 1x RAM :D), and it lot quieter then them.

---

that explain all !! :p::p::p:


i also have only one scythe Kaze 2000Rpm and is very noisy , i cant imagine 3x Scythe Kaze 3000rpm in same system :D


regards

Yeah it pretty dam noise, thats y i use headphones most of the time :)

I bought this card saturday, and i'm about to sell it ...

I have a "quiet type" watercooled setup, meaning my fans run between 1000 and 1200 rpm, and i can assure you this card IS noisy in idle ...
One other thing, it's obvious if you look at the pics : the hot air remains in the case, which resulted in a +3 °C for my Cpu.

It's really a shame, since it has very good performance, but if you're looking for a quiet card in idle an no hot air exhausting inside your case, think twice before buying it.

I hope the toxic will be THE HD 4870 i'm looking for :D

http://www.pro-clockers.com/reviews/?id=103&page=2

Oh and I almsot forgot ! Look what you have at the back of the card :

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1...ckerzg6.th.jpghttp://img519.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

Update :

There are two fans on this card, a 80 mm and a 70 mm. Some of the HD 4870 GS have a non-PWM regulated 70 mm, which spins at 3500 rpm hence the noise. If you have a noisy card, two options :

- RMA to get a V2, on which both fans are PWM regulated
- Send a mail to ww-sales@gainward.com with your serial number to get a small cable in order to lower the rpm on the 70 mm

Ive made my review of 4870 GS, if you want to see it, you can found it on: http://www.oc-lab2.com/test.php?t=86 But it is in Slovenian language:D

Your psu is codegen ! lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vera

Your psu is codegen ! lol

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Its what?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M-XXXX

Its what?

---

Codegen=about the worst quality psu's there are. I would dump that crap in a blink of an eye.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nazu

Codegen=about the worst quality psu's there are. I would dump that crap in a blink of an eye.

---

Thank your for explanation, but I will keep my PSU (for now I haven't got any problems, and it has nearly perfect voltages (2900 XT CF, 4870CF and Q6600@ 4300mhz or Pentium D- almost 400W at full load under SS,...) THe lovest voltage that I have measured was 11.98, so be carefull when talking about my super duper PSU:D

But we are not talking about my super duper PSU, but about Gainward GS 4870:up:

You know.. running that CPU stock really cripples that 4870x2. It doesn't have nowhere near enough throughput to meet the demands of the 4870x2.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ket

You know.. running that CPU stock really cripples that 4870x2. It doesn't have nowhere near enough throughput to meet the demands of the 4870x2.

---

And how the heck did we come to CPU? E8600 is on 4500 and Q6600 was on 4ghz, and that is more than enough power for GPU's...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatguy1992

Test System

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad @ 2.4GHz
RAM: 2GB (1GB x 2) Corsair Dominator PC2-8500 @ 1066MHz 5-5-5-15
Motherboard: ASUS P5E

---

...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ket

You know.. running that CPU stock really cripples that 4870x2. It doesn't have nowhere near enough throughput to meet the demands of the 4870x2.

---

It's just a regular 4870, not an X2.

My bad, misread :p: a CPU @ 2.4GHz is still going to pose a large bottleneck though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alcachofa

Oh and I almsot forgot ! Look what you have at the back of the card :

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1...ckerzg6.th.jpghttp://img519.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

Update :

There are two fans on this card, a 80 mm and a 70 mm. Some of the HD 4870 GS have a non-PWM regulated 70 mm, which spins at 3500 rpm hence the noise. If you have a noisy card, two options :

- RMA to get a V2, on which both fans are PWM regulated
- Send a mail to ww-sales@gainward.com with your serial number to get a small cable in order to lower the rpm on the 70 mm

---

at idle the fans are only at like 600rpm for me. Even at 100% their like 2400rpm.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ket

You know.. running that CPU stock really cripples that 4870x2. It doesn't have nowhere near enough throughput to meet the demands of the 4870x2.

---

Thats what i thought would happen to my HD4870, but the FPS in most games didn't increase that much for a overclock to 3.0GHz. Even Crysis, and since its the most demanding game...

If u want i'll post some screem shots?

You wont see a huge boost with the CPU @ 3GHz. HD cards only start to stretch their legs once you hit 3.5GHz+. My C2D @ 2GHz returns a score of 8k with one of my HD3k cards stock in 3Dmark06, going to 3.4GHz that score goes to 11k. Before anyone says it, 06 is NOT hugely CPU biased, its a 80\20 ratio. Anyway, in Crysis any FPS boost is a good boost, its not exactly a well optimised engine, it handles AA horribly wasting all kinds of untold memory, even with the supposed "fix" in one of the patches.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fatguy1992

at idle the fans are only at like 600rpm for me. Even at 100% their like 2400rpm.

