Gainward *Golden Sample* 4850

[Quiksilver]

So... it's a underclocked 4870?

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
So... it's a underclocked 4870?

Stock GPU on a 4870 is 750 Mhz, this card is at 700 MHz. Memory on both is GDDR5 clocked at 3.6 GHz effective. All other specs should be the same between the two. I'd say your description of it being an underclocked 4870 is more accurate than their calling it a 4850.

Breaking the rules just because it can, Gainward has designed and is now preparing the release of a custom Radeon HD 4850 that, instead of the usual GDDR3 memory, makes use of significantly faster GDDR5 chips. Named Radeon HD 4850 GS (Golden Sample) GLH (Goes Like Hell), the upcoming card has a dual-slot cooler 512MB of memory, D-Sub, DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI connectors, a 256-bit memory interface, and CrossFireX support.

Spec wise, the card boasts a 700 MHz GPU (650 MHz stock) and 3600 MHz memory, the same as the Radeon HD 4870. Gainward's HD 4850 512MB GS GLH is expected to hit stores in the next few weeks.

Isn't the GLH (Goes Like Hell) designation already the property of Chrysler and Carroll Shelby?

http://www.allpar.com/omni/GLHS.php

 

[error8]

Yes, it's a 4870 with 50mhz less on the core. Depending on its price, it might worth something.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

I wonder if we'll be able to flash the card to make it think it's a 4870. Would be useful if it costs less and you wanted to CF it with the 4870 you already have.

 

[nosfe]

the thing is, this isn't a downclocked 4870, it's an overclocked 4850 with gddr5. Gainward would be stupid to sell a downclocked 4870 and call it 4850

 

[mmnno]

Originally posted by: Creig


Isn't the GLH (Goes Like Hell) designation already the property of Chrysler and Carroll Shelby?

http://www.allpar.com/omni/GLHS.php

Gainward's been using it for at least two years now, so probably not.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: nosfe
Gainward would be stupid to sell a downclocked 4870 and call it 4850

Not really, because this 4850 will probably cost just a bit less then a normal 4870 512mb.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: nosfe
the thing is, this isn't a downclocked 4870, it's an overclocked 4850 with gddr5. Gainward would be stupid to sell a downclocked 4870 and call it 4850

Stranger things have happened. MSI took overstock X1800XT's, flashed them with a 500/500 bios and sold them as less expensive X1800XL's.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=463155

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I miss having Gainward as an option here. I remember way back when they essentially did the same thing to a GeForce 2 Pro in giving it the faster memory chips generally reserved for the GeForce 2 Ultra.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Gainward...return of the king!

early benchies.

 

[imported_Ivan244]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
Gainward...return of the king!

early benchies.

Interesting, the article states that the memory for this card is GDDR3, whereas other articles are specifically mentioning GDDR5. Wonder if Gainward reworked the card for release across the pond?

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: Creig

Stranger things have happened. MSI took overstock X1800XT's, flashed them with a 500/500 bios and sold them as less expensive X1800XL's.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=463155

So this new card may be enough to blow the 4870 out of the water? Maybe ati is on a roll.... :beer:

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: Creig

Stranger things have happened. MSI took overstock X1800XT's, flashed them with a 500/500 bios and sold them as less expensive X1800XL's.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=463155

So this new card may be enough to blow the 4870 out of the water? Maybe ati is on a roll.... :beer:

did you miss the part where the GPU, despite being overclocked, is 50MHz slower than a 4870?

Essentially, what Gainward really is doing is creating 4870s using chips intended for 4850s.

Because the chips between a 4870 and 4850 are essentially identical (other than clock rate), the only thing that truly separates the cards is GDDR5.

The reality of the situation is that Gainward has created something more along the lines of a 4860 or 4870LE than a 4850.

 

[ronnn]

Guess I missed the part where the 4850 chip was different from the 4870.

 

[Leyawiin]

I have no idea what prices are like in Gainward's markets, but it would make no sense in the US. The price on an HD 4870 is so reasonable I'm sure a premium HD 4850 wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Originally posted by: Leyawiin
I have no idea what prices are like in Gainward's markets, but it would make no sense in the US. The price on an HD 4870 is so reasonable I'm sure a premium HD 4850 wouldn't be worth it.

+1

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Guess I missed the part where the 4850 chip was different from the 4870.

