The ATI Radeon HD 4890 was a single-GPU graphics card AMD introduced on April 15, 2009, as a high-clocked addition to its Radeon HD 4000 series. Its RV790 processor was closely related to the RV770 used in the Radeon HD 4870, but contemporary reporting describes internal timing and power-distribution revisions—not just higher clock settings—to help it run faster.
What is the ATI Radeon HD 4890?
The HD 4890 was a 2009 desktop graphics card built around AMD’s RV790 GPU. AMD’s launch announcement promoted GDDR5 memory, DirectX 10.1 support, and a claimed 1.36 teraflops of compute performance. That teraflops figure is a manufacturer launch claim, not a modern benchmark or a measure of how the card performs in current software.
AMD announced a launch price of $249, with selected etailers offering it for as little as $229 after mail-in rebate. Those are April 2009 prices, not indications of current used-card value.
What is RV790, and how did it differ from RV770?
RV790 was a revision of the closely related RV770 design behind the Radeon HD 4870. The reported configuration retained 800 stream processors and the same broad feature setup, while the transistor count increased from 956 million for RV770 to 959 million for RV790, according to HotHardware’s April 2, 2009 technical coverage.
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- OEM ATI boxed, non-Apple product
- Fully compatible with all Apple Mac Pro models (2006-2010)
- 512MB GDDR5 Memory
- 2 DVI ports
- Mac Pro graphics card power cables included
HotHardware attributed the higher-clock capability to changes including retiming, altered on-chip power distribution, and a ring of decoupling capacitors intended to reduce signal noise. In other words, the HD 4890 was not simply an HD 4870 with a faster setting applied: the GPU design itself was revised to better support higher operating frequencies.
What are the Radeon HD 4890 reference specifications?
ITmedia PC USER’s April 2, 2009 reference-specification table lists the following. These are historical publication figures for the reference configuration, not a guarantee that every partner card used the same clocks or cooler.
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- 【2GB GDDR3 Memory】AMD Radeon HD 5450 graphics card is with 650MHz core frequency, up to 1066MHz memory speed,80 Stream Processors,perfect for working,video and photo editing,allows good fluency,which can effectively meet your needs.
- 【Low Profile Design】The computer graphics cards is small in size,saves more space and plug and play.Small Form Factor design fits in today’s low profile desktops and workstations (with half height bracket).
- 【Multi-monitor Support】Supports up to two monitors for the video card including DVI,VGA,HDMI, and for flexibility of use(the VGA Interface is removable),This low profile, low power consumption card will improve multimedia performance, extend the desktop, and accelerate apps.
- 【Fanless Design for Zero Noise】The HD 5450 is a budget video card with silent passive fanless cooling system.Using high performance heatsinks,it is small enough to provide fanless operation and comfortable to use with zero noise.
- 【Independently Power】No external power supply, about 19W full-load power consumption.Works with Windows 10 as well as 7, 8 and 8.1(NOT compatible with windows 11).
| Specification | Radeon HD 4890 reference figure |
|---|---|
| GPU | RV790 |
| Fabrication process | 55 nm |
| Transistors | 959 million |
| Stream processors | 800 |
| Core clock | 850 MHz |
| Memory | 1 GB GDDR5 |
| Memory clock | 975 MHz |
| Memory interface | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 124.8 GB/s |
| Render output units (ROPs) | 16 |
| Texture units | 40 |
| Maximum power | 190 W, as reported by ITmedia |
| Idle power | 60 W, as reported by ITmedia |
| Auxiliary power connectors | Two 6-pin connectors on the reference card |
| Cooler | Two-slot design on the reference card |
| Graphics API | DirectX 10.1 |
Clock figures require care when comparing cards: a partner could ship a factory-overclocked model. MSI’s R4890-T2D1G-OC datasheet, for example, specifies an 880 MHz core and a 3996 MHz memory speed, alongside 1 GB of GDDR5, a 256-bit bus, PCI Express 2.0 x16, DirectX 10.1, and OpenGL 2.1. Those are MSI’s variant specifications, not the reference clocks above.
How did the HD 4890 compare with the HD 4870 and HD 4850?
ITmedia PC USER’s historical figures show how AMD positioned the HD 4890 against two Radeon HD 4000 cards. The values below are that publication’s reported specifications; they are not results from a controlled present-day performance test.
