HD 4870 resource and discussion thread.

[alexgheseger]

This thread is intended to be a "one-stop shop" for all the info you may need regarding the new 4870's. Please post if you have anything you want added, as this is very much a work in progress.

Table Of Contents
1.1 - Aftermarket Cooling Compatibility
1.2 - How to: Flash your 4870
1.3 - How to: Fix your fan speed
1.4 - Useful Threads


1.1 Aftermarket Cooling Compatibility
*Since the 4870, and the 3870 have the same mount hole spacing, any aftermarket coolers that work with the 3870 should work with the 4870

Air
Thermalright V2
NOTE: You will need additional heat sinks for the voltage regulators on the front of the card.

Thermalright HR-03 GT


Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 Rev. 2
NOTE: you will need to buy an additional heatsink for the voltage regulators at the front of the card, as one is not included with the Accelero.

The Thermaltake DuOrb will fit, but it is not recommended, since the heat load from the 4870 is too much for it to handle.

Zalman GV1000
Idle temp - 49.7 C, Load temp. - 66 C
A complete review can be found here

Water
Swiftech MCW60
DD Maze 4

1.2 How To: Flash your 4870. (thanks to kkbob33, who originally posted this guide here)

*TURN OFF OVERDRIVE BEFORE FLASHING.

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- go here and download the bios: http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/152/images/4870.bin

- Next you will need Radeon Bios Editor v1.12 to tweak the bios: http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads...tor_v1.12.html

- And finally you need Winflash 2.0.1.2 to flash the card: http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads...h_2.0.1.2.html[/SIZE]

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-Open up the Radeon Bios Editor and open up the downloaded bios file.

I set my clocks for 840/1000 but i had to back it down to 815/1000 until i get the nerve to up the voltage. I noticed minor hiccups if the memory wasnt all the same so i settled for 1000 on the memory, not wanting to burn it out by running it higher constantly.




heres a picture of the fan settings

.


-Save the Bios.

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Now all that's needed is to flash the card.

-Open up ATIwinflash and load the Image(bios).

- Program the image. Restart.

1.3 How to: Alter your fan speed in Catalyst control center

First, save a profile in Catalyst control center.

Then, once you have made a profile in catalyst (after turning on Overdrive)
Navigate to C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Local\ATI\ACE \ProfileName.XML.

Then, search for this bit of data.

<Feature name="FanSpeedAlgorithm_0">
<Property name="FanSpeedAlgorithm" value="Manual" />
</Feature>
<Feature name="FanSpeedRPMTarget_0">
<Property name="Want" value="0" />
</Feature>
<Feature name="FanSpeedPercentTarget_0">
<Property name="Want" value="15-100" />

Change the value to "manual" and Want value to any number between 15-100. This will be the percentage that the fan runs at.

Save the file, and then reload your profile. You will notice the fan speed pick up, depending on how you set the speed.

NOTE: for crossfire users, you will need to edit the seperate values for core 0 and core 1. Just locate the second iteration of the above data, and set the same parameters, and you'll be set.

1.4 Useful Threads
4870/50 3dmark06 results

Big list o' thank you's
Thanks to robilar for a veritable cornucopia of information regarding aftermarket air cooling.
Thanks to jpark59 for his review of the Zalman GV1000's

[headcrabcake]

the accelero rev 2 needs a heat sink for those voltage regulator things (which don't come with the accelero) i thought you might just want to put that in as people will need to buy a heat sink for the Voltage regulators

[alexgheseger]

Originally Posted by headcrabcake

the accelero rev 2 needs a heat sink for those voltage regulator things (which don't come with the accelero) i thought you might just want to put that in as people will need to buy a heat sink for the Voltage regulators

Thanks . Please keep the suggestions coming in, I will add them ASAP.

[coltsrock]

Well bump for kick ass cards

[alexgheseger]

I'd like to include a little info on a 4870 volt mod, but i'm too much of a pansy to do it to my cards, and the info i've found on it so far is pretty sparse. If someone has any expertise with these kind of things, I'd appreciate it if you either shot me a PM with a little guide, or posted it up here.

Of course, credit will be given where it is due .

[Chosen]

The 4870 will be my upgrade from my ole' x1900xt. I'll be picking up a corsair 750w powersupply and 2x2gb kit of ram


I've done a bit of digging and it seems the 4850-4870 have the same mounting spacing as the x1900 series, thus, I can stick my vf-900cu on it!

[Robilar]

Alex, I picked up a pair of Thermalright V2's to mount on my cards (which i will be doing this week).

Would this be an appropriate thread to post pics and results?

[alexgheseger]

Originally Posted by Robilar

Alex, I picked up a pair of Thermalright V2's to mount on my cards (which i will be doing this week).

Would this be an appropriate thread to post pics and results?

It does say discussion thread doesn't it? . I'd actually appreciate it, we could use some concrete results of our own

Any 4870 pr0n is fine by me...

[Robilar]

Here is a neat pic


From an air cooling perspective, what fits:

Accelero S1 (although there are reports that the VRM's are not adequately cooled by the accelero fan)

The Zalman GV1000 or VF1000 (jpark59 has a set on his cards. send him a PM for pics and results)

Thermaltake Duorbs fit but again, they are apparently underpowered for the 4870 (but work well on the 4850). I ran into the same issue with my set of Duorbs. They were great on 8800GT but couldn't hold up with the 8800GTS.

Thermalright V2 fits fine and performs well but you need an extra set of mosfet sinks to cover the VRM's.


BTW, the Thermalright HR-03 GT cannot be used in a set crossfire (at least not with a fan on it). The HR-03 GT uses 3 frickin slots with a fan mounted. On the top card in a crossfire setup this is an issue. For the bottom card given where the bottom PCI-E 2.0 slot is, it could bang into something (like the bottom of the case or bottom mounted power supply). I bought one for an SLI setup and ended up returning it for the same issue.

[headcrabcake]

Originally Posted by Robilar

Here is a neat pic


From an air cooling perspective, what fits:

Accelero S1 (although there are reports that the VRM's are not adequately cooled by the accelero fan)

The Zalman GV1000 or VF1000 (jpark59 has a set on his cards. send him a PM for pics and results)

Thermaltake Duorbs fit but again, they are apparently underpowered for the 4870 (but work well on the 4850). I ran into the same issue with my set of Duorbs. They were great on 8800GT but couldn't hold up with the 8800GTS.

Thermalright V2 fits fine and performs well but you need an extra set of mosfet sinks to cover the VRM's.


BTW, the Thermalright HR-03 GT cannot be used in a set crossfire (at least not with a fan on it). The HR-03 GT uses 3 frickin slots with a fan mounted. On the top card in a crossfire setup this is an issue. For the bottom card given where the bottom PCI-E 2.0 slot is, it could bang into something (like the bottom of the case or bottom mounted power supply). I bought one for an SLI setup and ended up returning it for the same issue.

not even if you mount the HR-03 so it goes around the 4870?
i thought that would work

i dunno about the space for the fan though matters on how far apart everything if in your case