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Nvidia Geforce 9800 GT (512mb) vs. ATI Radeon HD 3870 (512mb)

M

markymrk720

Junior Member
Hello all.

Im new here, but have been unable to find any information on the Nvidia Geforce 9800 GT (512mb) vs. ATI Radeon HD 3870 (512mb)....

They are both around the same price...but which is a better buy?

Thanks,

Mark
 
Q. Where can you buy 9800GT ?

A. 9800GT is the same as 8800GT , so look for 8800gt reviews against 3870 . 8800GT would be a better buy .
 
Originally posted by: wolf2009
Q. Where can you buy 9800GT ?

A. 9800GT is the same as 8800GT , so look for 8800gt reviews against 3870 . 8800GT would be a better buy .
Click to expand...



I didnt want to say this...for fear of flaming...but Dell is currently offering both video cards at the same price point, in their xps 730 system.
 
well the 9800GT is just the 8800GT renamed and the 8800GT was about 10% faster than the HD3870 in most games.

Originally posted by: markymrk720


I didnt want to say this...for fear of flaming...but Dell is currently offering both video cards at the same price point, in their xps 730 system.
Click to expand...

you are thinking of buying an XPS730 and only getting a 9800GT or 3870?

Why not go with the cheaper XPS 630 or XPS 430 then?
 
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
well the 9800GT is just the 8800GT renamed and the 8800GT was about 10% faster than the HD3870 in most games.

Originally posted by: markymrk720


I didnt want to say this...for fear of flaming...but Dell is currently offering both video cards at the same price point, in their xps 730 system.
Click to expand...

you are thinking of buying an XPS730 and only getting a 9800GT or 3870?

Why not go with the cheaper XPS 630 or XPS 430 then?
Click to expand...



Well...I will prob start out with that card, but may swap it out in 6 months or so...or stick another card in for the dual performance.

What do you recommend for a gaming desktop in the 1500-1600 dollar range?

THanks,
 
I don't have the time to check out nice desktops for 15-1600 but I'd have to assume you can do a lot better than an 8800GT or 3870 for that much money. Those cards only cost 100 bucks new, you'd be paying
the other 14/15ths of the price for wayyy less important components...
 
build yourself

Coolermaster RC 690-$80
Corsair VX550-$90
Asus Rampage Formula Motherboard-$290
Intel Core 2 Q6700-$275
Xigmatek Rifle cooler-$37
G.Skill DDR2 800 4GB (2x2GB kit)-$80
BFG GTX 280-$430
Western Digital 640GB HDD-$90
Samsung SATA DVD writer-$26
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM 64bit-$110

$1508
 
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
build yourself

Coolermaster RC 690-$80
Corsair VX550-$90
Asus Rampage Formula Motherboard-$290
Intel Core 2 Q6700-$275
Xigmatek Rifle cooler-$37
G.Skill DDR2 800 4GB (2x2GB kit)-$80
BFG GTX 280-$430
Western Digital 640GB HDD-$90
Samsung SATA DVD writer-$26
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM 64bit-$110

$1508
Click to expand...


Do you really need a $290 motherboard?

Since the Dell 730 uses an Nvidia SLI chipset motherboard, you are best off with the 9800GT. It's be nice to see the specs of the Dell system.

Edit: I guess Dell also uses Crossfire motherboards, since you can have dual ATI or NVidia graphics cards.
 
Originally posted by: RussianSensation
1. 9800GT > 3870
2. Don't build a dell.
3. Start a thread for a new system build.
Click to expand...


Blah...if my previous pc didnt crash...I would be more interested in building my own.

Speaking of dell..is it true that they down-clock their video cards?...they arent as powerful as a retail version of the same card?

Anyone had luck with velocity micro?
 
Originally posted by: firewolfsm
Built computers, if done right, are much more reliable than anything from Dell (unless you're buying their servers)
Click to expand...

If you are even the slightest bit interested in building your own computer do it, not that difficult and the community is a powerful resource for troubleshooting. The satisfaction of having a machine that does what you want it to do and can be tweaked to your liking is very rewarding.

(P.S. you'll save a boatload of money)

(P.S.S 9800GT is faster)
 
Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
Originally posted by: firewolfsm
Built computers, if done right, are much more reliable than anything from Dell (unless you're buying their servers)
Click to expand...

If you are even the slightest bit interested in building your own computer do it, not that difficult and the community is a powerful resource for troubleshooting. The satisfaction of having a machine that does what you want it to do and can be tweaked to your liking is very rewarding.

(P.S. you'll save a boatload of money)

(P.S.S 9800GT is faster)
Click to expand...
^ all of this.

HOOfan 1's already done most of the work. Personally, I'd go with a 100 less mb, a 100 less cpu and 100+ less gpu (you'd need better cooling with the 280gtx). For $1200, you'd have 300 'free' that, if you get into a spot that someone here couldn't help, you could take it somewhere and have a 'pro' complete it. If you have the least bit of 'tinkering' desire, building your own pc is rewarding. Plus, you'd want to immediately reformat the dell to remove the crapware anyway.

