ATI Radeon 4550 - 25W - Silent from birth

inti · Post by **inti** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:37 am

ATI have announced the Radeon 4550, due for retail maybe end of September, based around a chip called RV710. My non-technical understanding is that it is a scaled-down low power version of the chip in the Radeon 4650/4670 series of cards.

The 4550 comes in two versions (half height and full height) with different amounts of memory.

Either way, it is a genuine single slot card, passively cooled from the factory with no large cooler hanging off the back of it. Power consumption said to be under 25W though I've seen no proper test yet.

Gaming performance should be somewhere between a Radeon 3450 and a Radeon 3650 at a guess (slower than Radeon 3650, on the specs), so certainly not a fast card by modern standards, but maybe "fast enough" for standard HTPC duties and Vista desktop.

As dokokocani said on another thread:

It should not be faster than HD3650, as it has less shadders (80 vs 120) and smaller bus (64 vs 128) and run at an lower speed (600 vs 725mhz). It will likely be lower clocked also. But then, if you think it is sufficient performance for you, go for it.

Sounds to be like the perfect Silent PC card for someone like me, who is upgrading from a X1950 Pro.

For the ATI camp, the main debate is probably between this, or a passively cooled 4650 or 4670 which are much faster cards (maybe four or five times the speed, and faster per $ or per Watt). Apart from minor price differences, and the impact on total system power consumption which is important of course in a silent PC, the main difference is physical - seems to me this is a small card, taking less space in your case, keeping its heat away from the sensitive CPU and Northbridge area and generally allowing better airflow. For me, the saving of an hour+ of labour from not having to install an aftermarket passive cooler is also a bonus.

Picture of it and specs (leaked AMD slide):
http://www.dvhardware.net/article29749.html

Rumoured September 25 launch date:
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?optio ... &Itemid=34

Pricing expected to be $45-55
http://www.ditii.com/2008/09/09/amd-ati ... ries-gpus/

If anyone has more info, like TDP or real-world performance, it would be great to share it.

inti · Post by **inti** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:42 am

Update: launch date now said to be 30 September 2008.

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:34 am

If it has HDMI wHD audio bitstream, full hw based HD acceleration (UVD2) and 25W under load is true than it would be a perfect one (for my passive HTPC (HD movies/music only) atleast )

IcarusAgain · Post by **IcarusAgain** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:09 am

Thanks for the heads-up, this looks like just what I need.

Appears to indeed have UVD 2.2, but haven't seen anything regarding HD audio bitstream.

This is my first post, so I can't hyperlink this, but here's another link with some good info at: tcmagazine "dot" com/comments.php?shownews=21549

inti · Post by **inti** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:58 am

First review:

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardw ... 50/12.html

Poor performance with modern games, let down by 64-bit memory interface. Video decoding performance untested. Power consumption not as low as might be hoped: a 9670 seemed to use 4W less at idle.

Ouch.

This is a shame, because I find the neat single-slot fanless cooling solution very attractive ...

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:27 am

ATI Radeon HD 4350 and 4550 review at Anandtech

leifeinar · Post by **leifeinar** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:21 am

must say its a little dissapointing reading the anandtech review. The 4670 only uses 12W more LOAD. and less IDLE and gives more 3d power. so apart form the money issue 4550 is not such a good choise. but for a buget htpc it looks great.

Total Power Consumption is allso quite high might be due to the Extreme QX9770, undervlting this or using a different cpu would give other results. sub 100W system is possible with the HD 4550

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:54 am

HD playback

http://hothardware.com/Articles/ATI-Rad ... PU/?page=9

http://www.techtree.com/India/Reviews/A ... 37-10.html

~El~Jefe~ · Post by **~El~Jefe~** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:03 am

that is the worst video card I have ever seen.

17 frames on low quality, 120 dollar version of an LCD screen level of playing ?

i agree that a 4670 is the better choice over this. the 4670 actually can play games. things need a 128 bit bus at least. 64 is really really old school

well, i guess it isnt terrible. I hope it's dirt cheap.

