Asus announces non-reference HD 4870 with 4+2 phase power module
It’s two month since RV770 announcement, and many manufacturers introduce their non-reference HD 4850. However, there are still seldom HD4870s with non-reference design for the GDDR5 memory. So it’s happy to see one more non-reference HD4870 comes out, and it’s from Asus.
As the pics show, Asus redesigns the power module. They replace the original 3+2 phase design with 4+2. This feature is the same as the Powercolor HD 4870 PCS+.
Other features include all-solid phase capacitor design and Qimonda 512MB GDDR5(the same as a reference HD 4870). The card runs at 750/900MHz(Core/Memory).
Unfortunately, what might be anxious is the cooling system. No mention the weak-looking GPU cooler, the heatsink on the powering mosfets is too small. Since many dates show temperature of the power module can be up to 110+, Asus should pay more attention to it.
source: stcom.co.kr
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Due to the controversy that has been spread lately about HD4870’s VRM heat and its disipation, I think it deserves a roundup between stock desing and cooling and the non reference ones (Palit/Gainward, PowerColor/Club3D, Asus and Force3D)
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
When you do this I think you should include aftermarket coolers too!
I currently use a ref HD 4850 and it runs hot too. The problem is that the fan (on auto fan speed) lets the GPU get incredibly hot before increasing the RPM’s.
It runs at about 69(!) degrees celcius in idle… So I’m seriously considering an aftermarket cooler for this GPU.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I was so happy to hear AMD/ATI made such wonderfull cards, but when i saw the Temps they are getting I was a bit worried. probably will have to buy both the card and the aftermak cooler together so the card donΒ΄t fry itself.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I’m gonna buy an HD4870 + aftermarket cooler for the GPU. But what bothers me is the VRM, and that’s why it would be nice to see a roundup testing these non-reference VRM designs as this is where the difference will be.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
to pepelu:
VGA cooler roundup(include TRAD2/Twin turbo)
http://www.expreview.com/topic/2008-09-01/1220265993d9926.html
Chinese version for now
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Thanks for the link XT_@ all I need to know now is if any non-reference VRM design is cooler than the others.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:41 am
How about This PCB temperature comparison.
http://www.expreview.com/topic/2008-09-01/1220265993d9926_36.html
September 4th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Well, they’ve measured the PCB temperature near the VRM, but it isn’t the same… Furthermore, this test is made on a HD4850 not on a HD4870, and then, there would be interesting to have various HD4870 with different VRM design (reference, Palit/Gainward, PowerColor/Club3D, Asus and Force3D) with their stock cooler and with the T-Rad2 which seems to be the best cooler in this round and see what happens.
November 29th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Has anyone tried a water cooling block for this? There are a few i’m looking at but not sure if it would fit properly..
Thanks for any replies.
November 30th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I have a Powercolor HD4870 PCS+ and it’s got a very similar power design (although mine has 3 mosfets for each of the GPU’s phases and two for each of the GDDR’s) and the VRM section runs quite cool.
I have a thermal probe in there and it runs hot only with Furmark, when i game it’s around 65C now that i have the TR T-Rad, it was a little bit hotter when i still had the “stock” cooler on, about 70-72C.
The Mosfwts are usually rated for over 120C temperatures so i guess it’s a good design.
This is with a 800/1000 overclock on stock voltages.