This is exactly the kind of review I like to see, overclockability is a major factor for me in purchasing new hardware. Better than the 4890 launch article, good job.
Better remember this then:
" We absolutely must caution our readers once again that these are not off-the-shelf retail parts. These are parts sent directly to us from manufacturers and could very likely have a higher overclocking potential than retail parts "
Interesting read, but I was a bit disappointed not to see the 4850x2 included in the benchmarks. The 1GB model is currently at very rough price parity with the 4890 and the 2GB model still cheaper than a 285. As such, it would've been nice to be able to more easily note the advantages of a multiple GPU card over a single GPU card cranked up to ludicrous speed.
The numbers used for the 4850 in this article correlate to those in the Multi-GPU article from February. So all you really need to do is compare the 4850 X2 results from that article to the 4890 results in this article. The two are closely matched, although I'd be willing to bet that the perceived performance and fps range is tighter and more consistent on the 4890 than the 4850 X2, as single GPU solutions usually are.
That is a good point. I have setup a 2D profile in ATT which undervolts the card (you can undervolt, but not overvolt with ATT) and that does help in 2D. I haven't tried undervolting at stock speed (although mine's a OC version, so it may need the full voltage).
I have an HD4890 and it does overclock well. But it's just too damn loud. I've been actually underclocking it for most of my games, as its fast enough to run them fine while underclocked, and it keeps the noise down. It's just not fun running it overclocked and having your game drowned out by a hairdryer. Headphones help.
The title is a little bit stupid if you ask me, a 4890 can go way further then 1GHz on the core and 1.2GHz for the RAM. Why didn't AT go further then normal achievable clocks? The title says to the max, too bad it cannot make up the promise.
Interesting read though, must have cost a tremendous amount of work.
Well ... it is to the maximum value the built-in overclocking features of the driver will let you set the card. So that's where "to the max" came from.
Yes with 3rd party tools you can get higher on some hardware, but we didn't want to go into aftermarket cooling and not everyone can even make it to 1GHz ... We wanted this based somewhere in achievability.
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Sylvanas - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
This is exactly the kind of review I like to see, overclockability is a major factor for me in purchasing new hardware. Better than the 4890 launch article, good job.SiliconDoc - Saturday, June 6, 2009 - link
Better remember this then:" We absolutely must caution our readers once again that these are not off-the-shelf retail parts. These are parts sent directly to us from manufacturers and could very likely have a higher overclocking potential than retail parts "
Live - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
I really liked this article. Covered everything needed and was very informative.GeorgeH - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
Interesting read, but I was a bit disappointed not to see the 4850x2 included in the benchmarks. The 1GB model is currently at very rough price parity with the 4890 and the 2GB model still cheaper than a 285. As such, it would've been nice to be able to more easily note the advantages of a multiple GPU card over a single GPU card cranked up to ludicrous speed.Minion4Hire - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
The numbers used for the 4850 in this article correlate to those in the Multi-GPU article from February. So all you really need to do is compare the 4850 X2 results from that article to the 4890 results in this article. The two are closely matched, although I'd be willing to bet that the perceived performance and fps range is tighter and more consistent on the 4890 than the 4850 X2, as single GPU solutions usually are.Tuvok86 - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
You'd better undervolt rather than underclocking.My 4890 manages a good downvolt at stock speed, resulting in low temps
kmmatney - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
That is a good point. I have setup a 2D profile in ATT which undervolts the card (you can undervolt, but not overvolt with ATT) and that does help in 2D. I haven't tried undervolting at stock speed (although mine's a OC version, so it may need the full voltage).kmmatney - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
I have an HD4890 and it does overclock well. But it's just too damn loud. I've been actually underclocking it for most of my games, as its fast enough to run them fine while underclocked, and it keeps the noise down. It's just not fun running it overclocked and having your game drowned out by a hairdryer. Headphones help.Veteran - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
The title is a little bit stupid if you ask me, a 4890 can go way further then 1GHz on the core and 1.2GHz for the RAM. Why didn't AT go further then normal achievable clocks? The title says to the max, too bad it cannot make up the promise.Interesting read though, must have cost a tremendous amount of work.
DerekWilson - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - link
Well ... it is to the maximum value the built-in overclocking features of the driver will let you set the card. So that's where "to the max" came from.Yes with 3rd party tools you can get higher on some hardware, but we didn't want to go into aftermarket cooling and not everyone can even make it to 1GHz ... We wanted this based somewhere in achievability.
And I'm glad it was interesting :-)