4850X2 reviewed by ClubOC

[Mortal]

Was this really necessary?

[ToTTenTranz]

Out of curiosity, does the HD4850X2 have Sideport?

[SKYMTL]

Did something happen with this sample that runs contrary to what other reviewers have seen? So far almost every review I have read has stated this card is disgustingly loud but this one says, and I quote:

The fans performed admirably during testing, with little noise to speak of.

There is also the little matter of there being ZERO official ATI support for this card in their drivers. 9.1 was supposed to add the HD 4850 X2 to its list of supported cards but as we have seen, there is no 9.1 driver and it is the last week of January. It is like ATI made sure they marketed this card and then when only one AIB decided to release one, they dropped it like it wasn't even there.

We also have to remember that the X2 series of cards (just like the GTX 295) are dual GPU products which means all of the usual performance issues will be there. It is great to see that this card is out there but if you want consistent performance across all games I would still go for a single GPU card.

[ether.real]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

Did something happen with this sample that runs contrary to what other reviewers have seen? So far almost every review I have read has stated this card is disgustingly loud but this one says, and I quote:



There is also the little matter of there being ZERO official ATI support for this card in their drivers. 9.1 was supposed to add the HD 4850 X2 to its list of supported cards but as we have seen, there is no 9.1 driver and it is the last week of January. It is like ATI made sure they marketed this card and then when only one AIB decided to release one, they dropped it like it wasn't even there.

We also have to remember that the X2 series of cards (just like the GTX 295) are dual GPU products which means all of the usual performance issues will be there. It is great to see that this card is out there but if you want consistent performance across all games I would still go for a single GPU card.

Valid concerns to be sure. As for noise, there is a BIOS update that addresses it. I didnt think it was that loud anyway, but then, unless you are using a pressure meter, that measurement is subjective.

As for the driver issue....it is definitey a concern. I tested it with the Catalyst 8.10s at the time of the review without issue, and now people are saying the newer catalysts won't work. That's a big problem for sure.

As for the dual GPU issue....I have been running nothing but 4870X2s since June, and the only game that I found to have any issue at all was Far Cry 2.

[STEvil]

Maybe my constant complaints finally got through about the CCC fan bugs.

[jaredpace]

I really like the graphs of this review site, because it compares all AA modes in one graph, and lets the reader see how games perform on various hardware with different amounts of AA:




1920 2XAA is awesome in fc2

I like how ati hardware gets faster with 2x and 4x AA and then 8xAA slows it down bigtime. nv is a little slower on average, but steadier with the gtx280 in all games.

Seeing this graph you would want to run FC2 at 1920 2xaa over 1680 8xAA or 2560 0xAA.

[villa1n]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

Did something happen with this sample that runs contrary to what other reviewers have seen? So far almost every review I have read has stated this card is disgustingly loud but this one says, and I quote:



There is also the little matter of there being ZERO official ATI support for this card in their drivers. 9.1 was supposed to add the HD 4850 X2 to its list of supported cards but as we have seen, there is no 9.1 driver and it is the last week of January. It is like ATI made sure they marketed this card and then when only one AIB decided to release one, they dropped it like it wasn't even there.

We also have to remember that the X2 series of cards (just like the GTX 295) are dual GPU products which means all of the usual performance issues will be there. It is great to see that this card is out there but if you want consistent performance across all games I would still go for a single GPU card.

I didn't realize the driver support for this card was that dismal, I was considering picking up one of these for my new build in the next coming months.. hrmm, so it might be ok for now, but longevity wise you think the support is going to diminish because only sapphire is making it? Its attractive because of the price, and size and cooling, much better than reference, since i have an antec 1200 case that is going to be on full blast anyways, so noise isnt a concern :P And the performance for about 350$ cdn, matching a gtx280 and in some cases beating it is also attractive. A 4870x2 would be nice, but i am not a fan (pun intended ^^) of the reference cooling, and the triple fan Asus is still in the 600$ range Cdn.

hrm, good to know though.

An afterthought here, what config in crossfire would achieve this performance, and would two 4850's consume the same power, or have a much higher power draw... as well the saphire 4870's are 236 at the egg (the 512), but do 2 separate cards crossfired have the same or less issues than X2's driver profile wise?

