Is the ATI Radeon HD 4870 Still a Gaming Beast in 2021?
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- GPU Specifications
- Unboxing the ATI Radeon HD 4870
- Cleaning and Reassembling the Card
- Examining the Cooling System
- Installation and Driver Setup
- Benchmark Results
- Userbenchmark
- Heaven Benchmark
- Performancetest
- Game Performance testing
- Minecraft
- Roblox
- Freddy Fazbears Pizzeria Simulator
- Ultimate Custom Night
- Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Bus Simulator 12
- CSGO
- BeamNG Drive
- Pc Building Simulator
- Fortnite
- GTA 5
- Overclocking Attempts
- Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Testing the ATI Radeon HD 4870 in 2021: Is It Still Worth It?
In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the performance of the ATI Radeon HD 4870, a graphics card released back in 2008, and evaluating its usability in today's gaming landscape. The HD 4870 was based on the TeraScale architecture and boasted some impressive specifications for its time. With its clock speed of 800MHz, 512MB of GDDR5 VRAM, and support for up to DirectX 10, it was once considered a powerful GPU. However, as technology has advanced, the question arises: Can this aging graphics card still hold its ground?
Introduction
The ATI Radeon HD 4870 was a mid-range graphics card that garnered a lot of attention upon its release in 2008. Priced at around €20 in the used market today, it may seem like an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. However, before making a purchase, it is important to thoroughly evaluate its performance and compatibility with modern games.
GPU Specifications
Before diving into the performance benchmarks, let's take a quick look at the key specifications of the ATI Radeon HD 4870. The card features a core clock speed of 800MHz and 512MB of GDDR5 VRAM clocked at 950MHz. It has 800 shading units, 40 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 16 render output units (ROPs). With these specifications, the HD 4870 was considered to be a competitive graphics card in its prime.
Unboxing the ATI Radeon HD 4870
To begin our evaluation, let's start with unboxing the ATI Radeon HD 4870. Although this card was acquired as a used item, it arrived in good condition, thanks to careful packaging. As a result, there were no visible signs of damage caused by the shipping process. Following the unboxing process, it was evident that the card would require some maintenance, including replacing the thermal paste.
Cleaning and Reassembling the Card
After assessing the condition of the ATI Radeon HD 4870, it became apparent that cleaning and reassembling the card was necessary. By thoroughly cleaning the GPU and applying fresh thermal paste, we aimed to ensure optimal heat dissipation and prevent any potential performance issues caused by overheating.
Examining the Cooling System
One of the crucial components in any graphics card is its cooling system. In the case of the ATI Radeon HD 4870, it utilized a fan for cooling purposes. Throughout the testing process, we monitored the temperature of the card and found that it consistently remained below 73 degrees Celsius, showcasing the effectiveness of the cooling mechanism.
Installation and Driver Setup
With the ATI Radeon HD 4870 cleaned and reassembled, it was time to integrate it into our testing system. The testing system consisted of an Intel Core i7 3770k processor, 12GB of DDR3 RAM, and an ASUS Sabertooth Z77 motherboard. Following the physical installation of the card, the next step involved installing the appropriate drivers. Fortunately, this process proved to be smooth and hassle-free.
Benchmark Results
To assess the performance of the ATI Radeon HD 4870, we conducted a series of benchmarks. These tests provided valuable insights into the card's capabilities and allowed us to compare its performance against established industry standards.
Userbenchmark
The first benchmark we ran was Userbenchmark, which measures the performance of both the CPU and GPU. This benchmark revealed that the CPU performance was below expectations, while the GPU performance exceeded expectations, showcasing the potential of the ATI Radeon HD 4870 even in 2021.
Heaven Benchmark
Moving on, we utilized the Heaven Benchmark to evaluate the card's graphical capabilities. With an average FPS of 24.8 and a score of 625, the HD 4870 demonstrated its ability to handle demanding graphical workloads.
Performancetest
Lastly, we conducted the Performancetest, which focuses specifically on the GPU's performance. The ATI Radeon HD 4870 achieved a score of 25 in the 2D mark and a score of 1413 in the 3D mark, further highlighting its potential in modern gaming.
