PowerColor HD 4890 PCS 1 GB

W1zzard · 04-28-2009, 07:55 PM

To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/P...r/HD_4890_PCS/

Please Digg the review to help us promote it.

mlee49 · 04-30-2009, 09:18 PM

Can you please add to the Power Consumption chart on page 26, the specs of the 275GTX? Since it is an equivalent.

Otherwise excellent review!

MRCL · 04-30-2009, 09:26 PM

[...]transport the heat away to a large number of cooling fans.

I believe you mean fins there?

Otherwise great review. Interesting to see that assumed better cooling solutions can have their major downsides.

WarEagleAU · 05-01-2009, 01:33 AM

Awesome review and Im loving the zerotherm cooler. Not liking copper painted aluminum, which is just cheap and tacky.

I wouldnt not knock it for being so overclocked, you can barely OC it more. That is a boon which you did note.

I too wish they offered voltage control, that way you can pump some more juice into it.

stefanels · 05-01-2009, 01:40 AM

Nice review... just finished to read...

Registrat · 05-01-2009, 03:24 AM

W1zzard, can you check the power consumption values again?

At that usage with TWO 6-pins, it has officially exceeded the PCIe spec. Which is not possible for any card that wants certification.

sneekypeet · 05-01-2009, 03:28 AM

Taken from the top line of that page... "In order to characterize a video card's power consumption, the whole system's mains power draw was measured. This means that these numbers include CPU, Memory, HDD, Video card and PSU inefficiency."

So it isnt just the card taken into account for those numbers.

Registrat · 05-01-2009, 03:45 AM

Well that one's obvious! :P

I meant the difference AFTER considering the normal 4870/90/280 consumptions, looks like this card might have problems later on in its lifespan.

air_ii · 05-01-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneekypeet

Taken from the top line of that page... "In order to characterize a video card's power consumption, the whole system's mains power draw was measured. This means that these numbers include CPU, Memory, HDD, Video card and PSU inefficiency."

So it isnt just the card taken into account for those numbers.

I don't want to be the one who rants about the power consumption again, but it's 70W more than "normal" 4890 at load. Given it's not possible due to exceeding the PCI-E specs, you have to put a blame on the test system. But if so, then how can you draw a negative conclusion about the card's power consumption if you don't really know how much power the card takes, as your test system messes the results up?

I really like Wizzard's reviews, but to me, his power consumption charts have provided more disinformation than insight.

newtekie1 · 05-01-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by air_ii

Given it's not possible due to exceeding the PCI-E specs

It is entirely possible the card does exceed the PCI-E specs.

Registrat · 05-01-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtekie1

It is entirely possible the card does exceed the PCI-E specs.

With a second party like Anandtech providing power values that show a reference 4890 @1Ghz taking less power than a 285, I beg to differ about this big increase.

Something has to be FUBARed in between the 2 levels.

3870x2 · 05-01-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by air_ii

I don't want to be the one who rants about the power consumption again, but it's 70W more than "normal" 4890 at load. Given it's not possible due to exceeding the PCI-E specs, you have to put a blame on the test system. But if so, then how can you draw a negative conclusion about the card's power consumption if you don't really know how much power the card takes, as your test system messes the results up?

I really like Wizzard's reviews, but to me, his power consumption charts have provided more disinformation than insight.

you provide misinformation about misinformation. W1zzard doesn't charge you for his reviews, therefore he doesn't owe you anything. You want good customer service? talk to XFX. Here he provided you with knowledge from the tools he used, and clearly explains it. Use your own intelligence to understand what it means.

newtekie1 · 05-01-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Registrat

With a second party like Anandtech providing power values that show a reference 4890 @1Ghz taking less power than a 285, I beg to differ about this big increase.

Something has to be FUBARed in between the 2 levels.

It has been shown many times in the past that changing the power setup can drastically affect power consumption. So Anandtech's reference HD4890@1GHz has nothing to do with this discussion.

And switching to a cheaper power setup, usually means it is less efficient also.

3870x2 · 05-01-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtekie1

It has been shown many times in the past that changing the power setup and drastically affect power consumption. So Anandtech's reference HD4890@1GHz has nothing to do with this discussion.

