The ~$200 battle

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Xatos

Junior Member
Dec 2, 2007
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Hey guys I have been trying to make up my mind on this one for a while... I'm not really willing to spend $300 on a video card and I'm going for a "bang for buck" thing here.

People claim that the lower vram (256Mb) will not be enough for newer games when using AA, but the 3850 is in some respects a slower card then the 8800gt 256.

If I'm gaming on a 1440x900 monitor and I don't really care as much about AA what would be the best card for the money?

Thanks for your help.



Reviews of the 8800gt that include the 3850:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/607/12/
http://firingsquad.com/hardwar..._xxx_review/page20.asp

Review of the 3850 512mb:
http://www.elitebastards.com/c...=view&id=490&Itemid=27
 
AzN

AzN

Banned
Nov 26, 2001
4,112
2
0
With AA or any of the newer titles 256mb vram just isn't good enough. You might be okay for now with 256mb card but for how long? 256mb cards are showing half the frame rate especially if you turn up AA.

It's a tough call and it would matter what resolution you are running but in this case I would get the 512mb 3850 and clock it 3870 speeds.
 
H

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
18
81
well the 3850 is $159 at bestbuy.com it seems like relaly good bang for the buck for about $50 less. i guess it depends how much $50 is worth to youl


 
W

wanderer27

Platinum Member
Aug 6, 2005
2,173
15
81
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
My debate is between:

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...SB&manufacture=DIAMOND -- ATI 3850

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...ure=Galaxy%20Techology - Galaxy 8800GT

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...5&manufacture=SAPPHIRE - ATI 3870
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, I believe the 8800GT is the faster of the three cards, but it's also more expensive. It all comes down to what you're willing shell out.

I wish ATI (AMD) had come out with faster cards, but that's where we're at. They do seem a bit better on power, not sure on heat/noise.



 
S

spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
1
81
Originally posted by: wanderer27
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
My debate is between:

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...SB&manufacture=DIAMOND -- ATI 3850

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...ure=Galaxy%20Techology - Galaxy 8800GT

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...5&manufacture=SAPPHIRE - ATI 3870
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, I believe the 8800GT is the faster of the three cards, but it's also more expensive. It all comes down to what you're willing shell out.

I wish ATI (AMD) had come out with faster cards, but that's where we're at. They do seem a bit better on power, not sure on heat/noise.
Click to expand...

Can't forget about the dual slot cooling solution the 3870 has. The new 8800GTs have it too, but I am guessing they will sell the old ones first.
 
W

wanderer27

Platinum Member
Aug 6, 2005
2,173
15
81
Originally posted by: spittledip
Originally posted by: wanderer27
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
My debate is between:

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...SB&manufacture=DIAMOND -- ATI 3850

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...ure=Galaxy%20Techology - Galaxy 8800GT

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...5&manufacture=SAPPHIRE - ATI 3870
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, I believe the 8800GT is the faster of the three cards, but it's also more expensive. It all comes down to what you're willing shell out.

I wish ATI (AMD) had come out with faster cards, but that's where we're at. They do seem a bit better on power, not sure on heat/noise.
Click to expand...

Can't forget about the dual slot cooling solution the 3870 has. The new 8800GTs have it too, but I am guessing they will sell the old ones first.
Click to expand...

Dual slot coolers?

Didn't know about that.

I'm on the fence myself - go with a 8800GT or wait for the 9xxx series.

Not sure I really need it though ;)

 
exar333

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Originally posted by: wanderer27
Originally posted by: spittledip
Originally posted by: wanderer27
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
My debate is between:

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...SB&manufacture=DIAMOND -- ATI 3850

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...ure=Galaxy%20Techology - Galaxy 8800GT

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...5&manufacture=SAPPHIRE - ATI 3870
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, I believe the 8800GT is the faster of the three cards, but it's also more expensive. It all comes down to what you're willing shell out.

I wish ATI (AMD) had come out with faster cards, but that's where we're at. They do seem a bit better on power, not sure on heat/noise.
Click to expand...

Can't forget about the dual slot cooling solution the 3870 has. The new 8800GTs have it too, but I am guessing they will sell the old ones first.
Click to expand...

Dual slot coolers?

Didn't know about that.

I'm on the fence myself - go with a 8800GT or wait for the 9xxx series.

Not sure I really need it though ;)
Click to expand...

I would say get a 3850 if you are on a upgrading budget ($150) or get a 8800GT ($250) if you want to have a faster card, longer. I would guess we will see an even larger price premium on the 98xx series next year when it comes out, and the 8800GT will keep you happy until the prices come down to better levels. Also, it's a nice, elegent single-slot card that is fast, been a while since I have seen that! (BTW, I have a 8800GT in the mail as we speak)
 
RussianSensation

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
If you intend to keep the card for a while, go for the 512mb version because sooner or later even without AA, 256mb will simply not be enough.

