HD4670 vs HD3850

[RallyMaster]

I'm intending on replacing the 6800GS that I've had almost three years now and since both are 70AR and may drop a bit more sometime in the next week or two, I was going to grab one. Which do I get because there are some cases where the 3850 edges out the 4670 and vice versa? I have an Accelero S1 Rev 2 that I'll be using so I would like a card that it's guaranteed to fit on.

 

[adlep]

THe HD4670 and HD850 are similar in terms of 3d performance, with the HD4670 getting a few percentage "edge" over the HD3850.
However, the HD4670 consumes very low power AND it does not require a dedicated PSU power connector.

Hence get the HD4670 and sell your Accelero S1 for few bucks as it does not require such a high-end heatsink.

Read more about the HD4670.
IMO, it offers the best power usage/price/performance ratio on the market.

 

[RallyMaster]

Well, I like having passive cooling on my cards so would the 4670 fit the ACS1 or would it look very strange? I'm not really concerned about power consumption as long as it performs well and doesn't require that I get rid of anything.

 

[adlep]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Well, I like having passive cooling on my cards so would the 4670 fit the ACS1 or would it look very strange?

Hmm,
Honestly, I do not have an experience with that subject. Your best best would be to zero-in on the card that you want to purchase and shoot a quick email to the manufacturer of the heatsink in regards to the fitting options...

 

[RallyMaster]

Gah. Last time I contacted Arctic Cooling about something, they never replied.

 

[ther00kie16]

In this thread, one person's sig includes a 4670 w/ S1. So it should fit. As for better deals... there was a 3850 for $50 after rebate once and a 3870 for $70 (or $75) after rebate. Maybe wait as long as you can? 4670 will most likely go down in price because it's a new card and you know how newegg likes to charge more for new cards.

 

[hans007]

the 4670 is not as good in higher res as a 3850.

the 3850 also really doesnt use much power. they are both 55nm . There is one at newegg for $50 AR.

Also all 4670s seem to have annoying noisy fans, since they are all 2 pin fans. A lot of 3850s are 4 pin so they are much quieter pWMM fans.


2 advantages of the 4670 is they fit in smaller cases, and they have 7.1 over hdmi.

 

[Xcobra]

Originally posted by: ther00kie16
In this thread, one person's sig includes a 4670 w/ S1. So it should fit. As for better deals... there was a 3850 for $50 after rebate once and a 3870 for $70 (or $75) after rebate. Maybe wait as long as you can? 4670 will most likely go down in price because it's a new card and you know how newegg likes to charge more for new cards.

Yup. It was an awesome deal I couldn't resist. But yeah if it wasnt because of that deal, I would have gone for the 4670.

 

[adlep]

According to SilentPCReview

Here

the Arctic Cooling Accelero S2 will fit. I am still not 100% sure about the S1 version, but it is possible...

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: adlep
According to SilentPCReview

Here

the Arctic Cooling Accelero S2 will fit. I am still not 100% sure about the S1 version, but it is possible...

If the S2 fits, the S1 will fit too. They have the same mounting holes.

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: adlep
According to SilentPCReview

Here

the Arctic Cooling Accelero S2 will fit. I am still not 100% sure about the S1 version, but it is possible...

If the S2 fits, the S1 will fit too. They have the same mounting holes.

Well from the pics on the AC website, they definitely don't have the same holes I think I have seen a 4670 with an S1 although I'm not sure all the cards are the same design.

Originally posted by: hans007
the 4670 is not as good in higher res as a 3850.

the 3850 also really doesnt use much power. they are both 55nm . There is one at newegg for $50 AR.

Also all 4670s seem to have annoying noisy fans, since they are all 2 pin fans. A lot of 3850s are 4 pin so they are much quieter pWMM fans.


2 advantages of the 4670 is they fit in smaller cases, and they have 7.1 over hdmi.

Well I guess I don't have a space issue since my HD4850 fit in the same sized case at home and I was still able to connect PCIe power to it. I will have to agree that all the 4670s look noisy out of the box so a passive solution is a guarantee for just about both cards. Thanks for the info folks.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Well from the pics on the AC website, they definitely don't have the same holes I think I have seen a 4670 with an S1 although I'm not sure all the cards are the same design.

They have the same distances between the holes, the only difference is that the S2 uses a different metal mounting plate and has an extra pair of holes ( or maybe 2? ) for higher compatibility, with older cards maybe.

 

[RallyMaster]

Well, I put in a bid for a 3850 on eBay last night and I won it. $61 shipped and it's new with only the UPC missing. Can't wait to get it

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Well, I put in a bid for a 3850 on eBay last night and I won it. $61 shipped and it's new with only the UPC missing. Can't wait to get it

I think that normally means the seller sent in a rebate for it. Not a bad deal if the seller passed the savings onto you.

So I'll be curious how it does passive, with no fan strapped on the S1. You do occasionally hear about people running 4850s passive.

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Well, I put in a bid for a 3850 on eBay last night and I won it. $61 shipped and it's new with only the UPC missing. Can't wait to get it

I think that normally means the seller sent in a rebate for it. Not a bad deal if the seller passed the savings onto you.

So I'll be curious how it does passive, with no fan strapped on the S1. You do occasionally hear about people running 4850s passive.

Yeah, I think that's the case.

Well, I'm one of them who runs the 4850 passively. The heatsink gets hot to the touch so after winter I might have to go active for that thing.