Which should I gamble on?

[Quiksilver]

Let's get this out of the way, I have $310 (USD) and I cannot make up my mind between these two card's.

8800GT
HD 3870

Yes, I'm well aware of that the 8800GT does out perform the 3870 by a good margin but the fact that these two are so close in price has me intrigued (especially the extreme-pc one as it comes out to be the same price as the 8800GT after shipping)

So overall which one?

I'm looking for image quality, I do know that nVidia has the better AA & AF but for the most part you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Then again as far as I know ATI has better color depth and well color at least when comparing these two shots. So, my question for that is, has it gotten any better for either card with latest/beta drivers?

On most modern games that I own I play 1680X1050, 4xAA, 16xAF wither everything possible maxed out. Whilst, with older games (Soldier of Fortune 2 anyone?) I play 8xAA, 16x AF with everything maxed out, and according so some review the 3870 performs better in that area.

Also, considering that specific HD 3870 has an unlocked BIOS I'm sure I could push the card further than it already is just by simply changing the thermal paste on the cores and considering extreme-pc was force to lower the over clock by 15Mhz as request from AMD, I could just OC right back to their and maybe even then some. I'm also considering the 3870 just because of the fact that nVidia currently has some shitty Vista 64 bit drivers out, but the thing is I don't know it ATI's are any better.

One last thing, this is all going on a new system so here's the most important spec's:

Case: NZXT Zero
Power Supply: Corsair 620HX
Processor: Intel Q6600 G0
Memory: Crucial Tech. Ballistix Tracers 4x 1GB DDR2-800
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
Sound Card: Asus Xonar D2X
OS: Vista Ultimate 64 Bit

If the HD 3870 can come within 5 - 10% of the 8800GT that will be plenty good that I would purchase it.

Help me...

 

[hclarkjr]

you say you are looking for image quality? then it is the 3870 as ATI has better image quality

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: hclarkjr
you say you are looking for image quality? then it is the 3870 as ATI has better image quality

This is an absurd statement. There hasn't been an image quality difference since the x1950/7xxx series competition


For equal $, get the GT. It's a far better performer.

 

[Quiksilver]

@ clark
The thing is does anyone have any proof of that and is using the current stable drivers and comparing the two?

@ hampster
click the two shots links and you'll see a difference between the two, I just don't know if thats changed.

 

[Amart]

8800 GT 512mb just read the Anandtech review. 3870 performs worse on average. ATI released an awsome card, but with your budget the nVidia card is just better. The image quality is the same, but with the 8800GT you'll be able to turn on higher anti-aliasing and other effects - so it's EFFECTIVE image quality is going to be higher.

 

[Extelleron]

I wouldn't buy either of those cards.

If I were buying an HD 3870, I'd buy one at Newegg (right now a Gecube model is $235 AR and a Powercolor model with a better cooler is $249).

You can get a 8800GTS 512MB for $339 AR on Newegg (the eVGA model w/ free Crysis) or an XFX model for $319 AR w/ free Company of Heroes.

Image quality is probably identical. The Crysis shots you're seeing there appear to look better on the HD 3870 because it's closer in to the island, the 3870 screenshot is frame 84 of 2000 while 8800GT shot is frame 59.

Of course I like to support AMD over nVidia, if that's what you want too, then you might consider waiting for the HD 3870 X2 (R680 core) which should he coming soon (rumored January) along with the rest of AMD's 55nm lineup.

 

[DeathSniper]

The two shoots are indeed different; they're also on different heights at different frames. It looks like the nvidia one has a haze from a cloud or something softening the reflection from the water. Actually, tbh, the nvidia one imo looks way better than the ATI one. The nvidia one has the dock on the bottom right and landpoint on the left side of the screen; the ATI one doesn't. I'm not sure how you can compare two screenshots that are taken at different altitudes - it just screams of skewed results.

From my first hand experience I've seen a 3870, 8800GT and 8800GTS and I can tell you that I'm hard pressed to find any real difference in most games. Most of it is pretty subtle and is going to be personal preference I'm afraid (I'm at 1680x1050 as well). Unfortunately you're on Vista 64-bit and I haven't experienced the driver situation there so I can't say anything for that, sorry mate

 

[Puffnstuff]

If you're spending $310 get a gts.

 

[Quiksilver]

@Deathsniper
I somewhat agree with you on which looks better, in fact I like the way ATI renders the water far more than nVidia does and I like nvidia forest line much better. Thankfully though I will not be playing crysis until there is a card that can do it on very high at 60+ FPS.

@puffnstuff
A G92 GTS is not $310. It's Upwards $320+ and does not offer too much more performance over the 8800GT, in other words for my price point it would be a waste of money.

@no one

I forgot to mention, has the 8800GTs fan bug been fixed? Cause I really wouldn't want to have to install riva tuner just to fix that and set fan profiles.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: QuiksilverX1
@Deathsniper
I somewhat agree with you on which looks better, in fact I like the way ATI renders the water far more than nVidia does and I like nvidia forest line much better. Thankfully though I will not be playing crysis until there is a card that can do it on very high at 60+ FPS.

@puffnstuff
A G92 GTS is not $310. It's Upwards $320+ and does not offer too much more performance over the 8800GT, in other words for my price point it would be a waste of money.

@no one

I forgot to mention, has the 8800GTs fan bug been fixed? Cause I really wouldn't want to have to install riva tuner just to fix that and set fan profiles.

