Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > ATI > Is it worthwhile to upgrade to HD4870 from HD3870?

Is it worthwhile to upgrade to HD4870 from HD3870?

Forum Graphic & Displays : ATI - Is it worthwhile to upgrade to HD4870 from HD3870?

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zpyrd   07-25-2008 at 05:20:05 PM

Is it worthwhile to upgrade to HD4870 512MB from HD3870 512MB?
Would there be tangable performance improvements?

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Kaldor   07-25-2008 at 05:25:23 PM
- 0 +

Yes. The 4870 is far faster than a 3870 and faster than a 3870x2 the majority of the time.

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njalterio   07-25-2008 at 05:26:01 PM
- 0 +

I was wondering the same thing. I've been doing some searching around on the web and it seems 3870 CF will out perform a 4850, but hang below a 4870. If possible get a second 3870 for best price/performance. Otherwise a 4870 is definitely a big step up.

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homerdog   07-25-2008 at 05:27:44 PM
- 0 +

zpyrd wrote :

Is it worthwhile to upgrade to HD4870 512MB from HD3870 512MB?
Would there be tangable performance improvements?


Hell yes!

Reply to homerdog
dirtmountain   07-25-2008 at 05:29:39 PM
- 1 +

Depends what you're doing with it. If your gaming is just fine, then not worth it, if you're lagging or have everything turned down to play your games, then yes it's a serious bump. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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rafer   07-25-2008 at 10:42:36 PM
- 0 +

I think dirtmountain hit it on the nail - depends on what you're doing with it.

Also, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but it REALLY depends on the rest of your system. Presumably you won't be bottlenecked elsewhere - in which case a 4870 would be an excellent upgrade over a 3870.

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aznguy0028   07-25-2008 at 10:52:32 PM
- 0 +

yea i agree with dirt also. if you want to just upgrade to have the latest and best, i wouldn't do it from a 3870. if your card is still good, keep it.

i was actually thinking about the same thing myself, from a 3870x2 to a 4780x2 but i decided it was a waste of money as my x2 will still serve me well for at least another year.

i'm probably going to wait for the R800 before i upgrade again...

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speedbird   07-25-2008 at 11:37:49 PM
- 0 +

Better performance yes, but worthwhile well that's debatable. I wouldn't call it a Huge step up though.

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zpyrd   08-02-2008 at 04:17:18 AM
- 0 +

Got the Sapphire HD4870 512MB.
It's heavy, too long and runs hot. Had to remove front intake fan to install the card. The card with the power connectors is wider than an atx motherboard. I don't understand why they didn't place the power connectors on the top of the card.
I can't imagine what the size and weight of the HD4870x2 card will be.

------------------------------ Doctor Hooter
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AdioKIP   08-02-2008 at 02:41:41 PM
- 0 +

Search the forums. The 48xx series drivers have a fan issue where the fan idles at 10% and doesnt ramp up properly. If you haven't done the fan trick yet your idle temps are probably about 80 and having to remove the front fan in your case isn't gonna help this as you now have decreased airflow in your system. Search around for the fan trick that is done thru a catalyst profile and that should help with the cooling. I have a few profiles setup, 30% for regular use, 40% for multi-tasking and light gpu use, 60% for crossfire gaming. My idles are down to the 50's and max temps are around 80's instead of over 99 like when I first got my 4850.


Message edited by AdioKIP on 08-02-2008 at 02:42:41 PM
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samuraiblade   08-02-2008 at 03:13:04 PM
- 0 +

also check my post regarding bios flash so profiles arent needed , use at your own risk though.

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pcnazz   08-03-2008 at 03:39:51 AM
- 0 +

zpyrd wrote :

Is it worthwhile to upgrade to HD4870 512MB from HD3870 512MB?
Would there be tangable performance improvements?


all day everyday ! I did it and the performance difference is insane !!! good move , good luck

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zpyrd   08-04-2008 at 08:53:43 AM
- 0 +

I'm lucky that my case temperature and cpu temperature have not been affected by removing the front intake fan to install the HD4870.

My HD4870 hasn't gone beyond 80C. When I boot up it's at 70C and after five minutes the card hits 80C and remains at 80 unless there is fast high load it will peak, fan speed ramps up and temp returns to 80C.

Using GPU-Z to monitor temp.

I have an Asus True Power Trio revision B 550W power supply. The HD4870 is so power hungry it's made my cpu and memory overclock unstable. I've had to return to stock cpu and memory speed until I pick up another powersupply. I'm using an X48 motherboard with a QX9650 cpu.

When I can I'm going to get a larger ATX case so I can have the push pull fan system and a higher output powersupply.

I'm satisfied I bought the Sapphire HD4870 video card. But I am disappointed I couldn't get the card edition that comes with the bonus 2GB memory stick, Power Cinema DVD, Cyberlink software and benchmark software.

I did check out the BIOS flash for fan control and making user profiles in CCC. I didn't make any changes since everything seems ok at the moment except for the powersupply that can't manage my system's power demand.
I'm hoping AMD/ATI include a fan control option in the forthcoming 8.8 driver/CCC later this month.

------------------------------ Doctor Hooter
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