First HD 4870 1GB GDDR5

[Heinz68]

HIS Radeon HD 4870 Turbo 1GB GDDR5
Listed at NCIXUS (http://www.ncixus.com/products/32731/H487FT1GP/HIS/) for $342.60 USD Not in Stock
NCIX (http://forum.ncix.com/forums/index.php?mode=showthread&forum=215&threadid=1798344&pagenumber=1&msgcount=9&subpage=1&product_id=32731) has the card listed $394.99 CAD
What a robbery since they are Canadian companies. Currency Converter 342.60 USD = 363.047 CAD

Here shopbot.com.au (http://www.shopbot.com.au/pp-his-hd-4870-hdmi-1gb-gddr5-dual-dl-dvi--tv-hdcp-pcie-price-124149.html) has 10stores listed with price range: $363.36 to $405.00 AUD. One store is promising 1 day delivery

EDIT
Price coming down :)
ZipZoomfly (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009210&prodlist=celebros) HIS HD 4870 1GB $341.99 Not in Stock

[CaptNKILL]

Price seems a little high to me. Hopefully they come down a bit.

[jcrox]

I've been waiting to see some performance numbers on these before jumping into anything again (sent my GTX280 Toaster Oven edition back). Would be nice if there was a decent increase with the extra memory but I would guess that it wouldn't be much and probably wont justify the extra price.

[Xion X2]

The only increase in performance that you're likely to see are in situations where high AA & resolution is applied or AA is applied in UEngine games that tend to use large, hi-res textures.

Applying AA in UEngine games killed performance on my 512MB cards when I had them, and I was able to exceed the VRAM capacity w/ Qarl's texture mod on Oblivion paired with 8xMSAA.

349$ is still a good deal for that card, though. It's almost as strong as the 280, title for title, and scales better with AA.

[Heinz68]

Price seems a little high to me. Hopefully they come down a bit.
It looks little high and PROBABLY will come down when listed by more stores. I think it also depends on the other ATI partners introducing the 1GB version to compete.

At newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=HD%204870&bop=And&Order=PRICE) the lowest priced HD 4870 512MB is $279.99 before MIR. Looking at it this way the about $60 extra for HIS Radeon HD 4870 Turbo 1GB is not so bad.

The ATI 4000 line is holding prices very good. The HD 4870 x2 is almost 3 weeks on the market and no price reduction at all. Newegg has 9 listed and not even one has MIR, looks like the ATI is being rewarded for pricing the cards right to start with.

I'm looking to buy the HD 4870 x2 but I'm not in hurry since I need to upgrade my system first so was hoping to save about $100 by the end of September (early October) but it doesn't look like at all.
So maybe I have to buy two of them to save $100 :)

[Eliminator]

ncix canada is a ripoff... once other stores get it you will find it cheaper for sure

[kazna]

GTX 260 hit $250 before MIR which only has 128mb less video memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133229

[CaptNKILL]

GTX 260 hit $250 before MIR which only has 128mb less video memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133229

Holy crap...

Its PNY, but still, that's cheap.

I wish the GTX 280 would drop to $350. :p

[mailman2]

GTX 260 hit $250 before MIR which only has 128mb less video memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133229

Those poor early adoptors

[noko]

At $349 with GTX 280's less then $400, not sure that is really a good deal. If ATI dropped the 512mb 4870 to $249 and the 1gb version to $299 then that I think would keep ATI looking like the champ.

[jcrox]

I'm going to wait a couple of weeks to see if the price drops then decide from there, try and time it out to get delivery on Sept. 15th :D

[Xion X2]

At $349 with GTX 280's less then $400, not sure that is really a good deal.
Why not? It's a superior architecture (scales much better with AA) and has just as much VRAM as the 280. Not to mention a much better track record with reliability.

[Heinz68]

According to GPUCafe (http://gpucafe.com/2008/08/4870-1gb-begins-shipping-next-week/) article the MSRP for HD 4870 1GB is $329US so the prices will settle down depending on availability.

From the article "two of these should perform identical to the 4870X2 but with higher power consumption" I say not to mention that the 4870X2 is also much cheaper than crosfire with 4870 1GB which is understanding due to the manufacturing cost.
According to a majority of retailers of who expect some stock next week. Some retailers have the date as early as Monday (25 August). Also note that the quantity is very limited, so if you want one now is the chance to make a move. Understandably the card is priced 7% higher than its 512MB sibling. That is identical to the official MSRP from AMD ($329US). In terms of performance, two of these should perform identical to the 4870X2 but with higher power consumption.
The article also links to "Video RAM - how much do you really need? (http://www.yougamers.com/articles/13801_video_ram_-_how_much_do_you_really_need/)" great recommended read.