---

Lucky you ! Apparently they have fixed the problem now, but some people have had bad luck :(

Here is a link about it (sorry, it's in french) : http://www.generation-3d.com/SAV-Gai...it,ac12916.htm


Edit : seems the Palit 4870 Sonic (Gainward is a part of Palit since 2005) suffers from the same issue :

4870 Sonic review @ Hardware Canucks

My second Gainward HD4870 GS arrives in the next 2 days :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fatguy1992

My second Gainward HD4870 GS arrives in the next 2 days :D

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:D

Then it will be time to post some nice crossfire results :rocker:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alcachofa

:D

Then it will be time to post some nice crossfire results :rocker:

---

Will do :)

:upset:

Still don't have it yet, oh well should be here tomorrow - it better be :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fatguy1992

:upset:

Still don't have it yet, oh well should be here tomorrow - it better be :(

---

Forget that it just turned up :) but i didn't get a CF bridge with either card.

So now I have 2 wait and get one off ebay :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cadaveca

Small fan spins 100%, 100% of the time.

---

Thats because the fan is not controlled with PWM unlike the main fan.

We bundle following fan controller with Palit Group HD 4870 series cards

http://www.elektroni.fi/tuotekuvat/G...PWM_SnapOn.jpg

When the smaller fan is running at 5V the card is dead silent.
The difference in card temperatures between fan running at 12V vs. 5V is only a couple celcius.

Hi all, i've this card to, and i test with the TRad², but the hole dont correspond :'(

grrrrrr...

So how come nobody noticed they got that fan controller with there card?

Also It's not the core temp that's to worry about with your cooler, the small fan is there to cool the vrm's. Those are what end up burning up the card's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Stilt

Thats because the fan is not controlled with PWM unlike the main fan.

We bundle following fan controller with Palit Group HD 4870 series cards

http://www.elektroni.fi/tuotekuvat/G...PWM_SnapOn.jpg

When the smaller fan is running at 5V the card is dead silent.
The difference in card temperatures between fan running at 12V vs. 5V is only a couple celcius.

---

:eek:



Well, I apologize for claiming wrong, but that was not in the packaging I recieved, I made sure to take pics as I opened it. Is it possible for me to get one? card was purchased from NCIX, BTW.

I didn't get that either ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jip

Hi all, i've this card to, and i test with the TRad², but the hole dont correspond :'(

grrrrrr...

---

Really?

Dam that was my plan :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Stilt

Thats because the fan is not controlled with PWM unlike the main fan.

We bundle following fan controller with Palit Group HD 4870 series cards

When the smaller fan is running at 5V the card is dead silent.
The difference in card temperatures between fan running at 12V vs. 5V is only a couple celcius.

---

Correct me if i'm wrong, but this seems to apply for a specific retailer in Finland which is this one if i refer to the pic :

http://www.elektroni.fi/?PHPSESSID=7...ch=4870+golden

Like everyone here, i had no fan controler in the box.

BTW this card's PCB is not following the reference design (1 cm shorter), so any cooler or full WB might be impossible to install.

I wrote to gainward about a cable, but no response. I have same controler like on pict, but didnt have 3 to 2 pin connector. i tryed to get in in varous computer and electronic shop (cable, or at least 2 pin connector like on card) but no luck...

Someone have any suggestion?

Thnx..

Nice :) it's a beast good temps you got there :)

At least after two mail and 1 week gainward said:

Sir,

Please provide us your address so we can arrange a cable for you to reduce
the speed of second fan.

Thank you
GAINWARD

I emailed Gainward about 4 days ago asking about a cable to reduce the speed of my fan, no response yet.

Anyway my HD4870 Golden Sample CF review will be fully completed in a few day at the most. :)

Ask them again. Maybe they took a week to response or they response on second mail.. :D

I didnt received it yet.


btw. thanks for review...:)

I'll give them a week to response to this one.

Well, I just got my hand on EAH4870 and I do got some problems.
Even with only 25% fan speed, it´s VERY NOISY.

I will see ya on MSN soon, anyways.

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/2...7232er6.th.jpg

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4...7247xe2.th.jpg

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/2...7316bx8.th.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4...7322tu7.th.jpg

This card is far from being quiet!
I did have to remove smaller fan´s power connector to get it to adequate sound level.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Computerville

Well, I just got my hand on EAH4870 and I do got some problems.
Even with only 25% fan speed, it´s VERY NOISY.

