Wait for the new 8800GTS...ATI is pulling its punches...or are they? Seems like NVIDIA is the one pulling punches. ATI seems to be floating like a butterfly and but can't sting like a bee...

With GeForce 8800GT beating HD3870, 8800GTS512 closing in on GTX, and GeForce9 coming Feb (if DigiTimes is to be trusted)...AMD better lower their prices and start engineering like there's no tomorrow...because it seems to be that way at the moment for them...

Correction, they slashed FROM USD219 to USD199 for HD3870.

Take a look HERE.

HD3850 can be overclocked from 670 MHz to 776 MHz for the RV670 (+16%) and from 833 MHz to 1050 MHz for the GDDR3 (+26%).

HD3870 can only be overclocked from at 775 MHz to 839 MHz for the RV670 (+8%) and from 1125 MHz to 1270 Mhz for the GDDR4 (+13%). The GDDR4 was certified to run at 1200 MHz in the first place.

So...which card has the best bang for the buck? Up to you to decide. HD3870 is roughly RM150-RM200 more expensive.

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Added on December 2, 2007, 9:27 pmOh, and in case you are even tighter on budget, here is something to look forward to.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 2 2007, 09:27 PM

I'm not sure that is on stock cooling. The article from Tom's Hardware shows overclocking with stock cooling. If you are going to spend RM100-300 for additional cooling, might as well spend the money on a better card like the 8800GT or 8800GTS 512MB or something. You may also achieve higher overcloking results with the HD3850 using the cooling that you are using, assuming that you are not using stock cooling.

OR is it RV680? Quite confused here. Anyway, by that time wouldn't it be more worthwhile getting the D9E or D9P?

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Added on December 4, 2007, 10:51 pmBTW, anyone here have HIS' HD38x0 yet?

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 4 2007, 10:51 PM

Hmm...Image quality...something I haven't really notice. Read about it in TomsHardware and GameSpot last time, but that was during the GeForceFX era where all the NVIDIA cards really do suck. I tweak my brightness, colours, etc. as I do intensive graphics presentation, and this may come as a very welcomed boon for me...if I do not need to tweak much while using ATI, but I seriously doubt that.

Been NVIDIA user since GeForce 256 (that's the first GeForce), and thinking of going ATI since my motherboard supports Crossfire instead of SLI (and CFx scales better than SLI - HD3870 not only performs better than 8800GT, it is cheaper too - source: TomsHardware & AnandTech). The cheaper part...well, got to wait till supply is more than demand as HD3870 shouldn't have cost more than RM800. If it still maintains the same cost even after PCFair and 8800GTS NDA, I'm going to stick with NVIDIA...

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Added on December 5, 2007, 11:26 amOh yeah, it seems to be R680 instead of RV680 as it is AMD.ATI's flagship product.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 5 2007, 11:26 AM

Wow, you notice the image quality difference while gaming? What did you do? Snap every frame, sit back and admire the pictures? Really, image quality comparison may be made within games but how much difference can you notice while gaming? You must be paranoid to really take notice. I play games to relax and enjoy...I want the game to run smooth and beautiful, and not bragging about how much better my image is compared to NVIDIA's. If you notice it while using graphic intensive programs, movie editting or watching...then it'll really be worthwhile to note because they hamper your enjoyment. How would a less jagged fence on your screen make any difference in your pursuit of enjoyment while playing CoH?

Beautiful as in I can turn on all the features in the gaming engine (full details, high details, however you name it) and smooth game as in minimum 20-30fps at 1920 x 1200. How would you notice the jaggies while shooting enemies or tossing them around with the gravity gun in Halflife 2?

Beautiful images as in image quality...really...does it make your game any less fun? It may make the video in my movie duller and that would irked me...but gaming? How would a jagged fence, or clearer cobble pathment, or clearer ocean wave - all in a distance - make my game much more fun?

My point is...you really cannot say anything much about image quality between NVIDIA and AMD.ATI in gaming because they don't really matter much...unless you snap every frame to be made into your wallpapers or something. It matters in movie or other video/graphic intensive softwares.

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Added on December 5, 2007, 4:19 pmRead again, bro.
Notice the bold part?

If not, it is repeated above...

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 5 2007, 04:20 PM

Yo, bro. Read the post above. Here it is if you can't find it.

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Added on December 5, 2007, 4:59 pmI am saying it is important to have beautiful images. But the image quality difference between NVIDIA and ATI while gaming is useless. Image quality between NVIDIA and ATI while using video/graphic intensive software matters. Don't put words in my mouth.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 5 2007, 04:59 PM

Been waiting for a review of HIS' HD3870 cards. Here's an interesting excerpt from Hardware Canucks (Canadian).

Source

Seems to be overlocked with stock heatsink...and guess what? They label HIS to have a lousy heatsink...wonder how it'll perform with the DuOrb. Best to read the whole article. Seems like there's a Crossfire problem under Vista 64bit. Currently, HIS HD3870 is available at PC-Zone for RM895. Don't know about bulk though...

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Added on December 6, 2007, 3:52 amThe power of GDDR4...NVIDIA is still stuck with GDDR3. Wonder what happens if they changed to GDDR4...and AMD.ATI to GDDR5.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 6 2007, 03:52 AM

At its MSRP of around RM800 or less, HD3870 is truly magnificient, especially if you have a Crossfire motherboard (like I do) which makes purchasing HD3870 much sweeter for future expansion. But currently, HD3870 is priced around 8800GT, which makes it...erm...unsuitable buy. But if you are willing to overlook the price, and look forward to DirectX 10.1, true PCI-Express 2.0, and CrossFire X...then, you're set. I suggest waiting a little while for a revision of HIS' HD3870 though. They may come up with Ice Q Turbo version or something. Then maybe you don't need to get DuOrb, HR-03 or FCZV9 or something.

Because it's been sold at higher than it should be? It's new. Everyone is cashing in on juz like how the retailers cashed in on 8800GT when it was new. Wait a while and the price MAY drop. But not sure when though. My guess is after 8800GTS NDA.

Stock Cooler...I think I'm gonna void the warranty and put in Thermalright HR-03 Plus instead Overclocking makes this card worthwhile especially with GDDR4...another reason I'm looking past NVIDIA for the first time (NVIDIA is still stuck with GDDR3 that can't be overclocked much).

I'm playing Bioshock, Gears of War and Hellgate London on 1920 x 1200. I'm anticipating Assasin's Creed and getting Crysis after I finish Bioshock and GoW. I think I need that OC bit.

He want to save the whale as well...

How about getting HIS? Or get the cheapest and use a 3rd party cooler like Thermalright HR-03, ThermalTake DuOrb or Arctic Cooling Accelero SR2?

I have NOT got any HD3870 yet. I'm just thinking of getting it...when the price is right.

This post has been edited by clayclws: Dec 6 2007, 05:55 PM

Crossfire has issues with Vista 64bit...or vice versa.