1800XT or HD3850?

[SketchMaster]

Should I buy a 1800XT from a bud for $100 or just get a HD3850?

Just want a bump up from my GF5750 for as little as I can since games arn't that big of a deal anymore, but I don't want to waste money on a card that will become outdated too quickly.

Games I play are:
BF2, CS:S, ElderScrolls: obliv, and maybe URT3.

 

[Marty502]

The 3850 will spank a 1800XT so hard it won't be funny.

For those games, you'll want the 3850. The 1800XT will handle them too, but the 3850 will be a much better performer with AA and AF. What are the specs of your computer anyway? That would help, because if your CPU is too slow you might be better saving the cash.

 

[SketchMaster]

X2 3800, 1.5gb DDR, ASUS 32SLI deluxe.

 

[Marty502]

Get the 3850 then. And overclock that X2 if you don't! Some big gains waiting to be had, right there. Oblivion loves high speed dual cores. It certainly doesn't love my high speed single core.

 

[SketchMaster]

Well, I was one of thoes lucky sobs that got a X2 with a bumb 2nd core so stock is a high as it will go. But that is fine with me, my overclocking days are over since that's was why I got stuck with the 5750. I got greedy and OCed my x800 gto2 too high and burned it out and never got around to upgrading it.

 

[daveybrat]

The 3850 is the way to go. Runs cooler, faster, and quieter. And you'll be more futureproof than the x1800.