QuietOC · Post by **QuietOC** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:05 am

64 bit memory bus cards have never been a good deal. My first video card was a 16MB ATI Xpert 2000. It was a great deal at the time being a 128 bit card and the best 32 bit color performance. I bought a couple of Xpert 2000s a year or so latter that were 64 bit cards, and they sucked.

Anyway the HD 4550 actually seems to perform pretty close to the HD 3650, which is pretty good for such a narrow memory bus. Even the HD 3650 is slower than the HD 2600XT. The non-G DDR2/3 is a negative for power/performance.

I am interested in the HD 4830.

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:44 pm

~El~Jefe~ wrote:that is the worst video card I have ever seen.

17 frames on low quality, 120 dollar version of an LCD screen level of playing ?

i agree that a 4670 is the better choice over this. the 4670 actually can play games. things need a 128 bit bus at least. 64 is really really old school

well, i guess it isnt terrible. I hope it's dirt cheap.

The 4550 is perfect for HTPC use (which is what I'd use it for - I'm hoping some retailers start carrying the damn thing, though). Gaming, not so much.

-D

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:32 pm

derekva wrote:The 4550 is perfect for HTPC use (which is what I'd use it for - I'm hoping some retailers start carrying the damn thing, though). Gaming, not so much.

-D

Why? For HTPC purposes, the 780G can do everything the 4550 can except for LPCM support. The card only makes sense if you need LPCM support and even then, the 4670 looks more attractive. 4670 is cheap (~$70), does all the HTPC stuff, and has enough power to play games. All this with minimal increase in heat output. If you're getting a discrete card, it should be able to at least do more than integrated. And if you're after LPCM, the 4670 is a better buy.

Vicotnik · Post by **Vicotnik** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:43 pm

angelkiller wrote:Why? For HTPC purposes, the 780G can do everything the 4550 can except for LPCM support. The card only makes sense if you need LPCM support and even then, the 4670 looks more attractive. 4670 is cheap (~$70), does all the HTPC stuff, and has enough power to play games. All this with minimal increase in heat output. If you're getting a discrete card, it should be able to at least do more than integrated. And if you're after LPCM, the 4670 is a better buy.

4670 doesn't have passive stock cooling and the 4550 could be all that's missing from a complete HTPC if one has a few semi-old components lying around.

But if I should build a HTPC from scratch then I'd go with 780G, so on that we agree.

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:54 pm

Vicotnik wrote:4670 doesn't have passive stock cooling and the 4550 could be all that's missing from a complete HTPC if one has a few semi-old components lying around.

But if I should build a HTPC from scratch then I'd go with 780G, so on that we agree.

Ok, that makes sense. But I'm sure somebody will release a passive 4670 soon.

badkarma · Post by **badkarma** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:39 pm

Have yet to see a vendor with a passively cooled HD4550 yet. ATI's HD4550 is passively cooled but HIS, Sapphire, Powercolor, etc all are actively cooled.

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:12 am

badkarma wrote:Have yet to see a vendor with a passively cooled HD4550 yet. ATI's HD4550 is passively cooled but HIS, Sapphire, Powercolor, etc all are actively cooled.

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA ... uctID=2925

Avalanche · Post by **Avalanche** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:38 am

Did you see a picture? I checked that link, but there's no image of the card. And I'm a little puzzled by the description provided:

[quote="Gigabyte Website"]The extended heatsink makes the low profile PCB to standard ATX size. This stylish heatsink with special screen design uses the natural air flow in the case to cool down. Therefore, GIGABYTE Screen-Cooling technology provides customers the same high performance in the ultra silent environment. Furthermore, the extended metal cover is able to protect the VGA cable and provides a useful handling. This new â€œScreen-Coolingâ€

leifeinar · Post by **leifeinar** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:50 am

Why? For HTPC purposes, the 780G can do everything the 4550 can except for LPCM support.

780G ig great, but then ur stuck with AMD cpu, intel gives more room for undervolting and cooler systems.