[Eliminator]

Why not? It's a superior architecture (scales much better with AA) and has just as much VRAM as the 280. Not to mention a much better track record with reliability.
it doesnt scale much better with AA... you should actually look at some benchmarks before making stuff up...

heres a recent round up http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-comparison,2007-13.html

crysis 1920x1200
GTX 280: 31.3
HD4870: 29.3

crysis 1920x1200 4xAA 8xAF
GTX 280: 24.9
HD4870: 17.8

mass effect 1920x1200
GTX 280: 90.1
HD4870: 82.5

mass effect 1920x1200 4xAA 8xAF
GTX 280: 62.6
HD4870: 38.6

now in those games its probably because the lack of ram on the HD4870 is keeping it back but looking at the other games such as HL2, quake wars and cod4 from that review it shows the scaling is about equivalent for both cards

considering you can find the GTX 260 for as low as $270 here in canada without MIR and that has 896MB of ram... with a bit of overclocking it will reach 4870 1GB performance but at $100 less

[Xion X2]

it doesnt scale much better with AA... you should actually look at some benchmarks before making stuff up...

heres a recent round up

Tom's Hardware? You have to be phucking kidding me. Go find someone who's reputable like Anandtech or Hardocp and stop pulling stuff out of your behind. AA superiority has been a given since the 48** series was launched.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8462/aascalingmsmodesonlymr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
One special thing to note is that the RV770 does fall off very gracefully to 8xAA. Since the RV670, G80 and GT200 all have sharp drops in performance when moving up from 4xAA to 8xAA, the RV770 really shines here. In fact, the few tests we did with 8xAA paints the 4870 in a much better light relative to the GTX 280.


Turning up the heat at 2560x1600 with 8X AA still shows the Radeon HD 4870 X2 CrossFireX beating the pants off the GTX 280 SLI platform...

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTUzMSw2LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

What you are seeing here is exactly what we experienced, there was no noticeable difference between NoAA and 8X AA with the Radeon HD 4870 X2 in Age of Conan. We saw the framerate fluctuate only a few FPS in difference between NoAA and 8X AA. You know what this means? Free 8X AA in Age of Conan at 1920x1200 with the Radeon HD 4870 X2...

Above we saw that 8X AA was basically free in Conan with the 4870 X2, now we throw 12X CFAA and 24X CFAA into the mix. This graph clearly shows us that we don’t hit a GPU burden until we enable 24X CFAA in Age of Conan on the Radeon HD 4870 X2 at 1920x1200. Just, wow.

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTUzMSw3LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Show me a game as graphically impressive and as new to the market as Age of Conan that scales with free 12xAA on any Nvidia setup, and then come back and talk. Not only is Tom's Hardware one of the most questionable sources around next to The Inquirer--they only tested with a meager 4xAA in their review. That's pretty typical for such an amateurish site.

[Eliminator]

12x and 24xAA... i dont quite see the point... at 1920x1200 4xAA is all you need... try playing crysis with 24xAA at 1920x1200... in fact according to hardocp even quad crossfire HD4870 cant keep up with GTX 280 SLI in crysis at 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF... and also quoting hardocp on age of conan
We saw the framerate fluctuate only a few FPS in difference between NoAA and 8X AA. You know what this means?
it means CPU limited....

im cpu limited in oblivion even with qarls texture pack 3
Q6600 @ 2.4ghz, 1920x1200: 60 FPS
Q6600 @ 3.6ghz, 1920x1200: 84 FPS
Q6600 @ 3.6ghz, 1920x1200 4xAA 8xAF: 84 FPS
Q6600 @ 3.6ghz, 1920x1200 16xAA 8xAF: 84FPS
Q6600 @ 3.6ghz, 1920x1200 16xQ AA, 8xAF: 64 FPS

get the idea?

[Xion X2]

in fact according to hardocp even quad crossfire HD4870 cant keep up with GTX 280 SLI in crysis at 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF

That has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Scaling on Crysis is strictly a driver issue as there are hundreds of other benchmarks w/ AA enabled between the two architectures that disprove this "point" you're trying to make about GTX200 having equal AA scaling.

... and also quoting hardocp on age of conan

it means CPU limited....

It's not "CPU-limited", otherwise the 280 SLI setup would be scaling equally as well. But it's not. It's behind the CrossfireX setup by quite a bit at LOWER AA settings:

Single X2 vs. GTX280:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9387/1215976304wcojlico3z44uu6.gif (http://imageshack.us)

CrossfireX vs GTX280 SLI:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2250/1215976304wcojlico3z452gi8.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTUzMSw0LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

[Viral]

12x and 24xAA... i dont quite see the point... at 1920x1200 4xAA is all you need... try playing crysis with 24xAA at 1920x1200... in fact according to hardocp even quad crossfire HD4870 cant keep up with GTX 280 SLI in crysis at 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF...

There's actually a huge IQ difference between 8x AA and 4x AA these days.

8x AA is the new 4xAA. Remember, you heard it here first.

[noko]

Why not? It's a superior architecture (scales much better with AA) and has just as much VRAM as the 280. Not to mention a much better track record with reliability.

