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Graphics Cards

ASUS 4890

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ASUS 4890
 
Performance:
92%
Bundle:
75%
Value:
74%
Build:
85%
84
---
Verdict:
ATI has another great card, that feels just like an overclocked, older one.
 
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By Justin Robinson
Apr 1, 2009 | 15 Comments
Tags: ASUS | 4890 | RV790XT | ATI | AMD

We bench two ASUS 4890s in Crossfire for some straight-out-of-NDA love.

There have been many casualties on both sides during the epic struggle for supremacy between ATI and NVIDIA, with each team sending metaphorical nukes towards the other to gain a foothold.

Performance is king, and the easiest way to do this is with a whole new core - but the 4890 isn't entirely new at all. Is it enough to make a difference, and tip the scales back in ATI's favour?

We're not strangers to these cards either - we've looked at hundreds of them - and even our fair share of 4870 cards.

This isn't about the past however, so read on to see everything new and exciting about this card, if indeed there is anything exciting about it - and make sure you check out our 4890 Disassembly Guide to see what's inside.

 

click to view full size image
4890 fan in motion

 

 
 »
Product Info
Specs:
850MHz core; 975MHz memory (3900 effective); RV790XT core; 800 shader units; 1GBMB GDDR5; 256-bit memory interface; dual slot PCB with active cooling; dual 6-pin PCIe power connector
Supplier:
Price when reviewed:
AUD$520
price check*
$229.00 Asus EAH4890 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E
Umart Online - Melbourne (VIC)
$229.00 Asus EAH4890 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E
UMart Online - QLD (QLD)
$229.00 ASUS 4890 1GB ATI EAH4890 HDMI DVI PCI-E Video Card
MSY (NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, WA)
$229.00 Asus EAH4890 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E
UMart Online - Gold Coast (QLD)
$229.00 Asus EAH4890 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E
UMart Online - Brisbane Southside (QLD)
$229.00 Asus EAH4890-HTDI-1GD5 RADEON 4890, 1G, DDR5, PCIE2.0, 2xDVI, HDTV, HDCP, H...
Centre Com (VIC)
*Products and prices sourced from staticICE and are in no way associated with Atomic MPC Powered by
 
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15 Comments
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
scottath
Apr 2, 2009 4:23 PM
 Very nice card and GREAT crossfire results.
Now....the price :(

Just wondering - can it be crossfired with a HD4870 - if you still have the card can you test that please :)

scottath
TheFrunj
Apr 2, 2009 4:39 PM
 While I don't have ~those~ cards any more, I do have some other 4890's knocking about the Labs that I can test, when I get some spare time :)

-JR
scottath
Apr 2, 2009 4:51 PM
 other cards...2 there in the review - how many have you laid eyes on lol...i want your job....

When you can - much appreciated
MagnumXY
Apr 2, 2009 5:38 PM
 This is madness...
Madness?
THIS IS CROSSFYAH!!!!
Fat_Bodybuilder
Apr 3, 2009 10:13 PM
 $500 for such a small benefit over the 4870 just isn't worth it IMO. It's a great card, no doubt, but I would rather get a 4870 or wait.

If the price does come down and you're building a new system, the this would be a really good card to go with.
AIMBOT
Apr 6, 2009 12:11 PM
 You can get them for $400 at IT Estate, $40 cheaper than a I paid for my 4870 two weeks ago! /tear
vvulture
Apr 6, 2009 8:17 PM
 Can you guys post the specs of the test rig ?
SquallStrife
Apr 9, 2009 8:56 PM
 Comforting to know that the $700 I spent on the 4870X2 hasn't been flushed to obsolete-land quite yet. :)
Electr0
Apr 10, 2009 7:35 PM
 +1 to SquallStrife

Also: How does that work?
The 4890 single molestered the 4870X2 in Crysis, but the 4870X2 chopped up in just about everything else?
cameron-mc
Apr 18, 2009 6:23 PM
 Does anyone know the test rig used in this?
Olly89
May 4, 2009 10:25 AM
 Defiantly not worth the money a couple of hundred $ over I'd say.
osama_bin_athlon
Jul 1, 2009 7:39 PM
 Electr0, the scores shown for 4870X2 and 4870 weren't made with an i7 rig
;)
Darkmind
Oct 15, 2009 1:38 AM
 Hey guys, Does anyone know if my Cooler Master UCP 700W would be up to the job of running the 4890's in Crossfire?
TheFrunj
Oct 15, 2009 11:07 AM
 Darkmind, definitely capable of running that tech without a hitch.
Darkmind
Oct 15, 2009 8:52 PM
 Thanks TheFrunj!
+1 ;)
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