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:39 am

leifeinar wrote:780G ig great, but then ur stuck with AMD cpu, intel gives more room for undervolting and cooler systems.

The undervolting thing is debatable. In terms of power consumption, a 4550 + Intel chipset + Intel CPU > 780G motherboard + AMD CPU. And for HTPC tasks, they do the exact same thing, exactly the same.

These cards are still useless (to me) in new systems because IG (780G, G35/G45) can already do what this card can. The only exception is LPCM output. And if you really need that, why scrimp on graphics? The 4670 is a better deal than the 4550 even if you only need LPCM output.

The only time this card makes sense is if you need to add video decoding to a pre-existing system. Even still, the 4670 has a higher price to performance ratio. Even if you don't use all the power.

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:25 pm

angelkiller wrote:
leifeinar wrote:780G ig great, but then ur stuck with AMD cpu, intel gives more room for undervolting and cooler systems.
The undervolting thing is debatable. In terms of power consumption, a 4550 + Intel chipset + Intel CPU > 780G motherboard + AMD CPU. And for HTPC tasks, they do the exact same thing, exactly the same.

These cards are still useless (to me) in new systems because IG (780G, G35/G45) can already do what this card can. The only exception is LPCM output. And if you really need that, why scrimp on graphics? The 4670 is a better deal than the 4550 even if you only need LPCM output.

The only time this card makes sense is if you need to add video decoding to a pre-existing system. Even still, the 4670 has a higher price to performance ratio. Even if you don't use all the power.

Here's my logic:

I'm looking for a video card to replace the HD2400 PRO in my HTPC.
The system is based around a T2300 in an MoDT board, so I can't go with the 780G or G45 solution for obvious reasons.
Therefore I need an add-in PCIe x16 card.
I need the PCIe x1 slot for my digital / analog combo card tuner.
Since the PCIe x1 slot is located for some inane reason right next to the x16 slot, it has to be a single-slot card.
Since I hate noise, it has to be passive, which rules out the HD4650/4670.
The upgrade path is either an HD3450 or an HD4550.
The HD4550 > HD3450 feature-wise.
Therefore...

Capiche?

-D

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:56 pm

Conceded.

(What? nobody makes a passive 4670?)

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:04 pm

angelkiller wrote: Conceded.

(What? nobody makes a passive 4670?)

No need to be mad.

If anything, I should be mad at AOpen for putting the bloody PCIe x1 slot right next to the PCIe x16 slot.

-D

FartingBob · Post by **FartingBob** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:18 am

I think if building a HTPC or very low end system from scratch, the 790G + AMD CPU is a much better option than a 4550 + mobo. Yes with this GPU you can build a intel system, but AMD is better for the low price chips and its boards are much better value for most people.

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:28 am

Has anyone found passive 4550 in retail?

I need hdmi blueray playback solution for my passive modt

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:34 am

rmask wrote:Has anyone found passive 4550 in retail?

I need hdmi blueray playback solution for my passive modt

I've purchased passive ASUS 4350 card with native HDMI (code: EAH4350 SILENT) for 40 euros.

QUICK REVIEW:

+
Blueray, x264 1080p mkv's rips play fine (previously stuttered with integrated intel gpu, (T2330 cpu, MSI 945GT speedster modt board, 4Gb RAM, WinXP)). I use Arcsoft TTMT for HD material, Zoomplayer 6 for rips (with Cyberlink 8 decoders from klite), TheaterTEK for DVDs (purevideo+ffdshow).

-
Heatsink is quite warm, resulting +1+2 o C increase in overall case temperature (~60-65 o C, all system is passively cooled, SSD hdd, antec fusion 430 with fsp ZEN 400W psu).

-
Sadly neither DD HD nor DTS HD bit perfect pass through is not supported, but I suppose that was expected.

===================================
QuickUpdate:

Hardware SD decoding (deinterlacing) is poor (cat. 8.10 hotfix), postprocessing is broken (almost nothing works from CCP)
HDMI signal is lost after restart/audio resets to 2 channels
After long BR playback hours my case temp is >70oC and that is a bit too much.
24p DOES NOT WORK correctly !!!