Driver heaven review of the GTX 280 pounds the HD 4870 into the dirt. Since high resolution and 512mb version of the HD4870 cards this seems to be the limiting factor. With 1gb, like the 4870 X2 version has per core scaling on that review I expect to be much different. Looks like we need some new reviews when the 1gb versions actually do hit for the 4870.

Better track record with reliability? Where do you get that? Both ATI and Nvidia just released all of these GPU/Cards in the last several months.

The main reason why I am thinking Nvidia again is dual monitor and windowed environments. Seems like ATI keeps clocks at 2d speed even with a 3d window opened. Now I am sure that can be set for windowed environments but to do that everytime for a 3d window falls short. Plus ATI X2 limits you to one gpu, at 2d speeds for a two monitor windowed setup . At least with the GTX280 I will get full 3d speed in a 3d window. Theoretically the 4870 is more powerful shading wise, now why does the GTX 280 seem to beat it in more things then the 4870 is another debate. The shading performance of the 4870 should be whipping the 280 for lunch but isn't. So which one is more efficient? With the price of the 280 close to the 4870 1gb version, this becomes much more competitive and all things need to be considered.

[K007]

That has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Scaling on Crysis is strictly a driver issue as there are hundreds of other benchmarks w/ AA enabled between the two architectures that disprove this "point" you're trying to make about GTX200 having equal AA scaling.



It's not "CPU-limited", otherwise the 280 SLI setup would be scaling equally as well. But it's not. It's behind the CrossfireX setup by quite a bit at LOWER AA settings:

Single X2 vs. GTX280:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9387/1215976304wcojlico3z44uu6.gif (http://imageshack.us)

CrossfireX vs GTX280 SLI:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2250/1215976304wcojlico3z452gi8.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTUzMSw0LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

wow massive rape there...and on AoC.

[nekrosoft13]

Theoretically the 4870 is more powerful shading wise, now why does the GTX 280 seem to beat it in more things then the 4870 is another debate. The shading performance of the 4870 should be whipping the 280 for lunch but isn't. So which one is more efficient?

you can't compare number of shaders, they both work in different way.

[Viral]

Driver heaven review of the GTX 280 pounds the HD 4870 into the dirt. Since high resolution and 512mb version of the HD4870 cards this seems to be the limiting factor. With 1gb, like the 4870 X2 version has per core scaling on that review I expect to be much different. Looks like we need some new reviews when the 1gb versions actually do hit for the 4870.

You posted in the thread i first posted this in over at Rage3D, but here it is again and for the nVnewsers:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_4870_X2/6.html

It's a 4870X2 with one GPU and half its memory disabled. The improvements are good when they are apparent, but in most cases they are not and a slight amount performance is actually lost. It's pretty similar to the 256MB 9800Pro if anyone remembers that.

Call of Juarez shows great improvements at higher resolutions with AA/AF though. CoJ showing a 26% improvement in 1680x1050 4xAA 16xAF which a bigger improvement than 1920x1200 for some reason. Crysis also shows a 26% improvement at 1920x1200 4xAA.... That 26% figure has to mean something.

[Xion X2]

Better track record with reliability? Where do you get that?

Are you serious?

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=115423

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=114925

[Heinz68]

I also believe the HD 4000 line has great AA scaling and few reviews did mention that plus some users reviews confirme the same.

Now i don't think anybody can argue that the HD 4870 is faster card than GTX 280 the most some people say 4870 is not so far behind.

Good reason why GTX 280 cost more, luckily not as much as the introduced price.

Today at newegg the lowest prices before MRI
SAPPHIRE HD 4870. $279.99
MSIGeForceGTX 280 $399.99

Generally the price is even higher.

newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=hd%204870&bop=And&Order=PRICE) price range.
HD 4870 $279.99 to $309.99
newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=GTX%20280&bop=And&Order=PRICE) price range
GTX 280 $399.99 to $694.99 (very strange that few cards are still listed at the $649.99 price, maybe just a mistake )

The bottom line is, if the MSRP for HD 4870 1GB is $329 maybe the price is not so high.

Anyway anybody should buy what suits them the best and be happy with it. No need to bash the other product to justify it.

[abtomat74]

HIS Radeon HD 4870 Turbo 1GB GDDR5
Listed at NCIXUS (http://www.ncixus.com/products/32731/H487FT1GP/HIS/) for $342.60 USD Not in Stock
NCIX (http://forum.ncix.com/forums/index.php?mode=showthread&forum=215&threadid=1798344&pagenumber=1&msgcount=9&subpage=1&product_id=32731) has the card listed $394.99 CAD
What a robbery since they are Canadian companies. Currency Converter 342.60 USD = 363.047 CAD



It's all about location. I imagine nearly every video cards point of entry is LA or a CA city nearby, then it goes to Canadada. Unless you guys get cards sent to Prince Ruppert or Vancouver...you're always gonna pay more than the U.S.