f i r s t l o o k s
The card is shorter, but the GPU packs almost
the same amount of processing power as the
Radeon 3800 series GPU (but the memory bus is
HIS Radeon HD 4670 half as wide).
Every single ATI attempt in the entry level of share processors and a 128-bit memory
segment since the Radeon 1600 series controller that’s DDR2, DDR3 and GDDR3
has never really taken off, primarily due to compatible. Our sample uses the GDDR3 part
uninspiring GPU architecture. But since the and it operates at 1000 MHz. The official clock
introduction of Radeon HD 4800 series, speed of the GPU, as specified by ATI, is 750
things have changed quite considerably. ATI MHz. If the path of the memory controller
has placed NVIDIA under intense pressure is left out of the formula, we are basically
through aggressive pricing strategy. First it looking at a GPU that possesses almost the
was the Radone HD 4850 and Radeon HD same shader processing capability as the Overkill? We think so.
4870 combination in June this year, followed Radeon HD 3800 series, and yet it doesn’t
by the Radeon HD “twin die” 4870X2, just require any additional power supply via the
two months after, and just several weeks PCIe power connector.
back, they released the Radeon HD 4670 to At idle, the card would throttle the overall rating
spice up the entry level market. This Radeon frequency of its GPU and memory down to graphics card
4000 series assault has seemingly turned into 165 MHz and 250 Mhz, respectively. This
HIS Radeon HD 4670
an unstoppable locomotive. is the lowest idle speed we’ve come across
price
We don’t normally pay a lot of attention in our lab, and this explains why the total SGD169
on entry level products because 99% of system power consumption remains so low.
them fail to offer playable performance on
the latest game titles. They would run casual
Our Radeon HD 4670 sample came from HIS
this time around, and it isn’t exactly a 100%
• A lower-end mainstream card that packs acceptable
performance.
games just fine but anything more than replica of the reference card. For the PCB, HIS • Low power consumption, and is capable of
accelerating HD video playback.
that will reveal their weakness. The Radeon sticks with what the ATI reference board has • Beefy cooler ensures the peak temperature remains
HD 4670, though, spells a different story to offer but in the cooling aspect the stock below 70 degrees Celsius.
because for SGD169 you will be getting a cooler was ditched in favour of a dual slot,
performance level that’s just a tiny notch aluminium made cooler. This implementation
• Takes up two PCI slots.
lower than that of the Radeon HD 3850, is unquestionably an overkill, especially when We wish it could be cheaper
which in case you have forgotten is ATI’s the GPU isn’t exactly a hot chip and neither
specifications
high-performance mainstream graphics is it very overclockable. Perhaps the stock gpU clock Speed 750 MHz
solution for gamers. The gap is on the cooling solution was a little too loud but this number of Shader Units 320
memory clock Speed 1000 MHz GDDR3
average about 10 frames between these two is purely our guess as we have not gotten the
(2000 MHz effective)
cards, but considering both of them clocked opportunity to review a vanilla Radeon HD memory capacity 512 MB
in more than 30 FPS in three out of the four 4670 card. Gaming experience is generally memory interface 128-bit
tests we carried out, it’s not too shabby for acceptable. After all, not that many entry contact Corbell Technology
the Radeon HD 4670. level cards can render Crysis even at medium Tel 6452-4122
Web www.msi.com.tw
The GPU that drives this card has 320 unit graphics quality setting.—Gui Jue Fok
40 pc magazine SingapORe october 2008