ATI HD 3800 Review Thread

[zerazax]

I cant seem to search for 3850 / 3870 in ncixus.com but the NCIX has the canadian cards priced at $190 for 3850 and $240 for 3870 (canadian dollars). Lets see if they are really just price gouging, since all the reviews stated $219 MSRP for 3870 but demand and pricing is up to retailers of course.

[awdrifter]

i dont think that we were looking at the same bench it beat the 8800gt and gtx in a few tests and came cole with most of them (i dont care what max is when the low is bimal ide take 10% less frames to stay playable all of the time)

and i wish that they would have oced the duel orb and done a few of the tests

For example, in Company of Heros, without AA the 3870 and the 8800GT is neck and neck, but with AA on it lag behind the 8800GT by quite a bit. In Prey it beats the 8800GT with no AA, but lags behind again with AA turned on. Same thing in World in Conflict.

[Tomasz25]

Im wondering if there is any sense to change my X1950XT to 3870, I dont want to play DX10 yet, what do You think?

[Leeghoofd]

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?type=expert&aid=482

http://www.hothardware.com/articles/...50_55nm_RV670/

http://www.technic3d.com/article-591...im-aufwind.htm

[jimmyz]

Im wondering if there is any sense to change my X1950XT to 3870, I dont want to play DX10 yet, what do You think?

my single hd 2900 beat my uber edition crossfire 1950's by a decent margin, so since the 3870 seems faster i would say yes go for it.

[Tomasz25]

thanks very much, this is very important information for me

[Boissez]

I don't really get the nay-sayers around here. FWIW the RV670 is a very flexible chip as it both adresses the mainstream and the low-end performance markets (where the bacon is anyway) while keeping manufacturing costs on the level (my rough guestimation is that the RV670 is about 30% cheaper to make than the G92) - and it does so while matching the 8800GT's otherwise excellent price/performance/power comsumption ratio. So whats not to like?

[[XC]Atomicpineapple]

Its a good chip, and with availability way in excess of the 8800GT I'm sure it'll make AMD/ATI some cash, but its not what enthusiasts really want right now, which is a screaming fast card that'll run Crysis with all options on at a decent widescreen res.

That said I'm wondering if 38XX crossfire is a worthwhile upgrade from my 8800GTS 640MB.

[PhilDoc]

Well, just ordered the HIS 3870 from NCIXUS. Should be here in a couple of days. I've never ordered from this place, hopefully they're a good retailer.

[Mike EFix]

Blatantly ripped from PC Perspectives review:

“What, no Crysis testing?

I just wanted to address this quickly since I know I'll get emails and forum posts if I don't: I did not include any Crysis demo testing or early-release full game testing because of some issues with the game, drivers and multi-GPU support. In short, just a few days after the game release, both Crytek and Microsoft are going to be releasing patches for Vista and Crysis that will address performance issues in both single and especially in multi-GPU system configurations. Rather than waste hours testing a title for results that will be null and void 7 days down the road, I just thought I’d wait for the update to be released and then get a full write up ready for you all.

Sorry!”

[metro.cl]

Here is our review: http://www.chilehardware.com/foro/sh...d.php?t=125523

[SKYMTL]

not what enthusiasts really want right now, which is a screaming fast card that'll run Crysis with all options on at a decent widescreen res.

That can be said of the 8800GT as well. Right now the ONLY card that can even come close to that is the 8800GTX.

[3800x2]

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/h...hd_3870_rv670/
English translation
http://www.google.com/translate?u=ht...&hl=sl&ie=UTF8

[Unbornchild]

but its not what enthusiasts really want right now, which is a screaming fast card that'll run Crysis with all options on at a decent widescreen res.

But RV670 is not -nor does it claim to be- that high end card, it is a (upper) midrange card.
Btw that's why i'm waiting; i want that screaming fast card, hope it's the R680.