Still is weird how you jumped to a "blow the 4870 out of the water" conclusion. The memory is supposedly the same GDDR5 in 256bit configuration, so there is no bandwidth advantage. The only significant difference remaining is in the GPU. While they might be physically identical (same number of shaders, TMUs, ROPs, etc), the 4850 runs @ 625MHz and the 4870 runs @ 750MHz.

Now, Gainward is overclocking the 4850 to 700MHz, so it is closing the gap on a 4870, but it is obviously still slower...yet you throw out the notion that it might somehow blow a 4870 out of the water? Seriously? Hopefully you meant it in terms of a delusional price/performance fantasy, which you can put to rest right now as there will be no way a 4850 OC w/ GDDR5 will be priced the same as standard 4850s.

Originally posted by: Leyawiin
I have no idea what prices are like in Gainward's markets, but it would make no sense in the US. The price on an HD 4870 is so reasonable I'm sure a premium HD 4850 wouldn't be worth it.

yup, the cheapest 4850s are averaging around $120-130 and the cheapest 4870s are around $150-160. That would mean an overclocked 4850 with GDDR5 would have a very narrow price niche to fill. If it could be priced close to ordinary 4850s, then it would cannibalize 4870 sales. Price it too close to (or above) the 4870 and you might as well buy an actual 4870...

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: ronnn
So this new card may be enough to blow the 4870 out of the water?

No, it's basically just a 4870 with the GPU clocked at 700 MHz instead of 750 MHz. So it should actually be a tad slower than a 4870.

As others have pointed out, it's hard to imagine why Gainward is coming out with this particular customization so late in the 4850's lifespan. If they had done this in the beginning, it might have sold in large quantities. Right now, however, there are so many 4850/4870 models out there that the chances of this being a huge seller are slim.

The only thing I can think of is that since they're calling it a 4850 they can get around any MSRP issues and price it near the 4850s even though its performance level is practically at 4870 levels. If its street price ends up being near the other 4850s, then it might do pretty good.

 

[MarcVenice]

Palit slipped up and showed a HD4850 with gddr5 on their website, which got removed pretty fast. Right now there's boxart of this card, saying HD4850 with gddr5. It's making no sense if you ask me. Right now, the regular HD 4850 GS is selling for 150ish euro's in Holland, although you could grab a HD4870 512mb for 155 euro's Weird times...

 

[Qbah]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Palit slipped up and showed a HD4850 with gddr5 on their website, which got removed pretty fast. Right now there's boxart of this card, saying HD4850 with gddr5. It's making no sense if you ask me. Right now, the regular HD 4850 GS is selling for 150ish euro's in Holland, although you could grab a HD4870 512mb for 155 euro's Weird times...

Tell me about it... I mean all the lower cards don't really make any sense now. Why oh why would you get a HD4650, HD4670 (unless for a HTPC), HD4830 or a HD4850 if for 150? you can get a HD4870...

It's either get a passive HD4350, a HD4870 or a HD4870x2 if you're into ATi. Or a passive 9400, GTX260 or a GTX285 if you're more into nVidia. Or the GTX295 if you want to best available no matter what. The other models make no sense at all with the current prices.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Maybe they're just going after the easy targets? Those people who think 4870 and immediately assume they're too expensive and don't even really look. So instead they look at 4850s and see one that's halfway between a 4850 and a 4870 and think it's perfect for them. Not realizing, of course, that it's going to cost them exactly what they'd pay for a full 4870 anyway.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Maybe they're just going after the easy targets? Those people who think 4870 and immediately assume they're too expensive and don't even really look. So instead they look at 4850s and see one that's halfway between a 4850 and a 4870 and think it's perfect for them. Not realizing, of course, that it's going to cost them exactly what they'd pay for a full 4870 anyway.

Really? I don't see an enthusiast who is shopping around for 4850/4870 slip up like but then again, I may have too much faith in consumers/gamers

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: ronnn
So this new card may be enough to blow the 4870 out of the water?

No, it's basically just a 4870 with the GPU clocked at 700 MHz instead of 750 MHz. So it should actually be a tad slower than a 4870.

As others have pointed out, it's hard to imagine why Gainward is coming out with this particular customization so late in the 4850's lifespan. If they had done this in the beginning, it might have sold in large quantities. Right now, however, there are so many 4850/4870 models out there that the chances of this being a huge seller are slim.

The only thing I can think of is that since they're calling it a 4850 they can get around any MSRP issues and price it near the 4850s even though its performance level is practically at 4870 levels. If its street price ends up being near the other 4850s, then it might do pretty good.

Actually I was thinking about the 4970 or whatever it is supposed to be. I must be obtuse.