---

Yup. It is.

I replaced mine with a HR-03GT and a Noctua 92mm.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BulldogPO

This card is far from being quiet!
I did have to remove smaller fan´s power connector to get it to adequate sound level.

---

Yeah my first card was very quiet but my second card never slows down. So I took it out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by B.E.E.F.

Yup. It is.

I replaced mine with a HR-03GT and a Noctua 92mm.

---

Same as me... Now it's cool and quite :cool:

I got that cable. It just a bunch of resistor put together.
Second (small cooler) became noisier with it. It pick up some resonance with case on that speed so i disconect it and force it on 3 pin zalman fan regulator.
Well, i got quiet operation (manual set) so now temp rise and first fan start to spin faster in idle.. when small ones are in full 3000 rpm it not needed until 3d gameing...
When it happen in idle in 2 am while surfing on net its annoying because that fan can be prety loud.

So i decide to get accelero twin turbo and say goodbye to guarante... :(

I mounted it and its so quiet.. even on 100%.

So i set it on 1143 rpm and got next temp... frst one are idle, secon on 2h full furmarks stability load.

GPU 43 65

GPU DisPIO 42 64
GPU MEMIO 52 82.5
GPU SHadercore 42 68.5


Now, i cant remember what are temp on GS cooler, so if someone can test and tell me.
I am especialy concern about high difference in memio input...

Thanks.

I tryed 100% but only 1-2 c lower result... still hitting 80...
So refiting is only option.

I get much better result after refiting..

At 90% on GS. That gave 1320 RPM..

Edit: when i say on GS i mean this golden sample card. On other 4870 with stock cooling 100% gave 2000 rpm.


GPU DisPIO 63
GPU MEMIO 72.5
GPU SHadercore 64

Is that load?

Cause thats about my idle temps now - dam summer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatguy1992

Is that load?

Cause thats about my idle temps now - dam summer.

---

Load temp. Ambient here is around 23...

In idle closed case i have around:



45
50
43

So refiting only affected load...

Great thing... twin turbo...
Only thing that is loud now is stock cooler on e8500 under load. Anyway, vendetta2 is on the way... ;)

I might refit my cooler too.

So u put better thermal paste on?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fatguy1992

I might refit my cooler too.

So u put better thermal paste on?

---

Yeah, ocz freeze...

Needed some time to put away that hard paste from gpu what gainward is using when i removed that cooler...
Nail paint remover did job well..

Good news for those who plan to watercool their 4870 GS, EK has released 3 specific waterblocks that are compatible with all "non reference design" 4870 (512, 1024 Gb) from Gainward & Palit :

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/index....a9631aa5e9442b

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images/FC4870-GS.jpg
http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images...ckel-Front.jpg
http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images...etal-front.jpg

Update - dont use Acellero TT on this board.

Mine is dead because reinstall riva tuner set fan to outo and card failed on 2h of grid because overheating.
Now i can use win xp (vista fail) and grid dont works much longer than 1 lap.. furmatrk fail too... hw foulth and void guarantee...

Hey you guys, does someone of you have a Gainward HD4870 1GB bios for me? I have two Palit Dual Sonic HD4870 1GB's with which I experience a same problem with both cards. I want to try and flash a Gainward bios in the card for some testing. Physically the Palit and Gainward Dual bios cards are exactly the same.

I'm having the following problem: My Palit HD4870's, while in turbo mode (775/1000), wil NOT run the stock speed of 1000MHz (or 4000MHz) for the GDDR5 chips. I get artifacts in 3Dmark06 and Crysis. Artifacts consist mainly of tiny black specs and sometimes a little flashing or exotic colours.
If I downclock the GDDR5 on card 1 to 975MHz it runs artifacts free and for card 2 if have to downclock to 950MHz. (mind you, I'm NOT running crossfire, still testing both cards separately)
The chips used are Qimonda and are rated 1ns, so I'm very surprised to see that I have this problem with two differents cards. In reviews and most user experiences I read that the cards do at leat 1075MHz.
The GPU cores on both cards clock like hell though. 870 for card 1 and 850 for card 2, with stock bios @ 1.263v
It's not heat related because during testing I set the fan to 80% which keeps temps below 50 degrees, and after having switched to watercooling the problem remains

Does anyone have an idea of what could be the problem. With both cards having these problems I get the feeling it's not a case of a faulty card. I'm guessing it's bios related or something else

nice mini-review