HD 4870 Performance Benchmarks
Here we put Thermalright newcomer up against the HR-03 GT we used in the 9800 GTX benchmarks along with an Arctic Cooling S1 Rev. 2 (which wasn’t compatible with the 9800 GTX). Granted, the S1 Rev.2 is not natively compatible with a 120mm fan but we have added it for comparison’s sake anyways.
When installed on an HD 4870, the T-Rad² performs better than we expected considering its diminutive size. Remember, neither of the other aftermarket coolers used as a comparison here is compatible with a Crossfire setup which makes the temperatures from the T-Rad² that much more impressive. We all know that the stock cooler on the HD 4870 is not the most efficient on the market but the second you install an aftermarket cooler, its deficiencies come into stark contrast. It is pretty apparent that the T-Rad² is the cooler to have if you are looking at a compact solution for a Crossfire setup.
Finally, we have to make a mention about the heat production of the HD 4870 core since this review is a perfect venue to put this to rest once and for all. When you look at the load temperatures from the aftermarket coolers on both the HD 4870 and 9800 GTX, you will see that they are nearly identical. Lets put this into context: two coolers, mounted the same way, in the same atmospheric conditions, with the same TIM and fans installed on two different cards result in the nearly the same temperatures. For those of you who think the HD 4870’s core is inefficient; let this be the last word: the core seems to produce the same heat as that of a 9800 GTX while offering significantly better performance. But its stock cooler does blow chunks…
HD 4870 Performance Benchmarks
Idle Temperatures

Load Temperatures

Overclock Temperatures

Here we put Thermalright newcomer up against the HR-03 GT we used in the 9800 GTX benchmarks along with an Arctic Cooling S1 Rev. 2 (which wasn’t compatible with the 9800 GTX). Granted, the S1 Rev.2 is not natively compatible with a 120mm fan but we have added it for comparison’s sake anyways.
When installed on an HD 4870, the T-Rad² performs better than we expected considering its diminutive size. Remember, neither of the other aftermarket coolers used as a comparison here is compatible with a Crossfire setup which makes the temperatures from the T-Rad² that much more impressive. We all know that the stock cooler on the HD 4870 is not the most efficient on the market but the second you install an aftermarket cooler, its deficiencies come into stark contrast. It is pretty apparent that the T-Rad² is the cooler to have if you are looking at a compact solution for a Crossfire setup.
Finally, we have to make a mention about the heat production of the HD 4870 core since this review is a perfect venue to put this to rest once and for all. When you look at the load temperatures from the aftermarket coolers on both the HD 4870 and 9800 GTX, you will see that they are nearly identical. Lets put this into context: two coolers, mounted the same way, in the same atmospheric conditions, with the same TIM and fans installed on two different cards result in the nearly the same temperatures. For those of you who think the HD 4870’s core is inefficient; let this be the last word: the core seems to produce the same heat as that of a 9800 GTX while offering significantly better performance. But its stock cooler does blow chunks…
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