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- 512MB DDR2 memory
- DirectX 10.1
- Multi-monitor productivity
- AGP 2.0 8x support
- 3 year limited Warranty
| Reported specification | HD 4890 | HD 4870 | HD 4850 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core clock | 850 MHz | 750 MHz | 625 MHz |
| Memory configuration listed | 1 GB GDDR5 | 1 GB GDDR5 | GDDR3 variants listed |
| Memory clock | 975 MHz | 900 MHz | not stated in the cited comparison |
| Memory bandwidth | 124.8 GB/s | about 115 GB/s | not stated in the cited comparison |
| Maximum power | 190 W | 160 W | 110 W |
| Idle power | 60 W | 90 W | not stated in the cited comparison |
The HD 4890’s reference core and memory clocks were higher than the HD 4870’s, and ITmedia reported higher maximum power but lower idle power for the HD 4890. The HD 4850 figures provide a separate point of comparison; they do not establish a proportional difference in real-world performance.
How much power does a Radeon HD 4890 use?
ITmedia reported 190 W maximum and 60 W idle for the HD 4890, compared with 160 W maximum and 90 W idle for the HD 4870. These are the publication’s historical power figures, not a guarantee for every board or a modern measurement under a specified workload. Its reference-card discussion also identifies two 6-pin auxiliary power connectors, so system compatibility depends on the particular card and power supply.
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- OC mode (GPU Tweak III): Up to 2880 MHz (Boost Clock)/ up to 2300 MHz (Game Clock)
- Axial-tech fans now feature a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal heat transfer, lowering GPU temperatures for enhanced performance and reliability
- 2.5-slot design allows for greater build compatibility while maintaining cooling performance
- Dual-ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as standard conventional sleeve bearings designs
What features did AMD advertise?
AMD’s April 2009 announcement described features and capabilities for the period, rather than guarantees of compatibility with current games or software.
- DirectX 10.1: AMD cited contemporary titles including Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X., BattleForge, Stormrise, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. This dated announcement is not a current compatibility promise.
- CrossFireX: AMD said up to four HD 4890 cards could be combined in one PC.
- ATI Stream: AMD promoted acceleration in supported applications.
- Video features: AMD identified UVD 2.0, HDMI, picture-in-picture, and 7.1-channel audio.
What can 2009 reviews tell you about performance?
Reviews from the launch period describe the card in their own test conditions, not as a guide to modern game performance. ITmedia detailed its 2009 test system and compared the card with a GeForce GTX 285. The Register’s April 3, 2009 review used contemporary hardware and beta-era drivers and noted differences in memory capacity among tested cards. The Register’s view that the HD 4890 was substantially faster than the HD 4870 but questionable value was a launch-era editorial judgment, not a current recommendation.
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- 1GB GDDR3 Memory: Radeon HD 6570 graphics card, 650MHz core frequency, up to 1066MHz memory speed, allows good fluency, which can speed up your PC multimedia experience very well and enjoy ultra-fast web browsing and incredible photo and video editing experience. It can effectively meet your needs
- Dual HDMI Video Cards: The computer graphics card supports dual HDMI displays (single audio only), expansion or extension, can be used at the same time, and 1GB video memory capacity, lower working temperature and higher efficiency, low noise and quiet work
- Low Profile Design: This low profile graphics card with single cooling fan is suitable for slim or full sized systems (with low profile bracket), easy to install, plug and play, 480 stream processor chip (CUDA), PCIe single slot design, compatible with HTPC platform,great for those looking to build a low end pc
- Durable Construction: All solid capacitors provide lower temperature, higher efficiency, integrated thickened heat dissipation module, strengthened PCB materials, make games and works performance more stable. And the maximum resolution can up to 2K, support DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.5
- Independently Powered: No external power supply, about 60W full-load power consumption. Works with Windows 10 as well as 7, 8 and 8.1 (NOT compatible with Windows 11)
Those conditions matter: hardware, drivers, game versions, settings, and card configurations shape benchmark results. The available historical figures do not establish how the HD 4890 performs in current games or software.
What to check if you are considering a legacy card
The HD 4890 is best understood as a historical GPU or a possible component for a legacy-PC or retro-hardware project. The documented MSI R4890-T2D1G-OC is one identifiable board variant; its specifications should not be generalized to all HD 4890 cards.
Quick Recap
- Confirm the exact manufacturer and board revision, memory capacity, and factory clock settings.
- Check the installed cooler’s size and condition, and make sure the case has room for it.
- Verify the card’s auxiliary power connectors against the power supply and the rest of the system.
- Assess compatibility for the specific operating system, drivers, application, and display setup you intend to use; the historical DirectX 10.1 specification alone does not establish modern support.
- Check the seller’s stated condition and the card’s actual operation. Historical launch prices and reviews cannot establish current stock, condition, or market value.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
