Unveiling the Powerhouse: ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Rise of Nvidia
3. The AMD Gradient HD4870X2: A Blast from the Past
4. The Terrascale Architecture
5. Dual GPU Setup: Two HD4850s in One
6. Impressive Specs for 2008
7. Issues and Criticisms
8. The Praise and Reviews of the Era
9. AMD's Response to Past Faults
10. The Top Spot Battle: GTX 280 vs HD4870X2
11. The Importance of Drivers
12. 10-Year-Old Treasure or Ruined by Poor AMD Drivers?
13. Benchmark Results
14. Real-World Gaming Performance: CS:GO, Sims 4, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, and GTA 5
15. Usability and Stability
16. The Power Consumption and Heat Issues
17. Live Streaming Challenges
18. Conclusion

Introduction

In the world of graphics cards, there has always been a constant battle for supremacy between AMD and Nvidia. While Nvidia has dominated the market in recent years, it wasn't always the case. This article will take a trip down Memory Lane to explore the AMD Gradient HD4870X2, a powerful graphics card that challenged Nvidia's reign. We will delve into its specs, performance, issues, and how it has held up over time. Join us on this journey to discover whether this 10-year-old treasure still shines or if it has been ruined by poor AMD drivers.

The Rise of Nvidia

Before we dive into the specifics of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2, it's important to understand the context of the graphics card market at the time. Nvidia was the dominant player, consistently releasing powerful GPUs that outperformed AMD's offerings. The competition was fierce, and AMD had yet to find its footing in the high-end graphics card segment.

The AMD Gradient HD4870X2: A Blast from the Past

Imagine going back a decade to the year 2008, where AMD (formerly known as ATI) unveiled the AMD Gradient HD4870X2. Built on the R700XT variant of the Terrascale architecture, this graphics card proved to be a significant milestone for AMD. It featured a dual GPU setup, combining two HD4850s onto one card, boasting a total of 1600 shading units and 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM. While the specs may not impress today, they were indeed remarkable for its time.

The Terrascale Architecture

To fully appreciate the AMD Gradient HD4870X2, we need to understand the architecture behind it. The card was based on the Terrascale architecture, specifically the R700XT variant. This architecture had its complexities, but in essence, it was a breakthrough in Parallel processing capabilities. It laid the foundation for future advancements and played a critical role in the performance of the HD4870X2.

Dual GPU Setup: Two HD4850s in One

One of the key selling points of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 was its dual GPU setup. AMD took two HD4850 GPUs and combined them onto a single graphics card. This configuration allowed for increased performance and parallel processing power. The GPUs were interconnected via AMD's special bridge called the Side Port, which provided twice the bandwidth compared to PCIe1 connections.

Impressive Specs for 2008

In 2008, the specs of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 were nothing short of impressive. With 1600 shading units (800 per GPU) and 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM clocked at 900 MHz, the card promised excellent performance for its time. It was AMD's answer to Nvidia's dominance and aimed to be a viable option for users who wanted top-of-the-line graphics without breaking the bank.

Issues and Criticisms

Like any ambitious project, the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 faced its fair share of challenges. Both AMD and Nvidia had encountered issues with dual GPU setups in the past, and AMD aimed to overcome them with this release. However, some reviewers were skeptical due to previous experiences with similar setups. The card had to prove itself in terms of performance, driver support, and overall user experience.

The Praise and Reviews of the Era

Despite the initial doubts, the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 received widespread praise from reviewers of the era. Its performance impressed many, surpassing expectations and living up to AMD's claims of being the fastest graphics card in the world. Compared to previous dual GPU solutions, the HD4870X2 showcased significant improvements, addressing past issues such as scaling and premium feel.

AMD's Response to Past Faults

One of the factors contributing to the success of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 was AMD's responsiveness to past faults. They took into account feedback from users and reviewers, addressing issues such as driver compatibility and limited bandwidth caused by PCIe1 connections. Their efforts to future-proof the card included the Side Port, a feature initially disabled but available for additional bandwidth if needed.

