XFX HD 4890 XXX 1GB PCIe Graphics Card
Conclusion
Published: 2nd April 2009 | Source: XFX | Price: £240.00 |
Pre-Overclocked cards rarely impress me as the benefits they give are not something I value and are also usually no different than a stock card apart from the BIOS clocks. This is true to some extent of the XFX card, a 50MHz increase in GPU speed from a stock 850MHz is certainly nothing to shout from the rooftops about but when you consider that this card is no more expensive than a reference card from one of the traditional ATI top tier partners AND it includes a fresh new quality game it becomes a no brainer about which card the money should go on.
The packaging of the XFX 4890XXX, while frustrating to open up, was very original and sets itself apart from the plain old rectangular packages we are all familiar with. The contents were secure though and should reach you in perfect condition. I would like to see some foam padding as an extra safety measure for the card but this is a minor issue that can easily be resolved.
The card is of a reference design, simply with an XFX sticker placed on the GPU cooler, over the top of the reference sticker. Obviously the BIOS has been tweaked but other than that there are no differences between this card and a card from any other manufacturer basing their product on the ATI reference design. This is perhaps my major gripe with the XFX card in that I would like something a little different, something to separate the card from all the others that are soon to hit the shelves. Maybe a black PCB, or maybe use a (shock) different colour cooler. Anything to distinguish a XXX card from a bog standard card would be better appreciated.
Nit picking aside, there is no doubting that the XFX 4890XXX is a step in the right direction for ATI and a damn fine example from XFX. While it may struggle to take the single GPU crown from the GTX285, it will certainly provide some stiff competition to the GTX275, the card it is inevitably going to be compared against. £10 more expensive than a reference card is small change when you consider you are getting a decent game and a pre-overclocked card. So, for someone looking to mix it with the big boys at a wallet friendly price then the XFX 4890XXX fits the bill very nicely.
The Good
- Overclocking performance
- Pre overclocked card
- Included Game (HAWX)
- Comprehensive accessories
The Mediocre
- No difference in looks from a stock card
The Bad
- Fan noise
Thanks to XFX for providing the HD4890XXX card for todays review. Discuss in our forums.
Most Recent Comments
Nice review!
Might want to check the spelling of hawx as you seem to have it as hawkx. On the last page and first.
Might want to check the spelling of hawx as you seem to have it as hawkx. On the last page and first.
Sorted ta
What a strange shape box...
Still nothing groundbreaking. It's getting to the stage where it might just be worth £200 to upgrade form the 8800 series...
Still nothing groundbreaking. It's getting to the stage where it might just be worth £200 to upgrade form the 8800 series...
nice review!Wish I could afford to upgrade,as Ham says these cards look to be a good upgrade from the 8800's.Did you try these cards in crossfire?I have just read over at tpu that in crossfire they blow away almost everything,can you confirm?
Looks at 4870's and crys, still not used them and now I want these AARRRGGGHHH
Nice review dude.... whats your address again?
Nice review dude.... whats your address again?
Crossfire review will be coming very soon but I got a couple of other fish to fry first. I'll be testing them out asap as it might just top topple the GTX295/4870x2.
My address is of a national security issue I'm afraid
My address is of a national security issue I'm afraid
OMG, 1000 core 1200 mem, that is imprassive. these hd4890's walk all over the gtx 275 for bang per buck, and at this oc the perform on the par with a gtx285! wow.
All i need now is a x48 mobo and xfire a pair of these and spin them at 1000mhz core, that would be sweet.
All i need now is a x48 mobo and xfire a pair of these and spin them at 1000mhz core, that would be sweet.
I still think that its worth waiting for the 5800 range, these are basicaly overclocked die shrunk 4870's. Still if you are in the market to buy now then these can be had pretty cheap 
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='cl0ck_ed'
OMG, 1000 core 1200 mem, that is imprassive. these hd4890's walk all over the gtx 275 for bang per buck, and at this oc the perform on the par with a gtx285! wow.
All i need now is a x48 mobo and xfire a pair of these and spin them at 1000mhz core, that would be sweet. |
XFX are giving a price of £240, which I'd take as an rrp, undoubtably the online competitors would look to discount that a bit. Some £34 by Scan's standard.
I look at Scan, and their hottest selling GTX285 from ASUS is £240.
Appreciating that the stock 4890 from XFX is £140 at Scan, which is what I'd expect, and they sell their cheapest in-stock GTX275 for £178. How much bang for buck u get for physx, I dunno.
What exactly is going on here with this XXX edition ? From a stock card £140 to a XXX edition is some £66 ? For an OC ur driverset can give u and a standard cooler.
I would hope XFX are not overpricing these deliberately, as it's not the addition to the AMD family their fans would expect.
Great review, good card, overpriced in comparison to it's own range imo.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'
Appreciating that the stock 4890 from XFX is £140 at Scan, which is what I'd expect, and they sell their cheapest in-stock GTX275 for £178. How much bang for buck u get for physx, I dunno. What exactly is going on here with this XXX edition ? From a stock card £140 to a XXX edition is some £66 ? For an OC ur driverset can give u and a standard cooler. |
Now that really is a weird situation, £160 for the 1Ghz with HAWX.
£206 for the 900Mhz "slower" card.
Have a feeling the black edition isn't going to be restocked tho. But seriously a slower card, £46 more ? XFX's logic is what ?
£206 for the 900Mhz "slower" card.
Have a feeling the black edition isn't going to be restocked tho. But seriously a slower card, £46 more ? XFX's logic is what ?
I've purposely bumped this as I was just looking at Scan's line-up of GTX285 cards with a colleague.
XFX have a XXX 285, 670Mhz, priced £252 - and a 648Mhz priced @ £282.
Something smells.
They going eol with older, quicker cards, and bringing newer slower lines for £30/50 more ? If I were a journalist I'd be asking XFX some serious questions.
XFX have a XXX 285, 670Mhz, priced £252 - and a 648Mhz priced @ £282.
Something smells.
They going eol with older, quicker cards, and bringing newer slower lines for £30/50 more ? If I were a journalist I'd be asking XFX some serious questions.
isn't it scan pricing not xfx? xfx must have madfe loads of the quicker cards to sell them for a cheaper price than the slower
As above, I would think that this was scans pricing not XFX.
I'll see if I can get hold of XFX to get their take on it although I can tell you they will not comment on there distributers pricing strategies.
I'll see if I can get hold of XFX to get their take on it although I can tell you they will not comment on there distributers pricing strategies.
ive just got my 4890 xxx to 1Ghz core clock,and regarding Scan priceing they have always done crazy things like this its best to go instore sometimes as when i got my old AMD dualcore it was was on todayonly for £65 i whent instore and got it for £40 crazy aye
The box look really good
CSS Valid
http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/artic...205649673s.jpg
XFX HD 4890 XXX 1GB PCIe Graphics Card