[mascaras]

GECUBE Launches Overclocked HD 3850 & 3870 Cards

After taking the market by storm with the launch of the HD2900XT in mid-May, GECUBE launched today this year’s heavyweight graphics card – the HD3800 Series. The product that reviewers and gamers have all been waiting for is now finally here. Equipped with the latest RV670 (55nm) graphics chip from AMD, the HD3800 series marks the first time that the PCI-Express 2.0 interface has been used on a graphics card and incorporates the latest ATI CrossFireX technology. With support for DirectX 10.1, it delivers next-generation 3D graphics performance for ultimate realism. You can now enjoy both high resolution and superior image processing technology at the same time! [---]

Leading the charge from ATI’s new HD3800 series of graphics cards is the GECUBE HD3870 equipped with the ATI Radeon RV670XT graphics processor, the first graphics chip to be built on a 55nm process and is available with 512MB of GDDR4 memory and 256-bit memory bandwidth. The additional features include built-in HDMI and 5.1 channel surround sound support, full HDCP, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray support over double Dual-Link DVI, all-new Unified Video Decoder (UVD) processing system as well as the latest HD Video and image processing technologies. Together they deliver a breathtakingly realistic high definition 1080p experience. Meanwhile, the GECUBE HD3850, which is equipped with the ATI Radeon RV670PRO graphics processor and 256MB of GDDR3 memory, is also fully compatible with the equivalent technology supports and efficiency applications. It allows gamers to experience the same level superior graphics performance with economical price. GECUBE HD3800 full series also support ATI’s next-generation CrossFIreX technology that allows up to four graphics card to be run in parallel. The result is 3D graphics performance that surpasses everything else to date and takes gaming to a whole new level.

GECUBE has now taken the design of its popular X-Turbo II a step further to come up with the new X-Turbo III silent fan. The superb low-noise turbine design and dual heatpipes ensure perfect heat dissipation and superb performance. Thanks to this industry-leading design from GECUBE, users can enjoy high performance and quality without worrying about heat or noise. Backed by the X-Turbo III silent fan, the HD3870 can easily overclocked up to a core frequency of 857 MHz and a memory frequency of 1.25*2 GHZ; and HD3850 also can have a core frequency of 720 MHz and a memory frequency of 950*2 MHZ. With improved support for new application technologies, 320 Unified Stream Processors, physics processing support and the ATI PowerPlay technology that is being used for the first time, the HD3800 full series can deliver faster and better performance for the same power consumption. All of these outstanding accomplishments mean that the GECUBE HD3800 full series will simply blow you away with its spectacular performance during games and movies, and is definitely the heavyweight graphics card to watch out for this year.

The GECUBE HD3800 series includes the first ATI cards to support the latest DirectX 10.1 technology. It offers 32-bit floating point filtering support and breaks new ground in illumination quality with the use of Global Illumination technology. High Dynamic Range (HDR) illumination and deferred shading performance from Customer Filter Anti-Aliasing (CFAA) technology are also boosted. The addition of Geometry Shader technology in particular accelerates the processing of 3D effects such as bump mapping. Graphics data can now be cycled within the graphics card itself, greatly improving the realism of particles and shadows. Shader Model 4.1 image optimization technology is included DX10.1 as well, allowing the GECUBE HD3800 to achieve even better levels of detail and high quality visual effects. With every aspect of graphics performance has been improved to set the standard for next-generation performance and take gaming immersion and audio-visual effects to the next level.



Source: GECUBE


http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpo...36&postcount=1

AMD Unleashes Enthusiast Gaming Performance for the Masses with ATI Radeon HD 3800

AMD today announced the introduction and immediate availability of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series of graphics processing units (GPU). As the world’s first series of graphics processors to deliver Microsoft’s DirectX 10.1 support, 55nm process technology and tri and quad multi-GPU support with ATI CrossFireX, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series ushers in a new era of enthusiast gaming performance at mainstream price points. The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series will be introduced in two variants at launch, from US $179 MSRP, the ATI Radeon HD 3850 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and from US $219 MSRP, the ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB GDDR4 memory. The launch of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series redefines the enthusiast segment and puts high performance gaming in reach of more users than ever before. This innovative new series of graphics products also represent the first step in the launch of AMD’s upcoming enthusiast platform codenamed “Spider.”


http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpo...97&postcount=1

PowerColor Brings Overclocked HD 3850 & HD 3870 Boards

Not long after the official release, TUL Corporation informs that new standard and overclocked versions of the HD 3850 and HD 3870 boards are now ready to roll. Both product lines aim to bring HD gaming graphics to serious gamers with the latest advancements in graphic card technology.