If there's no desire or time to build your own, just order a dell or hp. I believe newegg sells complete systems. If you've got time, shop for a special. As an alternative, micro center can custom build one (at least they used to) for you. If going this route, use whatever is within easy driving distance. You could even pay the neighborhood geek to build it for you.

Either way, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on anandtech forums itching to help (along with a few wiseasses, but just ignore them).
 
i dont know if you will necessarily save money building on your own.

what with the 530n deals for $399 for an entire system with a Q6600 and such. $259 with a e2180.
 
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
build yourself

Coolermaster RC 690-$80
Corsair VX550-$90
Asus Rampage Formula Motherboard-$290
Intel Core 2 Q6700-$275
Xigmatek Rifle cooler-$37
G.Skill DDR2 800 4GB (2x2GB kit)-$80
BFG GTX 280-$430
Western Digital 640GB HDD-$90
Samsung SATA DVD writer-$26
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM 64bit-$110

$1508
Click to expand...

Coolermaster RC 690-$80
Corsair VX550-$90
ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 - $129.99
Intel Core 2 Q6600-$195
Xigmatek Rifle cooler-$37
G.Skill DDR2 800 4GB (2x2GB kit)-$80
HD 4870 -$284
Western Digital 640GB HDD-$90
Samsung SATA DVD writer-$26
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM 64bit-$110

$1121

Fixed :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: markymrk720
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
well the 9800GT is just the 8800GT renamed and the 8800GT was about 10% faster than the HD3870 in most games.

Originally posted by: markymrk720


I didnt want to say this...for fear of flaming...but Dell is currently offering both video cards at the same price point, in their xps 730 system.
Click to expand...

you are thinking of buying an XPS730 and only getting a 9800GT or 3870?

Why not go with the cheaper XPS 630 or XPS 430 then?
Click to expand...



Well...I will prob start out with that card, but may swap it out in 6 months or so...or stick another card in for the dual performance.

What do you recommend for a gaming desktop in the 1500-1600 dollar range?

THanks,
Click to expand...

If you're thinking about upgrading already, its more reason to do as others say and build your own now. Biggest problem with OEM machines is limited upgradability, everything from # of dimm slots, PCI-E slots, PSU...just everything. There's just limited options and usually the parts supplied are "just enough".

The PSU would be my first concern if you wanted to upgrade in the future. It looks like you're getting some flexibility with an SLI/CF board, but I'd double check the specs on the PSU they supply you with.

But if you really don't want to bother with troubleshooting and supporting your own system, than its fully understandable that you'd want to just buy a pre-built machine. Nothing wrong with that and if you get in on one of the good deals that include a monitor too, they're pretty hard to beat. There's been quite a few deals with Dell where people buy the machines only to tear them apart for select parts because its cheaper than buying them retail (Q6600 + monitor a while ago).
 
Originally posted by: kmmatney
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
build yourself

Coolermaster RC 690-$80
Corsair VX550-$90
Asus Rampage Formula Motherboard-$290
Intel Core 2 Q6700-$275
Xigmatek Rifle cooler-$37
G.Skill DDR2 800 4GB (2x2GB kit)-$80
BFG GTX 280-$430
Western Digital 640GB HDD-$90
Samsung SATA DVD writer-$26
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM 64bit-$110

$1508
Click to expand...


Do you really need a $290 motherboard?

Since the Dell 730 uses an Nvidia SLI chipset motherboard, you are best off with the 9800GT. It's be nice to see the specs of the Dell system.

Edit: I guess Dell also uses Crossfire motherboards, since you can have dual ATI or NVidia graphics cards.
Click to expand...


I was just showing him how much more that $1500 would buy him if he built his own instead of buying pre-built.
 
Guys...I appreciate all of your help.

I would love to build my own pc...but unfortunately dont really have enough free time in my life to do so.

With that said...I was looking at dell, velocity micro, Ibuypower.com, etc.

 
Originally posted by: markymrk720
Guys...I appreciate all of your help.

I would love to build my own pc...but unfortunately dont really have enough free time in my life to do so.

With that said...I was looking at dell, velocity micro, Ibuypower.com, etc.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't touch iBuypower, Cyberpowerinc, Aeoncraft or BuyXG with a 50 foot pole. All of those companies are owned by just 1 or 2 different mother companies. What does it tell you when they have to have so many names on the market to distance themselves from their other brands? Just like Apex, Allied, Supercase, L&C, Deed and Solytech Power Supplies...all built by the same people and they all suck.

You should see HardOCP's review of their iBuypower experience...they review pre-built systems the right way...buy it as if they were just an ordinary customer and try out Tech support. Usually they just fabricate a problem, but whith the iBuypower they actually had a real problem that iBuypower never fixed.

Look into DigitalStormOnline and VigorGaming
 
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