3870 X2 Reviews

[mascaras]

Hi guys

i received a powercolor HD3870X2 today for testes



Temps Idle / FAN Auto = 50º











Full Temps @ FAn AUTO = 73º / 80º (Gpu1/Gpu2)



3dmark 2006

Q6600@ 3.6ghz
Windows vista ultimate
Powercolor HD3870X2 Default

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4991360








Crysis
Windows Vista 64bits
VGA default
1680x1050
High setings
DX9
Average = 41 FPS










crysis @ 1680x1050 @ DX10 @ Very High









Counter strike Video Stress test
1680x1050
Windows Vista ultimate 64bit
Settings : High










Counter strike Video Stress test
1680x1050
Windows Vista ultimate 64bit
Settings : High
AA :4x










Call of duty 4 MULTIPLAYER
1680x1050
Windows Vista ultimate 64bit
Settings : High
AA : 4x
AF : ON





















regards

[BustaH]

Easily man...

A LOT less latency than regular cross-fire.

You see, regular cross-fire has to do a majority of it's communication through the chipset. Meanwhile this card has it's own splitter and does it's communicating all on card. As such, there's less latency all the way across the board.

ALL current multi-gpu set-ups have to duplicate data for each gpu in ram. They have to, because both gpus need the same textures and shader information as they both work together to render the scene. Essentially they all run as if they had the same amount of ram as the lowest card does. That's just how things have to work currently, and why I believe the R700 will have to have an external memory controller for the MCM package.

To sum it up, this card is like a lower latency CF set up.

So how would you explain similar results in 3dmark?

Im not saying that your theory is wrong it just doesnt seem logical. if it was running lower latency, then surely like i said before it wouldnt perform even close to what two singles in cf can score? [Im talking about stock speeds here.]

and as you see in someone else's post above the powercolor scores 23000. with a factory overclock.

Im just trying to understand your reasoning.

[whocaresbg]

mascaras Is this an original Very High settings cfg on Crysis or modified cfg ?

[mascaras]

mascaras Is this an original Very High settings cfg on Crysis or modified cfg ?

original crysis very high + windows vista 64bit (in game screenshot)

the Crysis benchamrk was with Vista 64bit in DX9 mode @ 1680x1050 , High settings !

catalyst used still the only avaible (cat 8.1)............


regards

[DilTech]

So how would you explain similar results in 3dmark?

Im not saying that your theory is wrong it just doesnt seem logical. if it was running lower latency, then surely like i said before it wouldnt perform even close to what two singles in cf can score? [Im talking about stock speeds here.]

and as you see in someone else's post above the powercolor scores 23000. with a factory overclock.

Im just trying to understand your reasoning.

I see you seem to be confused... I'm going to break this down as best as I possibly can.

All current multi-gpu setups, be it multiple cards, or multiple gpus on a single card, all need to have the same information in each gpu's memory banks, essentially dropping the ram down to one gpu's ram size available.

Crossfire and this card have similar performance because they are practically the same thing, there's just less latency in communications with the 3870x2 compared to twin 3870's, and as such it gives the 3870x2 a bit of an edge over twin 3870's.

Both of them suffer the same issue, even though there's 1 gb of ram total, seeing as both gpus have 512mb of ram, and both need to store identical info in their 512mb, it's the same as only having 512mb.

So, if you were thinking Cross-Fired 3870's effective doubled the ram, you were mistaken... See why they're so much alike now?

[malik22]

mascaras is crysis playable with everything very high maybe at a lower res im talking ingame not the benchmark.

[disruptfam]

18,000 1 3870x2 kool

[mascaras]

Hi guys

i received a powercolor HD3870X2 today for testes

mascaras is crysis playable with everything very high maybe at a lower res im talking ingame not the benchmark.

with low resoluton ??? 1280x1024???


regards

[Unbornchild]

mascaras is crysis playable with everything very high maybe at a lower res im talking ingame not the benchmark.

What do you mean. Crysis IS playable on one single HD 3870, 1600x1200 High XP; i played it 3 times at that. .The 3870x2 does better, the same as crossfire. Now you're asking Mascaras... Haven't you seen his benchmarks? And you ask if lower res is playable?

[malik22]

What do you mean. Crysis IS playable on one single HD 3870, 1600x1200 High XP; i played it 3 times at that. .The 3870 does better, the same as crossfire. Now you're asking Mascaras... Haven't you seen his benchmarks? And you ask if lower res is playable?

Unbornchild i saw Mascaras is on vista now I would like to see veryhigh settings not high I know it runs fine on high very high is a different story though on ati.

[BustaH]

I see you seem to be confused... I'm going to break this down as best as I possibly can.

All current multi-gpu setups, be it multiple cards, or multiple gpus on a single card, all need to have the same information in each gpu's memory banks, essentially dropping the ram down to one gpu's ram size available.

Crossfire and this card have similar performance because they are practically the same thing, there's just less latency in communications with the 3870x2 compared to twin 3870's, and as such it gives the 3870x2 a bit of an edge over twin 3870's.