I'm going to return the card tomorrow (back to IGP, HD@720p and ffdshow for SD)

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:12 pm

rmask wrote:
rmask wrote:Has anyone found passive 4550 in retail?

I need hdmi blueray playback solution for my passive modt
I've purchased passive ASUS 4350 card with native HDMI (code: EAH4350 SILENT) for 40 euros.

QUICK REVIEW:

+
Blueray, x264 1080p mkv's rips play fine (previously stuttered with integrated intel gpu, (T2330 cpu, MSI 945GT speedster modt board, 4Gb RAM, WinXP)). I use Arcsoft TTMT for HD material, Zoomplayer 6 for rips (with Cyberlink 8 decoders from klite), TheaterTEK for DVDs (purevideo+ffdshow).

-
Heatsink is quite warm, resulting +1+2 o C increase in overall case temperature (~60-65 o C, all system is passively cooled, SSD hdd, antec fusion 430 with fsp ZEN 400W psu).

-
Sadly neither DD HD nor DTS HD bit perfect pass through is not supported, but I suppose that was expected.

===================================
QuickUpdate:

Hardware SD decoding (deinterlacing) is poor (cat. 8.10 hotfix), postprocessing is broken (almost nothing works from CCP)
HDMI signal is lost after restart/audio resets to 2 channels
After long BR playback hours my case temp is >70oC and that is a bit too much.
24p DOES NOT WORK correctly !!!

I'm going to return the card tomorrow (back to IGP, HD@720p and ffdshow for SD)

I'm not having the same heat issues as you are (see .SIG for system details - fairly similar to yours) with my EAH4350. I don't have Blu-ray but I'm running TV Pack 2008 - which gives me clear-QAM HD in 1080p - and I'm not seeing any stuttering. Ditto for the HDMI reset.

I haven't tried 24p - most of the stuff I'm recording is PBS Kids for my children, so I wouldn't notice anyway.

-D

Vicotnik · Post by **Vicotnik** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:41 pm

rmask wrote: -
Heatsink is quite warm, resulting +1+2 o C increase in overall case temperature (~60-65 o C, all system is passively cooled, SSD hdd, antec fusion 430 with fsp ZEN 400W psu).

I do not mean to be nitpicky, but heatsink temp has little to do with increase in overall case temp. The 4350 outputs relatively little heat and causes a small increase in case temp compared to most other cards without an exhaust cooler.

It's a common mistake to confuse temperature (Â°C) with heat output (W).

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:56 am

Vicotnik wrote: I do not mean to be nitpicky, but heatsink temp has little to do with increase in overall case temp. The 4350 outputs relatively little heat and causes a small increase in case temp compared to most other cards without an exhaust cooler.

It's a common mistake to confuse temperature (Â°C) with heat output (W).

how so? The hotter heatsink becomes, the warmer case temp. gets (especially in my case (no working fans - no airflow)).
According to my "calibrated finger" method heatsink temperature was 45+o C (hot water). (hotter than NB, former hottest heatsource in my system)

Vicotnik · Post by **Vicotnik** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:55 am

rmask wrote:how so? The hotter heatsink becomes, the warmer case temp. gets (especially in my case (no working fans - no airflow)).
According to my "calibrated finger" method heatsink temperature was 45+o C (hot water). (hotter than NB, former hottest heatsource in my system)

No. Heat output is measured in Watts and is not directly related to temperature.

Think of it this way - if you replace your current heatsink with a smaller one the temperature will rise, right? But the increase in case temp will be the same since the card still outputs the same amount of heat no matter how you choose to cool the GPU (the only exception is an exhaust cooler that moves the heat out of the case).
Same the other way around of course - a bigger heatsink brings the temperature down, but heat output is the same.

edit: A small hot heatsink will of course heat up things in its immediate surroundings more than a larger cooler heatsink, but I'm talking overall case temperature here.

rmask · Post by **rmask** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:10 am

on of the better reviews, incase anyone is still interested in this card.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/ ... 50_16.html