Tuesday, September 2nd 2008

ASUS Released Non-Reference Radeon HD 4870 with Expanded Power Circuitry

ASUS has released a non-reference version of the ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics card. The model is called EAH 4870 D5 and it's main difference is the enhanced power circuitry. The card uses a 4 phase vGPU power circuit along with a 2 phase vMem circuit, making it similar to that of the PowerColor HD 4870 PCS+, while the reference design uses 3 + 2 phases. The PCB uses a 100% conductive polymer capacitor design. The same Qimonda memory chips as those used on reference design boards rounds up the card.

The card runs at reference speeds of 750 MHz Core / 900 MHz Memory. ASUS used its signature Glaciator Fansink cooler for the GPU, which can already be found on many of their other cards but decided to leave the memory chips without active or passive cooling. Expreview notes that the heatsink on the MOSFETs looks small and could be a cause for concern since temperatures of that zone of video cards in general could reach as high as 110 degrees Celsius. The card uses single slot expansion bracket though the card itself requires two slots worth space due to the heatsink. This release follows several other designs from the likes of Palit, PowerColor, etc., that have similar power circuitry, presumably to facilitate better overclocks though poor cooling designs implemented by these AIBs mar the effort put in to design these superior PCBs.
Source: STcom Korea
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35 Comments on ASUS Released Non-Reference Radeon HD 4870 with Expanded Power Circuitry

#26
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
btarunrIf Intel sells a QX9770 without a stock cooler (assuming anyone who buys a $1500 CPU would use aftermarket cooling), they might as well start selling video cards sans coolers. Unfortunately, installing a aftermarket cooler (before which, finding one that fits perfectly, cools well) is cumbersome. So they have to provide cooling that is sufficient. Going by the 4870 'fiasco', definitely OC'ed RV770s don't do well with even double slot cooling. Like what originally came up with SuperRV770 specs only cards with water-blocks or pre-fitted WC solutions can tame a RV770 at 850+ MHz.
Not to mention Most companies wont cover cards that have been modified (aka aftermarket cooling) your best to keep the stock cooler around incase of total failure.
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#28
PCpraiser100
With this extended power usage, you don't really need to risk it all with VoltMods (sorry W1z), especially if you are dealing with a good $300-$400 video card. But personally, I'm still disappointed about the power usage. But not for long, I hope. I am getting rumors in other forums that as referring to the 22nm Phenoms coming in mid/late 09', admins and co-workers from AMD are saying that they've noticed a lot of energy-efficiency in mind to the engineers OUTSIDE of the CPU-engineering department, which is not referring to the upcoming HD 4000 siblings. Could there be an upcoming power-saving revision to the present HD 4000 series, or are they just making more efficient chipsets for the next iPhone revision?:laugh:

As for this card, I;m still very impressed with the voltage. Get a Viva cooler from Coolermaster and you got yourself a $400 overclocking video card that will last for more than 6 months.
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#29
largon
R_1What is the difference in PWM block here PowerColor HD4870 PCS+ and here Powercolor HD 4870 1GB and finally stock here Sapphire HD 4870. Asus are a bunch of greedy people.
There is no difference.
PowerColor HD4870 PCS+ is identical to Powercolor HD 4870 1GB, they're both AMD reference design upgraded from 3 to 4 phase vGPU as the reference board has an option for that.
PCpraiser100(...) I am getting rumors in other forums that as referring to the 22nm Phenoms coming in mid/late 09', (...)
:roll:
No need to worry about AMD 22nm coming in 2009... Try year later than Intel 22nm @ 2012.
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#30
R_1
largonThere is no difference.
PowerColor HD4870 PCS+ is identical to Powercolor HD 4870 1GB, they're both AMD reference design upgraded from 3 to 4 phase vGPU as the reference board has an option for that.
Exactly! That is my point too. Why bothering with this new ASUS "Bottom" HD 4000 series. :laugh:
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#31
blaxez
does this card has the same bios as the asus reference cards? apparently when i flashed mine with the normal reference bios, my card doesn't work anymore.
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#32
maxor1980
Hello everybody i have a big problem, i have buy the eah4870 D5 for my crossfire just the second one, and i have flashed my card and finaly the bios is die. I need the original bios of this card to reflash this one. contact me please.
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#34
maxor1980
Is it for new card 4870 from Asus?
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#35
maxor1980
After flash it's not the good bios, i need the last bios of the new card at page 1 first message.
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