Game Performance Testing
After thorough benchmarking, it was time to assess the ATI Radeon HD 4870's real-world gaming performance. We selected a range of popular games to evaluate its capabilities across different genres and graphical requirements. Let's explore the performance of the HD 4870 in each of these games.
Minecraft
In Minecraft, the HD 4870 proved to be a capable performer even at lower settings. With an average FPS of 86 and satisfactory 1% lows and 0.1% lows, this card can handle Minecraft without any major issues.
Roblox
Moving on to Roblox, the HD 4870 managed to maintain an average FPS of 60 and acceptable 1% lows. While the 0.1% lows were lower, making some moments less smooth, overall, the card offered a playable experience.
Freddy Fazbears Pizzeria Simulator
In Freddy Fazbears Pizzeria Simulator, the HD 4870 handled the game effortlessly, utilizing only 25% of its GPU power. This resulted in a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
Ultimate Custom Night
Similar to the previous game, Ultimate Custom Night ran perfectly well on the HD 4870, utilizing only around 40% of the GPU's capacity. Gamers can expect a great performance without straining the card.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
On the low preset, Euro Truck Simulator 2 provided a playable experience on the HD 4870. With an average FPS of 75 and reasonable 1% lows, this card handles the game well.
Bus Simulator 12
At low settings, Bus Simulator 12 was also enjoyable on the HD 4870. With an average FPS of 33 and 1% lows of 27, players can immerse themselves in the game without significant performance issues.
CSGO
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) ran smoothly on the HD 4870, particularly on low settings. With an average FPS of 120 and a maximum FPS of 496, gamers can enjoy a competitive experience.
BeamNG Drive
Unfortunately, BeamNG Drive did not launch due to DirectX limitations, preventing us from evaluating the card's performance in this particular game.
Pc Building Simulator
Pc Building Simulator ran well on the HD 4870, offering an average FPS of 48 and satisfactory 1% lows. Players can certainly enjoy this game without major performance concerns.
Fortnite
While Fortnite managed to launch on the HD 4870, it crashed on the loading screen, making it unplayable. This indicates that some newer games may not be compatible with this aging graphics card.
GTA 5
GTA 5 presented a performance challenge for the HD 4870. Only by running the game on the lowest settings and a lower resolution of 800x600 could we achieve playable framerates. Despite efforts to optimize the settings, the HD 4870 struggled to deliver smooth performance.
Overclocking Attempts
To squeeze some additional performance from the HD 4870, we attempted to overclock the card. By adjusting the fan curve and pushing the core clock by 30MHz and the memory clock by 65MHz, we observed slight improvements in some games. However, these gains were not substantial and did not significantly enhance the overall gaming experience.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In conclusion, the ATI Radeon HD 4870 can still offer decent performance in certain games and scenarios, especially in budget builds. However, with limited compatibility and the inability to handle newer, more demanding titles, it is important to consider the overall lifespan of this aging graphics card. While the HD 4870 may satisfy the needs of casual gamers or those on a tight budget, it falls short when compared to modern GPUs. Despite its impressive run of 13 years since its initial release, the time has come for the HD 4870 to step aside and make way for more powerful and efficient graphics cards.
Highlights:
- The ATI Radeon HD 4870, released in 2008, is still usable in 2021, but its performance is limited in newer and more demanding games.
- The card features a core clock speed of 800MHz and 512MB of GDDR5 VRAM.
- Benchmark results showed that the HD 4870 exceeded expectations in terms of GPU performance.
- Game performance testing revealed that the card was able to handle games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Euro Truck Simulator 2 on lower settings.
- Overclocking attempts provided minor performance boosts, but did not significantly enhance the overall gaming experience.
- Ultimately, the HD 4870 is best suited for budget builds or as a temporary solution while saving up for a more powerful graphics card.
FAQ:
Q: Can the ATI Radeon HD 4870 run modern games?
A: While the HD 4870 can run some older and less demanding modern games, it may struggle with newer, more graphics-intensive titles.
Q: Is the ATI Radeon HD 4870 a good option for budget builds?
A: Yes, the HD 4870 can be a viable choice for budget builds due to its low cost in the used market. However, it is important to consider its limited compatibility with newer games.
Q: What are the recommended settings for playing games on the ATI Radeon HD 4870?
A: It is advisable to play games on lower settings to ensure smoother gameplay and optimal performance on the HD 4870.
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