GTS might not be much faster than the GT, but for $20 more it is worth it. GTS's also overclock better, they will hit higher speeds than the GT and are a bit faster clock-for-clock because they have more SPs.

 

[Belles Toaster]

Just hang in there a little while more,the CES is around the corner and we' all shall get a peak at the new cards. In fact 3870X2 is coming later in January @ just over $300. (rumoured). This goes a long way to explain some 3870 shortages.

 

[Yuriman]

delete plz.

 

[Capt Caveman]

For $310, way too much money for a 3870 or 8800GT. If you're willing to spend that money, get the 8800GTS 512 - faster with a better cooling solution than the GT.

EVGA and BFG have updated bios for their GT's to fix the fan speed issue. Weird though you wouldn't use a program like rivatuner to customize your fan speed if you're going to oc it anyways.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Belles Toaster
Just hang in there a little while more,the CES is around the corner and we' all shall get a peak at the new cards. In fact 3870X2 is coming later in January @ just over $300. (rumoured). This goes a long way to explain some 3870 shortages.

In the leaked pics of he 3870X2 looks bigger than the 8800 Ultra, and if it is it's not going to fit in my case (eg. too long).

For $310, way too much money for a 3870 or 8800GT. If you're willing to spend that money, get the 8800GTS 512 - faster with a better cooling solution than the GT.

EVGA and BFG have updated bios for their GT's to fix the fan speed issue. Weird though you wouldn't use a program like rivatuner to customize your fan speed if you're going to oc it anyways.

I didn't say I was going to OC the 8800GT as it really isn't necessary. The only reason why I mention OC the 3870 was cause it's original OC was 835 Core, but AMD asked them to drop the speed by 15Mhz, so why not put it back to what it is supposed to be.

Anyway, this thread still isn't helping per say, it's just making me think more than I want.

 

[Quiksilver]

Bump.

Has anyone here actually used the 8800GT or the 3870 on Vista 64 bit and are aware of any of the driver issues (like the 8800 series screen flickering and BSOD's) and backwards compatibly with older games on the 8800 series cards rather than just going with "Get the 8800GT(S) cause it rocks my socks" kind of attitude? I'm already well aware of the fact that 8800GT(S) will out perform the 3870, but if the drivers in the 64 bit environment is better than well I'll gladly take the performance hit. I just don't want opinions judged based solely on reviews, I'm looking for experiences.

 

[Syntax Error]

Why on Earth would you spend $310 for an HD3870? Surely you could find one for cheaper?

 

[Quiksilver]

It's about $302 after shipping (after all its being shipped cross-country from canada to usa) not too mention it's has a nice overclock 820Mhz (775 stock) on core and 2400 DDR on memory (2250 DDR stock). It's BIOS is also fully unlocked because of AMD requesting them to bring the overclock down from 835Mhz, so they left the BIOS unlocked as a feature.

$310 is just the maximum price ceiling I'm willing to spend after shipping has been included.

 

[zeroburrito]

the lock is at 862mhz. they all pretty much reach 860 with ease.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Tough call. I'd be happy with either. The HD 3870 is notably less expensive for the comparable cards, but prices are starting to drop a bit on both. The 3870 X2 sounds very itneresting, but I doubt it'll be at $300 at launch. Even if that was MSRP, it'll go for way more at first. Just on the noise and heat factor, I'd lean towards the HD 3870. But then I'm not a serious gamer.

 

[SniperDaws]

id go for the ATI 3870 because its just as fast as the 8800GT but also has DX10.1 and SM 4.1 which at the moment doesnt sound like much but if it makes DX10 games better or even faster then its a bonus in the near future isnt it.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Originally posted by: QuiksilverX1
@Deathsniper
I somewhat agree with you on which looks better, in fact I like the way ATI renders the water far more than nVidia does and I like nvidia forest line much better. Thankfully though I will not be playing crysis until there is a card that can do it on very high at 60+ FPS.

@puffnstuff
A G92 GTS is not $310. It's Upwards $320+ and does not offer too much more performance over the 8800GT, in other words for my price point it would be a waste of money.

@no one

I forgot to mention, has the 8800GTs fan bug been fixed? Cause I really wouldn't want to have to install riva tuner just to fix that and set fan profiles.

Eh bfg just had a sale on them @ $300 each so yes they can be had for $310 or less. The cooler alone is worth more than $20 versus a gt. Hell you can even get one from bb for $329 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1195600207509

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: hclarkjr
you say you are looking for image quality? then it is the 3870 as ATI has better image quality

This is an absurd statement. There hasn't been an image quality difference since the x1950/7xxx series competition


For equal $, get the GT. It's a far better performer.

Far better performer? Don't think so, I know that you want to justify and defend your card, but the Radeon HD 2900XT performance is erratic, but it's performance stands between the GTS 640 and the GTX in average, so bearing in mind that the 8800GT is slighly faster than the GTS 640 and that the Radeon HD 3870 is also slighly faster than the HD 2900XT, I don't see nowhere the GT being much faster than a HD 3870 when it's only slighly faster than the old GTS 640.

 

[orbiter]

I just bought an 8800GT and its fantastic, also after reading many reviews it seems the GT comes out on top overall so I'd say get one quick, you won't be disapointed.

 

[recoiledsnake]

Get the HD3870 and save the rest of the money for your next upgrade OR pay a little extra and get the new GTS. GT for $310 bucks is NOT a good buy. Might be worth it at $250-270.

 

[Hauk]

Skinner Box...