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Very tempted by the powercolor 3870!

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Soldato
Joined
3 Dec 2004
Posts
2,643
Hi all,

I would like to upgrade my card (256mb X1800XT) as it struggles with oblivion texture packs.

the 3870 by powercolor (on special this week) seems almost to good to be true. I have been out of the computer world for awhile but just comparing the card with nvidia, it seems like you have to spend nearly 50 quid more just to get an equal card -is that right?

Would you say the 3870 would make a good upgrade from a x1800xt?

Thanks
 
I presume your talking about the 800mhz core and 2400 effective memory

i have that card

With an Athlon x2 6400 black (stock), it gets me 10175 on 3Dmark06 with no overclocking... depending on what you get now i would say yes, it is worth it...

Damn you overclockers for lowering the price a ton after i buy it :p
 
I just can't decide on one of these or an 8800gt. The prices are so close. I know the 8800gt is supposed to be quicker but im just drawn to the 3870. Guess im still swayed towards ATI after having an x1900xt for so long.
 
Drukk said:
I just can't decide on one of these or an 8800gt. The prices are so close. I know the 8800gt is supposed to be quicker but im just drawn to the 3870. Guess im still swayed towards ATI after having an x1900xt for so long.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posts,

How much faster is the gt?
 
The 8800GT is faster, about 20% overall.

3870 uses slightly less power (only 8-9w).

New revision 8800gt cooler is very quiet, old one is loud. 3870 cooler from what I've heard can be very loud under load.

8800GT handles AA better.
 
Thanks for posts,

At the moment, it seems like its agreed the GT and 3870 are great cards. GT takes the lead slightly at a slightly increased price. Also. the powercolor is the best model in the 3870 range?

Can you guys link me to the GT your look at as I see there are a few models.
 
I would go for the powercolours as I have two 3870 XT's and im scoring nearlly 19k in 3dmark with my q6600 at 3.6ghz.

Having two of these cards would blow two GT's anyday due to the better scaling in crossfire.
 
The 8800GT is a better card...so if you can afford it definitely go for that.

Also one thing you should know is that the fan on that powercolor card is freakin loud and you can't adjust it (as far as I know)
 
Okay, many people here are saying that the GT is better, but the cards have differant advantages...

An average GT produces more fps than the average 3870.. not by much i reckon

However, the average 3870 has been known (and by my own personal experience) to have better image quality and depth...

I will post the pictures supporting this later, right now the proxy isn't letting me go onto the site =/

The fan isn't that loud, and it keeps the tempretures at around 29 degrees at idle... 40 on 100% load


I would say that THIS is the best single core 3870 as it has a 850mhz core clock speed but right now might not be worth it as the power colour is much lower in price
 
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the image quality thing is irrelevant IMO...I've seen comparison screenshots where they were zoomed in on some mountain in the background or the edge of some leaf. During gameplay you aren't going to notice a damned bit of difference.
 
If you go for a 3870, then you've chosen the right one.

I have owned a Powercolor Standard 3870, and the Powercolor Extreme 3870. (don't ask) The Powercolor Extreme netted me about 900 3d marks extra then the slower default clocked one.
 
Raikiri said:
The 8800GT is faster, about 20% overall.

3870 uses slightly less power (only 8-9w).

New revision 8800gt cooler is very quiet, old one is loud. 3870 cooler from what I've heard can be very loud under load.

8800GT handles AA better.
Click to expand...

good sum up there buddy!

Anyone that has tried both will tell you the GT is still the sweet spot!
 
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