HD 3850 and HD 3870 are built on the first GPUs on 55nm processing technology and PowerColor has taken full advantage of this by ramping the core speeds with the help of some unique cooling; the overclocked versions are dubbed Professional Cooling System (PCS) editions.

The whole product line comes with a barrage of the cool technologies, with the support for PCI Express 2.0, Microsoft DirectX 10.1, Shader Model 4.1, Universal Video Decode, HDMI and plug-and-play ATI CrossFireX multi-GPU technology.

"HD 3800 series from PowerColor packs the latest and greatest into a couple of very competitive product lines." says Ted Chen, CEO of TUL Corporation. "With a full lineup that includes the standard to ramped up speeds, hopefully gamers will be spoiled by our choices."



Source: PowerColor


http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=44563

Less = better :




At a suggested retail price of about $180, the Radeon HD 3850 actually offers a better dollars-to-FPS ratio.



Summary: Far and away the best card you can buy for less than $200. To do better, you have to spend considerably more.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2217144,00.asp

HD3850 Vs 8600GTS







http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=8

[Miwo]

Hoping to see other online stores carry the cards...

NCIX is somewhat slow IMO on shipping time...last time I ordered, it took them 2 days to ship out, which really defeated the purpose for me paying for overnight shipping. On top of that, sig.confirmation is required on their orders on top of their phone verification system....so more time Pingponging with Fedex if you work normal hour days.

[GAR]

ill wait for other etailors, ncix sucks from wut i hear.....SLOW

[GAR]

That can be said of the 8800GT as well. Right now the ONLY card that can even come close to that is the 8800GTX.

my 8800gt overclocked is about 15% faster than my 8800gtx overclocked to ultra speeds.

[SKYMTL]

my 8800gt overclocked is about 15% faster than my 8800gtx overclocked to ultra speeds.

At higher resolutions? Because my 8800GT overclocked quite a bit CANNOT compete with my 8800GTX at 1600x1200 in Crysis with Very High Detail.

[Miwo]

As far as overclocking, I am a bit concerned because no website has hit over 860MHz. It may be premature on my part, but I have a feeling it might be hindered by the same BIOS bug that plagues RV630 overclocking. If you do a search on RV630 overclocking, you will find that users hit a hard wall at 857MHz due to the bios. If so, we need an updated/modified BIOS, or better overclocking tools.

Hardwarecanucks will be testing to see if they can get past the 860MHz wall with the DuOrb cooler hopefully sometime soon. *crosses fingers*. SKYMTL, can you check to see if the AMDGPUClockTool application works on the RV670? Is AMD going to release an updated clocking program on Spider's 19th Launch (like the one seen in the Youtube video?)

[mascaras]

AA seems OK


3Dmark 2006 @ AA 8x

CF HD3850






Believe it or not, but a pair of these $179 Radeon HD 3850s actually gives you the same performance as a single GeForce 8800 GTX.



http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=10

[HousERaT]

As far as overclocking, I am a bit concerned because no website has hit over 860MHz. It may be premature on my part, but I have a feeling it might be hindered by the same BIOS bug that plagues RV630 overclocking. If you do a search on RV630 overclocking, you will find that users hit a hard wall at 857MHz due to the bios. If so, we need an updated/modified BIOS, or better overclocking tools.

Hardwarecanucks will be testing to see if they can get past the 860MHz wall with the DuOrb cooler hopefully sometime soon. *crosses fingers*.

I hope there is no overclocking wall that cooling won't solve.

[RaKLeZ]

Is there a CF review on P35 (4x/16x)?

[SKYMTL]

SKYMTL, can you check to see if the AMDGPUClockTool application works on the RV670?

If I did this review thing full-time you would already have results but I have a a full-time job so you will have to wait for tonight....

Anyways, I have not tried the AMD GPU Clock tool but I can tell you that Rivatuner had the same issue of the card locking up the second I applied an overclock above 860MHz.

[bedlamite]

Well it's good i still dont have my cash :P
Ill prolly buy 3850 512, but i still wonder how will perform 8800gt 256.
So i still hae some time to wait and see what will be best. (or maybe 8800gt will be available to buy for normal price? ).