HD 3850 256MB or 8600GTS 512MB

Tourniquet135 · Dec 1, 2007, 04:18 AM

Hello all,

I'm getting a 8600GTS for Christmas and i've done some late research

and found out the 3850 has double the performance of the 8600GTS and is the same price, but i also know that the ATI drivers a UBER buggy. I've had an ATI card before, but it was in 2000 and it was PCI. Talk about stone age! Anyway. What should i get? Please help!

I want to play these games.

UT3
Bioshock
MOH: Airborne
COD:4 "Which my 7600GT is good with"
Counter Strike : Source

I'm only gonna be at 1024x768 res and i will be using Dx9

PC spec:
AMD x2 4200 "2.2ghz"
MSI K8N Platinum/SLI
450W Sunbeam PSU
160GB Hard Drive
1.5GB of DDR 400 PC3200

[hobo]eclipse · Dec 1, 2007, 04:46 AM

naw, no worse than nvidia's tons of revisions and betas floatin about, if the card has more gaming performance go for it!

Tourniquet135 · Dec 1, 2007, 05:13 AM

8800GT 256mb is coming out soon and i got EVGA. So i have the 90 sent back thing. ^_^ I hope the 8800GT is only $200 or less.

Dyre Straits · Dec 1, 2007, 10:34 AM

I may be mistaken, but, I recall reading that the price difference between the 3850 and the 3870 is going to be very small. In that case, if ATI is your preference, the 3870 would be the better choice for the money.

IvanV · Dec 1, 2007, 12:39 PM

As you can see, the graphics card market is a mess. Very closely together, you've got 8600GT, 3850, 3870 (whose price may drop soon as 8800GT 256MB joins in) and 8800GT.

Still, your question was which of the two specific cards should you choose (and, as far as I was able to see, you'd like to stay in the sub $200 category), so I'll just say 3850 is the way to go (and you'll be able to enjoy at least 1280*1024 in pretty much every game you've mentioned).

As for the buggy drivers, those are myths that may have been true 5 years ago. I've been using them for about 3-4 years, and there's maybe one release per year people have problems with, judging by reactions on the forum, but I've been lucky to avoid those and really haven't had any problems.

Matth · Dec 1, 2007, 04:02 PM

Much better if you can hold off until the 8800GT 256MB turns up, as it should deliver another stirring of the price/performance pot - even if it does not end up the absolute best solution at the price, it may force some repositioning of the alternatives.

The Best Gaming Graphics Cards for the Money: November 2007 | Tom's Hardware
A rough comparison (before 3850/70) of similar cards.

If you only want DX9, then also compare prices of the DX9 solutions

Dyre Straits · Dec 1, 2007, 04:17 PM

Here's why I stated what I did above: At Fry's the 3870 is only $230 with a $20 rebate for a final cost of $210. That should fit within the '$200' budget.

FRYS.com*|*Diamond

Liqourice · Dec 1, 2007, 06:15 PM

At this moment you get most for the money if you get a 3870.

It's true that many of the 8800 series cards give better performance in most cases but they're generally a lot more expensive as well. So, getting the most "FPS" per buck the 3870 is definately the best choise.

**kris23** · Dec 1, 2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liqourice

At this moment you get most for the money if you get a 3870.

It's true that many of the 8800 series cards give better performance in most cases but they're generally a lot more expensive as well. So, getting the most "FPS" per buck the 3870 is definately the best choise.

thats mostly a false statement, currently the 3870 card prices are currently inflating in every store i been to. they are right now, the same price as the 8800GT..... not good for them.

Tourniquet135 · Dec 2, 2007, 06:17 AM

I have made up my mind. I am going with the ATI 3850. I don't need the 512mb so i can play at 1600x1400 or anything. I simply play at 1024x768. Thank you all for the help. I have one more question though.

1. I have a 450W PSU and the 3850 demands a 450w or better. Will i have go get a 500 or 550? Here's my PSU spec's.

Matth · Dec 2, 2007, 01:48 PM

Depends on the brand, a good name 450W with dual 12V should be adequate, but if it's a cheap & nasty one, probably better to replace it.

A really good 450 is quite likely BETTER than a crapola "600W".

Liqourice · Dec 2, 2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

thats mostly a false statement, currently the 3870 card prices are currently inflating in every store i been to. they are right now, the same price as the 8800GT..... not good for them.

Not around here, they're a lot cheaper in most places.

IvanV · Dec 2, 2007, 02:32 PM

Across the net, depending on configuration, people measured that entire systems containing a 3850 used from 200W (a decent C2D machine) to 250W (system containing C2 Quad Extreme, a WD Raptor and similar high power consumption components) under full load. The vast majority of that load was placed on the 12V lines, but since your PSU is supposed to deliver 312W over 12V lines, you should be fine.

Tourniquet135 · Dec 3, 2007, 03:54 AM

Ok..Thanks. =) My PSU has been kickin for a good 2 years. It also has a lot of awards under its belt.

WELCOME!!!! << SUNBEAMTECH >> is where you can find it.

How much will my performance drop since i have PCI-E 1.1 and not 2.0?

ChaosMinionX · Dec 3, 2007, 04:15 AM

You will not see any performance difference with current "PCIE2.0" cards being used on PCIE 1.1...

