"With only 2GB of memory and a 256-bit memory interface it struggles at higher multi-monitor resolutions"
Hmmmm.... having 'only' 2GB of RAM isn't causing the low fps. Surely the 690 proves the statement incorrect by being faster than 3GB cards? Surely the low fps is due mainly to the 256-bit memory interface?
Originally Posted by alex101 "With only 2GB of memory and a 256-bit memory interface it struggles at higher multi-monitor resolutions"
Hmmmm.... having 'only' 2GB of RAM isn't causing the low fps. Surely the 690 proves the statement incorrect by being faster than 3GB cards? Surely the low fps is due mainly to the 256-bit memory interface?
Otherwise great article
The issue of the HD7870 struggling at multi monitor resolutions is more to do with a lack of raw GPU grunt than anything else. A 680 overclocked (1185/6800) can quite happily hang with an overclocked HD7970 (1125/6600) - based on my own tests, despite both a memory bandthwith and quantity deficit.
In single card configs you will nearly always run out of GPU grunt than anything else at this sort of resolution.
Good review, but could you not also include its last gen version eg the 6870 so can get an idea of how they compare, as now I will have to look at other websites and try and find which is better etc.
Performance shows twice in the score, rather than performance and features.
Seems a decent enough card, I keep thinking I should upgrade but nothing yet has really sold me. I think I need to run into a game that my 5850 just simply cannot run regardless of the settings before I bother upgrading :)
Originally Posted by aLtikal Good card, but its efforts are in vein when it would be better to buy the 7850 which overclocks to the same frequencies for £189.
But doesn't have the same number of compute units - so the 7870'll be faster if they are at the same frequencies. Marginally so perhaps, but that's what people pay for when they're spending £200+ on a graphics card, not the massive jumps you get in the sub-£150 segment of the market.
Originally Posted by Valinor But doesn't have the same number of compute units - so the 7870'll be faster if they are at the same frequencies. Marginally so perhaps, but that's what people pay for when they're spending £200+ on a graphics card, not the massive jumps you get in the sub-£150 segment of the market.
TBH I think this review hasn't benched enough games (unless Bit-Tech are doing other things that may have limited time for this review). Not trying to diss on Bit Tech BTW but I don't think this 7870 isn't as good value as it looks like IMHO as the final ratings. Then again I can see this being a good card for those who are limited by the form factor/size or looking for high performance with lower power consumption/noise levels.
Originally Posted by dangerman1337 Then again I can see this being a good card for those who are ... looking for high performance with lower power consumption/noise levels.
I think that's who it's really aimed at - power without the noise. Peace & quiet is worth paying a (reasonable) premium for.
I think that's who it's really aimed at - power without the noise. Peace & quiet is worth paying a (reasonable) premium for.
I agree, just a shame that it's a triple slot cooler and not double (I have a micro-ATX motherboard and no room to spare. I wish I'd paid a bit extra for a standard board).
Originally Posted by John_T I think that's who it's really aimed at - power without the noise. Peace & quiet is worth paying a (reasonable) premium for.
Yup I've already paid a premium for it with my case and current fans, my current (be quiet!) CPU cooler, and an SSD. The volume was even a big reason why I bought an HD5870, because it's so amazingly quiet. You get used to quietness too, like a distant gentle breeze rather than an ever present buzzzzzz. I'll definitely have to pay attention to volumes whenever I upgrade again.
How come when I google HIS Radeon 7870 IceQ the card that come up looks completly different from the one in the review?
The page linked to the price brings up the card in the review but its waay more than £239.
Comments 1 to 17 of 17
ReplySauce : http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18389760
Awesomesauce
Hmmmm.... having 'only' 2GB of RAM isn't causing the low fps. Surely the 690 proves the statement incorrect by being faster than 3GB cards? Surely the low fps is due mainly to the 256-bit memory interface?
Otherwise great article
The issue of the HD7870 struggling at multi monitor resolutions is more to do with a lack of raw GPU grunt than anything else. A 680 overclocked (1185/6800) can quite happily hang with an overclocked HD7970 (1125/6600) - based on my own tests, despite both a memory bandthwith and quantity deficit.
In single card configs you will nearly always run out of GPU grunt than anything else at this sort of resolution.
Kimbie
Seems a decent enough card, I keep thinking I should upgrade but nothing yet has really sold me. I think I need to run into a game that my 5850 just simply cannot run regardless of the settings before I bother upgrading :)
But doesn't have the same number of compute units - so the 7870'll be faster if they are at the same frequencies. Marginally so perhaps, but that's what people pay for when they're spending £200+ on a graphics card, not the massive jumps you get in the sub-£150 segment of the market.
And perhaps temp/volume difference too.
TBH I think this review hasn't benched enough games (unless Bit-Tech are doing other things that may have limited time for this review). Not trying to diss on Bit Tech BTW but I don't think this 7870 isn't as good value as it looks like IMHO as the final ratings. Then again I can see this being a good card for those who are limited by the form factor/size or looking for high performance with lower power consumption/noise levels.
I think that's who it's really aimed at - power without the noise. Peace & quiet is worth paying a (reasonable) premium for.
Yup I've already paid a premium for it with my case and current fans, my current (be quiet!) CPU cooler, and an SSD. The volume was even a big reason why I bought an HD5870, because it's so amazingly quiet. You get used to quietness too, like a distant gentle breeze rather than an ever present buzzzzzz. I'll definitely have to pay attention to volumes whenever I upgrade again.
And unhearble during XBMC use.
I picked this one because besides that its pretty silent, what more cards are, it also blows the hot air strait out of the case.
Also even do its a 3 slot cooler, I could still install a Xonar DSX next to it in the 3th slot
The page linked to the price brings up the card in the review but its waay more than £239.
Ignore me I'm dumb.
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