Right I know this is very boring thread title and subject, but i am going to purchase one of the above graphics cards and I was looking for some help/advice as to which to get. Is the 3870 a lot worse than the gts? If i get the GTS i can only get a single card as i will be getting a P35 mobo with the 3870 i could however add a second at a later date. I currently have an unlocked 6800 le so i expect either card to offer a decent performance boost for me. i have recently bought stalker, the witcher and bioshock which chug on my system.
-
Competitor rules
Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.
8800gts or 3870?
- Thread starter fish
- Start date
The 8800GTS is a fair bit more expensive than the average 3870XT (unless you mean the EOL 8800GTS 320MB version). Anyway i personally think the 3870XT offers better value and would go for something like the PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3870 XT Extreme. Its pretty cheap (closest Nvidia card would be an 8800GT 256MB), comes factory overclocked and has a Zalman flower type cooler.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-079-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=416
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-079-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=416
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Jan 2008
- Posts
- 1,249
A single 3870 will be a huge jump in performance from your current card. Later on crossfire 3870's would be bettter than the single 8800GTS, for new & upcoming games. Also you should be able to get the 2nd 3870 cheaper as their price comes further down as time passes.
Soldato
- Joined
- 7 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 9,539
Get the 8800. Always buy the best that you can afford.
Both are great cards tbh mate I dont think you can go Can't go too far wrong with either card.
I went 3870 this time round (was nVidia with 7800GTX prior to that) mainly on the price/performance/noise point and potential for cheap xfire when I go to C2D. The 3870 plays most current games just peachy and at a decent res too, but I think the GTS is a better single card for future games (and Crysis) or if you play lower res with lashings of AA etc. So if you want just a single card to keep for a long time (i.e. as newer more demanding games come out) I would go with the GTS. If not save the cash and go 3870.
I'm certainly pleased with the 3870 as its a nice cheap, powerful and quiet card, and loads of peeps here are just as pleased with the GTS too.
As you have key games in mind, check out the available benchmarks (from reputable sites) for those specific games as that might help you make up your mind.
I went 3870 this time round (was nVidia with 7800GTX prior to that) mainly on the price/performance/noise point and potential for cheap xfire when I go to C2D. The 3870 plays most current games just peachy and at a decent res too, but I think the GTS is a better single card for future games (and Crysis) or if you play lower res with lashings of AA etc. So if you want just a single card to keep for a long time (i.e. as newer more demanding games come out) I would go with the GTS. If not save the cash and go 3870.
I'm certainly pleased with the 3870 as its a nice cheap, powerful and quiet card, and loads of peeps here are just as pleased with the GTS too.
As you have key games in mind, check out the available benchmarks (from reputable sites) for those specific games as that might help you make up your mind.
Associate
- Joined
- 3 Jan 2008
- Posts
- 182
- Location
- Devon, UK
I would almost agree with you but the Powercolor PCS version performs quite a bit better then the cards with the standard clocks. When I had 2 3870's (one of the slower ones, and a PCS one) there was about 1000 3d marks difference between the two cards.
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Jan 2008
- Posts
- 23
Agree with you there, I currently have 2x Powercolour 3870XT's from OcUK and I cant say anything bad about them, They are powerful yet great performers.
I would say go with the 3870''s due to better scaling in Xfire setups.
Ditto
You mentioned Bioshock. I'm not sure what resolution you'll be playing at but at 1280 1024 my 256mb x1800xt played it at high settings with no noticable stutter. I have since upgraded to the 256mb 3850 but I've not yet played bioshock, been playing orange box. Note, I don't do any of that forcing stuff in drivers crap, I play the game as it's offered in so far as my hardware will allow.
In answer to your main question, I have to largely agree with the other posters ; there is a pretty big gap in both price & performance between the 3870 & the 8800gts. I agree both are excellent value cards for the money. They also consume similar amounts of electrcity. It will depend on what resolution you play which is better but neither is any slouch in modern games.
In answer to your main question, I have to largely agree with the other posters ; there is a pretty big gap in both price & performance between the 3870 & the 8800gts. I agree both are excellent value cards for the money. They also consume similar amounts of electrcity. It will depend on what resolution you play which is better but neither is any slouch in modern games.