Go To Latest Video ReviewsRefine search for Graphics
AMD ATI Radeon HD 4890 Review
| Author | Edward Chester |
| Published | 2nd Apr 2009 |
| Manufacturer | ATI |
| Price | £204.34 (Exc VAT) |
| as reviewed | £234.99 (Inc VAT) |
| Latest Price |
| Features |  |
| Performance | |
| Value |  |
| Overall | |
8 comments
Email
TrustedReviews NewslettersAs mentioned, our review sample is made by XFX but apart from the XFX sticker it is exactly the same as any other HD 4890 so can be considered a reference model. Unfortunately we didn't receive a fully boxed retail sample so we can't vouch for the accessories/extras you get. However, we've been informed that retails versions of the card will include a full copy of the Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X arcade flight sim game. Also included in the box will be a CrossFire bridge, a 6-pin to 4-pin power adapter, DVI to VGA and a DVI to HDMI dongles, an HDTV component adapter, and the all important XFX door hanger. All XFX cards are covered by a two year warranty.
Now, I'm sure most of you are aware that today was also the launch date (though very limited stock is available) for nVidia's new card at this price range, the GeForce GTX 275. Unfortunately, we only received our card this morning so rather than shoehorn the two cards in together for a head to head, we've stuck to our schedule and will compare the HD 4890 to existing cards. Then tomorrow we'll follow up with a full review of the GTX 275 and compare these two very evenly matched cards directly.
As for those existing cards, well there's such a price gap, both above and below, the HD 4870 and GTX 260 that these are really the only major competition for the new HD 4890 so that's what we've kept our comparisons to.
Test System
* Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition
* Asus P6T motherboard
* 3 x 1GB Qimonda IMSH1GU03A1F1C-10F PC3-8500 DDR3 RAM
* 150GB Western Digital Raptor
* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Cards Tested
* ATI HD 4890
* ATI HD 4870
* nVidia GeForce GTX 260
Drivers
* ATI HD 4890 - Beta Driver
* Other ATI cards - Catalyst 9.2
* nVidia cards - 182.08
Games Tested
* Crysis
* Race Driver: GRID
* Call of Duty 4
* Counter-Strike: Source
Newsletters
Register to receive the latest Reviews and News Headlines directly to your Inbox every day, and enter our regular competitions. More Info.
Latest 4 of 8 Comments
Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.
Sean Groarke said on 3rd April 2009
stranded said on 4th April 2009
"...nothing revolutionary enough here to tempt me from my HD3870 :)"
"You do realise even the HD 4870 is significantly faster than the HD 3870?"
<... more
DrkZ said on 17th April 2009
So, whats better; HD 4870 or HD 4890?
Lucian Proctor said on 28th August 2009
Actually, you can reduce the memory clock manually at idle with CCC. It reduces the idle power by about 30 watts.
See all 8 comments on this article.
Add your comment
You must be logged in to comment. Login or register here.
On the one hand I sympathise with the difficulty of getting all the elements of a comparative review lined up, but plenty of other review sites had 4890 versus GTX 275 ready on Day... more