And switching to a cheaper power setup, usually means it is less efficient also.

Any change in hardware can fluctuate the power needed. You can be assured that W1zzard's reviews are 100%.

air_ii · 05-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3870x2

you provide misinformation about misinformation. W1zzard doesn't charge you for his reviews, therefore he doesn't owe you anything. You want good customer service? talk to XFX. Here he provided you with knowledge from the tools he used, and clearly explains it. Use your own intelligence to understand what it means.

I don't recall attacking W1zzard in any way, let alone the way you're attacking me now. I thought the forums were to discuss things and the last time I checked, it wasn't you who decided on what I can or can't talk about in here.

Anyway, I think the forums are here to ask questions and it's normal to confront results from different sites. I've been reading his reviews for many years now and I appreciate every bit of effort he puts into it. Having said that, it doesn't mean I have to take everything for granted and sometimes it's useful to challenge the results, especially when there is not enough info in the review to figure out all the answers. For instance, we don't know anything about voltages the card uses, therefore I can't directly confront the power consumption with, say, Anand's results.

To sum up, I only stated what seems odd and what I can't explain based on the facts provided. And to me, these charts do not provide much information, as they are pretty much off from what others present, without giving any additional information / explanation. And - as I hope you might notice - I'm not bashing him or his reviews, I'm just trying to come up with constructive criticism, so that perhaps next time he might look into it himself, if he's not too busy. If I'm not allowed to do that and if all I can say is jolly good without you saying he doesn't owe me anything (which - I assure you - I know he doesn't), then excuse me.

iStink · 05-04-2009, 02:27 PM

I laughed at the F-word in the value & conclusion section about the fan settings. I love this place.

W1zzard · 05-04-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iStink

I laughed at the F-word in the value & conclusion section about the fan settings. I love this place.

i found no other descriptive way to properly design the state of the fan settings

inferKNOX · 07-18-2009, 02:24 AM

Hey there W1zzard. I went ahead and got this card after contacting PowerColor and being assured that the fan control in the BIOS was revised, I think to the version they later sent you. I just couldn't help it because of the price and lovely heatsink which matches my Nirvana NV120 & now the HS on my new MSI 790FX-GD70, so now it's a set, lol. (oh, wait there's still the RAM, ha ha ha!)
Do you think anything more can be done about it?
(I'm yet to try my card btw, but it's quite a looker

.)

Azkeyz · 10-31-2009, 09:47 PM

Hi wizard !

I just stopped by to say hello , and anounce that I just perchased a

PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 1GB PCIE 2.0

Core Clock = 900Mhz
Memory Clock = 1000Mhz DDR5

I can't wait to drop it in my "dual core" 2.0Ghz 1MB L2

I will be increasing the specs in days to come.

I have dual 500GB WD SATA hard drives for those massive game files.

I wanted to tell you I never did get GPU-Z to work on my Radeon 3850 512MB AGP

I hope it works on my new 4890

I've heard good things about power color , I've heard these 4890 chips overheat and die fast
I have no way to take precautions at this time.

Any recommendations on an after market cooler would be appreciated.

PS. Happy Hanuka and Yom Kippur

04-28-2009, 07:55 PM	#1
W1zzard Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 7,617 (3.78/day) Thanks: 79 Thanked 2,489 Times in 932 Posts System Specs	PowerColor HD 4890 PCS 1 GB To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/P...r/HD_4890_PCS/ Please Digg the review to help us promote it. Last edited by W1zzard; 05-02-2009 at 06:16 AM.

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04-30-2009, 09:18 PM	#2
mlee49 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KU Posts: 3,356 (4.83/day) Thanks: 615 Thanked 650 Times in 587 Posts System Specs	Can you please add to the Power Consumption chart on page 26, the specs of the 275GTX? Since it is an equivalent. Otherwise excellent review! __________________ My Watercooling Loop Heatware: Mlee49 46-0

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04-30-2009, 09:26 PM	#3
MRCL Join Date: May 2008 Location: Switzerland, Heart of Europe Posts: 2,445 (4.53/day) Thanks: 226 Thanked 411 Times in 371 Posts System Specs	[...]transport the heat away to a large number of cooling fans. I believe you mean fins there? Otherwise great review. Interesting to see that assumed better cooling solutions can have their major downsides. __________________ CyberDruid: A man's e-peen is determined entirely by how much hardware he doesn't need...yet has bolted onto his rig... n-ster: not too sure that's in his budget o.O even if he did want to steal it, the equipment to do so would not be in his budget o.O DonInKansas: His trophy would have to say "Wurst Speleng" tho.

