We are going to examine two graphics cards based on the new processor: a reference card from AMD and a product from HIS.

Our examination will be based on the user's point of view at the moment of buying a graphics card. The first thing to see is a box. It goes without saying that a reference card does not come with a box or bundled components.

HIS RADEON HD 4770 512MB
The company decided to change the design, having abandoned the glossy jacket. It's only thick cardboard now. A plastic compartment inside houses the graphics card. It's secured well to ensure safe shipping.

Such cards usually come with the following bundle:

• User's manual
• Software CD
• DVI-to-VGA adapter
• DVI-to-HMDI adapter
• TV-out (component) adapter
• External power splitter

HIS RADEON HD 4770 512MB
The bundle is not complete (no TV-out adapter and no external power splitter (it's not much of a problem, of course, because almost all PSUs have their own cables for these purposes).

And now let's examine the cards themselves.

HIS RADEON HD 4770 512MB
GPU: RADEON HD 4770 (RV740) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 750/750 MHz (nominal) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 800 (3200) MHz (nominal) Memory bus width: 128-bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 640 Texture processors: 32 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 16 Dimensions: 200x100x32 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness) PCB color: red RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link/HDMI), TV-out VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU Multi-GPU operation: Hardware CrossFire
ATI RADEON HD 4770 512MB
GPU: RADEON HD 4770 (RV740) Interface: PCI-Express x16 GPU frequencies (ROPs/Shaders): 750/750 MHz (nominal -- 750/750 MHz) Memory frequencies (physical (effective)): 800 (3200) MHz (nominal -- 800 (3200) MHz) Memory bus width: 128bit Vertex processors: - Pixel processors: - Unified processors: 640 Texture processors: 32 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 16 Dimensions: 200x100x32 mm (the last figure is the maximum thickness) PCB color: red RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU Output connectors: 2xDVI (Dual-Link/HDMI), TV-out VIVO: not available TV-out: integrated into GPU Multi-GPU operation: Hardware CrossFire

HIS RADEON HD 4770 512MB ATI RADEON HD 4770 512MB
Each graphics card has 512 MB of GDDR5 SDRAM allocated in 8 Qimonda memory chips on the front side of the PCB. These memory chips are designed for the maximum frequency of 1000 (4000) MHz.

Comparison with the reference design, front view
HIS RADEON HD 4770 512MB	Reference ATI RADEON HD 4850
ATI RADEON HD 4770 512MB

Comparison with the reference design, back view
HIS RADEON HD 4770 512MB	Reference ATI RADEON HD 4850
ATI RADEON HD 4770 512MB

The die is manufactured on Week 11 this year, that is in mid March. It's very small, which is a clear sign of the modified fabrication process, even considering that the new core is cut down compared to RV770.

As we can see, both cards are identical. They are based on the reference design. I don't understand why they had to install 8 memory chips for a 128-bit bus and 512 MB. Four chips would have done the job and helped reduce manufacturing costs.

This card uses the same memory chips as the 4870. The number of chips is also the same, only the core is cheaper, and the PCB is a tad less expensive owing to the layout. The card consumes 80 W. This exceeds the value from PCI-E specs, so the card needs additional power and, consequently, a larger PCB. However, if the manufacturer installed 4 memory chips instead of 8, perhaps, additional power supply wouldn't be necessary. I don't know why a $99 card needs such a complex PCB layout.

This card features an audio codec that is output via a DVI-to-HDMI adapter.

This graphics card requires additional power, so a PSU must have a proper cable or you'll have to use a bundled adapter.

Maximum resolutions and frequencies:

• 240 Hz maximum refresh rate
• 2048 x 1536 x 32bit @ 85Hz Max - analog interface
• 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz Max - digital interface (all Dual-Link DVIs)

The HDTV review is available here.

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