Cheers

[16floz470ml]

I have two of these in crossfire. While the drivers are far from optimized I am very happy with the cards. Things will only get better. About the fan noise. Do not put an add on card in the slot under the 4850x2. It blocks off air flow and that is what makes the fans loud. I have a pci slot under one of mine and I tried to use a sound card. The temps go up almost 20 degrees C at idle.

[SKYMTL]

Originally Posted by ether.real

Valid concerns to be sure. As for noise, there is a BIOS update that addresses it. I didnt think it was that loud anyway, but then, unless you are using a pressure meter, that measurement is subjective.

IS the BIOS update being shipped with retail cards? That is the main question here. From what I understand, the majority of cards have already been put into the retail channel and of those cards, all have the same BIOS.

How did you go about flashing the card? If you do have an update BIOS and BIOS flashing instructions that actually work with the X2, I would suggest you post them up on your site since I know plenty of people who are ready to throw this card against the nearest wall due to its fan noise.

[screwtech02]

Hmmmmm, mine are nice and quiet. Only took 4 waterblocks to do it too.....

[viccan]

4870x2 rules! I had a 280 gtx and got rid of it for this baby and am I pleased I did so, The 4850x2 looks like a serious contender for the money how can you go wrong?? BUY BUY BUY!!!!

[ether.real]

Originally Posted by jaredpace

I really like the graphs of this review site, because it compares all AA modes in one graph, and lets the reader see how games perform on various hardware with different amounts of AA:
http://cluboverclocker.com/reviews/v.../WarheadGL.jpg

http://cluboverclocker.com/reviews/v...rCryUltraL.jpg

1920 2XAA is awesome in fc2

I like how ati hardware gets faster with 2x and 4x AA and then 8xAA slows it down bigtime. nv is a little slower on average, but steadier with the gtx280 in all games.

Seeing this graph you would want to run FC2 at 1920 2xaa over 1680 8xAA or 2560 0xAA.

Glad you like the graphs

[ether.real]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

IS the BIOS update being shipped with retail cards? That is the main question here. From what I understand, the majority of cards have already been put into the retail channel and of those cards, all have the same BIOS.

How did you go about flashing the card? If you do have an update BIOS and BIOS flashing instructions that actually work with the X2, I would suggest you post them up on your site since I know plenty of people who are ready to throw this card against the nearest wall due to its fan noise.

I will try to remember to look, I do believe I have it in an email somewhere. I dont know if newer cards are shipping with the new BIOS or not.

[ether.real]

Also, it should be noted that the 4850X2 is supported under the new 9.1 ATi driver.

[SKYMTL]

Actually, it is supported by a SEPARATE 9.1 driver which is not included in the original 9.1 WHQL release.

[screwtech02]

Your better off with the 8.12's with a 4850x2, the overdrive in the 9.1's locks the desktop....

[ether.real]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

Actually, it is supported by a SEPARATE 9.1 driver which is not included in the original 9.1 WHQL release.

But still a good sign, no?

[drewhemm]

Originally Posted by ether.real

I will try to remember to look, I do believe I have it in an email somewhere. I dont know if newer cards are shipping with the new BIOS or not.

Any word on where to obtain that BIOS update? Is it only for the 1G card or also for the 2G card?

Regards

Andrew

[ether.real]

http://www.cluboverclocker.com/press...50X2update.pdf

Press Release from Sapphire.

I will ask if there is a download link to the latest BIOS....

[ether.real]

I talked to my Sapphire contact, here is the reason why they aren't posting the BIOS on their website.....there are two versions of the card on the market right now, and flashing the wrong BIOS will brick the card. So they are doing it on a case-by-case basis. If you want the new BIOS, PM me and I will put you in contact with Sapphire directly.

[16floz470ml]

I have one card that is clocked at 625 core and another card that is clocked at 650 core. I have them in crossfire with no problems. Together they can both oc as high as CCC will go. At idle CCC says my fans are on at 12%. It is good to know that I should not flash the bios. I was going to when I first got the second card but then for once putting something off worked out for the best. Thanks for the info.

[villa1n]

I noticed the 1GB version is now out and available, are there any reviews on it, or comparing the two versions, i would be interested to see the performance at 1680 and 1920 between the two cards as that is most likely where the GB difference will start to show through.