The Top Spot Battle: GTX 280 vs HD4870X2

The main competition for the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 was Nvidia's GTX 280, holding the top spot in the graphics card market. To challenge Nvidia's dominance, AMD aimed to prove that they could claim the throne with their own flagship card. While the GTX 280 offered more performance than AMD's HD4850 or HD4890, the latter provided a more cost-effective solution for enthusiasts and gamers.

The Importance of Drivers

In evaluating the performance of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2, driver support played a crucial role. The initial drivers for the Terrascale architecture were decent, ensuring smooth operation for various games and applications. However, as time went on, the quality of the drivers declined significantly. Dwindling driver support became a major issue for users hoping to push the card's capabilities.

10-Year-Old Treasure or Ruined by Poor AMD Drivers?

After a decade, how does the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 fare? Is it a treasure worth treasuring, or has it been ruined by poor AMD drivers? To answer these questions, we conducted extensive benchmarks and tested its real-world performance. Join us as we explore the card's performance in popular titles such as CS:GO, Sims 4, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, and GTA 5. Additionally, we'll discuss its usability, stability, power consumption, and heat management.

Benchmark Results

In our benchmark tests, we put the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 through its paces. We assessed its performance in various games and scenarios to gauge its capabilities in today's gaming landscape. From popular titles to graphically demanding games, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the card's performance.

Real-World Gaming Performance: CS:GO, Sims 4, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, and GTA 5

To get a better understanding of the card's real-world performance, we tested it in popular games such as CS:GO, Sims 4, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, and GTA 5. We evaluated its scalability, frame rates, and overall gameplay experience. Join us as we explore how this 10-year-old GPU holds up against modern titles.

Usability and Stability

Apart from gaming performance, we examined the card's usability and stability in everyday tasks. How well did it handle desktop usage, video playback, and WORD processing? We also discussed its noise levels and power consumption. Discover whether the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 is a practical option for daily use.

The Power Consumption and Heat Issues

It's no secret that high-end graphics cards Consume power and generate heat. The AMD Gradient HD4870X2 is no exception. We analyzed its power consumption and thermal management, discussing the impact on noise levels, system stability, and overall user experience. Learn about the card's power-hungry nature and whether its cooling solution is sufficient.

Live Streaming Challenges

Streaming has become a popular activity for gamers and content creators. However, the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 faced challenges when it came to live streaming. We delved into the issues encountered while using OBS, XSplit, or similar software. Discover the limitations and workarounds for streaming on this 10-year-old GPU.

Conclusion

Wrapping up our exploration of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2, we summarized our findings and offered a conclusion on whether this graphics card is still a valuable asset in today's gaming landscape. We addressed the card's strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance. Join us as we reveal the final verdict on this 10-year-old treasure.

Highlights

• The AMD Gradient HD4870X2 was AMD's attempt to challenge Nvidia's dominance in the graphics card market.
• It featured a dual GPU setup, combining two HD4850s onto one card, and boasted impressive specs for its time.
• The card received praise from reviewers, impressing with its performance and overcoming past issues.
• The importance of drivers cannot be underestimated, as their quality significantly impacted the card's performance.
• After 10 years, the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 still holds up well in real-world gaming, but power consumption and heat remain concerns.
• The card's usability and stability make it a viable option for everyday tasks, but live streaming poses challenges.

FAQs

Q: Can the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 still handle modern games? A: Yes, the card can handle modern games to a certain extent, but users may need to lower settings or resolutions for optimal performance.

Q: How does the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 compare to Nvidia's offerings of the time? A: The AMD Gradient HD4870X2 provided strong competition for Nvidia's GTX 280, offering comparable performance at a more affordable price.

Q: What were the main issues faced by users of the AMD Gradient HD4870X2? A: Users experienced driver-related issues, limited bandwidth, power consumption, and heat management problems with this graphics card.

Q: Can the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 still be considered a viable option for gaming today? A: While the card can still handle modern games to a certain extent, its power consumption and heat generation make it less ideal compared to newer graphics cards.

Q: How does the AMD Gradient HD4870X2 compare to its successor, the HD5970? A: The AMD Gradient HD4870X2 is considered by many to be easier to use and more stable than the HD5970, despite the latter being more powerful.