05-01-2009, 01:33 AM	#4
WarEagleAU Bird of Prey Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gurley, AL Posts: 8,919 (7.24/day) Thanks: 2,212 Thanked 490 Times in 458 Posts System Specs	Awesome review and Im loving the zerotherm cooler. Not liking copper painted aluminum, which is just cheap and tacky. I wouldnt not knock it for being so overclocked, you can barely OC it more. That is a boon which you did note. I too wish they offered voltage control, that way you can pump some more juice into it. __________________ =-TheEagle-= Heatware: WarEagleAU 9-0 and growing. “You crazy? Surfing any website without an antivirus is like fucking a hooker without a condom” -OzzmanFloyd120

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05-01-2009, 01:40 AM	#5
stefanels Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Transylvania, working in España Posts: 260 (0.45/day) Thanks: 222 Thanked 119 Times in 85 Posts System Specs	Nice review... just finished to read... __________________ I make you a custom signature TechPowerUp Design Your Graphics Card Body Graphics Contest

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05-01-2009, 03:24 AM	#6
Registrat Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 13 (0.06/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	W1zzard, can you check the power consumption values again? At that usage with TWO 6-pins, it has officially exceeded the PCIe spec. Which is not possible for any card that wants certification.

05-01-2009, 03:28 AM	#7
sneekypeet Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 9,159 (6.94/day) Thanks: 803 Thanked 1,838 Times in 1,682 Posts System Specs	Taken from the top line of that page... "In order to characterize a video card's power consumption, the whole system's mains power draw was measured. This means that these numbers include CPU, Memory, HDD, Video card and PSU inefficiency." So it isnt just the card taken into account for those numbers. __________________ Hers: DFI BLOOD IRON / E8600 / Xig Dark Knight / 4X2GB GSkill Pi Blacks 4-4-4-12 / EVGA GTX 285 @ FTW clocks /OCZ GXS 700W / Vista Ultimate 64 / CoolerMaster HAF 922

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05-01-2009, 03:45 AM	#8
Registrat Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 13 (0.06/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well that one's obvious! :P I meant the difference AFTER considering the normal 4870/90/280 consumptions, looks like this card might have problems later on in its lifespan.

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05-04-2009, 02:27 PM	#16
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07-18-2009, 02:24 AM	#18
inferKNOX Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SouthERN Africa Posts: 341 (2.68/day) Thanks: 10 Thanked 35 Times in 31 Posts System Specs	Hey there W1zzard. I went ahead and got this card after contacting PowerColor and being assured that the fan control in the BIOS was revised, I think to the version they later sent you. I just couldn't help it because of the price and lovely heatsink which matches my Nirvana NV120 & now the HS on my new MSI 790FX-GD70, so now it's a set, lol. (oh, wait there's still the RAM, ha ha ha!) Do you think anything more can be done about it? (I'm yet to try my card btw, but it's quite a looker.)

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10-31-2009, 09:47 PM	#19
Azkeyz Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 55 (0.20/day) Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts System Specs	PowerColor HD 4890 PCS 1GB Hi wizard ! I just stopped by to say hello , and anounce that I just perchased a PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 1GB PCIE 2.0 Core Clock = 900Mhz Memory Clock = 1000Mhz DDR5 I can't wait to drop it in my "dual core" 2.0Ghz 1MB L2 I will be increasing the specs in days to come. I have dual 500GB WD SATA hard drives for those massive game files. I wanted to tell you I never did get GPU-Z to work on my Radeon 3850 512MB AGP I hope it works on my new 4890 I've heard good things about power color , I've heard these 4890 chips overheat and die fast I have no way to take precautions at this time. Any recommendations on an after market cooler would be appreciated. PS. Happy Hanuka and Yom Kippur

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