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Thread ID: 106733 2010-01-21 05:37:00 Graphics Card Advice hsvman12 (12360) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
850496 2010-01-21 22:51:00 ALL initial batches of 5770/5850/5870 cards used reference PCBs from ATI (made by whichever OEM ATI chose at the time). It wasn't until a month or two down the track that cards with non-reference PCBs where released by the likes of Asus and Giga. pablo d (15490)
850497 2010-01-21 22:55:00 ALL initial batches of 5770/5850/5870 cards used reference PCBs from ATI (made by whichever OEM ATI chose at the time). It wasn't until a month or two down the track that cards with non-reference PCBs where released by the likes of Asus and Giga.

yea agree, Asus and Gigabyte have a history of doing both Reference and there own design as well as selling and buying for re-branding which you said above. 		Battleneter2 (9361)
850498 2010-01-21 23:01:00 It is of course possible that Asus or Giga manufactured some of the reference PCBs in the first place, which is the point that I think pctek is trying to make, however that info isn't made public AFAIK. pablo d (15490)
850499 2010-01-21 23:24:00 It is of course possible that Asus or Giga manufactured some of the reference PCBs in the first place, which is the point that I think pctek is trying to make, however that info isn't made public AFAIK.

Agree, this is all commercial information, as i said tough to know who makes what, we know about the 8800 series as Nvidia did release that info, Asus and gigabyte as you probably know had early reference cards, its easy to connect the dots...

pctek thinking Asus and gigabyte make "all" there own cards and therefore better quality is misguided, thats really it. 		Battleneter2 (9361)
850500 2010-01-22 00:17:00 Meanwhile... HSVMAN remember to get a good power supply with that, someone on here will recommend the best brands, im not sure Gobe1 (6290)
850501 2010-01-22 03:32:00 pctek thinking Asus and gigabyte make "all" there own cards and therefore better quality is misguided, thats really it.

Right when you have done banging about the a rather old 8800 series. Go read some of your pet reviews istes articles. Like:

Asus “Republic of Gamers” Mars limited edition graphics card.
Asustek estimates that its Mars graphics card that belongs to the Republic of Gamers family of premium products offers 23% higher performance compared to the reference [card].

I will allow you the fact that some are ameneded but certainly not all. Nor does that mean it doesn't matter what you buy.

I noted a wide variation in warranty even for the elderly 8800 series cards when they came out.
Being all the same with different labels on them should mean they all have the same warranty right?

Wrong.

I know which ones I'll stick with and that will remain Gigabyte and ASUS unless they suddenly screwup and go downhill in the future. 		pctek (84)
850502 2010-01-22 05:50:00 Thanks for the information, it's been an interesting read.

I'll definitely go with the 4890, the clear message for me is to get one with at least a 2 year warranty (but preferably a 3 year one).

According to pricespy, Gigabyte have these versions:
Gigabyte Radeon HD4890 Dual-DVI 1GB $285 (pricespy.co.nz)
Gigabyte Radeon HD4890 OC HDMI DisplayPort 1GB $294 (although it's $325 from a company who has it in stock) (pricespy.co.nz)
Gigabyte Radeon HD4890 Ultra Durable HDMI DisplayPort 1GB ($306 - but not in stock) (pricespy.co.nz)

And Asus have:
Asus Radeon EAH4890/HTDI/1GD5 1GB $336 (although $359 for the one in stock) (pricespy.co.nz)
Asus Radeon EAH4890 TOP/HTDI/1GD5 1GB $379 (but none in stock)

They also have the one that PC World recommends made by XFX:
XFX Radeon HD4890 XXX Dual-DVI 1GB $319 ($369 in stock) (pricespy.co.nz)
XFX Radeon HD4890 Dual-DVI 1GB $336 (pricespy.co.nz)

I don't know what the difference between these. Which one would you recommend? I'm leaning towards the first gigabyte one (subject to it having a 3 year warranty).

Also, will my 520w power supply not handle this? If not, what wattage will I need?

Thanks 		hsvman12 (12360)
850503 2010-01-22 07:39:00 I'm leaning towards the first gigabyte one (subject to it having a 3 year warranty).

Also, will my 520w power supply not handle this? If not, what wattage will I need?



Gigabyte is fine, go for it.
As for the PSU it all depends on what brand it is.
Many cheap PSU makers cheat on wattage, not to mention the quality of components used in them. 		pctek (84)
850504 2010-01-23 00:29:00 All I can track down re my PSU is: 520W ATX V2.0 Power Supply (20+4pin Design), Single 120mm fan, PCI-Express ready. Will this support the 4890?

Does anyone know what this card is like XFX Radeon HD4890 Dual-DVI 1GB (pricespy.co.nz)? 		hsvman12 (12360)
850505 2010-01-24 19:34:00 I wouldn't risk using a brand-unknown 520W PSU for any new PC with any higher-end components (like the i5 and 4890).

As for the graphics cards... for Asus, the TOP editions are higher-spec. Ditto XFX and their XXX editions. Both are often, but not always, above standard clockspeed. Gigabyte's OC editions are above standard clockspeed, and their UD editions are higher spec components but not necessarily any higher performing (but often longer lasting, or more tolerant of user overclocking).

Personally I'd get the Asus HD4890 TOP but, I tend to go with Asus first for graphics cards... just always had good experience from them myself, moreso than any other brand. 		inphinity (7274)
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