Both of them suffer the same issue, even though there's 1 gb of ram total, seeing as both gpus have 512mb of ram, and both need to store identical info in their 512mb, it's the same as only having 512mb.

So, if you were thinking Cross-Fired 3870's effective doubled the ram, you were mistaken... See why they're so much alike now?

Thanks very much for your explanation, I understand now.
You even maged to explain it in a way that my limited technical brain can understand.

@Mascaras, What is your overall view of the Card so far? Im interested to know what you think about the 'actual' image quality from your own perspective, benchmarks are all well and good but imo user experience/assesment while being a personal thing is just as, if not more valid. To me anyway.

I believe, the 3870x2 I have shows better image quality than my 8800gtx did.

Thanks for your tests by the way.

[Unbornchild]

Unbornchild i saw Mascaras is on vista now I would like to see veryhigh settings not high I know it runs fine on high very high is a different story though on ati.

Ahh... ok, sorry Malik. You're right: one fraps screenshot with "30fps" is and indication but not more than that.

[malik22]

Ahh... ok, sorry Malik. You're right: one fraps screenshot with "30fps" is and indication but not more than that.

No worries mascaras it would be nice to see the fps in more intensive parts of the game like the ice level.

[SKYMTL]

Sorry Maracas, but those CPUID temperatures look off. There should be the temperatures of TWO GPU cores reported and not only one. Due to one GPU contact plate being copper and one being aluminum, there will be differences in temperature between the two cores.

[mascaras]

Sorry Maracas, but those CPUID temperatures look off. There should be the temperatures of TWO GPU cores reported and not only one. Due to one GPU contact plate being copper and one being aluminum, there will be differences in temperature between the two cores.

there are Two GPU temps on CPUID






while playing GPU1 = 74º/75º

GPU2 = 80º/81º (wont past 81&#186





btw: EK waterblok ready

EK Water Block for ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 Ready

EK Water Block today caught up with Danger Den and CoolIT, by introducing their full cover water block for Radeon HD 3870 X2. The EK's water block is available in three versions:

• EK-FC3870 X2 CF: base made of electrolytic copper, top made of quality acrylic glass and back ram heat sinks made of black anodized aluminium.
• EK-FC3870 X2 - Acetal CF: same as the original acrylic block, but the top is made of quality POM Acetal.
• EK-FC3870 X2 - CF Nickel: base is made of nickel plated copper, while top is made of quality acrylic glass and back ram heat sinks are made of black anodized aluminium.

All three versions weight about 920g and convert the HD 3870 X2 into single-slot cooled video card. The basic EK-FC 3870 X2 CF costs 109.95EUR, while the Acetal and CF Nickel models are priced at 114.95EUR and 119.95EUR respectively. All products should be available for direct purchase from EKWaterBlocks.com SHOP.





EKWaterBlocks



http://www.techpowerup.com/?51331

regards

[STaRGaZeR]

Mascaras, in CPUID the first value is the actual temperature, and the second is the max temperature. Not the second core.

[SKYMTL]

Mascaras, in CPUID the first value is the actual temperature, and the second is the max temperature. Not the second core.

Bingo.

[disruptfam]

is a 3870x2 faster than a 8800ultra?

[mascaras]

Ok , i just made the Pin MOD , overdrive working Now








anyone know a software to control fan???


regards

[Eastcoasthandle]

GDDR4 is on the way!
source

In similar fashion to the GDDR4 based 1GB 2900XTs that popped up soon after initial batches of reference GDDR3 offerings were released, it looks like several ATI partners are planning to use DDR4 memory on select Radeon HD 3870 X2 cards as well.

Fudzilla report that X2s should start appearing in around a few weeks from now, but specific details about how much memory will be implemented or how fast they plan to run it at hasn't yet been revealed.


A few ATI partners have confirmed that they are almost done with their GDDR4 R680 design. Radeon HD 3870 X2 cards are currently selling for around €400, but they are all based on slower DDR3 memory clocked at 1800MHz for the reference cards.

This card should be just a bit more expensive and it should launch in a few weeks, but we don’t expect any significant speed jumps with the new DDR4 card.

The point is, ATI can do it and the partners want it, so they will definitely follow up with the new refreshed card.

[STaRGaZeR]

Where the hell are the 8.2 Cats?

[whocaresbg]

Where the hell are the 8.2 Cats?

This is A M D . Delays without end .

[mascaras]

Where the hell are the 8.2 Cats?

cat 8.1 released on 16th January , so maybe cat 8.2 only on 16th february.


i will not wait 2 weeks..........


regards

[WRC]

all AMD needs to do is write drivers for quad crossfire! I want to see if we can get 60fps in crysis with very high settings at decent resolutions like 1680*1050. They needs to hire more emplyees in the driver department. I'm sure even some people on this board are up to the task!

[STaRGaZeR]

cat 8.1 released on 16th January , so maybe cat 8.2 only on 16th february.


i will not wait 2 weeks..........


regards

Maybe, but ATI usually changes the release date of their drivers.

BTW what are the games you are having problems with?