 
I

InFeXiOn

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
284
0
0
Will the performance on the 3850 be a 100%+ upgrade from my current 7600GS?

Recently, with max settings in WoW (whether it may be my drivers or not, I'm not sure) I've been experiencing frame rates of around 30FPS - which for my card at 1680x1050 seems a bit low.

Now that I'm considering going dual-monitor setup (2 x 22'' monitors) I think I want dual-DVI since mine currently has DVI/VGA. I don't know what to do! =(
 
I

InFeXiOn

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
284
0
0
I know it's going to dominate my 7600GS, but am I going to see a 100%+ increase? I want something that will at least double, hopefully triple my FPS.
 
exar333

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
What resolutions do you play most games on? You should see a larger increase in performance as your resolutions get higher. This will be even more pronounced if you are using AA/FSAA as well. Without comparing them in detail, I would'nt be supriosed to see a 75-150% increase depending on the game and conditions.
 
I

InFeXiOn

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
284
0
0
I play all games on 1680x1050 (native resolution on my 22'' monitor) and plan on dual-screening, but the other screen will be used for Ventrilo, Firefox, iTunes, ect. while I play WoW if that's relevant at all. Or to play XBOX360 on, hehe.

So it would be that large of an increase?

And should I fork out almost $100 extra to grab the 8800GT - would this be future-proofing myself for a lot longer?
 
S

spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
1
81
Originally posted by: ExarKun333
Originally posted by: wanderer27
Originally posted by: spittledip
Originally posted by: wanderer27
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
My debate is between:

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...SB&manufacture=DIAMOND -- ATI 3850

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...ure=Galaxy%20Techology - Galaxy 8800GT

http://www.directcanada.com/pr...5&manufacture=SAPPHIRE - ATI 3870
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, I believe the 8800GT is the faster of the three cards, but it's also more expensive. It all comes down to what you're willing shell out.

I wish ATI (AMD) had come out with faster cards, but that's where we're at. They do seem a bit better on power, not sure on heat/noise.
Click to expand...

Can't forget about the dual slot cooling solution the 3870 has. The new 8800GTs have it too, but I am guessing they will sell the old ones first.
Click to expand...

Dual slot coolers?

Didn't know about that.

I'm on the fence myself - go with a 8800GT or wait for the 9xxx series.

Not sure I really need it though ;)
Click to expand...

I would say get a 3850 if you are on a upgrading budget ($150) or get a 8800GT ($250) if you want to have a faster card, longer. I would guess we will see an even larger price premium on the 98xx series next year when it comes out, and the 8800GT will keep you happy until the prices come down to better levels. Also, it's a nice, elegent single-slot card that is fast, been a while since I have seen that! (BTW, I have a 8800GT in the mail as we speak)
Click to expand...

There is nothing elegant about a 95c heater inside your pc.. that is why Nvidia redesigned the stock hsf to be dual slot.
 
S

spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
1
81
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
I play all games on 1680x1050 (native resolution on my 22'' monitor) and plan on dual-screening, but the other screen will be used for Ventrilo, Firefox, iTunes, ect. while I play WoW if that's relevant at all. Or to play XBOX360 on, hehe.

So it would be that large of an increase?

And should I fork out almost $100 extra to grab the 8800GT - would this be future-proofing myself for a lot longer?
Click to expand...

Quite honestly, I think for future proofing, the current cards all bite hard. They are fine for now only. And in some cases, are not even good enough for now depending on what settings you want.
 
I

InFeXiOn

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
284
0
0
Well, check out my other thread where I go into more detail in this section.

As explained in that thread I do want to try out some newer games but I am going to be playing WoW and want at 1680x1050 at least 60FPS even in intensive areas while being able to operate on my secondary monitor with normal tasks. This is pretty much a requirement that I have.

- Paul
 
S

spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
1
81
WOW should be no problem. Future proofing is the main problem.

EDIT: I meant to say that what you want for WOW will be no problem for any of those cards.
 
daveybrat

daveybrat

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jan 31, 2000
5,805
1,018
126
Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
Will the performance on the 3850 be a 100%+ upgrade from my current 7600GS?

Recently, with max settings in WoW (whether it may be my drivers or not, I'm not sure) I've been experiencing frame rates of around 30FPS - which for my card at 1680x1050 seems a bit low.

Now that I'm considering going dual-monitor setup (2 x 22'' monitors) I think I want dual-DVI since mine currently has DVI/VGA. I don't know what to do! =(
Click to expand...


More like a 300-400% or higher upgrade from your 7600GS.




 
B

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
Buy the AMD. They're priced right for the performance, and AMD needs the money!

Buy AMD - preserve competiton! ;)
 
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