Final thoughts and rating
XFX's Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB graphics card mirror's the reference card, launched last August, in practically every way. The twin-GPU card leverages a couple of Radeon HD 4870 1GB GPUs and CrossFires them internally. The result is smooth frame-rates in fast-paced games, all the way up to 2,560x1,600 resolution.Immediate competition to the XFX 'X2 comes in the form of the GeForce GTX 295 - a faster, more-expensive solution at £400 - and the single-GPU GeForce GTX 285, currently etailing for around £300. XFX, by dint of the reference design, does well against the similarly-priced GTX 285, but gives way to GTX 295.
We see little point in spending £300+ on a graphics card, however, and would rather folk invest in a quality mid-range GPU - Radeon HD 4870 and GeForce GTX 260 being prime examples - and then double-up if needs be. Still, if balls-out single-card power is your thing, £340 for a Radeon HD 4870 X2 isn't bad value and should be put on a shortlist if 2,560x1,600 gaming sounds attractive to you.
Bottom line: reference in almost every respect, the XFX Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB metes out performance in spades. Not the fastest card in the world, sure, but a contender in the £300-£350 space.
We consider any product score above '50%' as a safe buy. The higher the score, the higher the recommendation from HEXUS to buy. Simple, straightforward buying advice.
The rating is given in relation to the category the component competes in, therefore the card is evaluated with respect to our 'extreme components' criteria.
XFX Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB
HEXUS Where2Buy
The XFX Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB is available to buy for £340.39 from Scan.co.uk.*As always, UK-based HEXUS.community discussion forum members will benefit from the SCAN2HEXUS Free Shipping initiative, which will save you a further few pounds plus also top-notch, priority customer service and technical support backed up by the SCANcare@HEXUS forum.
HEXUS Right2Reply
At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.
