If the price is right, I may migrate to R680 from this HD3870. Then again, may need 2 HR03GT for that behemoth

Big difference mate. I was on 8600GT as well Go Tomshardware or Anandtech. Those two are enough to leave an impression (or otherwise) on you First time using ATI...not completely sold on the better IQ thing yet, but my HIS HD3870 hasn't disappoint me so far...except the fan thing, which I knew from the start before I bought it.

My suggestion though...wait for R680 to come out.

Yeah...and if you can't afford R680...there will be a lot of people that may sell their HD3870 to get the R680. I may be one of them... So, you can get a month old HD3870 for very cheap. It's also OC and stressed tested for you

This post has been edited by clayclws: Jan 13 2008, 01:08 AM

If you are not one to add in a 3rd party heatsink, better wait for the IceQ or IceQ Turbo version. HIS HD3870 is very hot since its heatsink is very small and the fan is extremely loud...like a hairdryer. And believe me, it is indeed a hairdryer.


If you are not willing to overclock on your own, IceQ Turbo may be better but when will it arrive here is anyone's guess. Also, the pricing may not be reasonable. Should wait for R680 if you haven't decide on an upgrade.

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Added on January 13, 2008, 12:34 pmEither you overclocked too much or the fan and heatsink are not efficient.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Jan 13 2008, 12:34 PM

He did...
Anyway TheTraffic, if you don't overclock, the stock heatsink and fan is fine. Even if you overclock, you can set the fan speed to be very high (and very noisy) and you'll still be fine. People in here are mostly enthusiasts that like to overclock and most of us like to make sure our graphic card stays a lot cooler and quiter than normal...so that's why we change the heatsink. Also, changing heatsink on a GPU is the same as CPU...you may be able to extend the limit of overclocking.

And again, wait for R680...

This post has been edited by clayclws: Jan 13 2008, 07:09 PM

My hope...is that it actually work as a SINGLE card and NOT CF...so that all motherboard without CF support can actually use it. If it is so, I would say, it is indeed R680

Oh, btw, it is officially spotted at CES2008. Refer to: http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=224402

This post has been edited by clayclws: Jan 13 2008, 07:49 PM

Had the same problem. I uninstall every ATI possible, including registry edits and manually looked up every .dll available, but it still happens. In the end, I just forget about it and just install the drivers without the CCC. I use Rivatuner instead.

We can't say for sure until it out...

Refer here: http://www.guru3d.com/article/article/449/1/

Huh? That's manual adjusting...

Errr...each card differs. I suggest waiting for better cooler version from HIS and PowerColor...or R680.

Would be helpful if you post your system setups, OS, graphics related software, past GPU...all with version numbers please

In that case, it won't matter whether if it's Sapphire, PowerColor, HIS, ASUS, GeCube, Gigabyte, MSI or whatever brand. Just get the brand you trust the most. Favourites are HIS, Sapphire, ASUS and PowerColor.

Depending on the brand and bargaining skills, RM750-RM850.

AC has their own version of fans. You can mount two of those unto the S1.

According to PC-Zone's price list, they have the Turbo Module (aka AC Fans) at RM45 each. Personally, I haven't gone to ask about it.

Maybe you should get new cards...I don't think the pricing for HD3870 and HD3850 will be lowered much. Unless you think of getting a 2nd hand HD3870 when people start ditching it for R680.


It's a damn lousy card. It's a downgrade from 8800GT.

No...NVIDIA 9600GT.


Last time I went to buy my HIS, I think PC-Zone sells the GeCube HD3870 OC Ed. for RM830. Can bargain lah...

1. Do you overclock? If no, you can try.

2. Even if you do overclock...It has better stock heatsink and fan...so, could be a good buy.

2. Do you dare void the warranty and get your own 3rd party cooler? If yes, then don't buy it. Get a normal HD3870 and use 3rd party cooler.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Jan 15 2008, 06:51 PM

Wahaha...after that period, with the extra angpow money (assuming you are Chinese), you can consider R680

1. Depends on overclocking, chassis temperature and ventilation, fan speed, heatsink (stock or otherwise)...
2. S1 is the best bang for the buck, not the best.
3. Preinstalled with great cooler also warrants a greater price tag...and they are not as good as S1. Eg. PowerColor, GeCube, HIS.