That being said, you will later on in 2008/2009 when new higher performance cards come out, and you will see a difference then, but current "PCIE2.0" cards are not even using the bandwidth

Tourniquet135 · Dec 3, 2007, 09:26 AM

Awesome. I'm so pumped to get my new Video card! HD 3850 is gonna be so much better then my 7600GT. =D Woot! Thanks a lot guys.

Judas · Dec 5, 2007, 05:12 PM

enjoy the HD3850... it's a brilliant little fast sucker

Dec 1, 2007, 04:18 AM	#1
Tourniquet135 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	HD 3850 256MB or 8600GTS 512MB Hello all, I'm getting a 8600GTS for Christmas and i've done some late research and found out the 3850 has double the performance of the 8600GTS and is the same price, but i also know that the ATI drivers a UBER buggy. I've had an ATI card before, but it was in 2000 and it was PCI. Talk about stone age! Anyway. What should i get? Please help! I want to play these games. UT3 Bioshock MOH: Airborne COD:4 "Which my 7600GT is good with" Counter Strike : Source I'm only gonna be at 1024x768 res and i will be using Dx9 PC spec: AMD x2 4200 "2.2ghz" MSI K8N Platinum/SLI 450W Sunbeam PSU 160GB Hard Drive 1.5GB of DDR 400 PC3200

Dec 1, 2007, 05:13 AM	Thread Starter #3
Tourniquet135 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	8800GT 256mb is coming out soon and i got EVGA. So i have the 90 sent back thing. ^_^ I hope the 8800GT is only $200 or less. Last edited by Tourniquet135; Dec 1, 2007 at 08:16 AM.

Dec 1, 2007, 12:39 PM	#5
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,905 Rep Power: 333 System Specs	As you can see, the graphics card market is a mess. Very closely together, you've got 8600GT, 3850, 3870 (whose price may drop soon as 8800GT 256MB joins in) and 8800GT. Still, your question was which of the two specific cards should you choose (and, as far as I was able to see, you'd like to stay in the sub $200 category), so I'll just say 3850 is the way to go (and you'll be able to enjoy at least 12801024 in pretty much every game you've mentioned). As for the buggy drivers, those are myths that may have been true 5 years ago. I've been using them for about 3-4 years, and there's maybe one release per year people have problems with, judging by reactions on the forum, but I've been lucky to avoid those and really haven't had any problems. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2* and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Dec 1, 2007, 04:02 PM	#6
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,425 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Much better if you can hold off until the 8800GT 256MB turns up, as it should deliver another stirring of the price/performance pot - even if it does not end up the absolute best solution at the price, it may force some repositioning of the alternatives. The Best Gaming Graphics Cards for the Money: November 2007 \| Tom's Hardware A rough comparison (before 3850/70) of similar cards. If you only want DX9, then also compare prices of the DX9 solutions __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Dec 2, 2007, 06:17 AM	Thread Starter #10
Tourniquet135 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	I have made up my mind. I am going with the ATI 3850. I don't need the 512mb so i can play at 1600x1400 or anything. I simply play at 1024x768. Thank you all for the help. I have one more question though. 1. I have a 450W PSU and the 3850 demands a 450w or better. Will i have go get a 500 or 550? Here's my PSU spec's. Last edited by Tourniquet135; Dec 2, 2007 at 07:25 AM.

Dec 1, 2007, 04:46 AM	#2
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	naw, no worse than nvidia's tons of revisions and betas floatin about, if the card has more gaming performance go for it!

Dec 1, 2007, 06:15 PM	#8
Liqourice HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,690 Rep Power: 98 System Specs	At this moment you get most for the money if you get a 3870. It's true that many of the 8800 series cards give better performance in most cases but they're generally a lot more expensive as well. So, getting the most "FPS" per buck the 3870 is definately the best choise.

Dec 2, 2007, 01:48 PM	#11
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,425 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Depends on the brand, a good name 450W with dual 12V should be adequate, but if it's a cheap & nasty one, probably better to replace it. A really good 450 is quite likely BETTER than a crapola "600W". __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Dec 2, 2007, 02:32 PM	#13
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,905 Rep Power: 333 System Specs	Across the net, depending on configuration, people measured that entire systems containing a 3850 used from 200W (a decent C2D machine) to 250W (system containing C2 Quad Extreme, a WD Raptor and similar high power consumption components) under full load. The vast majority of that load was placed on the 12V lines, but since your PSU is supposed to deliver 312W over 12V lines, you should be fine. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Dec 3, 2007, 03:54 AM	Thread Starter #14
Tourniquet135 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Ok..Thanks. =) My PSU has been kickin for a good 2 years. It also has a lot of awards under its belt. WELCOME!!!! << SUNBEAMTECH >> is where you can find it. How much will my performance drop since i have PCI-E 1.1 and not 2.0?

Dec 3, 2007, 04:15 AM	#15
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	You will not see any performance difference with current "PCIE2.0" cards being used on PCIE 1.1... That being said, you will later on in 2008/2009 when new higher performance cards come out, and you will see a difference then, but current "PCIE2.0" cards are not even using the bandwidth __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Dec 3, 2007, 09:26 AM	Thread Starter #16
Tourniquet135 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Awesome. I'm so pumped to get my new Video card! HD 3850 is gonna be so much better then my 7600GT. =D Woot! Thanks a lot guys.